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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>13640</ID> <title>Giving the Power to the Patients: An Interview with Dr. Gregg DeNicola from Caduceus Medical Group</title> <publishDate>2021-08-21 14:32:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_1 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_1"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_1 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_0"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_image0.jpeg-e1630678490917.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_image0.jpeg" class="wp-image-13644" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interview with Dr. Gregg DeNicola - Co-founder of Caduceus Medical Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When he was merely a high schooler, Dr. Gregg DeNicola discovered his passion for practicing medicine while volunteering at a pediatric ward. "I remember watching kids light up when we visited, and the faces of their parents too." Coming from a proud, hardworking, blue-collar family with a small liquor store business, Dr. DeNicola was determined (and pushed by his parents) to become professional by trade and used his volunteering experience as a sign that he belonged in medicine. In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. DeNicola describes his experience of practicing Family Medicine for over thirty-five years and co-founding Caduceus Medical Group (CMG), an innovative physician-owned multi-specialty group in Orange County.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical Training and a Double-edged Corporate Experience&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola has a bright academic record, received a Bachelor of Science Cum Laude, and completed medical school at Creighton University. He completed his internship and residency at Northridge Hospital (UCLA School of Medicine). In the early 80s, Dr. DeNicola started in a small Family Practice Group, allowing him to start an Independent Physicians Association (IPA) managed care group a few years later. This business was a very successful venture and handled things like HMO contracts and managed care. Due to its success, they took the company public in the 90s. By 1997 Dr. DeNicola started to see the problem with the single-minded obsession with corporate profits - "We discovered that a doctors group probably shouldn't be a publicly run company, maybe for hospitals or pharmaceutical companies - that's OK, but not doctors… In the public marketplace, the need to make a profit is so great, but health care really shouldn't be about making a profit."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Co-founding Caduceus Medical Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fed up with the drag of a constant corporate need for profit, Dr. DeNicola co-founded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.caduceusmedicalgroup.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caduceus Medical Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on January 1, 1999. Under his leadership, Dr. DeNicola and a handful of other close physician co-founders created a new kind of multi-specialty medical group that was less weighed down by shareholders and government interference. The group was also not locked into certain hospital systems and specific pharmaceutical companies. Instead, Caduceus Medical Group's business model puts the doctors and community they serve first by giving their patients an innovative high amount of freedom of choice in specialists, hospitals, medicine, cash price lists, and guaranteed access to care as a cornerstone of operating philosophy. This setup is similar to the local community multi-specialty medical group business model that was commonplace before the corporate takeover of medical groups in the 1970s and 1980s. However, the difference between those early multi-specialty practices and Caduceus Medical Group is that CMG created six locations throughout Orange County without outsourcing any billing, collection, coding, or upper management. "We're definitely run by our doctors, and we're fiercely independent, so we don't allow hospitals to affiliate with us, or any HMO, or health system.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We truly only have one customer, and that's our patients,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola proudly states.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Expanding the Business&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caduceus Medical Group has added several expansions to the group through the years. What started with just a mix of Family Practice, Pediatrics, and OB-GYN specialists has expanded into Physical Therapy, Radiology, Psychology, Urgent Care, and labs. "We did it organically. We didn't really make any acquisitions. Maybe a few tiny ones, but we mostly kept reinvesting profits in ourselves, and that prevented us from going to hospitals on our knees,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola shares.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today, CMG is open to more investment and looking to hire more doctors and specialists to expand the company into Los Angeles and Southern California.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Differences in Business Model from Competitors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They all have the term 'healthcare system' - which means they control the doctors, the hospital, the health plan, the pharmacy, as much of the pie as they can control is what makes them a 'system.' We're very proud not to be part of a system. We're your doctor." In short, Dr. DeNicola tells us that CMG gives the patient the power to choose their desired hospital or specialist (provided their insurance companies will cooperate), which sets them apart from other healthcare systems.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19 and Telemedicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, Dr. DeNicola tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that his organization has been using telemedicine for patients since 2014. When the first wave of the pandemic rocked the country's healthcare system, CMG was able to quickly adapt to the pandemic with their existing online/app appointment system and a fully operational telemedicine healthcare protocol in place. Despite this, unfortunately, several of the staff were still affected by the pandemic. Dr. DeNicola himself also suffered from lingering severe effects of coronavirus pneumonia, which has sidelined him from caring for patients in person.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's Next for The COVID-19 Long-Haulers?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola is currently concerned about treating the next phase of this pandemic, the COVID-19 long-haulers. "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By long haulers, we mean patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 two months or more after they had the bug. Usually, these symptoms are different from when they were sick. Depression, PTSD, heart attack strokes, these things aren't rare." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola is hopeful for national herd immunity to be achieved possibly by Halloween this year, and perhaps then a shift into preventing it from coming back. Still, Dr. DeNicola is noticing a need for vigilance against the virus, "I tell my patients, it's like the coronavirus is a poodle. And COVID-19 didn't mutate into a pitbull…it mutated into a pack of wolves. It's one really, really mean virus." Despite the pandemic, Dr. DeNicola is adamant that new doctors be wary of focusing on profits. They need to go back to putting patients first now more than ever.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_image0.jpeg-e1630678490917.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/business/financial/giving-the-power-to-the-patients-an-interview-with-dr-gregg-denicola-from-caduceus-medical-group/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>7009</ID> <title>CEO Nick Loporcaro and Dr. Michael Le: Your Neighborhood Doctors</title> <publishDate>2021-04-18 20:39:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Visiting the doctor's office can often be a tedious and time-consuming task. Older people especially find themselves hospitalized as they undergo follow-up treatment, and their end-of-life care often comes from a sterilized hospital room.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Landmark Health is founded on the principle of receiving the highest quality care from the comfort of your home. Landmark CEO Nick Loporcaro and co-founder/CMO Dr. Michael Le are out to change the experience not only for the elderly but also for people with multiple chronic health conditions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7029,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CEO-Nick-Loporcaro-and-Dr.-Michael-Le_-Your-Neighborhood-Doctors-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7029"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Viable Business Model&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A current hospital's business model has a doctor visiting an average of 30 patients a day, keeping them on a constant rush from patient to patient. This cycle struck Landmark’s founders as problematic. They wanted to innovate a new structure that allowed doctors more control while treating frail patients in place, thus creating real change and impact for patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Enter Landmark Health, the company that allows doctors to visit patients as long as they need and in the locations that benefit them.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7012,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7012"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Wrapping 24/7 medical professional service around patients increases their quality of life," Le said. "We made it 24/7 to get in front of that 911 call. I've seen it many times where these vulnerable patients, who come in with relatively minor things, can catch infections from the hospital."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the spread of COVID-19, Landmark's services have only become more relevant and have begun to appeal to more patients seeking services that go above routine hospital care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;High-Quality Concierge Services&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"We analyzed patients receiving Landmark care versus those who were similarly matched elsewhere. We found a 26% reduction in the mortality rate for patients using Landmark services," Dr. Michael Le said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Landmark Health has found a niche in which doctors visit six to eight patients a day in their homes. This model minimizes the patient's contact with potentially harmful germs, increases their personal care, and gives them a higher quality of life with more time with their families at home.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"From a patient's satisfaction standpoint, you can imagine this is that free concierge-level of care for those who would never be able to afford it, so just tremendous patient status satisfaction," Le continued.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I aspire to see the day where we have so much density in a market that our providers can walk out of their homes and walk to their patients' homes," Loporcaro said. "We want to build up that density to increase the quality of care for our patients and the quality of life for our doctors as well."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Loporcaro also noted that Landmark provides a viable option for doctors who want to practice their passion and treat patients the way they want while earning a very competitive salary. Landmark has a robust shared services and IT infrastructure to support their local interdisciplinary teams, allowing doctors and advanced practice providers to focus on their passion - taking care of patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7010,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7010"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you are interested in learning more about Landmark Health,&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.landmarkhealth.org" target="_blank"&gt;you can visit here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.landmarkhealth.org/" target="_blank"&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; Landmark is also actively growing! &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.landmarkhealth.org/join-our-team/" target="_blank"&gt;Visit the following page if you would like to apply!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CEO-Nick-Loporcaro-and-Dr.-Michael-Le_-Your-Neighborhood-Doctors-1-1024x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/ceo-nick-loporcaro-and-dr-michael-le-your-neighborhood-doctors/</url> </article> <article> <ID>3799</ID> <title>Joe Biden, the self-proclaimed President-Elect</title> <publishDate>2020-11-14 06:29:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Joe Biden, the supposed President-Elect gave his victory speech last weekend promising unity and a more connected America. To enact his vision, he believes he must undo everything that President Trump established, especially in the health care scene. What exactly does Joe Biden’s vision for the medical world look like and how will it affect you?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Joe Biden’s healthcare vision has been widely criticized by conservatives and progressives alike. What he calls Medicare for all, most see as a mere stepping stone to true “Medicare for all”. The presumed President-Elect believes that his plan will provide 97% of Americans with health coverage, through a Medicare esque program and increase the Affordable Care Act through bolstered subsidies. Biden’s plan strives to alter prescription drug pricing and raise taxes for his healthcare agenda. According to an analysis from the &lt;a href="https://www.crfb.org/papers/primary-care-estimating-democratic-candidates-health-plans"&gt;Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget&lt;/a&gt;, Biden’s plan would incur a total cost of $2.25 trillion and $800 billion in deficits for over a decade.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The first plan the presumed President-Elect would like to enact is reducing the qualifying age for Medicare from 65 to 60. In order to make such a proposition a reality, funding would have to come from tax revenues, rather than the Medicare trust fund (which is slated to run out out of money in six years). Lowering the Medicare age may reduce hospital costs and increase private insurance risk pools. However, Biden’s plan could also result in significantly lower reimbursements for hospitals, because Medicare pays far less than private insurance. Losing funding such as this could prove to be disastrous, killing vital revenue streams for healthcare providers; not to mention how damaging the increase of taxes and premiums may be for American families.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3801,"width":541,"height":676,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/washington-d-c-august-12-2009-vice-president-joe-biden-official-portrait-white-72b774.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3801" width="541" height="676"/&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Washington, DC, August 12, 2009 -- Vice President Joe Biden, official portrait. White House Photo&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The next thing that Biden is proposing is the end of “surprise billing”. Last year Congress failed to pass legislation that would bar healthcare providers from billing customers out of the blue for surprise expenses. Presumed President-Elect Biden says that he &lt;strong&gt;will&lt;/strong&gt; bar providers from charging any extra expenses when the individual has no choice of care during an emergency or ambulance services. Surprise billing will continue to be a prevalent issue during this trying season because many Americans will be filing for unemployment. Keep in mind however that Biden has been extremely vague on how he would do this, but if he succeeded, it would save upwards of $40 billion.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As stated before, Biden has a plan to boost the Affordable Care Act. He would like to see the removal of the current cap limiting subsidies for those making 400% of the national poverty level, translating to Americans paying no more than 8.5% of their income towards premiums. However, during Obama’s presidency, when the ACA was promised to reduce such premiums, they increased upwards of 40%. There is no reason, nor security that this won’t happen again. Providers see this as an opportunity to increase their operating rates and make marketing plans more tempting to beneficiaries.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3803,"width":623,"height":555,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Joe_Biden_kickoff_rally_May_2019-1024x912.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3803" width="623" height="555"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Lastly on Biden’s list is his prescription medication reform. Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed over the last few years, making it difficult for Americans to pay for the medications they need. Roughly 1 in 4 Americans say that it has become increasingly difficult for them to purchase their medications, and it has become a bipartisan goal to reduce the costs of such medications. Biden’s solution involves following the democrat’s plan of removing the exception for drug corporations to negotiate with medicare on prices. Essentially, drug corporations are in charge of acquiring prescription medications in part D of the Medicare plan. Biden would also like to limit the launch prices of drugs that don’t face generic competition, through the establishment of an independent review board. This review board would watch prices in other countries, through external reference pricing.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Biden’s plans look beneficial on the surface, however, if you look deeper you will find that it will cause more harm than good. The financial future of America and her people is not something that should be handled flippantly. If the President-Elect were to succeed in enacting his plans, there is no telling what kind of irreparable damage America’s economy may sustain. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/washington-d-c-august-12-2009-vice-president-joe-biden-official-portrait-white-72b774.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=3799</url> </article> <article> <ID>3778</ID> <title>What Biden’s Win Will Mean For Healthcare/Medicare ... Either way RPM is here to stay!</title> <publishDate>2020-11-10 14:34:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the 2020 Presidential Election now over and Joe Biden declared the 46th President-Elect of the United States of America, what does this mean for healthcare and medical practices and hospitals and insurance premiums all across the nation? Honestly, with a divided government, it means really stable times ahead for everyone as the government won’t be able to effect too much change. The stock markets are already reflecting this newfound stability from predictability.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This also gives our nation time to heal and focus on what matters most: true positive help and growth where American’s find and give it most: at the local level. Real doctors; real patients; real solutions. Let small business and community America have a chance to heal and reunite and the American people will once again show that they call the shots and produce the backbone of resilience that make us all Americans.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When it comes to healthcare, there are a few things we’ll be watching here at Top Doctor Magazine and let’s start with where the two campaigns saw common ground in this past election cycle: according to Trump’s campaign site, he also is envisaging a future in which the individual, whether patient or doctor, is in charge of their healthcare, “surprise billing” is banned, and veterans are protected and provided with “world-class” healthcare and services.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3779,"width":342,"height":342,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Copy-of-Presidential-Candidates-Contrasting-Visions-For-The-Future-of-Healthcare-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3779" width="342" height="342"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Surprisingly, both candidates have shared this common goal and to reduce prescription drug prices. Former Vice President Joe Biden has also made clear his intention to reduce prescription drug costs, by creating an independent commission to regulate drug costs and simultaneously removing tax breaks being given to pharmaceutical companies.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The similarities end there though, as Biden plans not on removing and repealing the Affordable Care Act, but rather reinforcing and enlarging it. He plans to add a public option plan that would allow all Americans to have premium-free healthcare that is similar to Medicare, regardless of any other insurance options available to the individual. Biden has mentioned that undocumented immigrants will be given access to this public option plan as well. His administration would also be removing the income cap that determines eligibility for a tax credit that assists in paying for insurance premiums.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While Trump has taken steps to separate government funding and abortion, Biden plans to resume financial support of Planned Parenthood, and allow federally funded abortions. Biden has shared a 775 billion dollar plan for child and elder care that will shorten waitlists for patients requiring home care, and allocating tax breaks for caregivers of elderly family members.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Finally, Biden intends to create a public health jobs corps that would employ hundreds of thousands of American healthcare workers to serve in prevention of diseases in communities that are currently understaffed, care for veterans, and combat addictions.  &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3780,"width":823,"height":489,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Untitled-design-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3780" width="823" height="489"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With President-Elect Joe Biden looking to claim the Oval Office come January, we can expect he will attempt big changes in the healthcare world. But with a &lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/11/07/932068951/senate-control-likely-decided-by-fate-of-2-georgia-runoff-races"&gt;Republican-controlled Senate&lt;/a&gt;, it will be very hard for any sweeping changes to be effected. Some may see this as a bad thing, but&amp;nbsp; usually the less the government can do and the more small businesses and community leaders can do, the better for you and me across the nation. One such bottom-up innovation that is and will continue to make sweeping changes and advances to healthcare no matter what is Remote Patient Monitoring. With the advent of Covid-19, huge advances have been made in the world of telehealth. RPM uses digital technology to collect health information from patients and electronically transfer that data to their health care providers, who are then able to assess needs and make prescriptions for care. This ability to care for and monitor patients remotely has been an amazing asset in reducing the amount of in-person doctors appointments and ongoing visits required by doctors.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Copy-of-Presidential-Candidates-Contrasting-Visions-For-The-Future-of-Healthcare-1024x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=3778</url> </article> <article> <ID>3767</ID> <title>Presidential Candidates' Contrasting Visions For The Future of Healthcare</title> <publishDate>2020-11-01 10:28:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the presidential election approaches, the topic of healthcare is front and center once more. Both candidates hold contrasting views and the American people are again at odds. So, what do these men believe, and how will it affect the future of healthcare?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Healthcare is a complicated topic that covers many areas that impact civilian life, government policy, business, and innovation. How these men treat healthcare policy will have drastic effects on the rest of the nation. Voting is essential to ensure that your voice is heard and that you are doing your part to see your healthcare needs' proper resolution.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But what exactly do these men believe when it comes to fair and proper healthcare?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3770,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Presidential-Candidates-Contrasting-Visions-For-The-Future-of-Healthcare-2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3770"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Well, President Trump has a firm conservative view on how healthcare should operate. First and foremost, Trump plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a free-market plan. Through this, he wants to give authority to the states, permitting consumers to purchase across state lines. This would break insurance company monopolies. Trump's plan would provide individual tax relief for insurance and help keep plans affordable. As well as wants to maintain and further improve Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The large theme around Trump's views on healthcare is the removal of government control over them. He believes the only involvement the government should have, is to make sure that institutions are financially strong in catastrophic happenings. In the end, medical care should remain private. Socialized medicine is not an attractive idea to the President.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another great plan Trump has is to create deals with local hospitals to increase care for impoverished communities. Low-income Americans deserve the same healthcare as everyone else, and Trump wants to make sure that there is a plan in place to make that happen. As for abortion, Trump has always been pro-life and remains to be so.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;His vaccination stances are pro-vaccine, but not pro "all in one" vaccinations for children. He believes that vaccines are beneficial and help curb serious illness. Still, he also believes that super dosing with vaccines can lead to aging children's physical and cognitive disabilities.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Biden, on the other hand, has polar opposite views.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3769,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Presidential-Candidates-Contrasting-Visions-For-The-Future-of-Healthcare-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3769"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Candidate Biden has always been pro ACA and wants to push to protect further and expand it, removing any congressional talks about its repeal. To go along with this, Biden wants to expand premium subsidies with the ACA. This would include those who make 400% more than the national poverty level. He also would like to reinstate funding for the ACA. As for Medicare, Biden does not want it to be universal and will push people to receive similar care through the ACA.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Biden would like to increase the government's presence in the medical arena, having individuals rely on the government for medical assistance. He would also like the government's ability to help negotiate prices for healthcare with individuals on a personal basis. He would permit the importation of prescription drugs, rather than the U.S. made generic.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Biden says that because of his Catholic background, he is not pro-abortion; however, he will not stop abortions. He believes abortions are every woman's right to choose and that he should not get in the way of that kind of personal decision. This includes late-term abortions and federal funding.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Other stances Biden holds include his wanting to establish an LGBTQ+ mental health task force, a Racial and Ethnic Disparity task force, and increase opioid crisis treatment.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As evidenced above, both candidates share drastically different views on how the healthcare system should work. Their choices will have lasting effects on the nation for many years to come. As a voter, now is the time for your voice to be heard. Will you heed the call?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Presidential-Candidates-Contrasting-Visions-For-The-Future-of-Healthcare-2-1024x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=3767</url> </article> <article> <ID>3735</ID> <title>2020 Election: What a Trump Win vs A Biden Win Will Mean For Healthcare/Medicare ... Either way RPM is here to stay!</title> <publishDate>2020-10-28 15:35:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;One of the key points that concern Americans everywhere when comparing the two potential presidential candidates is their stance on healthcare. Both President Trump and former Vice President Biden have made their plans for altering the current state of affairs fairly clear, and the tacts they both plan to take could not be more different. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3737,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3737"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Since President Trump’s inauguration in 2017, he has been attacking the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and working to “repeal and replace” what he declared to be an unconstitutional approach to healthcare. His initial attempt to dramatically do away with Obamacare was thwarted, and he and his administration have since chosen to dismantle the Affordable Care Act bit by bit, rather than all at once.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Some ways that this has been done is in eliminating the “individual mandate”, which is the requirement that all Americans either be on a healthcare plan, or pay a significant penalty. This was intended to keep healthcare premiums low by flooding the insurance marketplace with healthy consumers. Trump reduced the penalty to $0, and insurance premiums rose in response, as healthy individuals chose not to have insurance, and the pool of insurance users grew smaller and sicker. This mandate has yet to be settled, as the issue is still under discussion in several courts. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3738,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/4-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3738"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another big change made by President Trump removed the ban on Medicaid adding work requirements to their plan, effectively giving Medicaid the ability to kick people off of Medicaid for being unemployed or not working a certain amount of hours. This is another controversial move that is likely going to be decided in the Supreme Court.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Several other changes have been made to the ACA, and this some claim that this has made American citizens who rely on Medicaid and other forms of government healthcare uneasy, as the changes to policy result in a level of uncertainty.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If President Trump continues to hold office in 2021, he has declared his intention to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and insurance premiums, as well as creating more coverage for American citizens that have preexisting conditions. He has been unclear about the exact method he plans to use to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, but what has been extremely evident is that he intends to do away with it, as he has reiterated that it is, in his opinion, “unconstitutional” and “too expensive”.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;President Trump has pledged to issue every American on Medicare essentially a $200 gift card for prescription drugs while policies for prescription drug reform are being put into place.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;According to Trump’s campaign site, he also is envisaging a future in which the individual, whether patient or doctor, is in charge of their healthcare, “surprise billing” is banned, and veterans are protected and provided with “world-class” healthcare and services.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Surprisingly, the plans both candidates have shared have at least one shared goal. Former Vice President Joe Biden has also made clear his intention to reduce prescription drug costs, by creating an independent commission to regulate drug costs and simultaneously removing tax breaks being given to pharmaceutical companies.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3739,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/5-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3739"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The similarities end there, as Biden plans not on removing and repealing the Affordable Care Act, but rather reinforcing and enlarging it. He plans to add a public option plan that would allow all Americans to have premium-free healthcare that is similar to Medicare, regardless of any other insurance options available to the individual. Biden has mentioned that undocumented immigrants will be given access to this public option plan as well. His administration would also be removing the income cap that determines eligibility for a tax credit that assists in paying for insurance premiums.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While Trump has taken steps to separate government funding and abortion, Biden plans to resume financial support of Planned Parenthood, and allow federally funded abortions. Biden has shared a 775 billion dollar plan for child and elder care that will shorten waitlists for patients requiring home care, and allocating tax breaks for caregivers of elderly family members.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Finally, Biden intends to create a public health jobs corps that would employ hundreds of thousands of American healthcare workers to serve in prevention of diseases in communities that are currently understaffed, care for veterans, and combat addictions.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;No matter which man finds themselves seating in the Oval Office come January, we can expect big changes in the healthcare world. But something that will be around no matter the man in the office is Remote Patient Monitoring. With the advent of Covid-19, huge advances have been made in the world of telehealth. RPM uses digital technology to collect health information from patients and electronically transfer that data to their health care providers, who are then able to assess needs and make prescriptions for care. This ability to care for and monitor patients remotely has been an amazing asset in reducing the amount of in-person doctors appointments and ongoing visits required by doctors.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3-1-1024x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=3735</url> </article> <article> <ID>2378</ID> <title>The Rich Have Stopped Aging (Part 2)</title> <publishDate>2020-05-24 18:15:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_2 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_2"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_2 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_1"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/17-3.jpg" alt="" title="17-3" class="wp-image-2379" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_2 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;I recently watched an episode of Doctor Who, the British sci-fi TV show. In that episode, they used miraculous microscopic tiny robots to repair and grow tissue that was perfectly matched to a patient's body based on their DNA. I found myself laughing as I watched and not because it was particularly funny but because their robots are precisely what we already have in our bodies in the form of stem cells. &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_3 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Today, we are using cellular therapy to do things that probably would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. We are on the cutting edge of the most incredible advances in medical technology that harnesses a blend of genetics, regenerative medicine, and Mother Nature. We are finally able to harvest these tiny little biological robots and move them to areas where we can use them instead of discarding them after birth. Regenerative medicine is simply a means to stoke the flames of those natural fires of human healing. Let us explore the steps of regeneration. Step One: When your body is injured, or cells grow old and begin to die, your system sends out SOS signals in the form of inflammation. This cascade of inflammation activates a signal of chemicals known as cytokines that cause an army of stem cells and other cellular tissues to race to the scene and suppress inflammation.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_4 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;This mixture of cells is a "regenerative soup," which is incredibly good at reducing inflammation and modulating your body's immune response. Large amounts of growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, etc. are also present in the "regenerative soup." If the body needs repair, tissue repair occurs. Step Two: Once on the scene of the injury or cell death, stem cells "morph" into any of the 220 different cell types. The repair process begins. What's the secret? Is there a secret laboratory in the desert of California wherein a deep vault, scientists are developing the most potent drug ever imagined? A Drug so powerful and amazing that it can regenerate every cell in the human body? Have the most significant scientific minds finally come up with the Fountain of Youth? No! It's not hidden in some secret location. The secret has been in plain sight for 100 years.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_5 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;The secret cure is in the miraculous and amazing bodies of pregnant mothers. Within their placenta and umbilical cord tissues, those regenerative "powers" are stored just waiting to be released. Once the army of stem cells enters the fight, miracles happen. Knees and hips are repaired. Diseased, in-flamed organs are rejuvenated and regenerated. A youthful feeling returns. Life feels good again. Instead of looking at life and thinking of all the things you can't do anymore, you can start making plans to do all the things you love to do. How about a walk down the beach, a round of golf with your friends, playing with your grandkids, or naturally preserving your precious independence and mobility?&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_6 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Can I, as a healthcare provider, help my patients grow biologically younger and prolong their human youth span? What if Icould help my 70-year-old patients feel 40? Are we willing to accept that getting old and feeling bad is just part of the aging process? I am here to tell you that with the recent scientific breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, old age is optional. The human youth span can be extended 20, 30, even 40 years. Old age is reversed, and the physical decline is delayed. Joint replacement surgeries can be delayed or canceled. What if you could replace all the old worn-out joints naturally? What if you could replace damaged cells in your body with fresh young cells? Is it safe to assume that you would feel much more youthful, look much younger, act much younger? Not exactly! Literally, you would be younger. I can now offer treatment options for anyone wishing to change their lives, and the secret is in the tissues that are the products of conception.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_7 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;“Regenerative medicine is a revolutionary approach to treating many degenerative diseases and injuries,” explains Kristin Comella, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of American Stem Cell Centers of Excellence. “It is continually growing, and includes a variety of techniques, such as stem cell therapy, to harness your own body’s natu-ral healing mechanisms.” treating many degenerative diseases and injuries," explains Kristin Comella, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of American Stem Cell Centers of Excellence. "It is continually growing, and includes a variety of techniques, such as stem cell therapy, to harness your own body's natural healing mechanisms."&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_2"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/61.jpg" alt="" title="61" class="wp-image-657" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_8 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Now back to my story. After two years of suffering from knee pain and having to wear a knee brace just to function, I returned to see the orthopedic surgeon. Sitting in his waiting room, the office manager greeted me. She informed me that the surgeon could no longer help me because during my time of contemplation, I turned 65, and he no longer treated Medicare patients. I returned to my office to find another surgeon. It just so happened I was scheduled to attend a regenerative medicine seminar that weekend. After two days of learning about the many benefits of regenerative medicine, I decided to have adult umbilical stem cells injected into my knee. I was my first patient. I had one MRI scan before the injection, which revealed a torn meniscus, torn ACL ligament, and arthritis within the joint. Two months after my stem cell injection, I was 90-percent pain-free, and four months afterward, I was on the racquetball court without a brace. One year later, a follow-up MRI showed a healed meniscus, a healed ACL, and cartilage repair. I am pain-free and back to all my activities. No longer did I need a referral to another surgeon.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_9 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Three years later, I continue playing racquetball and have a very active, pain-free life. I have the peace of mind knowing that I will never have to have knee replacement surgery. I will continue sharing this miracle of natural healing that is safe, highly effective, and economical with all my patients."With demonstrable safety and mounting evidence of the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for orthopedic condi-tions, potentially all orthope-dic diseases could be treated with stem cell therapy in the future."—Dr. Shane Shapiro, Orthopedic Surgery and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_3 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_3"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_3 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_button_module_wrapper et_pb_button_0_wrapper et_pb_button_alignment_left et_pb_module "&gt; &lt;a class="et_pb_button et_pb_button_0 et_pb_bg_layout_light" href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issue1/rich-stopped-aging/"&gt;Rich Stopped Aging Part 1&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/18-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=2378</url> </article> <article> <ID>2369</ID> <title>The Rich Have Stopped Aging (Part 1)</title> <publishDate>2020-05-19 18:05:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_4 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_4"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_4 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_3"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/17-1.jpg" alt="" title="17-1" class="wp-image-2374" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_10 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span class="tt"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;hat comes with getting old”is what society and the medical communities are telling us. Sit-ting in a prominent orthopedic surgeon’s office in 2012, I heard those same words. “Your knees are worn out. You’re getting old, and I recommend knee replacement surgery.”&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_11 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;"Let me think about it," was my response. For the next five years, I wore braces and sucked it up. Forty years of racquetball had taken its toll on my knees. I found myself with the baby boomers' scourge: a severely degenerated knee and facing knee replacement surgery. Eighty-five million baby boomers have lived, and 64,000,000 are alive today. What we all have in common is that we are rapidly aging. Suffering from chronic degenerative diseases is our fate. Many have pain, no energy, do not feel well, cannot sleep through the night, and have very inactive lifestyles. We have some-how accepted that diabetes, arthritis, COPD, heart disease, obesity, and joint replacements are inevitable. Pretty sad state. I will come back to my knee replacement story later.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_12 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Just a bit of history so you can understand where I’m coming from. I graduated from Lubbock Christian University and Harding University with a degree in education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration respectfully. My first teaching job was a junior high school basketball and football coach and then a high school coach and teacher in Homerville, Georgia. I coached the varsity men’s basketball team in a small school in Arkansas and later became afifth-grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_13 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;A degree in education and a Master's Degree in Educational Administration respectfully. My first teaching job was a junior high school basketball and football coach and then a high school coach and teacher in Homerville, Georgia. I coached the varsity men's basketball team in a small school in Arkansas and later became afifth-grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas.a degree in education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration respectfully. My first teaching job was a junior high school basketball and football coach and then a high school coach and teacher in Homerville, Georgia. I coached the varsity men’s basketball team in a small school in Arkansas and later became afifth-grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_5 et_pb_gutters2"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_2_5 et_pb_column_5 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_4"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap has-box-shadow-overlay"&gt;&lt;div class="box-shadow-overlay"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/17-2.jpg" alt="" title="17-2" class="wp-image-2375" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_5 et_pb_column_6 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_14 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;My next career move was to Oklahoma, where I became a Christian school superintendent. When my family out-grew my income, I decided to change my career and moved to Kansas City, where after four years, I graduated from Cleve-land Chiropractic College with aDoctor of Chiropractic degree. We then located in North Richland Hills, Texas, where I opened my first practice. I have been on the same street for 36 years and have cared for over 22,000 patients.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_15 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;I made the conscious decision 20 years ago to periodically examine my career and reflect on how I treat patients. After 16 years of providing chiropractic care, I found myself asking, "What can I do to serve my patients better?" Self-evaluation led me down the path of discovery to where I am now: the CEO of a multidisciplinary I made the conscious decision 20 years ago to periodically examine my career and reflect on how I treat patients. After 16 years of providing chiropractic care, I found myself asking, "What can I do to serve my patients better?" Self-evaluation led me down the path of discovery to where I am now: the CEO of a multidisciplinary practice that provides unique medical and chiropractic services, all of which are regenerative in nature. The keystone of our philosophy of care is regenerative cellular therapy. I first learned about cellular therapy, often referred to as stem cell therapy, when I heard about a secret meeting of the extraordinarily rich and famous. Let me share the story with you.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_6"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_7 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_16 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;A few years ago, wealthy A-list celebrities, billionaires, and leading antiaging scientists gathered at the home of a well-known billionaire in Southern California for a by-invitation-only three- day event. These individuals were seeking the answer to reversing the aging process. The wealthy paid $100,000 to learn about successful youthful living and how to de-age the cells of the human body. This profound meeting addressed the "Secret of Opting Out of Old Age," and the subject matter focused on breakthrough scientific discoveries that reverse the aging process within the human body. Revealed in those three days was "top secret," and only the rich and famous could afford it. After the meeting was adjourned, each attendee left with the knowledge of how to reverse the aging process.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_5"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/59.jpg" alt="" title="59" class="wp-image-650" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_17 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;The results of that meeting revealed the changing world of medicine as we know it. The scientists explained that years, even decades of aging, can now be reversed. Injuries once thought to be crippling could now be healed. Even more astonishing, growing younger biologically was within their grasp. Staying youthful, sharp, and energized for decades longer is more probable than ever thought possible.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_18 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Take, for example, a legendary NFL quarterback who goes from "washed-up" at the age of 36 to having a record-setting MVP season just one year later at 37. How about an aging NBA superstar who tried stem cell therapy? After injuring his knee, he thought his career was over. Then he decided to try stem cell therapy. His results: He played three more years at the highest level, and today is one of the NBA's all-time scoring leaders. Both refused to accept physical limitations and sought cellular therapy to extend their careers and rejuvenate their aging, broken bodies. Their dilemma, my dilemma, and your dilemma become how to slow down and reverse the aging process. As we age, can we cheat death? Can we stop father time? Surely there is a way to live longer, be more active, and have pain-free lives. If so, the answer lies in super-charging our natural repair processes.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_5 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_7"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_8 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_button_module_wrapper et_pb_button_1_wrapper et_pb_button_alignment_right et_pb_module "&gt; &lt;a class="et_pb_button et_pb_button_1 et_pb_bg_layout_light" href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issue1/rich-stopped-aging-2/"&gt;Rich Stopped Aging Part 2&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/16-4.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=2369</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>3593</ID> <title>Don’t Let Knee Pain Keep You From Becoming The Best Version of YOU</title> <publishDate>2020-10-12 20:37:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With approximately 25% of adults in America suffering from frequent or chronic knee pain, you are not alone in your struggle to overcome this obstacle in the pursuit of overall wellness and health. New studies are continuously being published that bear the ill-tidings of increasing knee pain and joint replacement statistics - especially in the older population. But this doesn’t have to be the case for YOU.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Knee pain limits both function and mobility; oftentimes impairing the quality of life for those affected. And while knee pain is most common in men and women aged 50 or older, it can be a negative influence at any age as it comes from various causes. According to a study conducted for the &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408027/"&gt;Annals of Internal Medicine&lt;/a&gt;, knee pain has substantially increased over a 20-year period independent of age and body mass index. With this in mind, it is of the utmost importance to understand the causes, risk factors, and prevention techniques so that you can navigate current or potential knee pain.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Causes&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A variety of causes can lead to knee pain: injuries, mechanical problems, and types of arthritis, for example. To better understand the cause of your knee pain, first, you must understand your knee. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Knee&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3596,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Untitled-design-5-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3596"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/news/fitness/Preventing-Knee-Injury-and-Knee-Pain/"&gt;Our knees are composed of four bones&lt;/a&gt;, with the femur at the top of the joint and the tibia and fibula making up the joint’s lower part. On the top of the knee, a fourth bone (the patella) slides in a shallow groove at the end of the femur. Likewise, to the four bones, four main connective tissue bands secure the femur to the tibia and create a hinge-like structure out of the joint, allowing it to rotate as it bends. This unique ability is why the knee is called a swivel joint.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In addition, the knee includes fibrous bands of tissue known as tendons that connect the muscle to the bone. Our knees have two major tendons - the quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon. You guessed it. The quadriceps tendon connects the long quadriceps muscle (found at the foundation of the thigh) to the patella, and the patellar tendon connects the patella to the tibia. These tendons are responsible for you being able to straighten and extend your leg while the hamstring muscles at the back of the leg help stabilize the knee joint.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Finally, there is the meniscus and bursa - your knee’s cushioning system. The meniscus, a C-shaped cartilage, curves around the inside and outside of the knee while the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) help the many ligaments and tendons to slide smoothly across the knee joint. Altogether, the bones, tendons, ligaments, meniscus, and bursa construct one of the most dynamic and essential joints of the body. Since they support and stabilize, weakness in any of them greatly increases the likeliness of injury.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knee Pain with Injury&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Injuring the knee is a widespread occurrence. &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22506941/"&gt;The National Library of Medicine&lt;/a&gt; presented a study that found that the knee is the most commonly injured joint by adolescent athletes, with an estimated 2.5 million sports-related injuries presented to emergency departments annually. Additionally, doctors often discover that meniscus tears, torn cartilage, or patellar fractures are &lt;a href="https://bestlifeonline.com/common-injuries-over-50/?nab=1&amp;amp;utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com"&gt;among the top 30 injuries&lt;/a&gt; older patients suffer from.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The following are the most prevalent knee-related injuries found in all ages:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3595,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Untitled-design-6-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3595"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ACL Tear - &lt;/strong&gt;The most common of the various knee injuries is the ACL tear or rupture. This occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the four ligaments that connect your shinbone to your thighbone, is overstretched, partially torn, or completely torn (in which case it is referred to as an ACL rupture). It is estimated that there are &lt;a href="https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/acl-tears"&gt;100,000 to 200,000 ACL ruptures&lt;/a&gt; in the United States alone every year. This type of injury is most common among athletes of specific sports such as soccer, football, skiing, or tennis.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fractures - &lt;/strong&gt;An unfortunate consequence of vehicular accidents or falls, typically the patella ( kneecap) that suffers a fracture or break. As it sits in front of the entire joint, acting like a shield, it is most vulnerable to direct falls onto the knee for impact, such as hitting the dashboard in a vehicle collision.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Patellar Tendinitis - &lt;/strong&gt;Found most often in runners, skiers, cyclists, and those involved in activities that contain lots of jumping, patellar tendinitis is the irritation and inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the quadriceps muscle to the shinbone.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Torn Meniscus - &lt;/strong&gt;A torn meniscus is very similar to the ACL tearing, except the meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage, not a ligament. The meniscus is the knee’s shock absorber and can be torn if suddenly twisted while bearing weight.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knee Bursitis - &lt;/strong&gt;Like patellar tendonitis, knee bursitis is a type of inflammation. It comes from three main causes: frequent or sustained pressure (such as kneeling), overuse, and a direct impact to the knee. If such an injury occurs, the bursae (small sacs of fluid that cushion the knee joint) become inflamed and painful.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knee Pain without Injury&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The most common cause of knee pain that does not result from an injury is arthritis. More than a hundred different types of arthritis exist, but the varieties listed below are most likely to affect the knee.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Osteoarthritis - &lt;/strong&gt;The most common type of arthritis, and &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1753462/"&gt;the most common cause of disability in older adults&lt;/a&gt;, osteoarthritis is sometimes referred to as degenerative arthritis. It is a wear-and-tear condition that occurs when the cartilage in the knee deteriorates with age and use.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rheumatoid arthritis - &lt;/strong&gt;This type of arthritis can affect almost any joint in the body and is the most debilitating form of arthritis. It is an autoimmune condition and considered a chronic disease, although pain and severity can vary.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Septic arthritis - &lt;/strong&gt;If the knee joint becomes infected, septic arthritis may quickly cause extensive damage to the knee’s cartilage. There is usually no trauma before the onset of this knee pain, although it often occurs with a fever.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Risk Factors&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While there is no specific guarantee relating to the cause of knee pain, there are several factors that increase the risk of injury and problems. Such factors include:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Excess weight - &lt;/strong&gt;While knee pain can be independent of a person’s body mass, it should be noted that the knee absorbs a huge amount of pressure with every step. &lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/age-proof-your-knees"&gt;This pressure equals one and a half times your body weight.&lt;/a&gt; Consequently, the pressure of excess weight takes a toll over time - weakening muscles and ligaments or deteriorating the cartilage. One of the first treatment angles doctors take is to assess the patient’s weight and ascertain if it is contributing to the knee pain or injury.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lack of muscle strength and flexibility - &lt;/strong&gt;As discussed above, the bones, muscles, and other dynamics of the knee all work together to stabilize and protect the joint. If there is a weakness in one or multiple areas, the risk of injury becomes far greater. Strong muscles are essential to stabilization, while muscle flexibility ensures that you can achieve a full range of motion protecting against injuries like ACL ruptures.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Certain sports or occupations - &lt;/strong&gt;For those in sports that put greater stress on the joints than others, injuries are always at a higher risk. This is true concerning knee injuries as well. Basketball players, runners, and skiers all face the same conflict: do what they love and risk injury. Additionally, jobs such as farming or construction that require repetitive pressure or stress on the knees also increase the risk of injury.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Previous injury - &lt;/strong&gt;This may sound repetitive, but it is worth reconsidering. There is a much higher risk of pain currently or in the future for those of us who have had previous knee injuries. Which is why the next segment of this article is so important. Preventative measures are a must in order to keep knee pain from impairing quality of life.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Prevention Tactics&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As they say, the best defense is a good offense. While it is not always possible to prevent knee pain, the following suggestions can reduce or prevent injuries, pain, and joint deterioration altogether.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Strong, but Stay Flexible - &lt;/strong&gt;With weak muscles being a leading cause of knee injuries, you will benefit greatly from building up balance and stability. This comes from strengthening the hamstrings and quadriceps, but also other exercise routines and target areas. Many fitness industry professionals recommend that the best way to alleviate knee pain is to get moving. Swimming, yoga, walking, and cycling are all approved (and suggested) exercises associated with improving arthritic knee pain or general knee pain symptoms.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3594,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Untitled-design-7-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3594"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be Smart About Exercise - &lt;/strong&gt;Exercising is a great way to stay fit and healthy and keep joint pain at bay, but it can also do more harm than good if done improperly. If you are already experiencing knee pain, or are in the categories for those potentially at risk, try switching your exercise routines to low-impact activities such as swimming or stationary biking.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keep extra pounds off - &lt;/strong&gt;As mentioned before, excess weight does not always cause knee pain. However, it has the potential to do so in many cases. Each extra pound puts additional strain on your joints (not just your knees), increasing the risk of injury and pain. This is why it is important to stay focused on protecting your joints from any unnecessary strain.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Treatments&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Treatments for knee pain will vary depending upon the underlying cause of the knee pain. These treatments can include medication, therapy, and in severe cases surgery.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medication - &lt;/strong&gt;The type of medication prescribed by a doctor fluctuates with the exact diagnosis. Typical medications for anti-inflammatory treatments (common for simple sprains and even arthritis) are over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or ibuprofen, and naproxen (Aleve). Injectable medications are also a rising choice of treatment, as discussed below.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Therapy - &lt;/strong&gt;In some cases, knee pain can be easily corrected through physical exercise (such as movements designed specifically to strengthen the weak areas causing pain). Additionally, certain types of corrective wedges worn in the shoes or even braces can lessen or eliminate your discomfort.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Surgery - &lt;/strong&gt;If surgery is needed to treat your knee pain, the options you have may include: arthroscopic surgery, partial knee replacement surgery, and total knee replacement surgery. In the first procedure, the doctor can examine and repair your joint damage using fiber-optic cameras and small incisions around the knee. Arthroscopy can be used to remove or repair damaged cartilage, reconstruct torn ligaments, or remove loose bodies from the knee joint. In the second and third procedures, the doctor either replaces the most damaged parts of your knee with small parts of metal and plastic or replaces the entire joint with an artificial one made of metal alloys and high-grade plastics and polymers.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Injectable Treatments&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Injectable medications are a common treatment, and are usually the step between taking oral medication and surgery&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Corticosteroids -&lt;/strong&gt; Injections of a corticosteroid drug into the joint may work to reduce symptoms of an arthritic flare-up and provide relief for weeks or months. However, these injections are not always successful and may lead to cortisone abuse in later years.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hyaluronic acid - &lt;/strong&gt;The human body naturally produces this thick, gooey substance. Found in large amounts in your skin, its main function is to retain water and keep the tissues lubricated and moist. When used to treat knee pain (particularly osteoarthritis), it can provide relief through one or a series of shots up to six months.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A third possible treatment is the injection of stem cells and growth factors into the knee joint. Dr. Dana Churchill, an established Naturopath specializing in regenerative and fully integrated healthcare at his clinics in California, sees many patients suffering from knee pain. So much so that one of his areas of expertise in treating joint pain. In an interview with Top Doctor Magazine, he shared that his “gold standard” for treating knee pain is the injection of Wharton’s Jelly. This gelatine-like substance is found within the umbilical cord and contains hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. Both of which are already used widely as a dietary supplement to treat osteoarthritis. A regenerative agent, Wharton’s Jelly regenerates the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in the knee. It can postpone and even stop deterioration. Dr. Churchill reports that with the injection of Wharton’s Jelly, he has seen an improvement of symptoms and pain in as soon as two weeks and as long as six weeks.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Citations:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nguyen, U. S., Zhang, Y., Zhu, Y., Niu, J., Zhang, B., &amp;amp; Felson, D. T. (2011). Increasing prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: survey and cohort data. &lt;em&gt;Annals of internal medicine&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;155&lt;/em&gt;(11), 725–732. &lt;a href="https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-11-201112060-00004"&gt;https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-11-201112060-00004&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Gage BE, McIlvain NM, Collins CL, Fields SK, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of 6.6 million knee injuries presenting to United States emergency departments from 1999 through 2008. &lt;em&gt;Acad Emerg Med&lt;/em&gt;. 2012;19(4):378-385. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2012.01315.x&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/cardio/buying-an-indoor-cycling-bike-was-expensive-but-my-knees-are-forever-grateful/ar-BB18PxQw?li=BBnba9O"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-embed"&gt;&lt;div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"&gt; https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/cardio/buying-an-indoor-cycling-bike-was-expensive-but-my-knees-are-forever-grateful/ar-BB18PxQw?li=BBnba9O &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:embed --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/knee-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350849"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-embed"&gt;&lt;div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"&gt; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/knee-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350849 &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:embed --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/knee-pain-and-problems"&gt;https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/knee-pain-and-problems&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/news/fitness/Preventing-Knee-Injury-and-Knee-Pain/"&gt;https://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/news/fitness/Preventing-Knee-Injury-and-Knee-Pain/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Silent-Auction-Best-Practices-7.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/dont-let-knee-pain-keep-you-from-becoming-the-best-version-of-you/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29984</ID> <title>Innovating Eyelid and Facial Rejuvenation: An Interview with Dr. Adam Scheiner</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:31:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_6 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_8"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_9 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_19 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Dr. Adam Scheiner chose cosmetic surgery for his life’s work, it was the face’s power to communicate that most inspired him. &lt;em&gt;“That really sent me on my path. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;b&gt;I thought the face, in particular the eyes, was really the area from which we communicate. It’s so powerful for people when they look their best, so that’s where I wanted to specialize.”&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunate to have trained under Dr. Sterling Baker, the pioneer of Laser Eyelid Surgery, Dr. Scheiner completed his fellowship in Oculoplastic and Laser Facial Aesthetic Surgery with skills and knowledge that far exceeded what most others in the field could do. Still, he was compelled to do more. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29991 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Scheiner2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESET Full Face, RESET for Festoons&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making the Impossible Possible&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While working with Dr. Baker, Dr. Scheiner was particularly fascinated by the problem of festoons. Also known as malar mounds, festoons are a medical condition in which the skin of the lower eyelids and cheek regions becomes swollen with fluid as a result of sun damage, lifestyle factors, genetics, or the natural aging process. For most patients, festoons are a source of true unhappiness. They tell us that they are “tired of looking tired” and that they are a distraction that disfigures the face and diminishes self-confidence. Festoons are also one of the most challenging aesthetic conditions. Many cosmetic surgeons refuse to treat them at all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Scheiner is far more than a physician. He is a researcher, a scientist, and a student of what we, as humans, find beautiful. He understands physical beauty’s role in communication, the importance of the messages our faces send, and the frustration his patients feel about time’s impact on their faces. Building on what he learned from Dr. Baker, Dr. Scheiner made significant improvements to laser festoon treatment, perfecting a surgical deep laser skin resurfacing procedure and healing protocol and calling it RESET for Festoons. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In his work to perfect festoon treatment, Dr. Scheiner recognized that scalpel-based surgical techniques were why other physicians’ attempts at fixing festoons failed. Rather than working to remove excess fat and skin, his RESET procedure relies on a laser. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29990 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Scheiner1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESET Full Face, Eyelid Rejuvenation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Laser Innovation Yields Transformational Results&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Dr. Scheiner’s RESET for Festoons, laser blepharoplasty, and RESET Full Face procedures put him at the leading edge of laser cosmetic procedures. Performing laser blepharoplasty provides full eye rejuvenation in a way that scalpels cannot, and RESET Full Face is a cutting-edge procedure that delivers unparalleled results, once again eclipsing what had once been thought possible. It penetrates and restructures skin at a deeper layer, reversing the impact of gravity, the sun, and aging in a way that does more than rejuvenate: it restores the face’s skin to the same condition as decades earlier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effect is like taking an eraser to the years. In fact, Dr. Scheiner’s patients who’ve undergone the procedure have shared stories of being carded in restaurants and bars. One woman even explained the procedure's positive impact on her dating success. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It brought a huge smile to my face, knowing that my treatments could really dramatically change someone’s life. I was truly touched,” he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29992 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Scheiner3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESET for Festoons&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Word About RESET Spread Nationally and Internationally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;RESET’s remarkable, lasting results drew national media attention. Dr. Scheiner was invited to speak about his innovation — not just to other facial surgery professionals but on national media outlets, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Oz, The Doctors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Howard Stern Show&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. He was profiled in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New York Post, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; New York Daily News, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and other consumer publications that recognized his work. The recognition resulted in patients seeking treatment from far beyond his Tampa practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“New patients come to see me from all around the world for help from my patient rejuvenation procedures in general and festoons specifically.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While Dr. Scheiner’s work is groundbreaking, it is far from all he has accomplished in the world of cosmetic surgery. He is the author of a fascinating Wall Street Journal best-selling book, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The True Definition of Beauty, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which examines the role that facial cosmetic treatments play in modern beauty and communication and the relationship between the two. In his book, he explains that the human determination of beauty is hard-wired, objective, and based on ratios to which we are naturally attracted, pointing to examples as diverse as seashells and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. He also explores the role this ratio — its presence or absence on the human face — has on the way the world relates to us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Scheiner’s understanding of these basic principles has guided him through 25 years of practice, from his earliest days as an ophthalmology resident at the University of Pennsylvania’s Scheie Eye Institute to today as a renowned surgeon. He has perfected the art of performing cosmetic treatments that deliver powerful yet natural results, and he has never stopped looking for new ways to use technology to improve upon his abilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29993 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Scheiner4-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Lower Lid Rejuvenation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;RESET for Upper Lids Provides Wool into Silk Effect&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Scheiner continues to push his abilities further, constantly searching for breakthroughs that allow him to deliver even more remarkable results for his patients. His drive and unquenchable scientific curiosity led him to explore the multiple possibilities of what could be done using today’s laser technologies. That resulted in his latest innovation: RESET for Upper Lids. Using similar techniques to what he’d perfected for treating Festoons, Dr. Scheiner is now able to offer his patients the same surgical skin laser resurfacing procedure for upper lids, delivering improvement to a small area in a big way. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The delicate skin of the upper eyelid has long represented a sort of no-man’s land for cosmetic surgeons: the use of powerful lasers on this fragile area has been viewed as too difficult. But Dr. Scheiner is a perfectionist when it comes to his patient’s appearance, and it has bothered him that patients who’ve undergone laser upper lid blepharoplasty to fix hooded eyes and drooping skin have still been left with an aged-looking eyelid surface. After years of scientific inquiry, he has determined the exact right level of laser energy use on the surface of the upper eyelid. He likens the results to transforming wool into silk, leaving behind an eyelid that is as smooth as a newborn baby.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29995 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Scheiner6-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESET for Festoons, Upper and Lower Lid Rejuvenation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pioneering a New Era of Transformation in Cosmetic Laser Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Scheiner has proven that the impossible is just an invitation to try harder when it comes to cosmetic surgery. His RESET procedures are a testament to both his scientific curiosity and dedication to his patients. Everything he does is geared toward helping them achieve their goals, regain their confidence, and ensure that their faces are communicating who they really are and how they really feel. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;RESET for festoons, full face, and upper eyelids speaks to the power of the possible and of Dr. Scheiner’s commitment to helping his patients put their best faces forward. As technology continues to improve, he will continue to innovate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29989 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Scheiner-Final-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For more information on Dr. Scheiner’s surgical RESET procedures, Laser Blepharoplasty procedures, and other services offered in his practice, visit his website at &lt;a href="http://www.adamscheinermd.com/"&gt;www.adamscheinermd.com&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ScheinerCover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/cosmetic-procedures/innovating-eyelid-and-facial-rejuvenation-an-interview-with-dr-adam-scheiner/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4866</ID> <title>Kian Karimi Spotlight</title> <publishDate>2021-02-25 16:58:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When I first saw my first rhinoplasty procedure, I was so intrigued by the complexity… all of the emotional and psychological things that went along with it. &lt;strong&gt;And I, at that point, realized that facial plastic surgery is the perfect harmony of science and art, and I was captivated right away&lt;/strong&gt;," Dr. Kian Karimi said regarding the moment that sealed his future as a cosmetic surgeon. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Karimi is renowned for his innovative contributions to facial surgery and has a flourishing practice, Rejuva Medical Aesthetics, located in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Karimi is the United States leading expert on PDO Thread - which he introduced and popularized as a non-surgical treatment for rejuvenation - and microcannulas and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In Development&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"At the time, it was a bit of a risk," Karimi said regarding bringing PDO threads into popularity.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;After facing concerns about the non-surgical procedures and meeting with international doctors to study their techniques, Karimi became excited about the PDO thread's potential. "Once the PDO thread gets metabolized by the skin, it undergoes an amazing callogenesis response, increasing up to 20 times the concentration of type 1 collagen... weeks and months after the thread lift is performed," Karimi said. "It's really the gift that keeps on giving."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Karimi and his team continue to search for ways to innovate in the aesthetic space of cosmetic surgery. He is currently looking at PRFs, which inject one's red blood cells to heal wounds and create aesthetic enhancements. This autologous therapy and others strike Karimi as promising for effective natural ways to help people achieve their desired aesthetic.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4868,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4868" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-23.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Putting Your Best Face Forward&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The pandemic created a sudden, increased demand for cosmetic surgery. Karimi describes this occurrence as people being forced to look into the digital mirror, with increased Zoom and FaceTime usage. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think people are really realizing the impact that our expressions have, our words have, and our appearance has on others both personally and professionally," Karimi said. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"If you put your best forward," he continued, "then it can really positively impact those around you in all aspects of your life." &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With his work gaining momentum in the aesthetic space, Dr. Kian Karimi shows the beauty of helping people recover from past surgeries or regain their confidence. His growing clientele and visibility indicate that he has found something that resonates with people: personal fulfillment through aesthetic expressions.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to read more about Dr. Kian Karimi, you can visit his website &lt;a href="https://www.rejuvamedical.org/plastic-surgeon-los-angeles-dr-karimi/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;. You can also read more about the boom in the cosmetic surgery industry &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/news/zoom-pandemic-how-cosmetic-doctors-are-seeing-a-50-surge-in-business-and-you-can-too/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-23.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/kian-karimi-spotlight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>2378</ID> <title>The Rich Have Stopped Aging (Part 2)</title> <publishDate>2020-05-24 18:15:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_7 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_9"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_10 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_6"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/17-3.jpg" alt="" title="17-3" class="wp-image-2379" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_20 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;I recently watched an episode of Doctor Who, the British sci-fi TV show. In that episode, they used miraculous microscopic tiny robots to repair and grow tissue that was perfectly matched to a patient's body based on their DNA. I found myself laughing as I watched and not because it was particularly funny but because their robots are precisely what we already have in our bodies in the form of stem cells. &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_21 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Today, we are using cellular therapy to do things that probably would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. We are on the cutting edge of the most incredible advances in medical technology that harnesses a blend of genetics, regenerative medicine, and Mother Nature. We are finally able to harvest these tiny little biological robots and move them to areas where we can use them instead of discarding them after birth. Regenerative medicine is simply a means to stoke the flames of those natural fires of human healing. Let us explore the steps of regeneration. Step One: When your body is injured, or cells grow old and begin to die, your system sends out SOS signals in the form of inflammation. This cascade of inflammation activates a signal of chemicals known as cytokines that cause an army of stem cells and other cellular tissues to race to the scene and suppress inflammation.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_22 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;This mixture of cells is a "regenerative soup," which is incredibly good at reducing inflammation and modulating your body's immune response. Large amounts of growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, etc. are also present in the "regenerative soup." If the body needs repair, tissue repair occurs. Step Two: Once on the scene of the injury or cell death, stem cells "morph" into any of the 220 different cell types. The repair process begins. What's the secret? Is there a secret laboratory in the desert of California wherein a deep vault, scientists are developing the most potent drug ever imagined? A Drug so powerful and amazing that it can regenerate every cell in the human body? Have the most significant scientific minds finally come up with the Fountain of Youth? No! It's not hidden in some secret location. The secret has been in plain sight for 100 years.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_23 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;The secret cure is in the miraculous and amazing bodies of pregnant mothers. Within their placenta and umbilical cord tissues, those regenerative "powers" are stored just waiting to be released. Once the army of stem cells enters the fight, miracles happen. Knees and hips are repaired. Diseased, in-flamed organs are rejuvenated and regenerated. A youthful feeling returns. Life feels good again. Instead of looking at life and thinking of all the things you can't do anymore, you can start making plans to do all the things you love to do. How about a walk down the beach, a round of golf with your friends, playing with your grandkids, or naturally preserving your precious independence and mobility?&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_24 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Can I, as a healthcare provider, help my patients grow biologically younger and prolong their human youth span? What if Icould help my 70-year-old patients feel 40? Are we willing to accept that getting old and feeling bad is just part of the aging process? I am here to tell you that with the recent scientific breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, old age is optional. The human youth span can be extended 20, 30, even 40 years. Old age is reversed, and the physical decline is delayed. Joint replacement surgeries can be delayed or canceled. What if you could replace all the old worn-out joints naturally? What if you could replace damaged cells in your body with fresh young cells? Is it safe to assume that you would feel much more youthful, look much younger, act much younger? Not exactly! Literally, you would be younger. I can now offer treatment options for anyone wishing to change their lives, and the secret is in the tissues that are the products of conception.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_25 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;“Regenerative medicine is a revolutionary approach to treating many degenerative diseases and injuries,” explains Kristin Comella, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of American Stem Cell Centers of Excellence. “It is continually growing, and includes a variety of techniques, such as stem cell therapy, to harness your own body’s natu-ral healing mechanisms.” treating many degenerative diseases and injuries," explains Kristin Comella, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of American Stem Cell Centers of Excellence. "It is continually growing, and includes a variety of techniques, such as stem cell therapy, to harness your own body's natural healing mechanisms."&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_7"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/61.jpg" alt="" title="61" class="wp-image-657" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_26 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Now back to my story. After two years of suffering from knee pain and having to wear a knee brace just to function, I returned to see the orthopedic surgeon. Sitting in his waiting room, the office manager greeted me. She informed me that the surgeon could no longer help me because during my time of contemplation, I turned 65, and he no longer treated Medicare patients. I returned to my office to find another surgeon. It just so happened I was scheduled to attend a regenerative medicine seminar that weekend. After two days of learning about the many benefits of regenerative medicine, I decided to have adult umbilical stem cells injected into my knee. I was my first patient. I had one MRI scan before the injection, which revealed a torn meniscus, torn ACL ligament, and arthritis within the joint. Two months after my stem cell injection, I was 90-percent pain-free, and four months afterward, I was on the racquetball court without a brace. One year later, a follow-up MRI showed a healed meniscus, a healed ACL, and cartilage repair. I am pain-free and back to all my activities. No longer did I need a referral to another surgeon.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_27 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Three years later, I continue playing racquetball and have a very active, pain-free life. I have the peace of mind knowing that I will never have to have knee replacement surgery. I will continue sharing this miracle of natural healing that is safe, highly effective, and economical with all my patients."With demonstrable safety and mounting evidence of the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for orthopedic condi-tions, potentially all orthope-dic diseases could be treated with stem cell therapy in the future."—Dr. Shane Shapiro, Orthopedic Surgery and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_8 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_10"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_11 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_button_module_wrapper et_pb_button_2_wrapper et_pb_button_alignment_left et_pb_module "&gt; &lt;a class="et_pb_button et_pb_button_2 et_pb_bg_layout_light" href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issue1/rich-stopped-aging/"&gt;Rich Stopped Aging Part 1&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/18-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=2378</url> </article> <article> <ID>2369</ID> <title>The Rich Have Stopped Aging (Part 1)</title> <publishDate>2020-05-19 18:05:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_9 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_11"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_12 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_8"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/17-1.jpg" alt="" title="17-1" class="wp-image-2374" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_28 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span class="tt"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;hat comes with getting old”is what society and the medical communities are telling us. Sit-ting in a prominent orthopedic surgeon’s office in 2012, I heard those same words. “Your knees are worn out. You’re getting old, and I recommend knee replacement surgery.”&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_29 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;"Let me think about it," was my response. For the next five years, I wore braces and sucked it up. Forty years of racquetball had taken its toll on my knees. I found myself with the baby boomers' scourge: a severely degenerated knee and facing knee replacement surgery. Eighty-five million baby boomers have lived, and 64,000,000 are alive today. What we all have in common is that we are rapidly aging. Suffering from chronic degenerative diseases is our fate. Many have pain, no energy, do not feel well, cannot sleep through the night, and have very inactive lifestyles. We have some-how accepted that diabetes, arthritis, COPD, heart disease, obesity, and joint replacements are inevitable. Pretty sad state. I will come back to my knee replacement story later.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_30 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Just a bit of history so you can understand where I’m coming from. I graduated from Lubbock Christian University and Harding University with a degree in education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration respectfully. My first teaching job was a junior high school basketball and football coach and then a high school coach and teacher in Homerville, Georgia. I coached the varsity men’s basketball team in a small school in Arkansas and later became afifth-grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_31 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;A degree in education and a Master's Degree in Educational Administration respectfully. My first teaching job was a junior high school basketball and football coach and then a high school coach and teacher in Homerville, Georgia. I coached the varsity men's basketball team in a small school in Arkansas and later became afifth-grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas.a degree in education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration respectfully. My first teaching job was a junior high school basketball and football coach and then a high school coach and teacher in Homerville, Georgia. I coached the varsity men’s basketball team in a small school in Arkansas and later became afifth-grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_12 et_pb_gutters2"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_2_5 et_pb_column_13 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_9"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap has-box-shadow-overlay"&gt;&lt;div class="box-shadow-overlay"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/17-2.jpg" alt="" title="17-2" class="wp-image-2375" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_5 et_pb_column_14 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_32 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;My next career move was to Oklahoma, where I became a Christian school superintendent. When my family out-grew my income, I decided to change my career and moved to Kansas City, where after four years, I graduated from Cleve-land Chiropractic College with aDoctor of Chiropractic degree. We then located in North Richland Hills, Texas, where I opened my first practice. I have been on the same street for 36 years and have cared for over 22,000 patients.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_33 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;I made the conscious decision 20 years ago to periodically examine my career and reflect on how I treat patients. After 16 years of providing chiropractic care, I found myself asking, "What can I do to serve my patients better?" Self-evaluation led me down the path of discovery to where I am now: the CEO of a multidisciplinary I made the conscious decision 20 years ago to periodically examine my career and reflect on how I treat patients. After 16 years of providing chiropractic care, I found myself asking, "What can I do to serve my patients better?" Self-evaluation led me down the path of discovery to where I am now: the CEO of a multidisciplinary practice that provides unique medical and chiropractic services, all of which are regenerative in nature. The keystone of our philosophy of care is regenerative cellular therapy. I first learned about cellular therapy, often referred to as stem cell therapy, when I heard about a secret meeting of the extraordinarily rich and famous. Let me share the story with you.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_13"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_15 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_34 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;A few years ago, wealthy A-list celebrities, billionaires, and leading antiaging scientists gathered at the home of a well-known billionaire in Southern California for a by-invitation-only three- day event. These individuals were seeking the answer to reversing the aging process. The wealthy paid $100,000 to learn about successful youthful living and how to de-age the cells of the human body. This profound meeting addressed the "Secret of Opting Out of Old Age," and the subject matter focused on breakthrough scientific discoveries that reverse the aging process within the human body. Revealed in those three days was "top secret," and only the rich and famous could afford it. After the meeting was adjourned, each attendee left with the knowledge of how to reverse the aging process.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_10"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/59.jpg" alt="" title="59" class="wp-image-650" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_35 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;The results of that meeting revealed the changing world of medicine as we know it. The scientists explained that years, even decades of aging, can now be reversed. Injuries once thought to be crippling could now be healed. Even more astonishing, growing younger biologically was within their grasp. Staying youthful, sharp, and energized for decades longer is more probable than ever thought possible.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_36 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;Take, for example, a legendary NFL quarterback who goes from "washed-up" at the age of 36 to having a record-setting MVP season just one year later at 37. How about an aging NBA superstar who tried stem cell therapy? After injuring his knee, he thought his career was over. Then he decided to try stem cell therapy. His results: He played three more years at the highest level, and today is one of the NBA's all-time scoring leaders. Both refused to accept physical limitations and sought cellular therapy to extend their careers and rejuvenate their aging, broken bodies. Their dilemma, my dilemma, and your dilemma become how to slow down and reverse the aging process. As we age, can we cheat death? Can we stop father time? Surely there is a way to live longer, be more active, and have pain-free lives. If so, the answer lies in super-charging our natural repair processes.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_10 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_14"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_16 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_button_module_wrapper et_pb_button_3_wrapper et_pb_button_alignment_right et_pb_module "&gt; &lt;a class="et_pb_button et_pb_button_3 et_pb_bg_layout_light" href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issue1/rich-stopped-aging-2/"&gt;Rich Stopped Aging Part 2&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/16-4.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=2369</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>30406</ID> <title>HealthBanks Biotech and the Future of Cell Banking: An Interview with Dr. Chris Xu</title> <publishDate>2024-04-01 14:56:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_11 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_15"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_17 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_37 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;em&gt;“In the last 15 years, Dr. Chris Xu pioneered a world-class regenerative and cell banking consortium to help heal the world.”&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chris Xu's journey from immunologist and researcher to pioneering entrepreneur in the fields of regenerative medicine and cell banking is a testament to his vision and dedication to advancing healthcare. Beginning his career in academia, Dr. Xu contributed significantly to organ and stem cell transplantation research at Washington University School of Medicine. His transition into the pharmaceutical industry, where he played a crucial role in drug discovery and development at Pfizer, laid the groundwork for his later entrepreneurial endeavors.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The establishment of his company, Boyalife, marked a significant shift in Dr. Xu's career. Leveraging advanced automated technology licensed from ThermoGenesis, Boyalife became the first internationally accredited stem cell bank in China. This achievement underscored Dr. Xu's ability to identify and capitalize on cutting-edge technologies to drive progress in the field. Boyalife's rapid growth and success, culminating in a staggering $300 million valuation, exemplify Dr. Xu's strategic vision and operational excellence.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Xu's acquisition of ThermoGenesis Holdings Inc. and, later, HealthBanks Biotech Inc. demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field of cellular medicine. By transforming HealthBanks into a leading cellular medicine company and relocating its headquarters to California, Dr. Xu has positioned the company at the forefront of the industry. The operation of four world-class facilities in the United States further solidifies HealthBanks USA's standing as a pioneer in regenerative medicine and cell banking.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30419 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dr.-Chris-Xu-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Dr. Xu's journey reflects a relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in healthcare. Through his leadership, Boyalife and HealthBanks USA have become key players in the global effort to harness the potential of cellular medicine to heal the world. His work not only represents a significant contribution to the field but also offers hope for the development of new treatments and therapies that could transform patient care in the coming years.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HealthBanks Biotech Group, under the leadership of Dr. Chris Xu, has positioned itself as a trailblazer in the field of cellular medicine through its vertical integration and diversified business model.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The company's operations span four key areas: automated technologies, cell banking, cell manufacturing, and cell therapies. This comprehensive approach allows HealthBanks to control the entire process, from cell collection to the development of cell-based therapies, ensuring high standards of quality and innovation. A standout aspect of HealthBanks' technology portfolio is its ThermoGenesis subsidiary, which is pivotal in automating cell processing.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ThermoGenesis has revolutionized the cord blood banking industry with its technology, supporting 500 cord blood banks globally. This achievement is significant given that about 90% of all FDA-approved clinical-grade cord blood stem cell units used for transplantation are stored using ThermoGenesis ’ BioArchive smart cryostorage system. This system is renowned for its precision, reliability, and contribution to advancing stem cell transplantation therapies.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The adoption of ThermoGenesis technology by leading industry institutions, including the New York Cord Blood Bank, MD Anderson, Cleveland Clinics, Duke, and CBR, underscores its impact and value. Furthermore, the technology's global reach, extending to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and over 130 institutions in nearly 40 countries, highlights its worldwide acceptance and the trust placed in it by the medical community.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;HealthBanks Biotech Group's success reflects not only its technological innovation but also its commitment to improving patient care through advanced cell therapies. By leveraging automated technologies in cell banking and manufacturing technologies, the company is at the forefront of developing treatments that could potentially revolutionize healthcare.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The dedication to excellence and innovation, as demonstrated by Dr. Chris Xu and his team, positions HealthBanks as a key player in the ongoing evolution of regenerative medicine and cell therapy, promising new hope for patients around the world. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chris Xu and HealthBanks Biotech Group have indeed been at the forefront of innovation in the cell banking industry, pioneering technologies that have significantly contributed to the advancement of cellular medicine.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Their development of automated platforms like AXP and BioArchive has revolutionized cord blood banking by enhancing efficiency and reliability in stem cell processing and storage. Furthermore, HealthBanks' introduction of cord tissue, placenta banking, and, notably, the first automated immune cell banking technology has broadened the scope and potential of cell banking services, offering new avenues for therapeutic applications.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30415 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Facility-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introducing Immune Cell Banking &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HealthBanks is the only approved immune cell bank in the United States and the Western Hemisphere.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Immune cell banking represents a significant shift in the cell banking industry, focusing on the collection and storage of immune cells from adults rather than cord blood and tissues from newborns.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This innovation is particularly crucial in the context of the rapid developments in cell and gene therapies, where stored immune cells can be utilized for advanced cancer treatments like CAR-T therapy. The concept of using a patient's immune cells to create highly personalized and effective treatments marks a new era in cancer therapy, offering hope to patients with conditions that were previously deemed intractable.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-30417 size-full" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Product-Photo.png" alt="" width="1200" height="628" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;FDA-Approved CAR-T Therapy &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The FDA's approval of CAR-T therapy in 2017 as a treatment for several types of blood cancers underscores the transformative potential of these advances. By modifying a patient's immune cells to target and fight cancer, CAR-T therapy has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in clinical trials, achieving a 93% efficacy rate. The stories of patients experiencing remission after failing conventional treatments highlight the profound impact of CAR-T therapy and the importance of immune cell banking as a foundational technology that enables these life-saving treatments.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The miraculous recoveries of patients treated with CAR-T therapy emphasize the critical need for accessible immune cell banking. This technology facilitates the development of CAR-T and similar therapies and underscores the necessity of preserving immune cells as a resource for potentially life-altering treatments.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since HealthBanks has the only approved immune cell banking in the United States and the Western Hemisphere, it stands as a pivotal player in making these advanced cancer therapies available to patients in need, reinforcing the vital role of innovative cell banking technologies in shaping the future of medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chris Xu's vision for HealthBanks Biotech Group goes beyond pioneering advanced cell banking technologies; it extends to making transformative cell and gene therapies accessible and affordable for all patients. The realization that the high cost of cellular medicine could be a barrier to treatment for many underscores the need for innovation in therapy development and manufacturing.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The introduction of the CARTXpress platform represents a significant leap towards achieving this goal. By quadrupling the efficiency of drug manufacturing, HealthBanks has been able to cut the costs of cellular medicines by half. This reduction is a critical step in making these treatments more accessible to a broader population, addressing the pressing issue of affordability in healthcare.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Robust Pipeline of Cellular Therapies &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30412 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dr.-Xu-Cover-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Xu's commitment to further reduce these costs reflects a deep understanding of the economic challenges in the healthcare system and a dedication to patient-centric care. HealthBanks' efforts to develop a robust pipeline of cellular therapies for a range of diseases, from diabetes to aging, further demonstrate the company's comprehensive approach to improving healthcare. The successful anti-aging clinical trial for Cockayne Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and the anticipation of moving this cellular drug candidate to orphan drug clinical trials highlight HealthBanks' commitment to addressing significant unmet medical needs.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30411 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BioArchive-HealthBanks-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stem Cell Banking’s Increasing Impact on the Future of Cellular Medicine &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The evolution of stem cell banking from a novel concept to a foundational component of cellular medicine underscores its profound impact on healthcare.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The establishment of the first cord blood bank in New York in 1992 marked the beginning of a new era in medical treatments and therapies. This practice has transformed once-discarded tissues at birth into invaluable sources of stem cells, catalyzing advancements in a wide range of therapeutic areas.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stem cell banking's significance is further highlighted by the growing list of FDA-approved treatments that utilize stem cells derived from cord blood. These treatments now address over 80 different diseases, covering a spectrum from cancer to metabolic diseases, showcasing the versatility and potential of stem cells in medical therapies.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first FDA-approved cord blood prescription, HemaCord&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, exemplifies the critical role of stem cell banking in modern medicine. Developed by the National Cord Blood Program at the New York Blood Center, HemaCord's success is partly attributed to the technological support from HealthBanks' subsidiary, ThermoGenesis. The AXP and BioArchive systems—both powered by patented technologies from ThermoGenesis —have been instrumental in processing and storing cord blood units, contributing to the successful transplantation of 6,000 units over the past decade.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chris Xu's remarks about HealthBanks and its subsidiaries' achievements underscore the synergy between technological innovation and medical advancements. By providing the technological backbone for stem cell banking and processing, companies like HealthBanks and ThermoGenesis are not just supporting existing treatments but also paving the way for the development of new therapeutics. Their work represents a critical junction of technology and medicine, where ongoing research and development promise to unlock even more uses for stem cells, potentially transforming patient care in unprecedented ways. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30418 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Client-List-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Game Changer Approach &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chris Xu's vision for HealthBanks Biotech Group, underlined by the commitment to making cellular therapies accessible to all, represents a paradigm shift in healthcare. His focus on democratizing access to these advanced treatments reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by patients worldwide, especially concerning the affordability and accessibility of cutting-edge medical care.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach is not merely about advancing medical science; it's about reshaping the healthcare landscape to be more inclusive and equitable. The innovative subscription business model for immune cell banking introduced by HealthBanks is a testament to this vision.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By making immune cell banking more affordable and accessible, HealthBanks is pioneering a preventive healthcare measure that doubles as a form of "Critical Sickness Insurance." This model not only democratizes access to potentially life-saving cellular therapies but also offers peace of mind to individuals, knowing that they have taken a proactive step in managing their future health needs.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such initiatives align perfectly with the growing demand for cellular therapies, which are becoming increasingly recognized for their potential to treat a wide range of conditions. By addressing the twin challenges of availability and affordability, HealthBanks is not just catering to the current market but is also anticipating the future needs of healthcare, positioning itself as a leader in the field of cellular medicine. Dr. Xu's dual focus on ensuring the availability of necessary cells and making therapies affordable is critical in this regard. The subscription model and efforts to reduce drug manufacturing costs through technological innovations like the CARTXpress platform demonstrate a commitment to breaking down barriers to access.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach ensures that HealthBanks' advancements in cellular medicine are not reserved for the wealthy but are available to a broad spectrum of patients, embodying the true spirit of innovation in healthcare.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As HealthBanks continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in cellular medicine, its efforts to make these treatments more accessible are likely to profoundly impact patients around the globe. Dr. Xu's mission and the strategies employed by HealthBanks could indeed serve as a model for the future of healthcare, where advanced treatments are not a luxury but a standard component of medical care accessible to everyone, irrespective of their financial situation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-30420 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Automated-Cell-Processing-e1712083739591-817x1024.png" alt="" width="817" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Innovative Subscription Model Makes Immune Cell Banking Instantly Affordable. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The introduction of a new subscription business model for immune cell banking is an unconventional new business model aimed at making the banking of immune cells more accessible. By offering this service at a cost as low as $29.99 per month for individual subscribers and even lower rates for corporate clients as part of employee healthcare benefits, HealthBanks is setting a new standard for preventive healthcare measures. This model not only makes immune cell banking more affordable but also encourages a proactive approach to personal healthcare management, enabling individuals to store their immune cells for future therapeutic use.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The commitment to reducing drug manufacturing costs is equally significant. By continuously developing new technologies to enhance manufacturing efficiency, HealthBanks aims to keep the prices of cellular medicines low. This focus on innovation in manufacturing processes is crucial for the sustainability and scalability of cellular therapies, ensuring that these advanced treatments are not just effective but also economically accessible to a broader population.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Xu's emphasis on HealthBanks as an industry leader and innovator highlights the company's role in shaping the future of cellular medicine. By addressing the critical barriers of availability and affordability, HealthBanks is paving the way for a future where advanced cellular therapies are a realistic option for everyone, not just a privileged few.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This vision not only showcases the potential of cellular therapies to revolutionize healthcare but also reflects a commitment to social equity and the well-being of communities worldwide. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30421 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Technology-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking Ahead… The Future of Cell Banking Industry &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With its 30-year history and substantial annual global revenue, the cell banking industry stands at a critical juncture.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite its success and growth, challenges such as industry fragmentation, limited access to capital, and the need for technological innovation remain. The predominance of privately owned cord blood banks, each with relatively modest revenues, highlights the need for a new approach to sustain and enhance growth.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chris Xu and HealthBanks are spearheading an ambitious initiative to address these challenges head-on. By building a global alliance and network of banks worldwide, HealthBanks aims to foster collaboration, share advanced technologies, and create a unified, competitive front in the cell banking industry.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This vision of transforming traditional cord blood banks into comprehensive cell banking and cell drug manufacturing centers is not only innovative but also strategic. It leverages cord blood banks' existing infrastructure and expertise while introducing new revenue streams and business models that can significantly impact their growth and sustainability.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The concept of advancing banks from focusing solely on cord blood to including immune cell banking and cell drug manufacturing represents a shift towards a more integrated approach to cell banking. This transition is crucial for meeting the evolving needs of the healthcare sector, particularly in the field of cellular therapies, which demands a robust and versatile cell banking infrastructure.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Xu's belief in the potential for prosperity across the cell banking industry through collaboration reflects a visionary approach to solving complex industry challenges. By creating what could be the world's largest cell banking and cell manufacturing network, HealthBanks aims not only to revolutionize the cell banking industry but also to impact the broader field of cellular medicine significantly. This endeavor promises to enhance access to cutting-edge therapies, drive down costs, and ultimately improve patient outcomes on a global scale.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30424 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Vertical-Integration-HealthBanks-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Integrating Blockchain &amp;amp; AI Technologies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Bricopia Project, as envisioned by Dr. Xu, is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and strategic vision in transforming the landscape of healthcare and making advanced treatments more accessible to all. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vision behind the Bricopia Project, as articulated by Dr. Chris Xu, is a testament to the innovative strides being made in the intersection of technology and healthcare.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By founding the International Consortium of Stem Cell Research, operating under the name Bio-Registry, Dr. Xu has set the stage for a collaborative effort aimed at promoting stem cell research and technological development.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This initiative is not just about advancing the science but also ensuring that the benefits of stem cell research are accessible to all patients, reflecting a commitment to democratizing healthcare advancements.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bricopia, as a project under the Bio-Registry umbrella, represents a pioneering approach to integrating blockchain and AI technologies within the cell banking and healthcare sectors. The application of blockchain technology, known for its security, transparency, and traceability, to cell banking is revolutionary. It addresses a critical need for enhanced quality control and security in managing and tracking cellular medicines from their point of origin to their application in patient care.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This innovation ensures that stem cells, which Dr. Xu aptly describes as people's intrinsic health assets, are managed with the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Bricopia's significance extends beyond its technical merits.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By leveraging blockchain technology, the project aims to empower individuals with health freedom and peace of mind, knowing that their biological assets are safeguarded and their therapeutic journey is transparent and secure. Dr. Xu's vision of Bricopia being the first blockchain application in the cell banking and healthcare industry is indicative of a broader trend toward the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to solve longstanding challenges in healthcare.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Integrating AI and blockchain in cell banking could revolutionize how we approach healthcare, making treatments more personalized, secure, and accessible.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bricopia's initiative could set a new standard for how biological assets are handled across the industry, fostering a more interconnected and transparent healthcare ecosystem. As this project progresses, it could potentially pave the way for broader applications of blockchain and AI in various aspects of healthcare, underlining the transformative power of technology in enhancing patient care and medical research. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30422 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Michelle-Zhu-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have been in the cell banking and cell therapy industry for over 25 years. The future is yet to come and is getting increasingly brighter."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;-Ms. Zhu&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Michelle Haihong Zhu serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer of HealthBanks Group, where she plays a pivotal role in steering the company towards innovation and excellence in the cell banking and cell therapy industry. With over 25 years of experience under her belt, Michelle has established herself as a luminary in the field, contributing significantly to advancements in cell preservation and therapeutic applications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her leadership extends beyond operational oversight; as a Board Director, she actively shapes strategic directions and fosters collaborations that drive the sector forward. Michelle's profound understanding of the complexities of cell banking, coupled with her commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes, underscores her invaluable contribution to HealthBanks Group and the broader scientific community. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her work reflects a deep passion for science and healthcare and a forward-looking vision that aims to leverage cell therapy's potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms and improve patient care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Expanding on Michelle Haihong Zhu's insightful quote, we delve into her deep-seated belief in the boundless potential of cell banking and cell therapy, honed through over a quarter-century of dedicated experience. "I have been in cell banking and cell therapy for over 25 years." This reflects not just her journey but also the evolution of a field that stands at the cusp of a medical revolution. Her tenure in the industry has witnessed significant milestones—from the early stages of stem cell research to the latest advancements in personalized medicine and regenerative therapies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When she says, "The future is exciting and the best is yet to come," Michelle encapsulates a vision of optimism and progress. This perspective is built on the rapid technological advancements and the increasing success rates of cell therapies in treating previously intractable diseases. Her confidence in the future speaks to the emerging innovations in genetic engineering, automation in cell processing, and the expansion of applications for cell therapies in combating a broad spectrum of conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and degenerative disorders.Her statement underscores a commitment to continual learning, innovation, and the belief that the most transformative discoveries in cell banking and therapy lie ahead. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Michelle's forward-looking stance not only inspires her team at HealthBanks Group but also resonates with the broader scientific community, encouraging a collaborative effort towards unlocking the full potential of cell-based therapies. It's a call to arms for researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders to push the boundaries of what's possible, ensuring that the best outcomes for patients and the advancement of healthcare are indeed yet to come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt; &lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30423 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Robert-Pang-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;b&gt;From Luxury Hospitality to Regenerative Wellness Industry &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Robert (Bob'B) Pang's career trajectory is a compelling narrative of versatility, foresight, and a relentless quest for excellence. Initially making his mark in the luxury hospitality industry, Bob'B's transition into the cutting-edge realm of regenerative health and wellness with HealthBanks Group is a testament to his dynamic adaptability and visionary leadership. In the world of luxury hospitality, Bob'B honed skills that are crucial to his success in the health and wellness sector: an unwavering commitment to service excellence, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to anticipate and fulfill the needs of a discerning clientele. These qualities, combined with strategic foresight and operational acumen, positioned him as an ideal candidate for HealthBanks Group, a company at the forefront of leveraging cellular therapies for improved health outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bob'B's recent appointment to HealthBanks Group's high-profile Board of Directors underscores the value of his unique perspective and expertise. In this role, he is expected to bring fresh insights into customer experience, service delivery, and strategic growth, directly influencing the company's trajectory in the rapidly evolving field of regenerative health and wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, as the Senior Vice President in Corporate Strategy, Bob'B faces a challenging yet exhilarating role. Here, he is tasked with steering the company through complex market dynamics, identifying growth opportunities, and developing strategies that ensure HealthBanks Group remains at the leading edge of innovation in cell banking and therapy. This role not only capitalizes on his strategic prowess but also on his ability to navigate change, inspiring his team to embrace new directions and opportunities.Bob'B's journey from luxury hospitality to a pioneering position in regenerative health highlights the transferability of leadership skills across sectors and the importance of vision in driving change. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His role in HealthBanks Group signifies a promising new chapter, both for him and for the company, as they work together to unlock the potential of regenerative health solutions for a global audience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HealthBanks Management Team&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30416 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Management-Team-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His career, which began with a key role in establishing the Shangri-La Hotels chain and senior management roles with the Westin Hotels chain, demonstrates his strategic planning and project management capability. His work under Robert Kuok's mentorship not only laid the groundwork for his future successes but also instilled in him a profound understanding of business development and operations. Bob Pang's venture into the healthcare and wellness sector, particularly his focus on stem cells, cell therapies, and regenerative wellness, signifies a pivotal shift towards a domain with profound impact potential on public health and longevity.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His collaboration with Dr. Chris Xu in Asia-Pacific underscores a strategic move towards harnessing cutting-edge technologies in cell banking and healthcare to address current challenges and future demands.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The establishment of HealthBanks and Bricopia in Singapore, which is recognized for its competitive economy and openness to innovation, positions the company at the heart of Asia's booming health and wellness sector. Bob's experience in Asia and the United States equips him with a unique perspective on global markets, enabling him to drive HealthBanks' mission to expand its technological, product, and service awareness in the Asia-Pacific region.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The participation in and partnership with Ageing Asia Alliance, along with the sponsorship for Ageing Asia Festival 2024, mark significant milestones in HealthBanks and Bricopia's efforts to influence the future of health and longevity. These platforms offer unique opportunities for showcasing advancements in cell banking and regenerative health technologies to a wide audience of healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bob Pang's excitement about Dr. Chris Xu’s mission to develop the first blockchain application in cell banking and healthcare is particularly noteworthy. This initiative illustrates the innovative approach to solving industry challenges and highlights the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize the security, efficiency, and transparency of cell banking processes.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, the vision to build the world's largest cell banking, cell manufacturing, and cell therapy network reflects an ambitious and forward-thinking strategy. With significant investment in research and development, the goal to make cell therapy drugs affordable and accessible to all patients who need them is both noble and crucial for the advancement of healthcare treatments.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bob Pang's journey from luxury hospitality to regenerative health and wellness showcases a remarkable career evolution driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to making a significant impact on the future of  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bob Pang's closing statement encapsulates his unwavering belief in Dr. Chris Xu's mission, reflecting a shared vision for revolutionizing the cell banking, manufacturing, and therapy industry on a global scale. This belief is not just a testament to HealthBanks and Bricopia's potential under their leadership but also highlights the ambitious goal of creating a worldwide network and consortium that serves not only business partners and affiliates but also customers across the globe.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The emphasis on building the most extensive network and consortium underscores a commitment to innovation, accessibility, and collaboration. It suggests that success in this field requires advanced technologies, substantial investment in research and development, a strong network of partners, and an unwavering focus on customer needs.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt; &lt;/h4&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HealthBanks Board of Directors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30413 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Board-of-Directors-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach aligns with the broader goals of the healthcare industry to make cutting-edge treatments more accessible and affordable, thereby enhancing the quality of life and longevity for people worldwide. Bob Pang's support for Dr. Xu's mission also reflects confidence in the strategic direction of HealthBanks and Bricopia and its role in shaping the future of healthcare. It acknowledges the significance of pioneering efforts in cell banking, therapy, and manufacturing, recognizing their potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in medicine today. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This shared vision between Bob Pang and Dr. Chris Xu, rooted in innovation, collaboration, and customer focus, sets a foundation for HealthBanks and Bricopia to lead in transforming healthcare through regenerative medicine. It's a vision that not only looks forward to achieving remarkable scientific advancements but also to making these advancements accessible to people around the world, demonstrating a profound commitment to improving human health and wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30426 size-medium alignleft" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/File-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Want to learn more about HealthBanks and the future of cell banking? Scan the QR code to the left!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HealthBanks-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/healthbanks-biotech-and-the-future-of-cell-banking-an-interview-with-dr-chris-xu/</url> </article> <article> <ID>30036</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:35:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_12 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_16"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_18 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_38 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sam Tejada is a retired firefighter paramedic in Broward County, Florida and a health and wellness expert leading the industry through his company, Liquivida. Sam has multiple wellness centers throughout the nation. The Liquivida franchise is changing the course of healthcare, taking a proactive, preventative approach to health rather than the reactive process we are so used to - waiting until you’re sick and then seeking medical attention. Through his book, “How To Win in Modern Wellness,” Sam is on a mission to inspire, educate, and rewrite the script on health and wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sam, can you share a little about your background and how you came to be considered as a sought-after expert in the modern wellness industry? How did you get started?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I got into this industry as a side hustle on my days off from the fire department. While working for a private company, my eyes were opened to the benefits of alternative types of healthcare, like IV therapy, that, at that time, could only be enjoyed by those who could afford it. I saw this glaring disparity as an opportunity to save far more lives than I could as a firefighter. I had a mentor, attended seminars, conferences, and courses to learn everything I could and started Liquivida to bring the benefits of preventative medicine to the masses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You’ve been doing this for nearly a decade. What are your thoughts on the health and wellness industry? Where do you see things going?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The proactive approach to health and wellness is a change that has been needed for a long time. The industry is expanding and evolving very quickly. Consumers are the ones who are driving this, choosing services and modalities that will maintain and optimize their health rather than taking medications and treatments to manage their sickness. Alternative therapies are reshaping the health and wellness landscape, and medical professionals and entrepreneurs are paying attention to that. I think this rapidly growing industry still has plenty of room for growth and that we’ve barely scratched the surface to help improve people’s lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30044 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-To-Win-1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What does Liquivida do to help improve people’s lives?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We began solely as an IV Vitamin infusion company. Since then, we have grown into a full-service wellness franchise, expanding to include such services as&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regenerative therapies, medical grade weight loss, HRT, SmartGraft Hair Transplants, sexual health, and medical aesthetics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why did you write the book, “How To Win in Modern Wellness”?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I’m a person who strongly believes in the value of relationships and collaboration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When I entered the modern wellness industry, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I made the conscious decision not to go the cut-throat route when it came to my competition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Over the years, I have developed strong ties and initiatives with many other industry leaders. As I engaged with these trailblazers and visionaries, we began discussing standards and regulations and exploring ways to expand access to preventive treatments and modalities, and I knew what was needed. W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e needed more people to get into this industry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I deal with medical professionals who are tired of sick care, frustrated with insurance companies, and only able to spend barely 10 minutes with a patient. I also speak to a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs who have a passion for health and wellness. It occurred to me that they all needed two things. Number one - to be motivated. And number two - to have some direction on how they can make things happen on their end. So, this book was created as a sort of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;educational and inspirational &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;guide for them. To make it a true resource, I decided to ask these industry leaders to talk about what they're doing, their successes, failures, insights, and lessons learned. In the end, the book is to help our industry grow - whether through creating more franchises or creating even more competition for ourselves!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30041 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-win-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What advice would you share with medical professionals and entrepreneurs who may want to enter the health and wellness space? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Honestly, the first thing I would tell them is to read this book! The people who have contributed to it are some of the sharpest minds and highly regarded people in the industry. They have so much insight, experience, lessons, and strategies to share.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second thing I would do is strongly encourage them to go the franchising route. This is an incredibly rewarding industry, but there is also an incredible amount of knowledge, regulation, oversight, and compliance involved. Franchises, like Liquivida, have already navigated that. W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e've made it easy for people to implement IV therapy because we’ve laid the groundwork for it for the past decade. Instead of people having to try to figure out how to succeed in this industry, we’ve already done it. We've taken the guesswork out of it. We've done it with IV therapy and expanded into all the other services and modalities we offer. We've done it with our franchise models, and we've done it through the organizations and platforms that we've created to be able to give medical practitioners trying to get into the industry the support they need. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With consumers reading all about things like regenerative medicine, peptides, gene therapy, and all of these other modalities, they are seeking treatment and better health. There’s so much to learn, so how can practitioners who have not been doing these things for years make the transition? What resources are available for people who want to be able to keep up to date? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I would highly recommend that anyone entering this industry join one of the various accredited organizations, such as the A4M (American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine) and AIVA (American IV Association). We all participate in them to make things easier for people trying to get into the health and wellness space. These organizations provide invaluable resources, education, and training. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I was recently named Chairman of the American IV Association’s Leadership Advisory Board, which is playing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a pivotal role in unifying, shaping, and driving the IV Hydration Therapy industry forward safely, supporting IV hydration therapy providers across the nation by delivering patient safety and best practices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important thing we can do in and for this industry is focus on the importance of bringing everybody in this world of functional medicine together. Sharing knowledge, ideas, and resources – having one united, strong voice- is the path to really changing the course of medicine. Of course, being under the umbrella of a franchise, with the oversight, training and support they provide, is the most effective way to access the knowledge you need. But all the leaders in this industry collaborate because we understand that we need to create that one strong voice. We’re getting on different podcasts, interviewing one another, sharing our expertise, and really standing together to grow and fortify this industry.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30042 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-win-3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where can people buy the book?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://samtejada.com/book/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://samtejada.com/book/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFW11P1?ref=myi_title_dp"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFW11P1?ref=myi_title_dp&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get in contact with Sam, and follow along on his socials through the links below:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/samael.tejada"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.facebook.com/samael.tejada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SamaelTejada"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://twitter.com/SamaelTejada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtejada/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtejada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.liquivida.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.liquivida.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://m.facebook.com/Liquivida"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://m.facebook.com/Liquivida&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.twitter.com/LiquividaLounge"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.twitter.com/LiquividaLounge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/liquivida/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/company/liquivida/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://samtejada.com/home/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://samtejada.com/home/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhLoeGuARgH5h7N7W-UIdX55RPnLHDDEl"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhLoeGuARgH5h7N7W-UIdX55RPnLHDDEl&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-win-cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/how-to-win-in-modern-wellness-a-q-a-with-modern-wellness-expert-sam-tejada/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29957</ID> <title>March Madness: An Exclusive Interview with Aaron Wiggins, Former College Basketball Player and Current Player for the Oklahoma City Thunder</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:34:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_13 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_17"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_19 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_39 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;March Madness is always a highly-anticipated time of year for college athletes and sports fans alike. With so many teams competing for the top spot, it is always fantastic to see the hard work these athletes put in with their teammates while remaining dedicated to classwork, getting enough rest, and keeping up their stamina for those few hectic weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We had the privilege of interviewing former University of Maryland basketball player and current Oklahoma City Thunder player, Aaron Wiggins. He gave our readers a glimpse into what March Madness looks like for the athletes on the qualifying teams, the transition from college to professional basketball, and advice to rising college athletes and future professionals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Q). Could you tell us more about your story and how you got into basketball initially?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A). It probably started the minute I could hold a basketball. I was four or five years old, and I think it just came naturally to me. I immediately fell in love with the game, began playing at a really young age, and did a lot of other activities outside of basketball. Once I got into middle school, I decided basketball was something I wanted to do long-term both in high school and hopefully college one day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In high school, I wasn't sure whether or not I'd be able to play in college until my junior year. I started being recruited by Division One schools, and eventually, the University of Maryland offered me a position on the team. I felt like they were a school that I could have success in, and made me a priority, so I accepted their offer and went there until my junior year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It was a great school. They had great staff, great strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists, and medical staff. Everything about Maryland was very special and helped me get to the point where I could have a career professionally, as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30067 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Wiggins-and-Graves-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;We know you all are doing great right now in your season, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. People have been giving you huge compliments, saying you're like a Swiss Army knife. The team can throw you into any situation, and you’re really adaptive to that. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;You also did really well in your last college conference, beating the University of Connecticut, and you alone scored 27 points against Alabama during your last college career game, which is incredible. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Your life must have been pretty busy and hectic during that time, though. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Q). How did you keep your energy up during the season, particularly when the team was in the midst of March Madness?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A). March Madness is a very chaotic time. As a student-athlete, you have basketball, and obviously, you have schoolwork you're dealing with as well. Specifically, my teammates and I at Maryland did a really good job of being motivated through each other. We had an understanding that it’s a time when there are so many emotions because it's win or go home. You're fighting for the next game or the end of your season. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Guys wanted to play and win a championship, so there were a lot of motivating factors. Naturally, you find ways to make sure that you're eating the right way, taking care of your body and preparing to be your best self when it comes to game time. Our guys were motivated, and we had a good group who understood what it would take to put ourselves in the best position to win games.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30088 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Wiggins-Court-1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Q). Seeing that you were maneuvering between school and basketball, what did your schedule look like? How did that pan out typically?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A). That was tough. Since game times would vary based on where you were slotted in the tournament, sometimes games could be at 1:00 PM and other times it could be at 8:00 PM. Our school designated early mornings as a time to take care of any schoolwork we had. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We also worked with our professors to figure out scheduling because sometimes classes could fall during the tournament schedule. Organization was one of the biggest assets they prioritized. They ensured we had the right resources and clear communication with our professors to guarantee we were getting our schoolwork done before our games. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After taking care of schoolwork, we would watch film and have a walkthrough or practice. In between our walkthrough and practice, and before our games, we had some free time to either get more schoolwork done, take care of our bodies, eat, or take a nap. There were plenty of opportunities to make sure that we were preparing physically and mentally and staying up to date with assignments for school so we were ready to play.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Q). What was your favorite part of March Madness? What did you enjoy most during that time?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A). Definitely the anticipation of games and winning. Regardless of what game it is, winning one in the NCAA tournament is super fun. It’s a great feeling to know we were one step closer to the ultimate goal, which is winning a championship. Even though I wasn't able to get an NCAA championship, one of the best feelings as a college athlete was being in that environment and seeing our team get recognition for their season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Q). From college to pros, how big of a difference is it? What was that transition like for you? How does your schedule, training, and recovery differ from when you were playing college ball?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A). It's significantly different. The number one reason is that in college, your time is obviously split between having to handle school, basketball, and everything else you have to focus on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you make it to the NBA, that’s your job. Every day, your biggest priority is making sure you're physically feeling okay, getting your treatment, getting your recovery, you're at practice, getting the right lifts in, and eating well. Everything pours into the focus and idea of being ready to be an elite basketball player and play professionally. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Outside of that, some of the big changes are the physicality of the players in college compared to the NBA. There's a big difference in the physical size of players, as well as the speed of the game.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's also a deeper knowledge and understanding of basketball when you’re playing at a higher level. You are constantly learning and growing throughout the professional game because that’s your main focus. Unlike professional basketball, there are different factors in college that can alter and limit the way you grow and develop as an individual player.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30068 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Wiggins-Courtside-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Q). Do you have any words of advice for future college or professional athletes? Is there anything you found that has encouraged you to work hard and continue in your athletic career?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A). One thing that everyone always says is ‘hard work works.’ If you work hard, you'll see success. Along with that, I’ve learned that time management is huge. I think it's something that college players might not think about as much. Managing your time and working ahead allows you to take care of your body, eat better, catch up on sleep, or go to the gym and work hard. It sets you up to focus more on basketball and take care of life outside of school and basketball. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If college players can pick up on time management early on, it'll be easier when they go pro. Outside of game time and practice, you have a lot of free time as a professional during the season. That time should be spent preparing yourself for the next day. There are 82 games in a season in the NBA, so it's nonstop. In comparison, college only has 30 games, which is about a third of that. Managing your time properly and focusing on taking care of your body, eating the right way, and preparing for the next day of practice or the next game you have would put college players at an advantage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It was a pleasure being able to interview this rising basketball professional and share his story of dedication to the game. We look forward to following Aaron’s career with the Oklahoma City Thunder and wish him and the team a healthy and successful season. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WigginsCover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/march-madness-an-exclusive-interview-with-aaron-wiggins-former-college-basketball-player-and-current-player-for-the-oklahoma-city-thunder/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29688</ID> <title>A Story of Success: Dr. Rudolph Moise, His Family Practice and Aesthetics</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 20:11:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_14 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_18"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_20 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_40 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Early Years and Education&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rudolph Moise came from Haiti when he was just 17 years old and moved to Chicago knowing no English. In July of 1971, young Dr. Moise attended a 30-day program at a community center as he redid his final year of high school to learn English and get the necessary credits to be accepted into college. He finished a pre-med degree in five years and applied for medical school, where the Chicago College of Medicine accepted him as a student. They offered him a scholarship from a federal program where they sponsored his school and required him to work for four years in an area of his choosing post-graduation. After some convincing, Dr. Moise was sent to Miami to work in federally qualified health care for a few years. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He became very involved with the Miami community and stayed to practice there, where his primary care practice took off. He quickly found that owning a medical practice also had a significant business aspect to address. Seeing an opportunity to grow and learn more, Dr. Moise returned to school, this time attending the University of Miami to earn his law degree and MBA every weekend for two and a half years. After those two and a half years of commitment to hard work, he finalized his healthcare administration and business administration degree, which ultimately helped his practice grow and thrive. Further schooling encouraged Dr. Moise to run for U.S. Congress in 2010 and again in 2012, with the goal of serving the Miami community in a new capacity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I came very close, coming in second. It was always a dream to serve this great country since it has given so much to me and my family," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deciding to stay in the medical field, Dr. Moise is one doctor who is making a positive impact on American healthcare. Having served in the United States Airforce Reserve as a flight surgeon for 21 years, Dr. Moise has been leading the way to better and more available medical opportunities throughout the medical industry as a whole.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29699 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Team-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New Aesthetics Focus, Connecting with Patients, and Community Outreach&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the Congress battle, Dr. Moise became a medical flight surgeon in the military for 21 years. He has now been serving as a family physician for 30 years, focusing on diabetes, back pain, illness, and so much more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to his practice being in Miami, people often come to Dr. Moise for referrals on aesthetic care. Because of the overwhelming demand for aesthetics and interest in the topics from his clients, Dr. Moise investigated the field and went to conferences around the country to become certified in aesthetics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I would say 85% of the aesthetic procedures that are done are non-surgical, so you can really help people doing these things. The other percent is when they go to a plastic surgeon to do cosmetic procedures or things that require a lot of downtime after surgery," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because there are so many procedures that are minimally invasive and have a short recovery time, Dr. Moise invested in aesthetic equipment for these procedures to add to his practice called Comprehensive Medical Spa, based in North Miami. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being involved in patients' lives is a vital role that Dr. Moise and his practice have always championed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always believe that success is really nothing unless you reach back out and are engaged in the community," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He spends time with different clubs and community outreaches for children to teach them and encourage them to stay in school. Dr. Moise is a mentor for these children to help them learn and do all the things others say they could never do. On top of being a mentor in his current community outreach endeavors, he was also the president of the Dade County Medical Association in Miami and then became a chairman of the Jackson Health Foundation, which raises money for the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29694 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoisefrontdesk-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Challenges in Family Medicine and Aesthetics &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Right now, access to healthcare is more important than ever," Dr. Moise shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having an easy and affordable way to see a professional medical doctor is essential. Finding a doctor and provider that truly cares for them is also vital. According to Dr. Moise, it is important for communities to provide access to the patient so there is not a time when patients walk into the office and cannot be seen. Dr. Moise's practice accepts all patients to provide the best care, even if they do not have an appointment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accessibility in healthcare is a huge issue facing the U.S. right now. According to health.gov, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 10 individuals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; do not have healthcare. The lack of affordable health care in the U.S. often prevents patients from being able to see a doctor at all and then becoming ill or not getting proper screening for disease. What could have been prevented is now an issue because they never saw a physician in the first place because of the multiple roadblocks. That is why Dr. Moise's practice makes it a point to accept walk-ins and not only take patients with appointments throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's very important that, as a community, we create the possibility where we provide access to the patient. There isn't one time that somebody has walked into my office and we told them 'no, we cannot see you,’” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29696 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoisepatient-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Overcoming Obstacles and Hiring Qualified and Dedicated Health Workers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This requirement to see all who enter Dr. Moise's practice comes with its own set of difficulties. Finding qualified workers in the health space is essential in order to see everyone who walks through the door. Finding qualified people to stay in the medical field and face the challenges that healthcare often presents can prove difficult. Tasks take longer when insurance is involved and documentation is required, so finding a team with patience and education is a necessary qualification in Dr. Moise's practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having certified healthcare professionals who have the time to commit is a difficulty of its own. Training is required for the job, of course, which is already complicated for employees. Then, it would be best to have employees who work longer hours to accommodate different needs and require a certain level of pay for their time. Finding people willing to dedicate the hours and commit to the hard work of medical jobs is a constant obstacle but a rewarding one when one's practice is able to bring compassionate and dedicated healthcare workers to the team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is also the challenge of spending proper time with each patient to really understand what they require to improve their health. This means that there must be available time, and the provider must have patience to reach the goals set in place by the patient. In order to successfully cater to a patient, Dr. Moise seeks to spend time with patients individually and not rush them out of the office before truly understanding what is necessary to treat them properly. The only way to truly understand a patient's diagnosis is to understand what symptoms they have faced, what goals they have set in place to reach full health again, and what kind of time they have put into the issue already to resolve it. How have they previously tried to cure it, and what brings them to an office to fix the problem? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I like to spend time with patients because you want to give them back communication and also listen. But if you spend a lot of time on the computer and try to document things that the government needs to know, it really reduces the time you need with your patients, and that's a challenge," Dr. Moise said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are hurdles to maneuver, Dr. Moise and his team are dedicated to giving their patients the utmost attention and care while sticking to the necessary protocol and spending the extra time needed to bring excellent care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29698 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Team-1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Road to Efficiency and Quality Care&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being efficient while providing quality care is a top priority for Dr. Moise and his team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holding a business that employs over 57 people and his current practice, Dr. Moise has had to learn to train and manage all these responsibilities to care for his patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have multiple businesses, and the key thing is to find responsible people because you cannot do everything yourself. At my office, I have a great manager who manages everything for me. Same thing in Orlando. I have somebody I meet with, and they let me know what's going on in every company I have," Dr. Moise shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the keys to overcoming barriers in the field of aesthetics and family medicine is to have upstanding people working for you. Dr. Moise implements this in every aspect of his life, including his businesses, practice, and community involvement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Moise has multiple businesses, so ensuring he can balance it all is a significant part of his success story. His practice manager takes care of his medical practice, while his employees are sure to stay involved in the business and medical aspects, keeping Dr. Moise in the know. This can include everything from charts to business expenses to day-to-day management. Between all the business endeavors, Dr. Moise must have a reliable team around him that can ensure his success along with their own success in the business. Having a great team of trusted individuals makes a huge difference in the success of business and medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The key to success is to have good people working for you who are qualified and can really handle operations in medical and business endeavors without you present. In terms of giving you advice and to other people, they have to be full of well-wishes for your success and company. And basically, that requires a lot of discipline and education from your team," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29695 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoiseoffice-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Dr. Moise Has Reached His Goals in Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discipline is something that Dr. Moise has learned and practiced over his years of practicing medicine, schooling, business endeavors, and running for public office. Years of his time have been dedicated to discipline, and those hours of dedication got him to where he is today. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He tells all his students how important it is to learn more so that they can take on more tasks and understand things around them better. Dr. Moise believes that the more you know and are educated, the easier you will solve tasks in any capacity. Education is the true power in the world of medicine, business, and just in general. To get things done, people must experience bumps in the road and trials to learn more and overcome the struggles they face. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are a lot of bumps along the way, but don't give up. Keep on pushing, and keep on doing it, and successful is what you will be," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining discipline and pushing until you reach your goals is crucial. The only way to reach your goals and overcome obstacles in life is by maintaining discipline to reach the goals you have set in place for yourself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Discipline in your education is number one. Your brain has billions of cells, and you can absorb a lot of information. So, the more you learn, the more you're ready to take on tasks and challenges and get things done. I tell all my students that education is power," he concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To learn more about Dr. Rudolph Moise and what his practice offers, visit his website at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://chcmedrehab.com/staff/Dr-Rudolph-Moise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://chcmedrehab.com/staff/Dr-Rudolph-Moise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/a-story-of-success-dr-rudolph-moise-his-family-practice-and-aesthetics/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29668</ID> <title>American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians: An Interview with Dr. A.J. Farshchian</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 18:45:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_15 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_19"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_21 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_41 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians (AASCP) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of research, education, and clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies. Founded by medical professionals passionate about exploring the potential of stem cells, the AASCP serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ethical practices within the realm of regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This year, its&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;conference&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will be held February 9-11, 2024, and will feature dozens of workshops, keynote speakers and events for medical professionals interested in stem cell treatment and advancements. All are welcome to join the conference and learn more about what stem cell treatments can offer your practice, your health, and your patients.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29675 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Dr.-A.J-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Objectives of AASCP &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary mission of the AASCP revolves around promoting the responsible use of stem cell-based therapies through education, training, and ethical guidelines. They focus on the following objectives: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Education and Training. The AASCP offers educational programs, seminars and conferences designed to update medical professionals on the latest advancements, ethical considerations, and best practices in stem cell therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Research and Innovation. AASCP focuses on encouraging and supporting research initiatives aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind stem cell therapy and its potential applications in various medical conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Ethical Guidelines. Establishing ethical standards and guidelines to ensure the safe and responsible application of stem cell treatments while safeguarding patient welfare. The workshops and keynote speakers for the conference focus on the most ethical manners to utilize stem cells and train your medical professionals on their use.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29678 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AASCP Events and Initiatives &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. A.J. Farshchian, Spokesperson and Founder of The American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians, gave an extensive list of medical professionals who are expected to attend the conference in 2024:  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. A.J. Farshchian, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Frank Shallenberger, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joel Baumgartner, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Warren Bleiweiss, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joseph Purita, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Carlos Mercado,M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gerald Harris, D.O.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Leonid Macheret, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joseph Cleaver, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Armando Pineda, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hans Richter, PhD &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. William Clearfield, D.O. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patricia Lawson, MSED-PESI &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical professionals from all over the country will be in attendance to share their knowledge and expertise at the event. Over 3,000 doctors and medical professionals have attended over the years, receiving training and listening to keynote speakers.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami on February 9-11, 2024. We will offer amazing presentations and hands-on workshops and expect to have between 22 to 25 exhibitors and around 150 attendees,” Dr. Farshchian said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-29674 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Conference-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The AASCP arranges diverse events, conferences, and workshops aimed at fostering the exchange of knowledge among professionals engaged in regenerative medicine. This conference primarily emphasizes showcasing scientific progress, deliberating on safety protocols, and handling regulatory facets to guarantee adherence to set benchmarks. Such events encompass scientific symposiums and forums that convene eminent specialists to explore the most recent innovations and hurdles within the discipline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This conference will center on discussing the progress in the development, manufacturing, and safe delivery of regenerative cell therapies. The AASCP emphasizes crucial considerations for physicians employing biologics in their practice, encompassing SVF, PRP, bone marrow, UCB, amniotic products, exosomes, xenografts, or peptides.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We are here to educate medical professionals about stem cell treatments and do so through this conference and research,” Dr. Farshchian said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29676 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Presenter-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Established as a non-profit organization, the AASCP aims to serve as an educational resource for medical professionals and the public concerning treatable physiological dysfunctions causing diseases. Its primary objectives are to advance research in regenerative medicine, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each year, the conference is held in Miami for anyone interested in stem cell treatments and care or for regenerative medicine companies and nonprofits to table and share their own information with other medical professionals. This conference is an excellent networking opportunity as well as an educational opportunity that medical professionals seeking to expand their practice or try stem cell treatments should attend. The education shared by professionals is day-to-day treatment and research-based for all to hear and understand.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians, AASCP,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a non-profit organization that boasts of advancing knowledge and research in the development of therapeutics in regenerative medicine. To get tickets, apply for a table, or find more information about the AASCP and their conference, visit their&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or social media. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29677 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/american-academy-of-stem-cell-physicians-an-interview-with-dr-a-j-farshchian/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29545</ID> <title>The Benefits of Zinc Before and During Cold and Flu Season</title> <publishDate>2023-12-04 22:22:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_16 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_20"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_22 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_42 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we see flu season on the horizon, the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system becomes increasingly apparent. Among the various minerals and nutrients essential for immune health, zinc stands out as a crucial element that can bolster our body's defenses against seasonal illnesses like the flu! Its role in supporting immune function has been well-documented, making it a valuable addition to our health regimen both before and during flu season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Zinc as a Preventative Measure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before the onset of flu season, providing your body with zinc can be an effective preventive measure. This essential mineral plays a pivotal role in numerous bodily functions, including immune response, cell division and wound healing. It acts as a catalyst for over 300 enzymes, contributing to the proper functioning of many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;biochemical&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; processes in the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc is particularly renowned for its ability to enhance the activity of immune cells. It helps regulate the production and function of various immune cells, such as neutrophils and natural killer cells, which are essential for combating infections. Additionally, zinc assists in the production of antibodies, which are crucial for the body's defense mechanism against pathogens like influenza viruses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have indicated that maintaining adequate zinc levels can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold, which shares symptoms with influenza. While not a direct cure for the flu, incorporating zinc into your diet or as a supplement before flu season may provide an added layer of defense against viral infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29550 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/zinccoldandflu-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Alleviating Cold and Flu Symptoms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During flu season, the benefits of zinc become even more pronounced. As the virus spreads more readily, reinforcing your immune system becomes crucial in warding off illness. Zinc supplementation during this period can help shorten the duration of flu symptoms and potentially reduce the likelihood of developing severe complications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests that zinc cough drops or syrup taken within 24 hours of the onset of flu symptoms may decrease the duration of the illness by interfering with the virus's ability to multiply and spread in the body. It's important to note that the effectiveness of zinc supplementation may vary depending on the formulation, dosage and individual factors, so consulting a healthcare professional should be a first step.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc's anti-inflammatory properties can assist in alleviating symptoms commonly associated with the flu, such as sore throat and cough. By reducing inflammation and supporting the body's immune response, zinc can contribute to a speedier recovery from flu-related discomfort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29552 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zinc2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dietary and Supplemental Sources of Zinc&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might be asking a necessary question: What is a good source of zinc? There are various ways you can have a higher intake of this mineral during this year’s cold and flu season. One of the easiest ways to get zinc is through seafood like oysters and crab or through red meat. These have the highest presence of zinc out of all the foods you could eat for a natural source of zinc. If you are not partial to seafood or are trying to avoid red meat, there are other foods that have a great source of zinc! Brown rice, legumes such as kidney beans, blueberries and even cheddar cheese are fantastic natural sources where zinc can be found. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel you are not getting enough zinc through your diet, there are also supplements you can take. This can be an easy way to ensure you are getting enough of this cold-fighting supplement during cold and flu season to help your immune system ward off any cold-related symptoms.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Striking a Balance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it's crucial to strike a balance with zinc intake, as excessive amounts can have adverse effects on health. Overconsumption of zinc may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and interfere with the absorption of other essential minerals like copper and iron. Therefore, moderation and adherence to recommended daily allowances are essential. Consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating zinc into your daily routine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating zinc into your health regimen before and during flu season can offer significant benefits for immune health. Whether through dietary sources like nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains or as a supplement, maintaining optimal zinc levels can bolster the body's defenses against seasonal illnesses like the flu. As always, it's best to seek guidance from a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and form of zinc supplementation tailored to your individual needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20richest%20food%20sources%20of,also%20contain%20zinc%20%5B3%5D."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20richest%20food%20sources%20of,also%20contain%20zinc%20%5B3%5D.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zinc.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/holistic-medicine/the-benefits-of-zinc-before-and-during-cold-and-flu-season/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29106</ID> <title>80-year-old Stan Cottrell's Home Run for Veterans!</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 13:25:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_17 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_21"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_23 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_43 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a world where people often perceive age as a limitation, one man has shattered the boundaries of what's possible. At the age of 80, Stan Cottrell is not just running; he's on a mission to change the world, one stride at a time. His incredible journey is a testament to the human spirit's boundless potential for greatness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell is a USMC veteran whose life story is a symphony of resilience, hope and unwavering determination. From the very beginning, Cottrell's days start with an unshakable belief in his own ability to win. He carries with him a cherished motto, a gift from his mother that has guided him throughout his remarkable journey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29120 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/stanwithfriends-1024x536.png" alt="" width="753" height="394" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 30"&gt; &lt;div class="section"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stan and friends in Kentucky&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"'Lord, I'm reporting for duty,' my Mama would say," Cottrell recalls. "And on the last day of her life, on that final morning, she said it for the last time."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Cottrell, age is nothing but a number, a mere label that he refuses to let define him. He firmly believes that too many people limit themselves based on society's expectations. Labels, whether self-imposed or externally imposed, can dictate our actions and beliefs. In Cottrell's eyes, there are no neutral moments in life; we're either positive, hopeful and expectant or we're not. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29114 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/staninpoland-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 31"&gt; &lt;div class="section"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stan and friends in Poland&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As Stan Cottrell embarks on his 77th ultra distance run and 44th year of running for causes greater than himself, his story becomes an anthem of purpose. Two years ago, he completed his third jaw-dropping 100-day run across the entire United States, covering 30 miles a day. Over the past 76 years, he has run a staggering 283,000 miles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THE MISSION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His most recent endeavor, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;"Home Run for Veterans,"&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a rallying cry for veterans suffering from PTSD. Cottrell's connection to this cause runs deep, as he recalls family members who endured the aftermath of World War II without the understanding of PTSD. "When I was growing up, people called these symptoms 'shell shock,'" Cottrell added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29113 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mstbook-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;COMBATING PTSD&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying or dangerous event. These stressful or traumatic events usually involve a situation where someone has faced life-threatening situations or a severe injury has occurred.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell has joined ranks with the Gene Birdwell Foundation to support their book; "Military Sexual Trauma" (MST). This monumental manual showcases a myriad of causative agents leading to an all-encompassing world called PTSD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mission of the Birdwell Foundation is to decrease and eliminate veteran and first responder suicide by providing a community of support from fellow warriors who have found their way out of the darkness through a healing process that equips them to be now reared and ready to teach and provide to others. "No one can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. We need each other." Cottrell added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;RUNNING A MARATHON A DAY&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;"Home Run for Veterans"&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is such an attraction magnet," Cottrell explains. "I'm honored to do my part — running a marathon a day for 39 days — 1,024 miles total beginning March 15th throughout Georgia to bring light where only darkness has long been the norm."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's 1,024-mile run is for the benefit and awareness of veterans suffering from PTSD and the issue of 24 veterans each day that commit suicide. Cottrell plans on visiting with as many veterans as possible as he runs to 9 Georgia-based military bases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29118 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/runninginvietnam-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 33"&gt; &lt;div class="section"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Finishing run in DeNang, Vietnam&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His dedication to this cause, especially at the age of 80, is truly inspiring. By running a marathon distance every day and including all the military bases in Georgia in his route, he is not only raising awareness but also paying tribute to the sacrifices made by veterans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's heart also extends to the less fortunate, as he has witnessed both the grandeur of the White House and the struggles of those living in poverty. He has run through third-world countries, raising funds to provide coats and shoes for children facing winter without adequate clothing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was one of those children who didn't have a coat for winter," Cottrell reflects. "I know what it's like to wait for a pair of shoes until tobacco sales time." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29115 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/windingroad-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;UNIFYING THE WORLD&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yet, Cottrell's journey is not just about personal achievement; it's about transformation and the power of the human spirit to soar beyond limitations. His life began with adversity, as he faced ridicule at the age of 12 for his small stature. But on that summer day in 1955, when he won a 100-yard dash running barefoot at the county fair, he discovered his gift and theme for the rest of his life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A stranger's encouraging words ignited a spark within him: "You sure are little, but those legs of yours sure can fly. Why, you might just grow up and be a champion someday." Cottrell reflects this was a significant marker in his life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Four years later, Cottrell received an unexpected scholarship opportunity, which led to his college education. But that was just the beginning of his extraordinary journey. Running in 43 countries, the Great Wall of China, and coast to coast three times in the United States, he became a symbol of hope and unity, drawing crowds of 100,000 or more in countries like Korea, Bulgaria, China, and Vietnam. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every step of Cottrell's journey reinforces a message of hope, purpose, and unity. He believes every person has a unique mission, a divine decree to fulfill. His gift for running became his vessel to inspire, unite, and bring about change. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29117 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finishingraceinchina-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 34"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stan running in China&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As he continues challenging himself, Cottrell imparts wisdom to future runners and individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle. His message is simple yet profound: movement is life. Almost 70% of the U.S. population is overweight, and Cottrell urges people to start with small steps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Get yourself a good pair of walking shoes and just start moving," he advises. "Fitness should never be a punishment; it should be a nourishment for your body."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's life is a testament to the limitless potential of the human spirit. His age is merely a number, and he believes there are no limits to what one can achieve. As he reflects on his remarkable journey, he leaves us with a powerful truth: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"And my life has just begun at 80 years old. Where are the limits? They don't exist. It's time to salute the Veterans!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's call is for everyone to join this cause by using their influence, resources, talents, and prayers as a rallying cry to stand in solidarity with veterans and work towards a better future for them. Let's support this noble endeavor and help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our nation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/stanholdingflag.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/80-year-old-stan-cottrells-home-run-for-veterans/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28684</ID> <title>From Private Chef to Health Crusader: Chef Tzarina's Journey of Transformation Through Food</title> <publishDate>2023-09-11 19:32:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_18 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_22"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_24 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_0 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_0 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_2 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_44 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the world of haute cuisine and culinary artistry, there are chefs who not only tantalize our taste buds but also transform lives through the power of food. Chef Tzarina, the culinary virtuoso gracing the cover of TopDoctor Magazine, is one such remarkable figure. Beyond her culinary prowess, she has ventured into the realm of health and wellness, using her own personal journey as a guiding light to help others navigate the path to a healthier, happier life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Culinary Odyssey&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tzarina's food journey began at the early age of 16 when she enrolled in culinary school, where she knew her love for food and people would be combined into a beautiful career and life. As she worked her way through restaurants all over England, she finessed her skills as a chef, delighting the palates of many. Her culinary creations eventually graced the tables of the uber-wealthy, worldly diplomats and those who cherished the exquisite art of gastronomy. However, Tzarina's story isn't just about preparing sumptuous meals; it's about how food became a catalyst for change.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Personal Health Journey&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life took an unexpected turn when Tzarina found herself battling a relentless foe—endometriosis, diagnosed at the age of 14. Over time, this insidious condition led to the formation of massive tumors and cysts within her body, threatening her health and well-being. Faced with a pivotal choice, she embarked on a difficult global quest for healing and acceptance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tzarina's journey wasn't just about medical interventions; it was a holistic transformation encompassing diet, lifestyle, exercise, and mental health. She was determined to regain control of her life and health. Her resilience and commitment to her own well-being ultimately led her to discover the transformative power of food.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-28833 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cheftzarina1-822x1024.png" alt="" width="822" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Food as Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food, often underestimated, became Tzarina's primary prescription on her path to recovery. She realized that the choices we make in our diet can profoundly impact our health. Through meticulous research and personal experience, she curated a diet that not only nourished her body but also aided in her healing process. At the time, this was also the only thing that was financially available to her as she was saving for many years for what would become her life-saving surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While working alongside many wealthy clients who noticed her skillset and attention to nutrition, many successful individuals contracted her to help them make lifestyle changes, change their diet, detox and even support their journeys to sobriety. When given the opportunity to work with clients' medical teams, evaluate their bloodwork and adjust their diets accordingly, she became a sponge to not only apply these combined practices to her own life but also to those around her.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tzarina's story is a testament to the idea that food can be the first prescription written when someone faces a pivotal moment in their life. Whether by necessity or desire, a shift in dietary habits can lead to profound transformations. Her journey is an inspiration for those who seek a healthier, happier life through food.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her greatest accomplishment to date was serving a client at their private estate with a team of 25 medical professionals to assist with detox and rehabilitation, serving as the culinary leader to a team of 4 cooks to ensure at all hours of the day, they were able to deliver nutritious, delicious and most importantly, effective meals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Empowering Others&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having triumphed over 15+ years of health challenges, Tzarina is now on a mission—a mission to empower others to take control of their well-being through food. She understands that her experiences, while deeply personal, can resonate with countless individuals facing health-related crossroads. Tzarina's message is clear: you have the power to change your life through the choices you make in your kitchen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28834 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cheftzarina2-822x1024.png" alt="" width="822" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Extending the Impact&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While Tzarina once worked in the most exclusive, private settings, she has now extended her impact to a wider audience. She collaborates with TopDoctor Magazine and teams at TopDoc Clinics around the world to share her knowledge and expertise with readers and clients. Her aim is to provide subscribers with the knowledge and practices employed by the top 1% of the world's population. Through these meaningful collaborations, she aims to motivate TopDoctor Magazine's readers to prioritize their well-being by focusing on nutrition, curated supplement regimens, and wellness plans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The journey to reclaim oneself includes many aspects that TopDoc Clinics help patients with every day. "When you feel like you're on the other side, you get to enjoy the ride and reclaim and embrace how powerful you are. With the right team and people around you, you get to feel amazing, sexy, and vibrant while dealing with challenges that seemingly took away days you can't get back. It's about embracing the present and the future to educate and advocate for a brighter, healthier future."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Prescription for Transformation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first prescription to write is a grocery list and meal plan with your wellness team that money-hungry marketing doesn't influence but is curated specifically to YOUR body and wellness goals. Chef Tzarina's message is not just about gourmet dining; it's about the art of living well, and her life's work exemplifies this philosophy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Next Chapter&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After spending most of her career behind the veils of NDA after NDA, Tzarina took a leap of faith to film with a reality television show that has just aired in the United States with viewership that broke records for the series, excited a large fan base and dealt with some of the toughest issues seen on modern day reality tv. Follow along on her journey as she brings her years of knowledge and expertise to the public, and she herself continues to seek out new information for health, wellness, and anti-aging via her Instagram @cheftzarina and website www.cheftzarina.com.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/171-Website.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/from-private-chef-to-health-crusader-chef-tzarinas-journey-of-transformation-through-food/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16343</ID> <title>Exploring the Ethics of Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Rathna Nuti</title> <publishDate>2022-03-19 15:41:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_19 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_23"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_25 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_1 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_3 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_4 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_5 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_45 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is a rapidly growing, innovative practice that applies regenerative medical techniques to treat or cure diseases. Most regenerative treatments are still under development, but regenerative medicine has already begun to change how we approach health care. Regenerative treatments can be utilized in nearly every field of medicine and for any medical condition. Because these treatments represent cutting-edge research, they require ethical considerations for both researchers and patients alike.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At its core, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/subjects/regenerative-medicine#:~:text=Regenerative%20medicine%20is%20the%20branch,the%20production%20of%20artificial%20organs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; seeks to understand health on a cellular level and bring newly regenerated cells into the body to help maintain healthy cell growth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ethical considerations surrounding regenerative medicine, but it is a promising solution for conditions once considered untreatable or fatal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rathna-nuti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rathna Nuti&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is here to let us in on her latest practice on regenerative medicine, with its underlying ethics, procedures and treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative Medicine: From Sports to Aesthetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Nuti is a member of several sports medicine organizations, including the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amssm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the NHL Team Physician Society (NHLTPS). She uses both family medicine and psychology to complement her approach to sports medicine. She also specializes in the aesthetics portion of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/theres-always-a-team-to-support-you-a-sports-medicine-overview-with-dr-rathna-nuti/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aesthetic regenerative medicine is a growing field that uses regenerative techniques to improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. While regenerative therapies have been used for many years to treat sports injuries and joint pain, regenerative therapies for aesthetic purposes are a relatively new development.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different regenerative therapies can be used for aesthetic purposes, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_prp-injections.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and stem cell therapy. Dr. Nuti has started helping patients to use these techniques.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Treating fine lines, wrinkles, or the 'turkey' neck nowadays does not only just involve BOTOX or fillers; there are chemical peels to help in skin rejuvenation and other treatments such as PRP for both facial rejuvenation and hair growth and microneedling for the improvement of the texture of the skin that I offer as well to help people achieve their aesthetic goals," Dr. Nuti said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She said she is exploring more into the body aspect of contouring, where tightening skin, trimming fat, and toning muscle can sculpt the body. Things are constantly evolving in the practice as doctors like Dr. Nuti try to help with whatever the patient's needs are.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; ​&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_24"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_26 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_11"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/botox4.jpg" alt="" title="botox4" class="wp-image-16346" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_46 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Knowing an Ethical vs. an Unethical Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with any medical field, ethical considerations are crucial to the well-being of both doctors and patients, and regenerative medicine is no different. For doctors, aside from the importance of abiding by ethics guidelines set forth by regenerative medicine associations such as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.isctglobal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it is vital that what they offer is science-backed, evidenced-based and is marketed with integrity to avoid "false hopes" for the patients. On the other hand, patients must completely understand regenerative medicine's risks and benefits before signing up for it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One of the biggest ethical considerations in regenerative medicine is to make sure the patient understands that we're not reversing what happened now to what you were 20 years ago," Dr. Nuti explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients mustn't undergo regenerative treatments with unrealistic expectations. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Patients must understand that regenerative treatments are not a quick fix," Dr. Nuti emphasized. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She also debunked the biggest myths in regenerative medicine at this time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It does not regrow tissue at this point. And it is not 100% guaranteed either. Unethical use of regenerative medicine would be to give that false sense of hope when there's no research that backs it up," Dr. Nuti said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/fda-to-crack-down-on-stem-cell-clinics-with-unproven-therapies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent crackdown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on clinics that offer stem cell treatments from amniotic fluids due to unethical use and patient fraud, it has become difficult for the doctors like Dr. Nuti to provide similar treatments as they are removed from the market. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174465/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amniotic products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; got pulled off the market. So companies and other clinics are now looking at how to utilize it appropriately. And of course, it's good that we have the FDA to govern it, but it does put the people who use it ethically like myself and other clinics in a tough position because now we can't offer that type of treatment," Dr. Nuti said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Challenging Part: Awareness and Education&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients must understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/the-art-of-medicine-a-look-into-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-ripu-arora/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and that each patient's treatment plan will be tailored specifically to their needs. However, not many individuals who want to have regenerative treatments realize this, especially if they only learned about it from other people who had gone through the same treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We do have patients coming in asking us, 'Hey, can you please do this? Can you please do that? We want this; we want that.' I've had patients walk into my office, tell me that they want PRP. They don't want to try anything else, so I have to take a step back and tell them that getting this or that treatment is not like a pharmacy or grocery store where you can go and get what you want and walk out. That's not how medicine works," Dr. Nuti explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The regenerative medicine field is constantly evolving as researchers explore new ways to improve the practice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/resources/cellular-therapies/facts-about-cellular-therapies/regenerative-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is here to stay. We have new evolving, exciting data to help out and show us of its potential and capabilities," Dr. Nuti enthusiastically shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the exciting future possibilities of regenerative medicine is having a long-term effect on treatments compared to the current ones. For example, PRP can have the possibility of longer outcomes in terms of pain control compared to what is offered by steroid injections.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regenerative medicine is definitely an innovative treatment plan that is constantly evolving for the better of the future of medicine. It is here to stay. It's just a matter of getting more information and robust data to help guide us into the future in terms of what treatment plans we can offer for our patients," Dr. Nuti said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is still in its infancy, but regenerative treatments will become more effective with continued research and development. If you are interested in regenerative medicine, it is essential to understand the ethical practices that should be followed. In this article, we have outlined some of these ethics and why they're so crucial for regenerative medicine practitioners like Dr. Nuti.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We thank Dr. Nuti for joining us in this interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. We appreciate her informative insights on the ethics of regenerative medicine. You may reach out to her and check her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dfwsportsmed.com/rathna-nuti-md-sports-medicine-specialist-mckinney-lewisville-tx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to know more about regenerative medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dr.-Rathna-Nuti.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/exploring-the-ethics-of-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-rathna-nuti/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15987</ID> <title>Engineering Medicine: Building Solutions with Dr. Derek Sakata, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-02-27 18:32:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_20 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_25"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_27 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_12"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC09687-2.jpg" alt="" title="DSC09687-2" class="wp-image-15988" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_28 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_47 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have the rare privilege of mastering two disciplines, you are in a unique position to use one field to benefit the other. With a capable, creative team, Dr. Derek J. Sakata, M.D., made use of his dual knowledge bases to develop medical devices that improve patient care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/fad/mddetail.php?physicianID=u0221752"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vice-Chair of Ambulatory Surgery and Perioperative Innovation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah Health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is responsible for more than 25 specialties, to include an emergency department and three primary care clinics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; He wasn’t always in the medical field though. "I studied engineering and wanted to build guidance systems. But the Cold War had just ended, and there were no more jobs," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_26"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_29 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_2 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_6 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_7 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_8 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_48 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So he switched gears and, with a nagging uncertainty, turned to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was fascinated by the medical sciences but still wasn't sure I wanted to practice medicine. But I liked the science of anesthesiology," Dr. Sakata shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What finally resolved that uncertainty was combining his engineering and medical expertise to find new ways to improve medical practices in anesthesiology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_27"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_30 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_13"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/QED-100_on_Blue_Background_final_mh.jpg" alt="" title="QED-100_on_Blue_Background_final_mh" class="wp-image-15990" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_49 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vapor-Clean&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Based on the ANEclear, Vapor-Clean is designed to help patients with malignant hyperthermia, a disease which can be triggered by inhaled anesthetics. It affects the body to the point where it starts breaking your cells down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anesthesia machines release anesthetic vapor after vapor is used in them. To make them safe, they have to be flushed with a fresh gas flow for quite a while. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dynasthetics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vapor-Clean&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; performs this function in less than 90 seconds. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We know from the literature that you have to get the anesthetic level to below five parts per million. There has to be nothing in a circuit. So we decided to build filters," Dr.  Sakata said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sales of this device are growing and benefiting patients around the world. Nearly 2,000 facilities in about 20 countries now benefit from this excellent device. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;VitalsBridge&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The VitalsBridge provides simulations of patient issues so that we can train better clinicians and healthcare providers," Dr. Sakata explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.vitalsbridge.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;VitalsBridge's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; realistically simulated vital signs for manikins and standardized patients are produced and updated on a commercially available patient monitor. Trainees learn to interpret vital signs on the same monitors used in actual practice. It displays nine types of data, including oxygen saturation, blood pressure and carbon dioxide. An app controls the simulation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Usually, you have to go to an expensive simulator center to do these things. It can cost about $80,000. So the team came up with this little box that basically can take anybody and hook them up to any monitor and simulate changes in the monitor, like having a heart attack or other scenarios for health providers to react to. And it's much less expensive," Dr. Sakata said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Next Device&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another device in development is an oxygen delivery device. Dr. Sakata said that he regretted not having it out before COVID-19 hit. It could have made a huge difference in the treatment of COVID patients since the device was better than a standard nasal cannula and monitors patients better than most other devices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This product has exciting implications for the future. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It could change the face of anything from how well we sedate patients to possibly home care in the future. Maybe not all patients have to be in a hospital. As hospital beds become more scarce because of the pandemic, this would have been an exciting device to have," Dr. Sakata explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata has found a productive and beneficial way to alleviate his uncertainties upon entering the medical field. He applies his engineering expertise to build new, better ways to practice medicine. The devices he and his partners create save time and money, bring doctors closer to their patients, and help achieve better outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking toward the future, Dr. Sakata sees improvements and more focus on medical prevention, teamwork among medical staff and patient education. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We need to understand who our audience is and who we are communicating with," Dr. Sakata concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata took a career shift necessitated by a crumbling job market and turned it into a career dedicated to creating new, innovative ways to serve patients better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr_SAKATA_PORTRAITS_2018-4.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/engineering-medicine-building-solutions-with-dr-derek-sakata-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15976</ID> <title>Personalized Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Judi Goldstone</title> <publishDate>2022-02-24 18:11:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_21 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_28"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_31 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_14"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr._Goldstone_1.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Goldstone_1" class="wp-image-15977" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_50 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the medical world expands and develops, a fresh approach to patient care is becoming increasingly popular. Alternative medicine develops a personalized outlook on each patient and approaches each person as a unique individual.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Judi Goldstone, a hormone replacement therapy doctor, weight loss specialist and alternative medicine physician at the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uses her expertise to aid patients through this method. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She describes this approach as "functional" because it gives a flexible and holistic perspective to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had the honor and pleasure of talking with Dr. Goldstone and looking at her fascinating journey to alternative medicine. She shared her perspective on the effectiveness of this approach and her personal story of how alternative medicine benefited her life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone puts herself in the category of an alternative, functional medicine practitioner. Although she started in conventional medicine, Dr. Goldstone saw the need for a more personalized&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;approach to patient health. This need was especially apparent when dealing with aging and weight loss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started as a general internist, and I did that for several years. And then I went into weight loss because I was always interested in that field," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As she was working in conventional medicine, she noticed that some people, especially the older patients, were becoming increasingly frustrated with not seeing results or not being able to keep the weight off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"But then, I realized that people weren't really maintaining their weight loss, and a lot of them were struggling," Dr. Goldstone added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, she opened &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help her patients with the same symptoms she dealt with herself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On her journey towards better health, she was discouraged by the medical field's approach to aging and its effects as inescapable and irreversible. Through extensive research, training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and experimenting on herself, Dr. Goldstone found that she could live a healthy, productive and happy lifestyle through alternative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative medicine evaluates and treats the body as a whole rather than the conventional disease management approach to medicine. "It's looking at the patient as a whole"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and being able to take care of every person's individualized concerns. The current healthcare system is reactive and manages diseases with very little focus on prevention. Therefore, our current system of healthcare should be called disease care. Another important aspect of alternative medicine is that it attempts to prevent chronic illnesses and diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's preventive medicine. We're trying to catch the disease before it catches you," Dr. Goldstone concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone explains that "as we age, we're susceptible to chronic inflammation and degeneration which can lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, heart disease and worse." At her practice, Dr. Goldstone and her team use the latest medical technology to evaluate, treat patients and perform regular checkups as preventative healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_29"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_32 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_3 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_9 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_10 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_11 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_15"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/goldstone2.jpg" alt="" title="goldstone2" class="wp-image-15979" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_51 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Importance of Paying Attention to Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Replacing and balancing hormones was a game-changer in her journey towards health as well as her patients'. While working in conventional medicine focused on weight loss, she noted that many patients weren't able to keep the weight off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone noticed these people were typically menopausal women and men over 40. This discovery sparked her curiosity, and she began looking into possible links between hormones and health concerns such as maintaining a healthy weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So then I started getting really interested in it [hormone replacement therapy], and I began going to the meetings [of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine] and reading everything I could," Dr. Goldstone explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making this connection was a significant breakthrough for Dr. Goldstone in opening her own business. With the help of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, she found balancing hormones, eating an appropriate diet, proper exercise, supplements and stress control helped with reversing some of the effects of early aging, healing from burnout and getting rid of chronic fatigue in herself and her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to get everybody's body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health," Dr. Goldstone said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These patients have expressed how thankful they are for a doctor who "thinks outside of the box" regarding hormone balancing and considering metabolic influences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personalizing Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After Dr. Goldstone's realization of a more holistic approach to patient care, she began medical training. With this medical training and expertise, she could help patients with more than just her specialization. She committed to continuing education by attending conferences and keeping up-to-date on the latest medical techniques, research and technology. These factors combined allowed Dr. Goldstone to focus on alternative, functional medicine and significantly impact her patients' lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of anti-aging, holistic medicine is to help patients avoid degenerative diseases and extend their healthy life span. While traditional physicians focus on treating disease and managing chronic conditions with pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures, anti-aging doctors like Dr. Goldstone practice preventive health care that is truly multidisciplinary. They blend advanced technologies for detecting degenerative diseases with wellness and prevention therapies, including nutrition, supplementation, mind/body medicine, detoxification and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the critical aspects of alternative medicine is the focus on the whole patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's personalized medicine; it's treating the person as an individual," Dr. Goldstone shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone takes the time to truly listen to her patients and learn what they need and what they're looking for. This attention to the individual enables her to provide personalized and effective care. Her training and expertise as an M.D. also give her the advantage of knowing when patients need to be referred to a specialist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_30"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_33 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_16"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/goldstone3.jpg" alt="" title="goldstone3" class="wp-image-15980" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_52 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances in the Alternative Medicine Field &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are advances in various medical fields every day, including alternative medicine (the fastest-growing field of medicine today). Some of these advances include biomedical engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the use of stem cells, peptides, anti-aging drugs, 3D printing and more, enabling doctors to conduct better testing and treatment with the goal of helping people live healthier, more productive lives as they age. Dr. Goldstone utilizes various modalities that help her provide the best possible care to her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When asked if functional medicine was advancing in technology, Dr. Goldstone responded, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's constantly changing. There's always something new; there are many amazing new ways to evaluate and prevent degeneration of the body.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new technological advances help doctors such as Dr. Goldstone measure patients' cognitive function, cardiac function and mental status, among many other things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field is also becoming more popular among medical professionals as an approach to patients' health. Dr. Goldstone states she believes more and more doctors are moving towards alternative, functional medicine. It has become the fastest-growing field of medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The field is going to expand. It's expanding right now. And it's going to keep expanding. More people are going to jump into it," Dr. Goldstone concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;would like to thank Dr. Goldstone for taking the time to share her story with us. We hope her perspective on the expanding field of alternative medicine has been beneficial and intriguing to our readers. If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine or Dr. Goldstone and her practice, please check out her profile and website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr._Goldstone_1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/psychological-reasons-why-people-are-either-extremely-joyful-or-extremely-hateful-around-the-holidays-2-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15829</ID> <title>A Heart and Passion for Patient Care: An Interview with Dr. Shaghayegh Tavassoli</title> <publishDate>2022-02-14 19:16:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_22 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_31"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_34 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_17"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_4937_2.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_4937_2.JPG" class="wp-image-15833" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_35 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_53 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A heart and passion for patient care &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;— these are often repeated, trite words bound to be a part of every doctor's creed. But when backed by a staunch belief in one's mission, they become an endless reservoir of determination, resilience and dedication. Mix all of these ingredients and not just a superhero, but a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;supermom &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will rise, ready to achieve excellence on all fronts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm one of those people who, if you tell me something's not possible, I'm very motivated to make it possible," shared Dr. Shaghayegh Tavassoli, a Family Medicine Specialist in Los Angeles, California.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_32"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_36 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_54 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And she meant it. Between her current work at the &lt;a href="https://www.ummaclinic.org/"&gt;UMMA Community Clinic&lt;/a&gt; and raising five children, Dr. Tavassoli could make even Hercules and his 12 labors seem small. And, to make it more challenging, she's excited to welcome the New Year by starting her own private practice!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tavassoli works in the patient care field, with an emphasis in family medicine and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Her job has painted a troubling portrait of the relationship between medicine and uninsured or underinsured patients, which emphasizes the irony of how the former are more likely to receive medical care than the latter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An Air Traffic Controller, but in Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tavassoli turned her passion for medicine into a career path in the blink of an eye. From playing nurse with dolls, she exchanged a lively interest for a journey into family medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I realized that in family medicine, you can do a little bit of everything. You can see pediatrics and geriatrics, you can even deliver babies," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the key factor behind Dr. Tavassoli's choice resides in her usage of family medicine as a holistic approach towards patient care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I practice preventative medicine which helps me to keep my patients healthy so that we avoid any long-term diseases for as long as possible. I'm there to coordinate everything and reach out to the specialists to piece together the entire patient’s profile like a puzzle. I am the patient’s medical home," Dr. Tavassoli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for Our Cars More Than Our Bodies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although medical issues take their time creeping up on our bodies, only a handful of people understand the value of preventative care. And it's enough to look at the timing of our visits to the doctor to notice this concerning behavior. More often than not, patients skip annual visits, only to show up at the doctor's office when the damage has already been done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You take a car in for oil changes to make sure everything's running and working smoothly, but we don't do that for our own bodies," she said. “Instead of taking our bodies to the doctor for an annual tune-up, we allow factors such as stress, poor sleeping habits, and anxiety to wreak havoc and cause medical issues in our bodies without our knowledge. High-stress levels in our early years can turn into chronic health conditions as adults.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, as Dr. Tavassoli remarked, being insured is no longer enough to keep an eye on your health. Often, underinsured or uninsured patients, who don't qualify for specific treatments, steer clear of medical bills, thus hindering preventative care right off the bat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, is there a solution for such patients? Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) utilize outstanding efforts and resources to serve the underserved. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_4 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_12 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_13 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_14 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_33"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_37 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_18"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/patient1.jpg" alt="" title="patient1" class="wp-image-15838" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_55 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Working in a Federally Qualified Health Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/eligibility-and-registration/health-centers/fqhc/index.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health Resources &amp;amp; Services Administration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; defines FQHCs as "community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas." Such centers allow Dr. Tavassoli and her peers to treat patients from low-income areas (who frequently cannot afford comprehensive insurance plans) and receive equal treatment without discrimination.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regardless of what their insurance is, or even if they don't have insurance, all patients get the same treatment from me. I give them the same attention and try to give them the same care that I would for any other patient," Dr. Tavassoli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to an FQHC becomes vital for people who cannot afford insurance. Dr. Tavassoli shared a story of a patient who could not seek treatment for his cardiac issues after having lost his insurance. Entering her office for a physical turned out to be a lifesaver for this patient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I noticed that his heart rate was very low. I asked, 'Have you had any heart issues?' And he answered, 'Yes, I had a cardiopulmonary arrest,'" she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, Dr. Tavassoli was quick to listen to her instincts and conduct a thorough investigation on his cardiac health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We did an immediate EKG on him; he was in complete heart block. I sent him to the emergency room, and they took him to the OR that same day and put a pacemaker in. This was all within a matter of hours. When he came back, he said, 'You literally saved my life,'" Dr. Tavassoli joyfully recalled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even as she's busy starting her own practice, Dr. Tavassoli finds enough time to dedicate to her FQHC patients. Such are the bonds between her and these underserved patients, whose honest gratitude is Dr. Tavassoli's only reward, that she cannot let go of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm still keeping two half-days at the clinic because I can't walk away from those patients," Dr. Tavassoli confessed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Not in It for the Money"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patient care does not only focus on the present but also tends towards the future. For that reason, Dr. Tavassoli's new practice will serve both as a center for excellence in family medicine and as a starting point for her children who are already showing interest in their supermom's mission.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's getting harder and harder to start your own practice and have someone to guide you along the way. If any of my children want to go into the medical field, I can be there for them with the office up and running," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such selfless work, both inside and outside the office, expects only a grateful "thank you" in return, which is a testimony to Dr. Tavassoli's compassion and humility.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People randomly show up to my house or call me with medical issues, and I'm okay with that. I encourage my friends to come, and if I can help, then I will do it. I'm definitely not in it for the money," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sacrificial stories from doctors of commitment, selflessness and humility are the ones that encourage others the most. Thankfully there are doctors like Dr. Tavassoli, who teach us how everyone deserves the same patient care, regardless of circumstances! For more information about Dr. Tavassoli and her mission, please visit the following &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bevhillsmed.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_4937_2.JPG.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-heart-and-passion-for-patient-care-an-interview-with-dr-shaghayegh-tavassoli/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15483</ID> <title>The Safest Hands Are Our Own: Importance of Independent Health Professionals</title> <publishDate>2022-01-27 06:20:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_23 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_34"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_38 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_19"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CulpepperPic.webp" alt="" title="CulpepperPic" class="wp-image-15485" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_39 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_56 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;About Dr. Guy L. Culpepper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper is the founder of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.benttreemd.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bent Tree Family Physicians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and shares deep enthusiasm for independent healthcare. He has been recognized as one of the best family physicians in the U.S. His expertise also extends to osteoporosis, cholesterol management, and diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Academically, the good doctor graduated from the University of Texas Medical School. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_35"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_40 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_57 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout his career, Dr. Culpepper has had different types of leadership roles. He has served as a Chief Resident and a President of the Medical and Surgical Staff at St. Paul Medical Center. However, from the start, Dr. Culpepper's focus of interest was primary care. He continues to demonstrate the leadership role at Jefferson Physician Group that houses more than 230 pediatricians, internists and family physicians.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journey and Motiv&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ation to Serve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper has always been a curious individual and understood the dynamics of different fields. But he also notes that being an overachiever allowed him to focus on things that matter the most to him. "I've always had a servant's heart," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the end, he &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;realized that he wanted to focus on family medicine. "It's been a long journey for me in primary healthcare, and it is easy to realize and recognize now that independent healthcare offers better value," Dr. Culpepper added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The doctor remembers that hospital prices drove contracting in the old days, and primary care fees became an afterthought. "My idea was to help protect primary care and that set in motion the foundation of Jefferson Physician Group," he continued. Dr. Culpepper feels proud that his first independent venture continues to be non-profit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_5 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_15 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_16 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_17 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_36"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_41 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_20"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/frame-with-stethoscope-copy-space.jpg" alt="" title="frame-with-stethoscope-copy-space" class="wp-image-15484" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_58 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Benefits of Independent Physicians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper views the independent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; physicians as a great value and applau&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ds the cost-effectiveness of independent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; physicians. He demonstrates through examples that if a patient requires surgery, an independent physician can act like an in&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;r. Independent health professionals have the freedom to refer the patient to any hospital or specialist that is best for the patient. It is the primary reason why the Samaritan doctor finds independent health professionals more practical for patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Employed physicians are tied to a silo that involves a hospital group and an insurance company," Dr. Culpepper said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With this model, the more referrals employed physicians make to their silos, the more bonuses and income they can earn. It also cuts out the need to compare prices and focus on the quality of care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Sometimes the value is not the price – but sometimes it is the freedom to get better healthcare," Dr. Culpepper added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Independent Healthcare Structu&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;re and Insurance Companies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper noted that there is a lack of transparency and value without an independent approach, affirming that patients shouldn't have to shop for basic quality of healthcare endlessly. Unlike the traditional approach, independent healthcare is more sustainable. In the past few years, independent healthcare has started to gain momentum because it comes across as a more reasonable structure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a conventional structure, there's less empowerment and disproportionate collaboration between healthcare facilities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper mentions that insurance companies in the U.S. are at the center of the healthcare sector right now. There are usually one or two insurance companies that dominate every metropolitan city in the U.S. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's a monopolistic approach that makes healthcare more expensive," Dr. Culpepper said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The hospitals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;in the U.S. have convoluted price transparency that confounds most consumers. The solution is to raise the concern about fees and how they step outside of the system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The fee structure system doesn't just hurt patients – it hurts employers and independent doctors," Dr. Culpepper added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OVID-19 and the Future of Independent Healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amidst the peak COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Culpepper had to manage a practice of over 40,000 patients. The financial challenges were devastating during months with no revenue and the practice almost closed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, he pinpoints that there's always a glimmer of hope, even in dire circumstances. On the bright side, he remembers when patients started a GoFundMe campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Within eight days, more than a thousand patients were willing to donate a hundred thousand dollars to keep the office open," Dr. Culpepper said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the near future, Dr. Culpepper believes that small healthcare facilities will have more affordable, efficient, and reliable healthcare solutions. But he notes that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;direct-to-employer contracting will be essential to make independent health professionals successful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He emphasizes that primary care should be separate from insurance. Dr. Culpepper points out that the future of healthcare should have more transparency. An independent and simplified model that could work in favor of patients and doctors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CulpepperPic.webp</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-safest-hands-are-our-own-importance-of-independent-health-professionals/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15520</ID> <title>Quarterbacking Your Best Chronic Pain Treatment: An Interview with Dr. Praveen Mambalam</title> <publishDate>2022-01-13 07:00:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_24 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_37"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_42 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_21"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mambalam_Magazine_Profile_Pic.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="Mambalam_Magazine_Profile_Pic.JPG" class="wp-image-15521" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_43 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_59 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Battling chronic and sometimes inexplicable pain is something we all want to avoid. In the event of dealing with this challenge, however, we would all prefer to be in the care of a doctor passionate about helping patients navigate and heal from chronic pain. Thankfully, there are many exemplary members of the medical community who are seeking to do just that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic pain management is a specialization that requires dedication, compassion and adaptability to perfect, which explains Dr. Praveen Mambalam best.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_38"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_44 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_60 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pursuing Passion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mambalam grew up in an environment with many physicians and knew from an early age he wanted to help people as a doctor as well. He initially specialized in anesthesiology, which later gave him a better understanding of the effects of opioid use in chronic pain management. Throughout his medical school years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;, &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;he made several specialization changes before realizing that working in pain management was what he wanted to do. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Ten times over, I would choose the same route to get to the same ending because chronic pain is my passion," Dr. Mambalam said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His passion for communicating and working with patients to formulate the best care plans led Dr. Mambalam to become fundamental to the shift in pain management towards open communication with patients and holistic health plans. Dr. Mambalam likens his approach to medicine to a quarterback working with his team to develop the best game plan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Quarterback with a Plan &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Approaching a patient's pain history and prior treatments like a jigsaw puzzle has helped Dr. Mambalam creatively determine the best course of action. He says each patient's unique care plan is "like a thousand-piece&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;jigsaw puzzle: it's going to start differently every time putting together fragments, but ends with a big picture." This analogy&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has fed into his view of his job as "quarterback for pain" management. He analyzes each patient's distinctive problem and past treatments and therapies, and develops a game plan to tackle it. Dr. Mambalam notes he typically needs about three to six months to formulate and develop an optimal game plan for his patients to follow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Part of being the quarterback is requiring and facilitating communication between each member of the patient's care team. This goal&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has revealed the unique need for a multidisciplinary approach to pain management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Multidisciplinary pain management is the name of the game&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" according to Dr. Mambalam. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach includes a more holistic view of healing patients and even considers their mental fortitude, as well as their physical health. Dr. Mambalam observed that employing psychiatrists to help patients communicate and cope has been a useful development in the field.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Multidisciplinary Approach &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discovering new ways to tackle the problem of pain in different patients has led pain management specialists to move away from the need to prescribing opioids with advancements in interventional therapies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's a lot more regulation on opioid prescribing even for pain management physicians in the setting of long term pain management," Dr. Mambalam noted. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The advancements in interventions and increased regulation on opioids has led to a paradigm shift in the field of pain management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_6 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_18 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_19 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_20 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_39"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_45 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_22"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-photo-young-shirtless-afro-american-man-with-shoulder-pain.jpg" alt="" title="cropped-photo-young-shirtless-afro-american-man-with-shoulder-pain" class="wp-image-15526" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_61 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Shift in Pain Management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mambalam said he has been working in chronic pain management while going through this fundamental shift. Developing new ways of examining pain conditions is a big part of the multidisciplinary advancement in the field. He involves himself in this advancement process by constantly participating in ongoing research that involves new procedures and investigating new and safer medications. Staying up-to-date on current therapies and how and why they work is another important part of the multidisciplinary approach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic pain management is also shifting its methodology on how to measure pain. Traditionally pain is measured by asking the patient to score their experience of pain. However, this can often be subjective and inconsistent.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Pain specialists are now focusing on more functional measures such to study pain and pain treatments," Dr. Mambalam said. "We're restructuring their whole thought process for doctors and patients." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances are focusing less on medications and more on patient-controlled devices that can measure function. Neuromodulation is a developing field within pain management that focuses on therapies that modulate the nervous system's perception of pain. This, alongside multidisciplinary approaches, help patients neurologically restructure how they think, react and function with pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If the patient has the opportunity to control their pain at home in a safe manner, that is actually quite powerful and useful and effective at managing pain," he said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being autonomous with chronic pain management allows doctors to tackle the problem of chronic pain through a variety of different disciplines. This way, doctors can step away from the conventional pain management route of prescribing opioids and consider alternatives that work for each unique patient; additionally, the continuing shift in the pain management discipline aids doctors by providing flexible options for care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I Believe You, and I Want to Help"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relating to and communicating with patients is a big part of Dr. Mambalam's practice. He encourages his peers to be "patient with our patients" because he knows a good rapport with patients goes a long way in formulating and executing the best care plan. Having good relationships with patients gives doctors the ability to understand each unique case better. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach requires compassion and communication, which are fundamental and admirable aspects of the medical community that doctors like Dr. Mambalam live out daily. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being understanding and open to communication is a two-way street. It's vital to convince patients to work with their doctors and follow their "quarterback's" game plan. The multidisciplinary approach to pain medication gives specialists new ways to tackle chronic pain and develop new and improved treatments, exercises, and medications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The shift in chronic pain management&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to being more balanced and considering alternatives to opioid prescriptions is made possible through dedicated and passionate doctors like Dr. Mambalam. He firmly believes the future is bright for patients living with difficult chronic painful conditions! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mambalam_Magazine_Profile_Pic.JPG.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/quarterbacking-your-best-chronic-pain-treatment-an-interview-with-dr-praveen-mambalam/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15180</ID> <title>There is a Treatment for the #1 Reason People Go Blind in the United States: An Interview with Dr. Randal Pham</title> <publishDate>2021-12-28 19:35:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_25 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_40"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_46 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_23"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/thumbnail_Alumni_Pham.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Alumni_Pham.jpeg" class="wp-image-15181" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_47 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_62 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;In April of 1975, a young Dr. Randal Pham was one of the thousands of refugees who boarded a military plane heading for the United States to flee Vietnam. Dr. Pham described the event to be "just like what you see in Afghanistan." However, as terrifying as that event was for Dr. Pham, it also became the defining moment that led him to a career in medicine.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_41"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_48 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_63 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wanted to alleviate the suffering of humans," Dr. Pham stated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When he landed in America, Dr. Pham barely spoke any English. Still, he worked relentlessly towards his goal and eventually graduated from UC Berkeley, then moved on to apply for medical school in UCSF Parnassus. Excited about being one step closer to his dream of being a doctor, Dr. Pham wrote a letter to his grandfather, who was also a western-trained physician back in their hometown. He shared his hopes of becoming a surgeon one day, but his grandfather persuaded him to be an ophthalmologist instead. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pham wasn't too keen on the idea of becoming an ophthalmologist, but he agreed to his grandfather's wishes, especially since his grandfather was himself blind due to cataracts. Unfortunately, his granddad passed away before Dr. Pham got accepted into UCSF, but Dr. Pham made a vow from then on to do his best to make sure that his patients could see again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today, Dr. Pham is a pioneer in eye laser treatments and has been honored with countless awards, including the UCSF Innovators Award and the Best Clinical Science Award from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery for his work on curing blindness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_42"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_49 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_7 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_21 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_22 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_23 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_24"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-eye-with-corneal-dystrophy-keratoconus-thinning-cornea.jpg" alt="" title="woman-eye-with-corneal-dystrophy-keratoconus-thinning-cornea" class="wp-image-15382" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_64 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Number One Reason Why People Go Blind in the U.S. and How to Fix It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Pham shared the number one cause of blindness in the United States: macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is when your fovea, located in the center of your retina, no longer functions properly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pham explained, "There are two types of macular degeneration. There's a wet type that can be treated with medications, which are very effective. But some patients have an entity called dry macular degeneration - and there's no treatment for it. These people simply go blind towards the end of their life, which is terrible."&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Or so they thought.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry macular degeneration may have been incurable in the past, but that's no longer the case today, thanks to Dr. Pham's latest discovery. He found that the brain can create a new fovea out of photoreceptors that were left undamaged. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They're not as good as the original one, but they're good enough that they can be improved to a point where you can recognize faces again,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;he added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This discovery pushed him to work with different companies to create a new intraocular technology that combines the use of lasers for treating eye problems and implantable miniature telescopes. The combined efforts of these two advanced technologies allow Dr. Pham to find the new fovea at the back of the eye and enhance its function so a person can see again. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't Have Your Cataracts Removed Just Yet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that Dr. Pham's life-changing technique has already been successfully performed on four patients (also reported in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5722141/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Journal of Ophthalmology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;), he urges everyone diagnosed with dry macular degeneration to postpone getting their cataracts removed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People who have dry macular degeneration shouldn't have cataract surgery done. They should wait until they meet the criteria for the implantable miniature telescope," he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although the procedure is quite costly, Dr. Pham believes that gaining your sight back and getting to live a normal life again is worth every penny.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, Dr. Pham excitingly shares that the second generation of laser technology is well on its way, leading to far better results. The new laser technology will allow smaller incisions to be made, reducing complications and speeding up the recovery time for the patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We Can See the Future Clearly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think that we are at the beginning of a new era,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pham says as he goes on to boast about more exciting advancements in ophthalmology.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's gene therapy now that can cure an entity called Leber's, which is causing teenagers to go blind."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With just one shot of medication injected into the eye, the gene can help photoreceptors survive and preserve your vision for the rest of your life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hearing news like this in the medical community builds Dr. Pham's confidence about what the future holds. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My prediction is that within my lifespan, all blindness will be cured," he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And we at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can't help but agree with him. With all the awe-inspiring work he's done in helping people regain their eyesight, Dr. Pham has now become a glimmer of light at the end of a dark tunnel for many of those who can't see.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/thumbnail_Alumni_Pham.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/there-is-a-treatment-for-the-1-reason-people-go-blind-in-the-united-states-an-interview-with-dr-randal-pham/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15168</ID> <title>Personalized Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Judi Goldstone</title> <publishDate>2021-12-26 18:53:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_26 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_43"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_50 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_25"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/168218_gHKqPyPa.jpg" alt="" title="168218_gHKqPyPa" class="wp-image-15158" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_51 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_65 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the medical world expands and develops, a fresh approach to patient care is becoming increasingly popular. Alternative medicine develops a personalized outlook on each patient and approaches each person as a unique individual.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Judi Goldstone, a hormone replacement therapy doctor, weight loss specialist and alternative medicine physician at the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uses her expertise to aid patients through this method.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_44"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_52 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_66 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; She describes this approach as "functional" because it gives a flexible and holistic perspective to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had the honor and pleasure of talking with Dr. Goldstone and looking at her fascinating journey to alternative medicine. She shared her perspective on the effectiveness of this approach and her personal story of how alternative medicine benefited her life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone puts herself in the category of an alternative, functional medicine practitioner. Although she started in conventional medicine, Dr. Goldstone saw the need for a more personalized&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;approach to patient health. This need was especially apparent when dealing with aging and weight loss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started as a general internist, and I did that for several years. And then I went into weight loss because I was always interested in that field," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As she was working in conventional medicine, she noticed that some people, especially the older patients, were becoming increasingly frustrated with not seeing results or not being able to keep the weight off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"But then, I realized that people weren't really maintaining their weight loss, and a lot of them were struggling," Dr. Goldstone added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, she opened &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help her patients with the same symptoms she dealt with herself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On her journey towards better health, she was discouraged by the medical field's approach to aging and its effects as inescapable and irreversible. Through extensive research, training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and experimenting on herself, Dr. Goldstone found that she could live a healthy, productive and happy lifestyle through alternative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative medicine evaluates and treats the body as a whole rather than the conventional disease management approach to medicine. "It's looking at the patient as a whole"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and being able to take care of every person's individualized concerns. The current healthcare system is reactive and manages diseases with very little focus on prevention. Therefore, our current system of healthcare should be called disease care. Another important aspect of alternative medicine is that it attempts to prevent chronic illnesses and diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's preventive medicine. We're trying to catch the disease before it catches you," Dr. Goldstone concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone explains that "as we age, we're susceptible to chronic inflammation and degeneration which can lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, heart disease and worse." At her practice, Dr. Goldstone and her team use the latest medical technology to evaluate, treat patients and perform regular checkups as preventative healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Importance of Paying Attention to Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Paying particular attention to balancing one's body biochemically, including hormones. Replacing and balancing hormones was a game-changer in her journey towards health as well as her patients'. While working in conventional medicine focused on weight loss, she noted that many patients weren't able to keep the weight off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone noticed these people were typically menopausal women and men over 40. This discovery sparked her curiosity, and she began looking into possible links between hormones and health concerns such as maintaining a healthy weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So then I started getting really interested in it [hormone replacement therapy], and I began going to the meetings [of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine] and reading everything I could," Dr. Goldstone explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making this connection was a significant breakthrough for Dr. Goldstone in opening her own business. With the help of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, she found balancing hormones, eating an appropriate diet, proper exercise, supplements and stress control helped with reversing some of the effects of early aging, healing from burnout and getting rid of chronic fatigue in herself and her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to get everybody's body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health," Dr. Goldstone said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These patients have expressed how thankful they are for a doctor who "thinks outside of the box" regarding hormone balancing and considering metabolic influences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_8 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_24 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_25 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_26 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_45"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_53 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_26"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/aging-concept-young-old-comparision-e1639508974151.jpg" alt="" title="aging-concept-young-old-comparision" class="wp-image-15170" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_67 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personalizing Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After Dr. Goldstone's realization of a more holistic approach to patient care, she began medical training. With this medical training and expertise, she could help patients with more than just her specialization. She committed to continuing education by attending conferences and keeping up-to-date on the latest medical techniques, research and technology. These factors combined allowed Dr. Goldstone to focus on alternative, functional medicine and significantly impact her patients' lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of anti-aging, holistic medicine is to help patients avoid degenerative diseases and extend their healthy life span. While traditional physicians focus on treating disease and managing chronic conditions with pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures, anti-aging doctors like Dr. Goldstone practice preventive health care that is truly multidisciplinary. They blend advanced technologies for detecting degenerative diseases with wellness and prevention therapies, including nutrition, supplementation, mind/body medicine, detoxification and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the critical aspects of alternative medicine is the focus on the whole patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's personalized medicine; it's treating the person as an individual," Dr. Goldstone shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone takes the time to truly listen to her patients and learn what they need and what they're looking for. This attention to the individual enables her to provide personalized and effective care. Her training and expertise as an M.D. also give her the advantage of knowing when patients need to be referred to a specialist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances in the Alternative Medicine Field &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are advances in various medical fields every day, including alternative medicine (the fastest-growing field of medicine today). Some of these advances include biomedical engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the use of stem cells, peptides, anti-aging drugs, 3D printing and more, enabling doctors to conduct better testing and treatment with the goal of helping people live healthier, more productive lives as they age. Dr. Goldstone utilizes various modalities that help her provide the best possible care to her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When asked if functional medicine was advancing in technology, Dr. Goldstone responded, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's constantly changing. There's always something new; there are many amazing new ways to evaluate and prevent degeneration of the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new technological advances help doctors such as Dr. Goldstone measure patients' cognitive function, cardiac function and mental status, among many other things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field is also becoming more popular among medical professionals as an approach to patients' health. Dr. Goldstone states she believes more and more doctors are moving towards alternative, functional medicine. It has become the fastest-growing field of medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The field is going to expand. It's expanding right now. And it's going to keep expanding. More people are going to jump into it," Dr. Goldstone concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;would like to thank Dr. Goldstone for taking the time to share her story with us. We hope her perspective on the expanding field of alternative medicine has been beneficial and intriguing to our readers. If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine or Dr. Goldstone and her practice, please check out her profile and website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/168218_gHKqPyPa.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/psychological-reasons-why-people-are-either-extremely-joyful-or-extremely-hateful-around-the-holidays-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15148</ID> <title>Women's Health in Humanitarian Aid: An Interview with Dr. Ty Erickson</title> <publishDate>2021-12-24 17:41:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_27 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_46"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_54 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_27"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2020_Nepal_2.jpg" alt="" title="2020_Nepal_(2)" class="wp-image-15149" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_68 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ty Erickson is an OB/GYN at Rosemark Women Care Specialists in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Specifically, he is a urogynecologist &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rosemark.net/contact-rosemark-ob-gyn-idaho-falls/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;specializing in treating women's pelvic disorders and surgical pelvic reconstruction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While he maintains a thriving practice, his true passion is traveling the world providing medical care for women with little or no access to regular healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Working for Women's Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Erickson's interest in medicine emerged when he was only eight-years-old. While hunting with his family, he was more interested in examining the animals' internal organs than hunting. Years later, as a medical student, he decided to focus his career on women's health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"During rotations in medical school, I realized that I had a strong desire to help women and to be a part of that experience of delivery. I also enjoyed the technical aspects of the variety of surgeries we could do to help women. So it was that combination of assisting women in childbirth and helping in the surgical areas that made me decide that's what I wanted to do," Dr. Erickson explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Medical Humanitarian&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Erickson's true passion is humanitarianism, bringing his medical expertise to developing countries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I only work to generate enough income so that I can spend it on humanitarian work. Everything that we do is not compensated. So our whole goal is to have the freedom to be able to do that. Some people, some doctors, work to play. I work to work," Dr. Erickson said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What sparks this passion? The tremendous need. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If you take a look at how dismal it is for women who don't have access to good healthcare, there are high death rates for both the mom and the baby. In addition, there are complications, including fistulas," Dr. Erickson continued.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In developing countries where basic health care is scarce, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2492587/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many women are vulnerable to serious health issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Maternal and infant mortality, HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer are prevalent, and the majority of pregnancy-related deaths happen in these countries. Moreover, as many as 20 million women each year suffer complications such as infertility, fistulas, postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia and sepsis. Clearly, there is a desperate need for medical help. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It is an eye-opening experience because we don't have to think, well, is this how it was 150 years ago in the United States or any other first-world country? We just need to go and look at how dismal things are still for millions of women throughout the world," Dr. Erickson said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_9 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_27 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_28 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_29 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_47"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_55 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_28"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2019_Peru_4.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="2019_Peru_(4).JPG" class="wp-image-15152" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_69 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Network of Humanitarians&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Erickson works with a network of other doctors who have also taken up the humanitarian cause. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've met other physicians through medical meetings who have donated their whole lives to Africa. So I go there and work with them. There's an organization in Texas called Faith and Practice. I go to Guatemala once a year and do surgery with that group of obstetricians," Dr. Erickson shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.faithinpractice.org/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Faith and Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization, provides medical, surgical and dental services and health education programs to poor communities in Guatemala. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"And then there's another group that I go to in Peru. Every year, we go down there to train midwives on how to reduce the complication rate because they do all the deliveries. There is no access to a hospital. The death rate is still high there. Over the years, I started doing mentoring work. It's about working with all of the people I've met and crossed paths with over time and developed strong relationships with. We help each other," Dr. Erickson explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Effects of COVID-19&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected both Dr. Erickson's practice and his humanitarian work, the latter much more than the former. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're still having trouble in the United States. But we're doing okay, let's be honest. Most people are still getting obstetrics care. They're going to have a baby, and they're going to get care," Dr. Erickson acknowledged.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the situation in developing countries is dire. Travel restrictions have hindered Dr. Erickson's ability to continue his humanitarian work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In early Mar. 2020, I was in Guatemala, where we were scheduled to do surgery. But then the pandemic was recognized. Guatemala shut their borders, so we had to leave. Women who had traveled hours and hours were expecting to have their surgery, but we couldn't help them. I have not been able to go abroad ever since," Dr. Erickson shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This worries him. The services they provide often make the difference between life and death or at least make a difference in the quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Oh my goodness, there are people out there that need everybody's help. There's been an impact for me, for all the humanitarian work. In places where they don't have the same medical infrastructure that we do, they're still suffering, and they're not getting care. And that breaks my heart," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Call for Compassion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19 has taken a personal toll on Dr. Erickson. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have lost both of my parents to COVID-19. I had very healthy parents, and they passed away," Dr. Erickson shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His response to this tragedy was nothing but understanding and selfless. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I try to be more compassionate. When death is a part of your life, you can either become bitter, or you can look and say, what can I do? Being affected by this within our own families allows us to be more compassionate. I'm always a hopeful person. With hope, we work with each other, and we're more kind, caring and understanding," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Erickson predicts that advancements in medical technology in the next 10 years will significantly benefit women's health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I believe that there will be a remarkable improvement in how fast we can get vital products. In addition, we're learning a tremendous amount from the research in monoclonal antibodies and vaccinations. All of this will sprout a whole new way of moving forward," Dr. Erickson concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Erickson is a physician by profession but a humanitarian at heart. He has brought hope and health to women around the world. And when countries reopen their doors, he will continue his mission. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2020_Nepal_2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/womens-health-in-humanitarian-aid-an-interview-with-dr-ty-erickson/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14910</ID> <title>Looking Beyond the Science: Caring for Underserved Communities with Dr. Imani McElroy</title> <publishDate>2021-11-21 18:29:34</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_28 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_48"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_56 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_29"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hallway_shot.jpeg-1.jpg" alt="" title="hallway_shot.jpeg (1)" class="wp-image-14913" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_57 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_70 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People's health and well-being are heavily influenced by the communities in which they live. Ideally, people have ample access to medical services and the resources to pay for them. However, this is not always the case for underserved communities. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/mua-find#:~:text=Medically%20Underserved%20Areas%2FPopulations%20are%20areas%20or%20populations%20designated,high%20poverty%20or%20a%20high%20elderly%20population.%20"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health Resources &amp;amp; Services Administration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, numerous communities have a shortage of doctors, a high rate of poverty and infant mortality, and a high population of older adults. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, when doctors bring their expertise and passion to these areas, they heal not only individual patients but also entire communities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_49"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_58 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_71 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Imani McElroy, MD, MPH&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One doctor with a passion for serving these communities is Dr. Imani McElroy, MD, MPH, a surgical resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Her passion began in childhood. "My mom ran a temporary placement shelter for foster youth. I wanted to continue that tradition."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After earning an undergraduate degree from the University of California at Irvine, she earned her MD from the Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program, which she calls "life-changing. Its mission is to serve and uplift underserved communities. That was directly aligned with my life mission. She received her MPH from the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which also focused on public policy and communities' access to healthcare. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Massachusetts General Hospital, "They found ways to create opportunities that support me and my career goals," Dr. McElroy shares.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Inequalities and Discrimination in Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the United States, minority groups often suffer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/racism-discrimination-health-care-providers-patients-2017011611015"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;higher rates of illness, poor outcomes, and death&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Studies show differences in treatment and availability of services for minority and low socioeconomic status populations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. McElroy understands the need for change and is dedicated to finding solutions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We need to be truthful about history—how this country, and medicine as a whole, has not always been the beacon of pride that it should be. We need to rectify that. We have to acknowledge and own our past and truly move forward," she says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To that end, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/health-equity/ama-guidelines-offer-path-prevent-discrimination-medicine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Medical Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has created guidelines to address discrimination and systemic racism in the medical field. Also, the federally funded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/these-physicians-work-underserved-communities-national-health-service-corps-helps-make-financially"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Health Service Corp&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; gives scholarships to students in exchange for providing medical care in underserved communities. This program has provided 63,000 healthcare professionals to communities across the United States. These are two examples of essential steps, but there is much more to be done. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_10 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_30 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_31 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_32 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_50"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_59 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_30"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_20181020_120953_7-1024x768-1-e1637349507852.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_20181020_120953_7-1024x768" class="wp-image-14927" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_60 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_31"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Health-Fair-Screening.jpg" alt="" title="Health-Fair-Screening" class="wp-image-14922" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_51"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_61 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_72 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Research and Insight&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. McElroy has gained enough experience through her education and residency to reach her goals. "I did a study that looked at readmission work across the board. I assessed readmissions as a possible way to look at whether or not surgical populations were being well served. It was a great way to get a better understanding of how to do really directed research towards underserved communities,"she says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another important experience is her role as the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization Administrative Fellow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Massachusetts General clearly had looked beyond my application and looked to see what I was interested in. I sit in with the hospital administration, and I really get an understanding of how hospitals are, how our institution is run, and how we come to the policy decisions that we make. We’re figuring out how to not only be a leading institution in healthcare, but also to really push the paradigm and look at how we practice. And so this has been an invaluable experience to me and getting to work with different types of doctors," she explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. McElroy believes that the work cannot stop there. The next step is to use that research to speak out, act, and effect change.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She says, "I've been able to not only do research that pushes practice paradigms but I've also been supported in my efforts to speak up about inequalities in discrimination within medicine." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Participating in local events and being visible in the community is a great way to connect doctors and underserved populations. Events such as toy drives and fundraisers bring much-needed help and build relationships. When Dr. McElroy was class president at her university, she organized multiple events for local communities. She did food drives for children at a homeless shelter, held numerous health fairs, and conducted community awareness events every year.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Five Years from Now&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inasmuch as we know that there is unfair treatment when it comes to race, what do the next five years have in store for doctors seeking to address medical inequality? Dr. McElroy optimistically states, "I think there's definitely a new understanding of the importance of looking beyond the science of our patients—understanding why they present with disparities and creating interventions. A more diverse workforce will understand that our system right now is not equal and that we have a lot of work to do. They will be willing to do that work."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. McElroy recognizes her good fortune in having a platform that empowers her to follow her passion for resolving medical inequality."It’s about being a part of and working for the community, really pushing for equity in health disparities, and creating change. I am forever grateful to be able to be at a place where the faculty, staff, and administrators are all supportive of those goals. They want to be a part of that change," she says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We are confident that Dr. McElroy will continue to be a clear voice in the journey toward equity in currently underserved communities. For those who may be following a similar career path, Dr. McElroy offers this valuable advice- e. "Be kind to yourself. This journey is hard but worth it. Give yourself grace; you are human. Build a support network and reach out for help. This journey is not meant to be done alone." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_20180113_190645_906-1-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/choose-to-age-looking-great-and-feeling-great-the-advances-in-cosmetic-dermatology-with-dr-patrick-bitter-jr-choose-to-age-looking-great-and-feeling-great-the-advances-in-cosmetic-dermato-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13972</ID> <title>"There's always a team to support you" - A sports medicine overview with Dr. Rathna Nuti</title> <publishDate>2021-09-20 10:13:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_29 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_52"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_62 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_32"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Full_size_-_D_s_Best_Dr_s_2018_-_Dr._Nuti_-_TMI_-_Bret_Redman-9409.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Full_size_-_D_s_Best_Dr_s_2018_-_Dr._Nuti_-_TMI_-_Bret_Redman-9409" class="wp-image-13973" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_73 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;The way we perceive and experience sports in these infelicitous times is changing. From tens of thousands of delighted supporters cheering for their favorite teams, we had to become accustomed to cardboard fans, empty stadiums, and athletes bombarded with COVID-19 tests and constant virus talks. Instead of competition for medals and trophies, athletes compete to stay healthy and avoid contracting the diseases; one only needs to look at the ongoing Olympic Games to understand the prevailing climate of fear that engulfs today's sports.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Despite such discouraging conditions, some physicians carry the sports medicine standard towards a brighter tomorrow, where patients can enjoy treatment versatility and disease prevention in a safe and secure environment. Here at Top Doctor Magazine, we are delighted to have interviewed such a sports medicine hero, one who sees and understands the challenges faced by athletes of all genders, without discrimination -- Dr. Rathna Nuti. A member of numerous sports medicine associations, such as the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM) and the NHL Team Physician Society (NHLTPS), Dr. Nuti calls upon the forces of both family medicine and psychology to enhance her approach to sports medicine and to understand her patients, to care for the athlete and the human simultaneously.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through Dr. Nuti’s words, we will learn today why athletes are, as she calls them, “unique individuals.” We will approach the challenges of today’s sports medicine, the newest improvements to regenerative medicine, and the hurdles thrown into the athlete’s way, all in a COVID-19 setting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_53"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_63 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_33"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Ful_lsize_V2_-_Dr._Rathna_Nuti_-__D_s_Best_2020_-_09_2020_-_Bret_Redman-5476.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Ful_lsize_V2_-_Dr._Rathna_Nuti_-__D_s_Best_2020_-_09_2020_-_Bret_Redman-5476" class="wp-image-13979" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_11 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_33 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_34 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_35 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_74 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Struggling between Playing and Not Playing&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Athletes are unique individuals – they need to have a routine, a schedule; it does affect their psyche." Constant training is the holy chalice from which every athlete has to drink consistently. However, some athletes lost that precious consistency between several months of complete lockdown (not to mention countries where lockdown measures were reinstituted) and alternating approval-interdiction patterns on sports similar to ping pong matches. As a result, they became more prone to both outdoor and home-based injuries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although an injury might not sound like the end of the world, a sine qua non factor for this equation is the fear factor; a contradictory feeling of avoiding physicians due to COVID-19 and willingness to see a physician face-to-face. The result: delayed visits to the doctor and a higher risk of complications. "We were seeing, even in kids, fractures that were delayed for more than two, three, even four weeks because people were so scared to go to the doctor."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;After analyzing these concerns, Dr. Nuti was ready to employ her knowledge of psychology and try to overcome the fear factor crippling her patients. "They (i.e., the patients) don't want to do things like telemedicine. They want to actually see a physician in the office." Understanding the patient's human interaction needs encouraged Dr. Nuti to receive all the patients who cross her practice's doorstep and listen to their struggles. "Sometimes patients have difficulties expressing what they truly feel, and taking that extra minute or step of saying, 'Hey, I understand what's going on' plays a big role."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding Scam Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The past few years have seen the accelerated emergence of regenerative medicine alternatives, such as amniotic injection therapy, stem cells, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma). As a result, the opportunity to treat injuries in a versatile, more straightforward approach proved tempting for numerous patients. "It's kind of cool to see how you have different options to provide for patients after a proper exam and history and consultation, that you can offer them a different treatment plan."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, as regenerative medicine showed more promising signs, malevolent individuals saw the chance to defraud trusting patients of their hopes and dreams with false promises. "And they get scammed into paying thousands of dollars for these types of treatment plans." Therefore, treatments that fed such frauds, like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://great-practices.com/fda-requiring-many-amnion-fluid-products-to-be-withdrawn-by-may-31-2021/#:~:text=keep%20your%20patients.-,FDA%20Requiring%20many%20Amnion%20Fluid%20Injectables,Withdrawn%20by%20May%2031%2C%202021.&amp;amp;text=Regulatory%20Background%3A,innovation%20of%20regenerative%20medicine%20therapies."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amniotic injection therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, were pulled off the market, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/18/separate-scientific-scam-stem-cell/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;scam clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; were closed down by the authorities to prevent the encouragement of such practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The prevention of more fraud victims lies in our perception of regenerative medicine. However, instead of looking at regenerative medicine as the Holy Grail of medicine, we must understand its limitations. For Dr. Nuti, regenerative medicine is on the right path but far from the finish line. "I think that, when utilized appropriately and ethically, it could be a potential game-changer, especially in the way patients experience pain. […] Not to say it's going to cure everything, because that's definitely not my intention on saying that."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 40,000 to 1 in 80,000 athletes per year fall prey to sudden cardiac death (SCD), and although the past few decades saw &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155532/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a surge in SCD research and awareness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, no single strategy is potent enough &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4969030/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to prevent this condition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are no preventative tests for it to be perfect," Dr. Nuti admits, although some signs could act as red flags. "'Hey, I'm exercising, I'm getting shortness of breath, dizziness, and I feel like my heart is racing' or, 'Hey, I felt like I was going to pass out when that happened.' Those are some of the red flags where it will prompt me to think, is there something else going on?"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once specific red flags are raised, an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4969030/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;electrocardiogram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and/or echocardiography could shed some light on the mystery. From then onwards, sports cardiologists are brought in to "see if a patient needs any further workup based on their consultation and findings." However, regardless of care coordination and preventative care, the SCD danger looms over athletes. "[SCD] is not an easy diagnosis to make."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's always a team to support you"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not with standing the dangers lurking in sports, such as SCD, scam clinics, and the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Nuti encourages each athlete to look past their misfortunes, keep working with medical professionals, and always, always stick to their goals. "Definitely know that you have options and keep on with your goals because there's always a team to support you."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team shares Dr. Nuti's optimistic life vision and wishes her nothing but success in her future endeavors. Aside from opening up her practice last May, Dr. Nuti intends to expand into the aesthetic realm of medicine as well. For more information on Dr. Nuti's work, make sure that you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dfwsportsmed.com/rathna-nuti-md-sports-medicine-specialist-mckinney-lewisville-tx/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;check out her website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Full_size_-_D_s_Best_Dr_s_2018_-_Dr._Nuti_-_TMI_-_Bret_Redman-9409.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/theres-always-a-team-to-support-you-a-sports-medicine-overview-with-dr-rathna-nuti/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13632</ID> <title>TopDocLabs Article</title> <publishDate>2021-09-03 13:42:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_30 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_54"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_64 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_34"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="1.jpeg" class="wp-image-13633" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_75 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The difficulties of taking a COVID-19 test are not a news flash for any of us. Ever since the global pandemic took hold, supply shortages, lack of human resources, and restless patients have caused staggering delays in crucial test results, up to several days. Furthermore, with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2021/8/9/22616619/covid-spike-where-delta-hits-next"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;today’s surge in the COVID-19 Delta variant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/Is-it-hard-to-find-a-COVID-19-test-right-now-in-16381041.php"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tests and appointments will only become harder to come by&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Instead of coming to an end, the pandemic stays put, which leaves us thinking: “When will we deliver the virus its final blow?”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vaccine rollout was not enough to keep the virus in check and rekindle the general population’s trust. On the contrary, the rise of new COVID-19 variants left many of us thinking about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2021/07/27/how-good-are-covid-19-vaccines-at-protecting-against-the-delta-variant/?sh=a3f6dac1a6fa"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;how effective the vaccines will prove against these “enhanced enemies.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Therefore, the answer did not entirely lie in a one-size-fits-all solution; a more comprehensive solution was waiting to be discovered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are Vaccines Enough to Eradicate the COVID-19 Virus?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All this time, a simpler, already tried-and-true answer was demanding attention, as Renee Pruzansky, CEO, explained to our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team: “I think that with the variants and with people who are resisting immunization, I think that testing, unfortunately, is going to be the only consistent weapon we have in our arsenal to fully eradicate COVID-19.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As such, instead of leaving COVID-19 testing unattended, Brian Waymire and John Highland spearheaded the rise of a new competitor on the market, one that could successfully challenge the giant laboratory networks in the U.S. and provide results, as Brian proudly presents them, “a lot faster, more efficient, and with ease of use.” So say hello to the best and most reliable laboratory care service in the country – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoclabs.com/home"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where Do the Giant Laboratory Networks Fail the Patients?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/monopoly-affect-business-consumers-70033.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Customer service has to suffer wherever a small number of competitors hold the monopoly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, both &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.labcorp.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;LabCorp&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.questdiagnostics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Quest Diagnostics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the most prominent players on the laboratory network market, assumed more testing (both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related) than their laboratories could handle, with troubling results. As Brian better puts it, “The problem always was the Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp always took a really long time. It was cumbersome.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, working with these two companies has been nothing short of a deal with the devil for both patients and physicians &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for several decades now&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Due to the absence of superior alternatives, physicians were stuck with unending waits for test results and strained relationships with laboratory networks. “If you ask any doctor, nobody likes to work with those (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics). They (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the doctors) just think that they have no choice.”         &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs – Revitalizing the Lab Industry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The whole industry was left prey to two giant corporations with incredibly impersonal approaches. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, Brian Waymire and John Highland sought to propose a solid competitor to the lab industry’s big names, one whose philosophy is to provide physicians with a more rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing solution. As Brian puts it into words, “We want to give the doctors that choice. And when we give them that choice, we want to really show them that we’re better.” Therefore, instead of allowing it to continue without hope of improvement in sight, TopDocLabs decided to revolutionize and revitalize the field in three primary areas:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;#1: Faster turnaround time - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs achieved an extraordinary feat right off the bat – to cut the turnaround time for COVID-19 tests to a minimum &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with state-of-the-art technology, high-end transportation services, and multiple lab locations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Previously, the shortest patients could expect results from the big laboratory networks was about 56 hours; obviously, not a solution when human lives are at stake. However, TopDocLabs brought the waiting time closer to less-stressing levels – under 24 hours – and pushed towards even faster turnaround times. Today, with the novel Coronavirus-19 Environmental Test™ (harnessing the state-of-the-art RT-qPCR technology), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoclabs.com/home"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients can receive the results and regain their peace of mind after just 90 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;#2: Reliable customer service and proactive communication with the physician - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the TopDocLabs team makes the process as easy as possible on the physician, from onboarding all the way to billing. Our Top Doctor Representatives will create the physician’s client profile, work out the test supply pickup schedule, send the results to the physician through the Patient Lab Results Reporting form, and bill the patient’s insurance with no headache to the physician! All the while, our Support team will constantly contact the physician and provide updates or clarifications when needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;#3: Ease of use - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs’ streamlined process only asks for little participation from physicians themselves. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Say goodbye to confusing forms and overcomplicated designs; with just a couple of clicks, TopDocLabs will be on their way with the requested test. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For COVID-19 tests, as an example, doing the swab is as far as the physician’s implication goes! The less they have to worry about the testing process, the more physicians can focus on helping additional patients!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regardless of the system’s ease of use, an entire team of people will be ready to assist you personally or with helpful materials (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;videos and instructions) day and night to keep the flow going.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To sum it up, the difference between TopDocLabs and its competitors lies in its professionalism, enhanced customer care, and unshakeable dedication. Therefore, the physicians will finally be able to choose and not replace one evil with another but create “perfect synergy” with our testing facilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harnessing the Gold Standard of Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs keeps a clear purpose in mind at all times – to provide physicians and patients with the most accurate and reliable results for a wide variety of tests. Therefore, those who work with TopDocLabs will have access to the types of tests that the big laboratory networks provide, but with faster turnaround times. “We're going to provide CBCs (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;complete blood count), we're going to provide urinalysis; everything that we possibly can, we're going to provide. And we have the ability to do that and do it tomorrow,” Brian joyfully shares with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So instead of waiting for up to two weeks, patients who are anxious to cure their UTIs or other urinary diseases will receive their results in no more than 48 hours!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, how does TopDocLabs deliver such fast results? The secret lies in its technological approach. TopDocLabs utilizes the same RT- qPCR (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reverse Transcriptase Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) method that is currently equivalent to the golden standard in COVID-19 testing. By widening the reach of this approach to various other tests, TopDocLabs is ready to present the most accurate and reliable results to patients while cutting down on result waiting times to an all-time minimum!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does TopDocLabs Benefit Physicians?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have seen how TopDocLabs provides patients with a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing solution. But what about you, the physician? Why should you outsource to TopDocLabs? The reason is straightforward – we understand and acknowledge your role in the community. After all, physicians always keep their fingers on the community’s pulse and understand its medical needs better than anyone. What they need is the power to care for the community in a quick and simple manner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With TopDocLabs’ assistance, you, the physician, will be prepared to keep your patients safe from COVID-19 and other diseases with the least amount of effort. As Renee perfectly articulates it, “We really leave nothing to the doctor other than doing an actual swab.” Nothing more than a minute’s work in exchange for less anxiety and happier patients! And what do less work and shorter waiting times translate into? More revenue, business growth, and, most important, a deeper personal relationship with your patients! That is what TopDocLabs allows physicians to do, to perform their jobs better and grow their businesses in exchange.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The time has come for physicians to put big laboratory networks behind them and outsource to a company that favors professionalism and patient care over profit gain. Once they join TopDocLabs, both physicians and patients can rest assured that their tests are in safe hands and that results will be delivered in the blink of an eye! That is why Renee Pruzansky, CEO, and Brian Waymire, co-owner of TopDocLabs, invite you to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoclabs.com/contact-us"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contact us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and learn more about our services.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=13632</url> </article> <article> <ID>11310</ID> <title>TopDocDX: Diagnosing Chronic Disease in Asymptomatic Patients</title> <publishDate>2021-08-31 14:17:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_31 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_55"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_65 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_76 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today's society is quickly shifting its focus towards a proactive medical approach. More and more people, especially &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/hapiguide/millennials-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Millennials&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, are less keen on taking shots in the dark with their health and pursue the promising direction of preventive medicine. Not to mention the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which had us second-guessing our overall health and well-being. For patients, the time for sitting with their arms crossed is over.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the past two years, one of the most resonating words we daily heard was &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002217.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;asymptomatic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mainly restricted to the COVID-19-pandemic field. The fear of carrying a virus without any notice was both overwhelming and scary for many of us. "What if I have the virus?" "What if I unwillingly infect someone else?" Such questions definitely are not any novelty. However, what if we take the word &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;asymptomatic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and apply it to our overall health? Could there be any latent diseases ready to strike us without notice?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Disease prevention is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sine qua non &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prerequisite for a healthy, well-balanced life. Here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we envisage a world where early health screenings can detect future diseases in asymptomatic patients. Therefore, we are striving to equip physicians with all the technology necessary for early detection medicine (EDM) – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;preventive screenings – to identify disease indicators in asymptomatic patients proactively while, at the same time, increasing their revenue and patient number. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look no further; the answer lies in our newest testing system designed to help both physicians and patients collaborate towards disease prevention in a non-invasive and all-encompassing way – the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocrx.com/topdocdx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocDX Microvascular Testing System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Join us today and learn how TopDocDX will become the future of early detection technology with improved efficiency and no additional costs to physicians!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Presenting the TopDocDX Microvascular Testing System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This clinically powerful and non-invasive testing system for hidden diseases in asymptomatic patients provides the patient with an inside-out look on their health. Compared with other preventive tests, such as the electrocardiogram (EKG), which only tests the patient in a calm, peaceful environment, TopDocDX presents a real-life picture to the patient, with all its positive and negative influences. Therefore, physicians will have an enhanced understanding of the patient's overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Active Scan Machine (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the TopDocDX device) consists of three tried-and-true FDA-approved tests that have received recognition in the cardiology field: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;The &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ankle-brachial-index-test" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ankle Brachial Index&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; (ABI) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;– this test observes the blood pressure ratio in opposite body parts (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;left and right arm, left and right ankle, etc.) and submits data for analysis. As long as the ratio is balanced, the patient will experience no issues at a microvascular level; with a healthy microvascular system, the macrovascular system can thrive as well. Ideal for tobacco consumers, diabetic patients, and people suffering from hypertension and high cholesterol levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4463960/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sudomotor Test&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; – &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;testing the sweat gland function. Patients place their hands and feet on stainless-steel electrodes, exposing themselves to an incremental low direct voltage that causes sweating. This approach provides evidence of any sweat dysfunction and gives the physician information on the patient's health years ahead on any visible disease symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23931777/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Function Test&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; – &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Active Scan Machine checks the health of the ANS and its main components, the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Together, they control and regulate numerous internal organs and physiologic processes, including blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, metabolism, sweating, etc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Clinical Applications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Microvascular Testing System successfully uncovers and analyzes propensities towards a myriad of medical conditions, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy (DAN) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cardiac Arrhythmia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Congestive Heart Failure &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Asthma &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Peripheral Vascular Diseases &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Circulation Problems &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pain Management &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Neurological Conditions &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Anxiety/Stress &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Parkinson's Disease &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Psychological Conditions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the patient performs the 20-minute test, the physician receives and analyzes the results together with the patient's medical history by using our TopDocDX algorithm. This approach provides a predictive model for the patient's future cardiovascular and neurological health! Furthermore, the results come in the shape of a 35-page color-coded report, where:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;GREEN&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stands for “OPTIMAL HEALTH”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;YELLOW &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advises patients to implement specific lifestyle choices, and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;RED &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calls for urgent medical care &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of assailing the patient with a mountain of information, TopDocDX shrinks the report into a two-page summary, more appropriate for physician-patient discussions!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By analyzing the results, physicians and patients can discuss ways to enhance the latter's overall health and schedule follow-up tests for performance tracking. Although this might sound like additional costs for the patient, we are here to affirm quite the opposite; both the FDA and the Centers for Medicare &amp;amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) approve of the TopDocDX Testing System. Therefore, insurance companies will cover all the costs, another fantastic reason for patients to undergo preventive screenings!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Continuing the Patient Care Mission with TopDocRX Remote Patient Monitoring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drawing the necessary conclusions from the results is only half the battle; for you, the physician, the road to patient care is just beginning. Now is the time for you to carefully monitor your patients' health and prevent future aggravation of existing conditions, and the easiest way towards that is through Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, implementing an RPM system is no walk in the park, neither for you nor for your wallet. The costs (staff training, RPM kit, initial office setup, software costs, etc.) for a 300-patient system could go as high as $260,000.00! With such daunting costs on sight, RPM might seem like a futuristic dream.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, TopDocRX is here to change the game! By understanding the physicians' need for a reliable and streamlined approach to remote patient care, TopDocRX has put together its own RPM system that saves time and removes additional costs for physicians! Instead of breaking the bank to keep your patients safe, you will make use of our specialized monitoring equipment and personnel, that's right, free of charge! Our job is to arm your patients with all the data collection devices, wearables, and health kits while providing you with essential information (heart rate, glucose, step count, etc.) on a user-friendly interface. With our TopDocRX RPM systems, you can be sure that the testing work will not have been in vain; on the contrary, you will get to see your patients improve their health and, consequently, their future lives!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No Up-Front Costs, Positive Cash Flow, and No Financial Risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, how do you, the physician, benefit from employing the TopDocDX Active Scan Machine in your office(s)? And, most important, what are the initial costs? "Do I have to break the bank for this screening system?" Quite the contrary; instead of spending about $60,000 on equipment, you will receive the TopDocDX testing supplies free of charge! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, would not new technology call for additional practitioners and, subsequently, more people on a payroll to get the job done? Not if we assign an on-site medical assistant from our team to perform the tests, together with technical staff and a billing service. Instead of becoming a nuisance, the TopDocDX Active Scan Machine will work for you without any intrusion. All you need to provide is a 5x5 foot area and patients, and you are good to go!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In return, you and your practice will benefit from:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;$160-170 net revenue per screening (after taxes)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increase office visits by 15-20%&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No capital expenditure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No clinical staff training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No burden on the billing staff&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We believe that this opportunity is the physicians' golden ticket into a world where patients learn about their potential diseases timely enough for a remedy to be implemented. Both patients and physicians now have all the tools necessary to ensure a healthy future for the patient without expensive investments or burdensome medical bills. If you are ready to join the future of preventive medicine with TopDocDX, more details await you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocrx.com/topdocdx/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/pexels-alex-green-5699431-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/topdocdx-diagnosing-chronic-disease-in-asymptomatic-patients/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12886</ID> <title>Revenge Bedtime Procrastination</title> <publishDate>2021-08-30 14:30:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_32 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_56"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_66 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_35"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/3664931.jpg" alt="" title="3664931" class="wp-image-12887" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_77 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Revenge Bedtime Procrastination&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The current business climate created a new trend that has drawn attention from the public and the press. People in high-stress jobs sacrifice a bulk of their day for efficiency and try to make up for the loss of entertainment in a rather detrimental way. Between work, cooking, running errands, walking the dogs, raising children, and other essential daily life activities, many people have little time to do things for fun and pleasure. Consequently, they tend to procrastinate during bedtime to do the things they love.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The refusal to go to bed when you should is a psychological phenomenon known as “revenge bedtime procrastination,” which describes the decision to sacrifice sleep for more pleasurable activities such as bingeing and scrolling through social media. Bedtime procrastination is a relatively new concept that came up in a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00611/full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study paper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by Dr. Floor Kroese and colleagues from the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, published in 2014.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kroese and her colleagues describe this procrastination as “going to bed later than intended while no external circumstances are accountable for doing so,” meaning that a person who chooses to delay bedtime without genuine reason engages in bedtime procrastination. The word “revenge” was added to the phrase, and it started appearing in China in late 2016. It was further introduced to English speakers by Daphne K. Lee. Revenge Bedtime Procrastination is a deliberate decision to stay awake past bedtime to create a “me time.” People naturally revenge on sleep almost as an act of rebellion to take back some precious time they lost to recoup on the ever-increasing demands at work and home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though it is evident that sleep deprivation takes a toll on mental health, people who engage in this infamous practice want to get enough rest, but they fail to do so. This behavioral pattern is known as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29739503/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intention-behavior gap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. With that in mind, experts warned that insufficient sleep is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6473877/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;global public health epidemic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2019/20190307-in-recognition-of-world-sleep-day-philips-presents-its-annual-global-sleep-survey-results.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;global sleep survey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; across 12 countries with over 11,000 responses revealed that 62% of adults feel they get fewer hours of sleep than needed, averaging 6.8 hours than the 8 hours recommended by sleep experts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People procrastinate on sleep for so many reasons, but some factors will be considered for sleep deprivation to be deemed bedtime procrastination:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Delaying going to sleep and reducing total sleep time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Staying awake later than necessary for no serious reasons.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Knowing that the delay will have a negative consequence on mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though a study in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7460337/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the international journal of environmental research and public health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that adolescents are the most apparent bedtime procrastinators, another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31619947/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also showed that women and students are more likely to engage in bedtime procrastination. However, research on the sleep phenomenon is still in the early stages, and further research will reveal those most affected by it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing sleep hours as a form of revenge and retaliation is dangerous to health, and it can lead to a plethora of harmful mental and physical health issues that can affect the quality of life. Getting eight or more sleep hours refreshes the mind, and lack of it negatively affects reasoning, alertness, reaction times, and working memory. Another effect of sleep deprivation includes diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hormone-related problems, and a weaker immune system. When you deprive yourself of adequate sleep for a long time, your odds of dying early from any cause increase.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overcoming bedtime procrastination requires healthy sleep hygiene, which involves creating a conducive sleeping environment and good sleep habits. Creating a set nighttime routine to facilitate sleep can help reduce the impulse to stay awake longer than necessary. Listed below are some examples of sleep habits you can incorporate into your daily schedule:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Find your proper sleep and wake-up time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Keep electronic devices away from your reach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Shut down your social media and other notifications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Avoid taking caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol in the afternoon and evening.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Do some yoga or meditation to help ease you into sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Skip big night meals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sticking to these healthy sleep habits can improve your life significantly and also improve your quality of life. Thankfully, the awareness of the inherent danger associated with bedtime procrastination is an excellent step in the right direction. If your negative sleep patterns persist, talk with a doctor who can provide a professional evaluation of your health and determine if you have a sleep disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/3664931.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/revenge-bedtime-procrastination/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12873</ID> <title>Taking the Proactive Approach to Healthcare with Tim Spooner</title> <publishDate>2021-08-27 15:10:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_33 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_57"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_67 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_36"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tim-spooner-portrait-400x461-1.jpg" alt="" title="tim-spooner-portrait-400x461" class="wp-image-12875" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_78 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the Proactive Approach to Healthcare with Tim Spooner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After over 35 years of experience as a physical therapist, Tim Spooner was happy just to continue helping his patients. On any given day, he could treat a tennis champion, a 71-year-old downhill skier, or a grandmother looking for help to play with her grandchildren.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recently he could not ignore an alarming trend: his patients (and their employers) were seeing skyrocketing healthcare costs.  The leading cost in a health plan is Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Health care premiums for his patients have steadily increased while payouts from healthcare insurance companies have simultaneously decreased. This discrepancy results in wasteful overspending by employers and many aspects of insurance plans effectively  limit  people from promptly receiving care for their pain. Almost as bad, it was significantly reducing the financial health of millions of Americans. In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tim Spooner discusses his solutions to this problem and how he is disrupting the current healthcare model with his company, Proactive MSD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Employees are Your Number One Asset&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner starts by saying&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, “I have never met a single CEO that didn’t tell me, ‘Our people are our greatest asset.’” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Despite this, every year, thousands of employers in the United States are losing employees and money to the number one cause of disability, Musculoskeletal Disorders. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone twists their back, strains a muscle, or tweaks a joint during work or recreational activities.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Spooner says that 85% of these pain issues can be solved with conservative care, but because of insurance barriers, these patients are either not seeking care or not receiving the correct intervention.  Taking it even further, he says that left untreated, these problems will worsen and individuals may choose to seek self-medication with an extremely high risk of opioid addiction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Only One Out of Ten Patients Gets Referred for MSDs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tim Spooner describes the current healthcare model as “dangerously wasteful.” The overspending affects both his patients’ health and their employers’ bottom line. Health insurance companies have steadily increased their deductibles and  patients may spend several visits to a primary care doctor or a specialist before they even get to the physical therapist’s office. This delay in receiving care means the patient suffers longer and also tends to lead to more costly interventions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s a Biomechanical Problem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner’s company, Proactive MSD (a joint venture with Solveglobal), takes a disruptive approach to the current system.  By offering a complete population health strategy for MSD’s at a fixed cost, they help employers decrease wasteful overspending on healthcare. This pricing model targets self insured employers looking for a transparent price and reduced run-around time due to multiple appointments from medical doctors. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most MSD’s start as a biomechanical problem, not a medical one.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   Proactive MSD’s goal:  Right Care, Right Time, Right Provider, Right Value.  When employers fix their healthcare costs and eliminate barriers to services, their employees are more likely to receive prompt medical attention.  This proactive approach decreases expensive interventions which drive up health insurance premiums.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No One Industry Is Good at Everything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The late Clayton Christensen studied hospitals and found that only 1 out of every 10 dollars in a large system actually goes towards patient care.  Hospitals are trying to be good at everything, and end up being a large driver of waste and inefficiency. Proactive MSD focuses its efforts on creating a Data-Centric, Risk and Opportunity Analysis for company leadership to determine the specific health risks a business faces, and to reduce wasteful costs found in expensive testing, limited accessibility, rigid appointments, and other traditional “reactive” approaches. Proactive MSD also uses confidential,  monthly workforce engagement surveys, and the data reveals the opportunities for MSD intervention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not All Therapies are Created Equal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After over three decades of patient care, Tim Spooner has noticed many individuals and large organizations assume that all physical therapists deliver equal results . It is not unusual for patients to stop attending physical therapy after only two or three visits. He attributes this to several reasons.  As healthcare providers, there is a need to connect with patients and their goals.  There is a need to educate patients on the recovery process and the timetables involved.  As therapists, there is a need to be flexible to changing symptoms and adjust the movement prescription to obtain the desired results.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner got into physical therapy through a  background in sports, experience with exercise, and a love of teaching. Although the work can be demanding both physically and mentally, seeing patients achieve their goals is very satisfying.  Today’s disruptive healthcare environment will create many new and financially rewarding opportunities for those entering the physical therapy profession. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Therapy of the Future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many innovations are moving the industry forward. Telehealth has allowed Spooner to treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic safely. “Telehealth has been very useful in reaching patients who could not access facilities and those that travel for work.  I expect this trend to continue as patients expect greater convenience and value from their healthcare providers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Proactive MSD’s disruptive business model is enticing business owners to recalibrate their healthcare spend.  “We reallocate what employers are currently spending and help their employees move and feel better.”   In return, the employer saves on wasteful overspending and can deliver higher wages and additional benefits to employees.  These direct contracts between healthcare providers, such as Proactive MSD, and employers are helping to reshape how healthcare is both delivered and received.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt; &lt;/h1&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tim-spooner-portrait-400x461-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/taking-the-proactive-approach-to-healthcare-with-tim-spooner/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12864</ID> <title>Tara Rajendran: Could An Ancient Instrument in Combination with Modern Medicine Hold the Secrets to Healing?</title> <publishDate>2021-08-13 12:44:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_34 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_58"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_68 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_37"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_8123-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_8123" class="wp-image-12869" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_79 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Could An Ancient Instrument in Combination with Modern Medicine Hold the Secrets to Healing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the age of four, it was undeniable to young Tara Rajendran that her 60-year-old grandmother’s battle with lymphoblastic leukemia was tragically ending. Although too young to fully understand, she could sense the impending separation and dread during the moment. Tara could see and empathically feel that her beloved maternal grandmother’s body was ravaged with anxiety and pain from cancer. At this time, the only comfort to her grandmother was the beautiful, soothing Indian classical music compositions that played bedside through a simple red tape recorder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When her grandmother passed away in 1998, Tara never forgot the healing power of music as medicine and has since devoted her life to reshaping India’s healthcare infrastructure to include India’s rich musical heritage as a science-based therapy. In her interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Tara Rajendran discusses her fascinating journey as both an accomplished musician and doctor and her international lecture-concert series, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Musical Child Prodigy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After her grandmother’s death, Dr. Rajendran’s connection to the power of music immediately intensified. At the age of 7, she was already making a name for herself in the Indian classical music world with her solo vocal recitals, which were lauded by erudite classical music audiences and critics. But her incendiary talent in the 7-stringed Saraswati Veena, India’s national instrument, catapulted her to generational talent status at the age of 11. She would go on to have legendary performances of Indian classical music virtuosity on the notoriously difficult Saraswati Veena, including a national broadcast on All India Radio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg" width="487" height="730" alt="" class="wp-image-12868 alignnone size-full" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Intersection of Music and Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran displayed academic brilliance even while pursuing a demanding dual academic schedule of Medicine and Music. However, when her medical training began, she decided to pause music and devote complete focus on medicine -- not an easy choice for any talented med student but especially difficult for Dr. Rajendran, an acclaimed performer of Indian classical music. On her 9-month clinical hands-on clerkships in Oncology from Ivy League institutions like Weill Cornell, Harvard Medical School, and Stanford Medicine, she met her mentor, Dr. Anthony D’Amico, the advisory dean of Harvard Medical School. Dr. D’Amico is a radiation oncologist who pushed Dr. Rajendran towards reconnecting to her Indian classical music roots and exploring the intersection of music and medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2019, Dr. Rajendran started an ongoing international lecture-concert series, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The series aims to reshape the international healthcare infrastructure to include instrumental music therapy, like the music she performs on her Saraswati Veena. The unique stringed instrument itself is a member of the lute family but has several unique acoustic tonal properties. The playing technique on the instrument requires the most gifted and trained musical hands to perform Indian classical music, which has origins dating back to at least 1700 B.C. The twenty-four frets of the seven-stringed instrument represent the 24 pre-sacral vertebrae of the human spine and have long been associated with religious and mythical connections. The unique curvatures in the construction of the Veena allow for a high degree of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;glissando&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, something that in the hands of the right performer can evoke gorgeous, transcendent emotional phrases and melodies. The Veena can produce music with ethereal qualities like the sounds of the inimitable Chitti Babu, the masterful performer whose healing music played on the Panasonic tape recorder next to Dr. Rajendran’s ailing grandmother in 1998.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repeatability and Reproducibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is also meant to educate the international medical community on the scientifically studied randomized control tests of music therapy for specific diseases. “For example, Mozart’s K448 [Sonata for Two Pianos] has been studied for over two decades and has been shown to help pediatric patients with epilepsy.” Music therapy began after World War II, but Aristotle and Plato mentioned music as therapy thousands of years ago. Today, one problem is that music therapy studies are often culturally based. For India, it may be true that Indian classical music on the Veena could be more impactful in many cases. One of the goals of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is to get international medical students, researchers, and cancer centers to start several randomized control studies so that more advances can happen in medically defined music therapy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Palliative Oncology Infrastructure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that her ambitious international project, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advocates for more than just the patients and the doctors. She intends to push India to have NMC accredited music therapy academic training programs for creating health care professional pathways for India’s near future. She also lends free musical clips to play classical Indian music passively in hospitals, palliative care centers, waiting rooms, and operating rooms. She reminds us that suicide rates in physicians were at a critical level before the COVID-19 pandemic, and in lower-middle-income countries like India, physician burnout leading to suicide or severe depression is an underserved epidemic on its own.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran thinks that medical students should think twice before totally abandoning their artistic gifts and that reimagining the need for music in the international healthcare infrastructure is a movement that is gaining traction by the day. She tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Maybe somebody like me, as a young medical student, a young Tara, reads this and says… I want to be like her.”  Watch for more from this compassionate trailblazer’s blossoming career: she is also an accomplished and published writer for a New York-based international human rights organization. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. with a dissertation focusing on the “Evolution of the use of Indian classical music in medicine.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/tara-rajendran-could-an-ancient-instrument-in-combination-with-modern-medicine-hold-the-secrets-to-healing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13657</ID> <title>How To Begin Exercising According to Health Professionals</title> <publishDate>2021-08-10 15:25:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_35 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_59"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_69 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_38"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/young-man-sportswear-exercise-class-gym.jpg" alt="" title="young-man-sportswear-exercise-class-gym" class="wp-image-13658" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_12 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_36 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_37 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_38 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_80 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Begin Exercising According to Health Professionals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's face it, exercising can get boring and monotonous, and unless you have some intrinsic motivation or determination, you may fall off your fitness goal even before you hit the gym. Nevertheless, medical doctors highlight the benefits of adopting a gym-patterned lifestyle, which is undoubtedly for your good. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Center for Disease Control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reports that every 40 seconds, a person in the U.S. will suffer a heart attack. One of the leading causes of death in the US is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/statistics_maps.htm#:~:text=Stroke%20Statistics%20and%20Maps&amp;amp;text=Stroke%20is%20a%20leading%20cause,than%20147%2C000%20Americans%20in%202018."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strokes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which killed 147,000 Americans in 2018. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/statistics-about-diabetes#:~:text=Diabetes%20was%20the%20seventh%20leading,as%20a%20cause%20of%20death."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; killed 83,000 Americans in 2018 making it the seventh leading cause of death in the US. Statistics show that 12% of people who suffer a heart attack will most likely die from it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Metabolic syndrome, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are other serious aftermaths of living a sedentary and unhealthy life for a long period of time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Live an Exercise-Patterned Life and Remain Committed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides just building some impressive biceps, going to the gym can boost your immunity and protect you from aging-related diseases such as sarcopenia (muscle loss) and osteoporosis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, the odds that you will stay consistent in the gym once you begin the gym lifestyle are against you. But all hope isn't lost. Let's take a look at factors that will enhance the gym lifestyle and make it more enjoyable for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find the Intrinsic Motivation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You must have a natural affinity or tendency towards getting fit and in good shape, and this affinity can only be enhanced by intrinsic motivation (for the long term). For example, if you go to the gym because of a wedding reception you want to attend in a few months, what happens after the wedding? What do you do when you no longer have a reason to go to the gym?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extrinsic motivation is an external stimulus that pushes you to do the things you would not naturally entertain; however, the extrinsic is often momentarily, and once it's gone, you may not foster the strength to go back to the gym. Intrinsic motivation includes a determined understanding of the benefits of physical exercise to your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find a Sport&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to the gym or even doing 200 pushups in your sitting room every night can become a chore. Find a sport you like and join a local team. With sports, you get to meet people, have fun, compete, and move your body rather than just lifting weights and doing exercises you hate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay Around People Who Motivate the Gym Lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best motivation comes from having people who have a disciplined attitude towards going to the gym. Instead of working out alone, surround yourself with people who will go with you to the gym. Exercising with friends and family members, especially when sports form part of the routine, can be a lot of fun.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Work with a Personal Trainer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A personal trainer keeps you motivated and pushes you to keep going after fatigue accumulates. If your gym has a professional instructor or trainer, reach out to see if that would be a good fit for you. Your instructor can look into your health history, help you reach your goals, and observe how your body reacts to different techniques in order to select the best workout for you. don't attempt to lose all your excess fat at once. Pushing your body beyond the limit, especially when you are just starting will discourage you and could cause moderate to life-threatening diseases. If you have a history of heart attack, diabetes, or stroke, or you suffer a nagging pain in any part of your body after a gym session, see a doctor immediately. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/young-man-sportswear-exercise-class-gym.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/how-to-begin-exercising-according-to-health-professionals/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8859</ID> <title>Meet the Godfather of Aesthetic Lasers</title> <publishDate>2021-06-26 09:05:17</publishDate> <description>CEO Jim Hobart co-founded Sciton, Inc. over twenty years ago. The company’s reputation for pushing the envelope in modern medicine with its innovative laser technology systems is well known to countless forward-thinking physicians, including the country’s leading Ophthalmologists, Dermatologists, Gynecologists, Medi-Spas, and Cosmetic Surgeons. This success is a consequence of the Sciton company culture perfectly summed up in the following motto: “Because Results Matter.” Still, he is adamant about not taking full credit for his Sciton’s success: “We ALWAYS work as a team - this is not a one-man show.”&#13; &#13; In his interview with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt;, Jim Hobart describes being at the literal bleeding edge of medical laser technology since he graduated from the University of Michigan with a Ph.D. in Physics in 1963. His obsession with constantly pushing medicine forward with laser-based technology has always been paired with delivering satisfying results to clinicians and patients. The company’s groundbreaking laser-based technology and innovatively verifiable return on investment for clinics that use their systems have won Sciton, Inc. long-term business with the leading clinicians in the most competitive markets in the country.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/James_Hobart_ByControlPanel.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8867 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/James_Hobart_ByControlPanel.jpg" alt="" width="232" height="325" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Blue Ocean&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Sciton is always looking for The Blue Ocean or the newest and latest opportunities in medicine that are ripe for breakthroughs for laser technology, quite a theme in Jim Hobart’s life. During the late 1960s, Mr. Hobart took part in the earliest applications of Ruby Lasers with the Office of Naval Research. Shortly afterward, he would help develop the Ion Laser, which proved to be one of the first highly profitable laser ventures for his part in a previous organization, Coherent Radiation, Inc. That success prompted two Ophthalmology professors from Stanford to inquire if the Ion laser technology could treat eye diseases. In collaboration with others, the revolutionary minimally-invasive laser photocoagulation treatment was born thanks to this application, which according to Hobart, has saved tens of millions of people from blindness.&#13; &#13; In the dermatology field, his team’s inventions have even helped treat tragic burn victim Kim Phuc from the famous “Napalm Girl” photo, an unforgettable symbol of the horrors of the Vietnam War. Her still-painful scar tissue was treated at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute with technology developed by Hobart’s team at Sciton.&#13; &#13; Hobart's collaboration with visionaries from the field of gynecology helped breakthrough treatment in vulvar lichen sclerosus, an itchy and painful issue for women that completely devastates vaginal health and intimate relationships. The doctors that approach Sciton for new solutions range from dermatologists, sports medicine experts, or in one case, even the spouse of a doctor that was an aerospace engineer with some ideas for laser application. “We have close relationships with a number of doctors, and in many cases, have discussions with them weekly. We’ll talk to anyone looking for new devices or with conditions that we could treat.”&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Growth During a Pandemic and BroadBand Light (BBL)&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Surprisingly, the pandemic has done nothing to slow down the rollout of Sciton’s latest upgrades to its leading Intense pulsed light, the BBL system. On the contrary, the latest offerings have been in such demand that it’s been one of the company’s most profitable years ever. Hobart tells &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/em&gt;that BroadBand Light (BBL) is the world’s most powerful IPL device on the market. He follows by saying that medispas were still very keen to invest in the latest iteration of BBL, BBL HERO (High Energy Rapid Output), despite the downturn in the economy clinics. Clinicians could treat sun damage, acne, pigmented lesions, rosacea, and countless other applications using the BBL’s increased power, faster cooling rate, and higher speed. It functions like a high-powered swiss army knife for aesthetic clinicians.&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;“Treatments that used to take over an hour on large areas like the back and legs can now be done in three to five minutes with even better results,” Hobart boasts.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8865 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1.png" alt="" width="974" height="479" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Dual Effect: Saving Clinicians Time and Money With Data Analytics based Return on Investment&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Hobart recognizes that these laser systems are a significant investment for the working clinician. His BBL and BBL HERO systems were designed to be upgradeable so that practitioners could always stay ahead and profitable in highly competitive markets. Remarkably, 95% of all Sciton systems ever sold in the past decade remain in service today, thanks to its built-in-the-USA design and manufacturing quality.&#13; &#13; The BBL system is part of a JOULE X all-in-one customizable platform. What excites many doctors using the platform is the treatment data (&lt;em&gt;not&lt;/em&gt; patient data) tracking system, SCITON IQ, which is a more verifiable and honest assessment of what your contemporaries are doing, and how much money it’s making. The SCITON IQ innovative intelligence is as legally transparent data as a savvy clinic could ask for real-time data trend reports from over 45 countries. The system can produce the number and type of treatments being used in a wide variety of data sets. This rare level of transparency has led to several clinicians buying multiple boxes, more than doubling their return on investment. “We can show you how much money you’re making and put that money in your pocket.” Critical real-time data, increased productivity, and profitability are the reasons why clinics around the country are investing in their future with a long-term relationship with Sciton.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/thumbnail_image002.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8863 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/thumbnail_image002.png" alt="" width="940" height="341" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Women’s Health&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Sciton also has an innovative laser option designed specifically for women’s health called Diva. Diva uses ablative and non-ablative wavelengths, which are considered ideal for gynecological and urological medicine during excision, incision, ablation, vaporization, and soft tissue coagulation. Also a part of the JOULE platform, it is the only device that includes High Precision Automation (HPA) to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. It gives the device operator unseen levels of predictability. Many markets noticing these services are very on-trend in the aesthetic and medical application of lasers. Hobart even mentions that his lasers have the power to save marriages. How? Gynecological health issues like &lt;em&gt;genital lichen sclerosus &lt;/em&gt;are usually mistreated until the issue becomes irreparably scarred due to medical and technological ignorance, but not when you’re using Sciton’s Diva. Uro-gynecologists have started looking to Hobart and his team’s lasers as the only solution for this devastating disease.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;What’s Next? The Future of Lasers and Medicine&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Ever the tinkerer, when asked if he has any game-changing technological projects underway, Hobart laughingly shared with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/em&gt;“Only about 17 of them…some of them are really far out. You gotta try a bunch of things.” It’s apparent that even if Sciton weren’t at the forefront of medical laser technology, this type of technological problem solving would be his passion and hobby anyways. The spirit of innovation with results that matter defines the culture at Sciton. Even beyond that, Jim Hobart’s collaborative spirit with his valued employees and the curious minds from the medical field have changed how modern medicine and aesthetic clinics treat the face and body forever.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/James_Hobart_ByControlPanel.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/meet-the-godfather-of-aesthetic-lasers/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>12873</ID> <title>Taking the Proactive Approach to Healthcare with Tim Spooner</title> <publishDate>2021-08-27 15:10:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_36 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_60"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_70 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_39"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tim-spooner-portrait-400x461-1.jpg" alt="" title="tim-spooner-portrait-400x461" class="wp-image-12875" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_81 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the Proactive Approach to Healthcare with Tim Spooner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After over 35 years of experience as a physical therapist, Tim Spooner was happy just to continue helping his patients. On any given day, he could treat a tennis champion, a 71-year-old downhill skier, or a grandmother looking for help to play with her grandchildren.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recently he could not ignore an alarming trend: his patients (and their employers) were seeing skyrocketing healthcare costs.  The leading cost in a health plan is Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Health care premiums for his patients have steadily increased while payouts from healthcare insurance companies have simultaneously decreased. This discrepancy results in wasteful overspending by employers and many aspects of insurance plans effectively  limit  people from promptly receiving care for their pain. Almost as bad, it was significantly reducing the financial health of millions of Americans. In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tim Spooner discusses his solutions to this problem and how he is disrupting the current healthcare model with his company, Proactive MSD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Employees are Your Number One Asset&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner starts by saying&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, “I have never met a single CEO that didn’t tell me, ‘Our people are our greatest asset.’” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Despite this, every year, thousands of employers in the United States are losing employees and money to the number one cause of disability, Musculoskeletal Disorders. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone twists their back, strains a muscle, or tweaks a joint during work or recreational activities.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Spooner says that 85% of these pain issues can be solved with conservative care, but because of insurance barriers, these patients are either not seeking care or not receiving the correct intervention.  Taking it even further, he says that left untreated, these problems will worsen and individuals may choose to seek self-medication with an extremely high risk of opioid addiction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Only One Out of Ten Patients Gets Referred for MSDs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tim Spooner describes the current healthcare model as “dangerously wasteful.” The overspending affects both his patients’ health and their employers’ bottom line. Health insurance companies have steadily increased their deductibles and  patients may spend several visits to a primary care doctor or a specialist before they even get to the physical therapist’s office. This delay in receiving care means the patient suffers longer and also tends to lead to more costly interventions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s a Biomechanical Problem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner’s company, Proactive MSD (a joint venture with Solveglobal), takes a disruptive approach to the current system.  By offering a complete population health strategy for MSD’s at a fixed cost, they help employers decrease wasteful overspending on healthcare. This pricing model targets self insured employers looking for a transparent price and reduced run-around time due to multiple appointments from medical doctors. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most MSD’s start as a biomechanical problem, not a medical one.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   Proactive MSD’s goal:  Right Care, Right Time, Right Provider, Right Value.  When employers fix their healthcare costs and eliminate barriers to services, their employees are more likely to receive prompt medical attention.  This proactive approach decreases expensive interventions which drive up health insurance premiums.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No One Industry Is Good at Everything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The late Clayton Christensen studied hospitals and found that only 1 out of every 10 dollars in a large system actually goes towards patient care.  Hospitals are trying to be good at everything, and end up being a large driver of waste and inefficiency. Proactive MSD focuses its efforts on creating a Data-Centric, Risk and Opportunity Analysis for company leadership to determine the specific health risks a business faces, and to reduce wasteful costs found in expensive testing, limited accessibility, rigid appointments, and other traditional “reactive” approaches. Proactive MSD also uses confidential,  monthly workforce engagement surveys, and the data reveals the opportunities for MSD intervention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not All Therapies are Created Equal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After over three decades of patient care, Tim Spooner has noticed many individuals and large organizations assume that all physical therapists deliver equal results . It is not unusual for patients to stop attending physical therapy after only two or three visits. He attributes this to several reasons.  As healthcare providers, there is a need to connect with patients and their goals.  There is a need to educate patients on the recovery process and the timetables involved.  As therapists, there is a need to be flexible to changing symptoms and adjust the movement prescription to obtain the desired results.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner got into physical therapy through a  background in sports, experience with exercise, and a love of teaching. Although the work can be demanding both physically and mentally, seeing patients achieve their goals is very satisfying.  Today’s disruptive healthcare environment will create many new and financially rewarding opportunities for those entering the physical therapy profession. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Therapy of the Future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many innovations are moving the industry forward. Telehealth has allowed Spooner to treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic safely. “Telehealth has been very useful in reaching patients who could not access facilities and those that travel for work.  I expect this trend to continue as patients expect greater convenience and value from their healthcare providers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Proactive MSD’s disruptive business model is enticing business owners to recalibrate their healthcare spend.  “We reallocate what employers are currently spending and help their employees move and feel better.”   In return, the employer saves on wasteful overspending and can deliver higher wages and additional benefits to employees.  These direct contracts between healthcare providers, such as Proactive MSD, and employers are helping to reshape how healthcare is both delivered and received.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt; &lt;/h1&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tim-spooner-portrait-400x461-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/taking-the-proactive-approach-to-healthcare-with-tim-spooner/</url> </article> <article> <ID>11705</ID> <title>Leading with Excellent Service: An Interview with Dr. Harry Pan</title> <publishDate>2021-08-22 11:53:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_37 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_61"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_71 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_40"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2016-10-0711.16.24.jpg" alt="" title="2016-10-07+11.16.24" class="wp-image-11706" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_82 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harry Pan is the lead primary care doctor at his practice, Sagebrush Medical Center in Henderson, NV. He balances the work of a businessman, a doctor, a husband, and a father of two. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As for many physicians, COVID-19 was a determinant of their business survival under intense pressure. Dr. Pan and his team were no different as they faced difficulties within their community as a fairly young practice.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Managing the COVID-19 Crisis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the pandemic's spread and seriousness increased, Dr. Pan and his team had to determine how to treat their patients. Consequently, adapting telemedicine was a must. With some schedule reworking, Dr. Pan could retain all of his staff on reduced hours, which have begun to increase back to normal hours as more patients have gotten vaccinated. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We can never really predict what the future brings. Our core mission is to be there for our patients, to be the primary care clinic that adapts to their needs," Dr. Pan said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He explained that the crucial aspect of primary care was an intentional relationship between patient and doctor. Those honest relations led to Dr. Pan and his team improving the quality of care their patients receive. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intentional Care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A direct and involved relationship with the patients drew Dr. Pan to opening his private practice in 2017. In addition, his work at hospitals made him realize how transactional visits were and how important having a detailed understanding of the patients' prior medical history could benefit their overall care and future diagnosis. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Over the last four years, I've had patients from the day our clinic opened. Being able to serve them and see them grow with me is, I think, the most fascinating and fulfilling part of the job," Dr. Pan said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Part of Dr. Pan's intentional care involves screening for mental health issues. He cannot stress enough the value of making sure the whole of the patient is healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think if we take an extra five minutes to just sit down with them and address these [mental health] issues, we can actually help our patients better. Sometimes I just pause in addressing their external issues and ask, 'Hey, how are you really doing?', and I occasionally get people who just cry."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring and addressing the internal state of his patients in hand with solving the external physical problems has led Dr. Pan to be a highly recommended doctor in his region. Patients have consistently written how much they appreciate his service. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the future, Dr. Pan hopes to increase the quality of care he offers and expand his practice. If you would like to learn more about him and his team, you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sagebrushmedicalcenter.com/meet-our-clinicians" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;visit them here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2016-10-0711.16.24.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/leading-with-excellent-service-an-interview-with-dr-harry-pan/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12864</ID> <title>Tara Rajendran: Could An Ancient Instrument in Combination with Modern Medicine Hold the Secrets to Healing?</title> <publishDate>2021-08-13 12:44:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_38 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_62"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_72 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_41"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_8123-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_8123" class="wp-image-12869" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_83 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Could An Ancient Instrument in Combination with Modern Medicine Hold the Secrets to Healing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the age of four, it was undeniable to young Tara Rajendran that her 60-year-old grandmother’s battle with lymphoblastic leukemia was tragically ending. Although too young to fully understand, she could sense the impending separation and dread during the moment. Tara could see and empathically feel that her beloved maternal grandmother’s body was ravaged with anxiety and pain from cancer. At this time, the only comfort to her grandmother was the beautiful, soothing Indian classical music compositions that played bedside through a simple red tape recorder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When her grandmother passed away in 1998, Tara never forgot the healing power of music as medicine and has since devoted her life to reshaping India’s healthcare infrastructure to include India’s rich musical heritage as a science-based therapy. In her interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Tara Rajendran discusses her fascinating journey as both an accomplished musician and doctor and her international lecture-concert series, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Musical Child Prodigy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After her grandmother’s death, Dr. Rajendran’s connection to the power of music immediately intensified. At the age of 7, she was already making a name for herself in the Indian classical music world with her solo vocal recitals, which were lauded by erudite classical music audiences and critics. But her incendiary talent in the 7-stringed Saraswati Veena, India’s national instrument, catapulted her to generational talent status at the age of 11. She would go on to have legendary performances of Indian classical music virtuosity on the notoriously difficult Saraswati Veena, including a national broadcast on All India Radio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg" width="487" height="730" alt="" class="wp-image-12868 alignnone size-full" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Intersection of Music and Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran displayed academic brilliance even while pursuing a demanding dual academic schedule of Medicine and Music. However, when her medical training began, she decided to pause music and devote complete focus on medicine -- not an easy choice for any talented med student but especially difficult for Dr. Rajendran, an acclaimed performer of Indian classical music. On her 9-month clinical hands-on clerkships in Oncology from Ivy League institutions like Weill Cornell, Harvard Medical School, and Stanford Medicine, she met her mentor, Dr. Anthony D’Amico, the advisory dean of Harvard Medical School. Dr. D’Amico is a radiation oncologist who pushed Dr. Rajendran towards reconnecting to her Indian classical music roots and exploring the intersection of music and medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2019, Dr. Rajendran started an ongoing international lecture-concert series, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The series aims to reshape the international healthcare infrastructure to include instrumental music therapy, like the music she performs on her Saraswati Veena. The unique stringed instrument itself is a member of the lute family but has several unique acoustic tonal properties. The playing technique on the instrument requires the most gifted and trained musical hands to perform Indian classical music, which has origins dating back to at least 1700 B.C. The twenty-four frets of the seven-stringed instrument represent the 24 pre-sacral vertebrae of the human spine and have long been associated with religious and mythical connections. The unique curvatures in the construction of the Veena allow for a high degree of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;glissando&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, something that in the hands of the right performer can evoke gorgeous, transcendent emotional phrases and melodies. The Veena can produce music with ethereal qualities like the sounds of the inimitable Chitti Babu, the masterful performer whose healing music played on the Panasonic tape recorder next to Dr. Rajendran’s ailing grandmother in 1998.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repeatability and Reproducibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is also meant to educate the international medical community on the scientifically studied randomized control tests of music therapy for specific diseases. “For example, Mozart’s K448 [Sonata for Two Pianos] has been studied for over two decades and has been shown to help pediatric patients with epilepsy.” Music therapy began after World War II, but Aristotle and Plato mentioned music as therapy thousands of years ago. Today, one problem is that music therapy studies are often culturally based. For India, it may be true that Indian classical music on the Veena could be more impactful in many cases. One of the goals of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is to get international medical students, researchers, and cancer centers to start several randomized control studies so that more advances can happen in medically defined music therapy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Palliative Oncology Infrastructure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that her ambitious international project, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advocates for more than just the patients and the doctors. She intends to push India to have NMC accredited music therapy academic training programs for creating health care professional pathways for India’s near future. She also lends free musical clips to play classical Indian music passively in hospitals, palliative care centers, waiting rooms, and operating rooms. She reminds us that suicide rates in physicians were at a critical level before the COVID-19 pandemic, and in lower-middle-income countries like India, physician burnout leading to suicide or severe depression is an underserved epidemic on its own.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran thinks that medical students should think twice before totally abandoning their artistic gifts and that reimagining the need for music in the international healthcare infrastructure is a movement that is gaining traction by the day. She tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Maybe somebody like me, as a young medical student, a young Tara, reads this and says… I want to be like her.”  Watch for more from this compassionate trailblazer’s blossoming career: she is also an accomplished and published writer for a New York-based international human rights organization. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. with a dissertation focusing on the “Evolution of the use of Indian classical music in medicine.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/tara-rajendran-could-an-ancient-instrument-in-combination-with-modern-medicine-hold-the-secrets-to-healing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8010</ID> <title>Dr. Vladimir "Zev" Zelenko</title> <publishDate>2021-06-21 18:51:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_39 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_63"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_73 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_0 et_pb_text_align_center"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://anchor.fm/top-doctor-magazine/embed/episodes/Dr--Vladimir-Zev-Zelenko-e136r6i" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_84 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Vladimir “Zev” Zelenko was born in Ukraine and raised in New York, where he would eventually graduate from Medical School in 2000.  His entire time as a Doctor has been practicing in New York and he was most recently a family medicine physician in Monroe.  A true family man, “Zev” is married and has eight wonderful children.  Additionally, he has written several books and just recently released his own supplement called “Z-Stack” which can be found on his website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://vladimirzelenkomd.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://vladimirzelenkomd.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Zelenko has become very well-known globally during the fight against Covid-19.  His work has been so well-renowned globally that he was recently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.  Please click on the podcast below to hear his amazing story in his own words. &lt;a href="https://anchor.fm/top-doctor-magazine/episodes/Dr--Vladimir-Zev-Zelenko-e136r6i"&gt;In this podcast&lt;/a&gt; you will hear him go through the entire timeline of events that led to him being in the public spotlight very early-on during the pandemic and all of the controversy that came with it.  In addition, he details just how quickly and aggressively the Coronavirus hit his densely-populated community and began to spread… forcing him to find any solution possible to keep people out of hospital and to save lives.  You will learn about the particular combination of drugs that he used and continues to use for early treatment of Covid-19 with amazing, peer-reviewed results and why he chose these particular drugs and dosages.  He also opens up about all of the different ways that other people and organizations tried to silence his voice, cast doubt on his work and suppress life-saving information.     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/merlin_171193020_bb421464-5144-4268-8671-ffea61c381b4-superJumbo.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-vladimir-zelenko/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7851</ID> <title>Tales From the Frontlines: Dr. Mohammed Megri</title> <publishDate>2021-06-06 14:01:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;About Dr. Mohammed Megri&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mohammed Megri is a Board-Certified physician in Pulmonary Disease and Internal Medicine currently based in Lexington, KY. Having completed his studies and residency training at the University of Tripoli in 2014, Dr. Megri returned to the United States and graduated from the Internal Medicine program at Marshall University, WV, in 2018. He expanded his field of practice by completing two additional fellowships, namely in Pulmonary and Critical Care, in 2021. Dr. Megri was also awarded&amp;nbsp;the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) chapter and alpha omega alpha chapter.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A member of several professional memberships, such as the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians, Dr. Megri has been on the frontline against the COVID-19 pandemic even since its inception, helping patients and their families recover from this disease.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Megri is an avid basketball fan outside the hospital, playing and watching whenever he gets the chance. Furthermore, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his eight-year-old and four-year-old children.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Now and then, it’s good to be reminded of the frontline heroes who push themselves to the limit every day, either working insanely long shifts at the hospital or being forced to stay away from their loved ones to keep their positions against the COVID-19 virus. Amongst all those capeless heroes, we found one particular physician who agreed to speak with one of our Top Doctor Magazine interviewers, Justin,  and share his thoughts and wonders, happiness and sadness, and hopes and doubts with our readers: Dr. Mohammed Megri. Currently residing in Lexington, KY, Dr. Megri has numerous stories to share with our readers, stories that will bring back the COVID-19 pandemic hardships to mind and strengthen our belief in a better tomorrow. Let’s tune in to the article and learn more from Dr. Megri himself!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7840,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_18.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7840"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Helping Both The Patient and Their Family&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ever since he was a toddler, Dr. Megri was destined to become a well-reputed physician. Bringing back beautiful childhood memories, Dr. Megri shares with Top Doctor Magazine how his mother would always surround him with toys related to medicine to guide him towards this noblest of sciences.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;And these efforts weren't fruitless. Dr. Megri has braved through innumerable challenges and years of study to practice his true passion, his destined career path, which brings him unimaginable joy and happiness. When asked about his favorite part of being a physician, Dr. Megri mentioned the opportunity to care for both the patient and their family. "Seeing the success of helping someone who's suffering from any medical illness and their successes in both ways, like feeding them and making them feel better or help their family or support their family to accept that there's nothing else that we can do." He disclosed for Top Doctor Magazine, reminding us of the physician's difficult task of conveying even more difficult news to the patient's family.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7841,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_19.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7841"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Acting Fast While Keeping Your Calm&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In their times of utmost need, patients look towards physicians with hope, hope for a better tomorrow, free from any medical issues or illnesses. In order to keep them peaceful and hopeful, physicians experience the constant stress of making split-second decisions while exhibiting a calm persona towards patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But what happens when the novelty of the situation shakes your very core, and remaining calm seems impossible? Such is the story of Dr. Megri's first encounter with a COVID-19 patient, who, surrounded by so much technology and equipment, looked&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;straight out of a Sci-Fi movie.&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;"We didn't have any interaction with any COVID-19 patients before this. To be honest with you, I was really scared. I'm like looking at the patient; he's in very high oxygen requirements and still hypoxic. And I can see in his eyes that he's scared and struggling for oxygen."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This first interaction with a COVID-19 patient left no small impact on Dr. Megri's memories, which reminds us that physicians are humans first and foremost. However, he still remembers one of his attendees' words that encouraged him to brave this unheard-of challenge: "We're going to go inside together in the room. We'll do all the procedures; we'll save this patient and make sure that we protect ourselves. And, if you need any help, just let me know."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7842,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_20.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7842"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Loneliness and the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Sometimes, it's hard to imagine how an invisible enemy could keep us away from each other, from a much-needed company, conversations, or even something as ordinary as a hug. However, if this pandemic taught us anything, it is that feeling of closeness that we long for when things look grim. "And the other thing, which I didn't notice that's very important before COVID-19 came, which is the family support to the patients and the family support to the physician." Dr. Megri shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Physicians faced the harsh reality of living separated from their loved ones for weeks on end, which came as extremely difficult to bear for Dr. Megri, whose children were more than eager to spend time with their father. "I have eight-year-old and four-year-old kids, and they love hugging. But at that time, I was afraid that I might be an asymptomatic carrier. I might have, might have the virus, but I don't have symptoms from it, and I might give it to my loved ones."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The same story applies to patients who had no one but physicians and nurses for company throughout their time in the hospital. For them, a combination of loneliness, noises, darkness, and powerful drugs led to something called ICU delirium, showing the importance of having someone dear by your side when in pain. "With COVID-19 and trying to decrease the exposure to the patient family, it was really challenging. The patient himself was having a lot of delirium because he doesn't know where he or she is, and with all the machines and the noises in the room. And no one in his family came to see him or was even able to talk to him, and that was very difficult to deal with."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7843,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7843"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Looking Beyond Our Own Backyards&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Running towards the end of the interview, Dr. Megri touched the subject of the ongoing vaccination campaign: "I usually convince them with the vaccine, and I know that we don't have a lot of trials and we don't have a lot of evidence, but I least we have evidence that this vaccine will help around 90% protection against COVID." Although vaccines have proven their efficiency against the virus, Dr. Megri keeps a cautious tone and advises us to respect social distancing furthermore and protect ourselves until we have the pandemic in check.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although the United States have made incredible progress in their vaccination campaign, Dr. Megri draws our attention towards other countries whose vaccination campaigns are still in their infancy: "I think we need to pay attention to other countries as well, because if we are vaccinated, that will be good, but if other countries are not, then that will be, they will come inside the United States. And that will increase the risk of other people because being vaccinated doesn't mean that you will never have to have the COVID disease, but it's a low risk."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Here at Top Doctor Magazine, we believe in Dr. Mohammed Megri's advice to care for our fellow beings as much as we care for our close friends and family, which is why we wish him all the best of luck in fighting the COVID-19 virus. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Megri, make sure that you check out the following&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/mohammed-megri-acb05821-cbb8-44e7-b133-9b72c61839ac-overview"&gt;&lt;u&gt;website&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_17.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/tales-from-the-frontlines-dr-mohammed-megri/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7783</ID> <title>Dr. Christopher Lee - First-Hand Tales of the COVID-19 Pandemic from an UrgentCare Physician</title> <publishDate>2021-05-30 20:49:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Christopher Lee&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Christopher Lee, M.D., who grew up in Texas, knew he wanted to pursue medicine since high school. Initially, he wanted to become a surgeon, then an anesthesiologist, but later on transitioned out of anesthesia because he wanted to get into hospital/corporate medicine leadership. Dr. Lee is now the Medical Director at Baycare Urgent Care for four years running. To get to where he is today, he acquired his medical degree from the Miller School of Medicine in Miami and completed his residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Lee then proceeded to get his advanced subspecialty residency at the University of South Florida, where he is also an affiliate professor for Internal Medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee enjoys the variety of people he gets to interact with daily, from medical students to patients and colleagues. He is proud to be part of Tampa’s leading health care system and takes pride in providing outstanding medical care for his community.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7785,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-56.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7785"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Urgent Care?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The main difference between working as an urgent care physician and a primary care physician is the amount of time the doctor gets to spend with the patient. In primary care, doctors get to see their patients on more than one occasion and develop relationships over time. However, in urgent care, doctors usually meet a patient only once and for a limited amount of time.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee said it is essential to build a bond with the patient quickly while giving them the proper care and assistance they need. Luckily, Dr. Lee has excellent people skills, and he can put them to good use when he sees 30-40 different patients daily.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Has COVID-19 Affected Urgent Care?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During the initial pandemic blow, the hospital was turned upside down due to many protocol changes. Dr. Lee said that they had to scramble around looking for sufficient COVID-19 testing and PPE. The significant lack of proper protective equipment was the main struggle for them during the first months of the pandemic. On top of that, they also had to deal with hospital staff contracting COVID-19, leading to a high volume of staff turnover. Fortunately, BayCare has been fluid with its response to the unprecedented changes, and they were able to think fast and plug holes at the last minute.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7787,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-57.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7787"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine Is Here To Stay&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It’s no surprise to hear that Dr. Lee has also seen a substantial decline in the number of patients he sees. With COVID-19 hovering over everyone’s mind, patients now think twice about visiting the hospital. But that’s where telemedicine comes in. Now, patients can get a medical evaluation instantaneously through a click or an app.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee ultimately sees telemedicine as a benefit, especially during these unprecedented times. However, he still notes the concerns that it brings about, especially from a financial standpoint. Because reimbursement rates for telemedicine visits are significantly lower, doctors’ revenue will also decrease. Additionally, people who don’t have access to smartphones and Wi-Fi are unable to use this platform. Dr. Lee also points out that telemedicine is still limited in what it can do because it cannot replace the ability to do physical examinations. Nevertheless, telemedicine is still a great supplementary tool for doctors and is a great way to expand healthcare access, especially to areas with a shortage of physicians.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-55.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7784"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Vaccinated Now&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Having received the vaccine last December, which was earlier than he anticipated, Dr. Lee is excited to have things go back to normal this year. He is delighted in the thought of traveling around again and being able to take some time off work -- especially since he worked for 97 straight days last year.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee urges the public to read the correct information regarding vaccinations. He is also trying his best to explain to the general public the science behind how the vaccine works. Dr. Lee connotes getting the vaccine as the light at the end of the tunnel, and the sooner that everyone can realize that the sooner we can all go back to living a COVID-19-free life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-56.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-christopher-lee-first-hand-tales-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-from-an-urgentcare-physician/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7667</ID> <title>*Stories from the ER: An Interview with Dr. Mark Bernardi</title> <publishDate>2021-05-16 12:35:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Mark Bernardi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mark Bernardi is an Emergency Room physician practicing in the Greater Seattle Area, WA. He began his studies at Cornell University with a degree in Human Biology, graduated from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and completed his residency at the University of Arizona in 2018.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7672,"width":287,"height":287,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1614129615113.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-7672" width="287" height="287"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from his work in the emergency room, Dr. Bernardi, after completing research at the Harvard Institute of Medicine, took part in numerous other research programs as a coordinator. Furthermore, he took his expertise outside the American soil and in less-developed areas of the world, such as Sub-Saharan Africa.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Harsh Reality of the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From a young age, Dr. Bernardi developed an interest in health care systems. He had a particular interest in the Canadian model, which offers universal health care to all its citizens. However, after deciding to undergo his studies and training in the U.S., Dr. Bernardi, who dreamed about joining Doctors Without Borders first, saw himself forced to jump right into the fray. From the start, he showed eagerness to learn more about COVID-19 and the different pathways that each state chose to tackle the pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During his interview, Dr. Bernardi shared stories more appropriate for a dystopian novel rather than for the 21st-century U.S. healthcare system. From every single state where he worked, he reported what seemed to be chaos: hospitals in IL where nurses questioned the virus’s existence entirely, others who saw the mask more like a discardable accessory rather than a helpful tool, and hospitals in AZ that refused to front the resources for rapid testing willing to put the staff at risk, etc. “I don’t know exactly how other countries handled this, but I know that we didn’t handle it very well,” Dr. Bernardi admits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In a search for the culprit, Dr. Bernardi points towards the U.S. health care system. The system turned the COVID-19 pandemic into a “survival of the fittest” type battleground, where everything from logistics to patient care hit constant bumps on the road. “Logistically, we couldn’t test in AZ for COVID, or the testing was so slow that we couldn’t transfer patients. “We were stuck managing patients in our emergency rooms for days when new patients should have been transferred out within a few hours.” Such shortcomings placed everyone in danger, especially those who pulled extra shifts due to staff shortage: “I, personally, had COVID twice.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7673,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-27.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7673"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“It wasn’t about people. It was about dollars.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic exposed more cracks in the fault line. With no centralized health care system, big pharmaceutical corporations monopolized and divided the COVID-19 battleground, putting dollar signs above patient care: “In America, the health care is all about money.” However, precisely when health care needed a sense of concord the most, these big corporations turned against one another, putting the vaccination campaign in jeopardy: “Some hospitals who weren’t able to rapidly test for COVID didn’t because they lacked proper lab equipment. Because of a disconnected healthcare system, this was especially burdensome for small towns with limited resources. In these towns, if one hospital had the proper equipment (lab or proper freezers to store COVID vaccines) and the other didn’t, unfortunately, I did not see them sharing.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With business driving COVID-19-relief efforts, this harsh reality led to corporate entities trying to supplement the dwindling patient numbers with job cuts. The result? Numerous doctors, some with 30-40 years of experience, were forced into retirement or lost their jobs or even their pensions. “Business is ruining U.S. health care, and I don’t know why no one’s talking about it,” Dr. Bernardi shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With such division and only personal goals in mind, it’s hard to believe in future change. For Dr. Bernardi, nothing but a universal health care system could prepare the country for the next pandemic. However, this highly politicized subject is not expected to become a palpable reality in the near future, Dr. Bernardi admits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7671,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7671"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Turning Telemedicine into a Business&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the COVID-19 pandemic kept patients indoors, numerous doctors turned towards telemedicine. Dr. Bernardi himself saw the advantages of a remote approach to patient care and decided to join two telemedicine companies when (quite ironic in a pandemic!) he knew his hours would be cut. “It’s providing access to care, which is good for patients who don’t have their physicians.” However, not all doctors shared in his enthusiasm. With no legislation that protects physicians from liability, telemedicine provided an ineffective backup plan to a struggling health care system.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, it wasn’t long before telemedicine companies saw the opportunity for extra revenue: “Overreaching with telemedicine to make a buck, which some of the telemedicine companies are doing, is inappropriate.” Dr. Bernardi disclosed to us several appalling examples of such inappropriate conduct: telemedicine companies who targeted people with anxiety issues to sell more antidepressants or doctors who prescribed Viagra to young adults who were in no need of such stimulants, etc. However, by far, the most shocking example is the following: “Another telemedicine company I was working for was selling COVID-19 tests. The COVID-19 tests are free!” For Dr. Bernardi, only strong legislation can make the difference between frauds and true telemedicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7668,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-25.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7668"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does 2021 Have in Store for Dr. Bernardi?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The perspective of a COVID-19-free year truly excites Dr. Bernardi. However, as he admits, two main concerns are troubling him: the difficulty of finding a stable job as an E.R. physician and the health care system's state after the pandemic. "I don't know if we've learned as much as we should have from this." We can only hope that Dr. Bernardi's vision for a stronger health care system will come to life before the next pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1614129615113.jpeg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/telehealth/stories-from-the-er-an-interview-with-dr-mark-bernardi/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7016</ID> <title>Addressing the Lack of Support for Frontline Medical Heroes: An Interview with Ankush Bansal</title> <publishDate>2021-04-18 20:48:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a young boy who loved science, Dr. Ankush Bansal, M.D., already knew that he wanted to become a doctor one day. Today, he is trained and certified in both Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and has taught medicine in many universities across Florida.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal is also an advocate for Organized Medicine, where he is vocal in areas concerning both the patient’s and physician’s rights to healthcare. In this interview with Top Doctor Magazine, Dr. Bansal talks to us a bit about what it means to be a Lifestyle Medicine doctor and shares some insights into what’s going on behind the scenes of hospital doors during this pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is a Lifestyle Medicine Doctor?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When you look up clinical guidelines about preventing diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer, and many other similar diseases, a common denominator is always lifestyle change. Dr. Ankush Bansal, a vegan himself, is all for promoting a healthy lifestyle that combines a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and stress-reduction practices altogether.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal has had many patients with any of the above-mentioned diseases reduce their medication dosage and even come out of it entirely by implementing a lifestyle change. He has even helped a man struggling with obesity lose over 30 pounds in just a few months. By reducing medication, patients can save money and cut costs on hospital visits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Challenge in Switching to a Plant-Based Lifestyle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Who knew that something as basic as changing your diet and adding more exercise to your routine could have such tremendous positive effects on your health? But is it that simple to do? Dr. Bansal tells Top Doctor Magazine otherwise.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Changing someone’s lifestyle is much easier said than done. Dr. Bansal often struggles with convincing his patients to switch to a plant-based diet. When people have been eating meat their whole lives, it isn’t easy to persuade them into eating a vegetarian diet. It’s almost like trying to convince them to switch religions. But when a patient comes to the hospital with a life-altering dilemma, such as a stroke, they become more accepting of trying out alternatives. What Dr. Bansal does is that he puts his patients on a plant-based diet during the duration of their stay at the hospital, and 95% of the time, his patients end up liking the diet and continuing it at home.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, the challenge doesn’t end there. “What I found out is that my biggest obstacle is not the patient. Unfortunately, it’s other doctors,” Dr. Bansal admits. Primary care doctors always throw oppositions at him like “He’s going to have a protein deficiency,” and “You need meat to survive!” And Dr. Bansal believes this is due to a lack of proper education on nutrition.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Back then, doctors did not have much opportunity to learn about nutrition compared to medical students today. They had an hour at most of the Nutrition class, and that was it. And with most doctors in America today being 40-70 years old, you can see why Dr. Bansal experiences that kind of resistance when he pushes for the plant-based lifestyle.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7018,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-18.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7018"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Say Goodbye to Bacon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another major factor influencing his patients’ opinion on living a clean and healthy lifestyle is all the media’s misinformation. Dr. Bansal recalls a cover on TIME magazine from 2005 that said, ‘Butter and Bacon are Good!’ We all know that this is downright far from the truth, but this example illustrates how easy it is for the public to be misguided if they are not actively educating themselves on proper nutrition.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, Dr. Bansal is now seeing a growing number of young medical trainees getting into the plant-based diet or eating healthier and more natural food. He believes that the next generation of doctors will be keener to promote healthy living and veganism. Dr. Bansal shares a joke he hears from Europeans that goes something like, “You try to take away bacon from an American, and there will be a fight.” Well, Dr. Bansal hopes that one day, there will be no more fights.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Addressing the Lack of Support for Frontline Medical Heroes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Moving on to the next and more pressing issue, Dr. Ankush Bansal drops the truth bomb on what it’s like to be a medical frontliner during the COVID-19 pandemic. We see the media praising our medical heroes for all they do but are they getting the genuine praise and treatment they deserve when the camera stops rolling? Dr. Bansal divulges the three significant ways the healthcare industry is lacking support.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;First, the evident lack of PPE is a giant cause for concern. Last year, medical workers had to reuse masks twice, which puts them at significant risk. Second, the healthcare industry suffered from a shortage of available staff. The number of patients increased while the number of medical staff decreased because hospitals had to cut costs; this was incredibly high-risk because medical staff would be exposed to more sick patients, therefore spreading disease much faster. And third, because hospitals had to save money, they were forced to cut on doctors’ and nurses’ wages by 50%. So, in addition to being overworked and exposed to more danger, medical workers were also being ripped off.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal is saddened to see little to no progress on addressing the issue, and he worries it will only worsen. He overheard a chat among hospital administrators that said, “Hospitalists will come and go. Those guys are a dime a dozen.” In a world where health administrations only care about specialists who can make lucrative sums of money for them, he believes that more doctors will become disheartened and will stop practicing clinical medicine altogether.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7017,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7017"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Rise of Telemedicine: A Silver Lining in this Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nonetheless, every cloud always has a silver lining. And in this thick ugly cloud of COVID-19, the rise of telemedicine has been a wonderful gamechanger to the healthcare industry. With telemedicine, physicians can now increase the reach of their practice, and patients no longer have to deal with dreadfully long waiting times.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal is looking forward to incorporating remote patient monitoring into his practice and is hoping to get FDA-approved technology to help operate it. Additionally, he hopes that insurance companies will reimburse physicians fairly as they move towards telemedicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Speak Up and Never Stop Learning&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While medical workers continue to tackle this pandemic, Dr. Bansal urges them not to forget other underlying issues, such as fighting to provide proper and accessible healthcare to everyone. He also hopes that there will be continuous education on prevention for chronic diseases - for this will continue to go on once the pandemic settles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A change in the system will not happen if no one speaks up, and so Dr. Bansal encourages everyone to advocate for fair healthcare rights alongside him.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-18.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/addressing-the-lack-of-support-for-frontline-medical-heroes-an-interview-with-ankush-bansal/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5429</ID> <title>Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Leon Varjabedian</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 11:49:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Leon Varjabedian is an experienced interventional cardiologist with multiple years of experience in the medical field. He takes an interest in cutting-edge minimally invasive cardiac procedures, including coronary arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease, and Structural heart disease (i.e. Valvular heart disease). Dr. Leon Varjabedian is a board-certified member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, National Board of Echocardiography, and ABIM-Cardiovascular disease.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from being a career choice, Dr. Varjabedian has several publications to his name, including CardioMEMS in a Busy Cardiology: Less than Optimal Implementation of a Valuable Tool to Reduce Heart Failures Readmissions, Cardioprotection by Metformin: Beneficial Effects Beyond Glucose Reduction, and several other related publications in the medical journal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5430,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_47.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5430"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Pandemic and Reality&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“We saw three different waves of the virus. People were markedly confused and frightened during the first wave in spring of 2020 because no one understood clearly what we were dealing with, this led to patients unnecessarily avoiding hospital visits. During the second wave mid summer of 2020, the misinformation subsided immediately after the CDC guidelines were shared, however public deception was prevalent mostly via social media, but in the third wave starting November 2020, we had a lot of patients that are occupying the ICU beds. We had difficulty finding a bed for critically sick cardiac patients because COVID-19 patients have occupied all the beds, this led to cardiac procedures being postponed for an extended period of time resulting in non COVID related morbidity.,” said Dr. Varjabedian in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pandemic and Telemedicine: How to mitigate the challenge through Telehealth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Telemedicine is an effective alternative to in-patient service, especially during the pandemic, when patients were scared to visit the hospitals. Patients are generally relieved with telemedicine. Still, it falls short regarding the physical exam part of the service. “With telemedicine, the element of touching patients and physically examining them is lost. We depend so much on history and subtle signs we see during the video session, which is not enough for physicians to make an accurate clinical judgment,” explained Dr. Varjabedian.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5432,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_48.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5432"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Overcoming the pandemic through Vaccination, Social-distancing, and Specific Antiviral medication&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Vaccination is the most vital tool to help create a population that is immune from the virus. In this regard, Pfizer and Moderna have done a great job by developing a vaccine in a very short time. Social distancing guidelines are crucial as well. People need to change the way they socialize until there is a drastic improvement to the status quo. Ultimately, specific antiviral medication towards treatment can also help. “Unfortunately, this virus will not completely disappear by itself. There are a lot of proactive things that we have to do,” Dr. Varjabedian informed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Coronavirus and its Mutating Variants&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Varjabedian warned that the reports of the virus mutation are disturbing. There is a feeling of uncertainty whether the vaccines developed so far will be efficacious against this new mutation. For Dr. Varjabedian, a mutation that is so fast and that superseded the vaccine efficacy would be a big problem. “If the population is not vaccinated before the virus takes a chance to mutate and become more dangerous, that is worrisome for me,” Dr. Varjabedian complained.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5433,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_49.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5433"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Devastating Effect and The Future of Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;2020 was a very gloomy year for many physicians. Many patients suffered and died alone in miserable conditions, which affected everyone, including the health care providers. The situation was so much for physicians to handle. Dr. Varjabedian hopes that things will improve in the New Year.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ultimately, the vaccine was developed at a record speed, and it will be a game-changer for new ways of approving treatments in the future. Traditionally, medications go through phases of trials for years before getting approved. Dr. Varjabedian hopes that we can take advantage of this to cut back on the bureaucracy and the slow process necessary to approve new medications.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_47.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/doctor-spotlight-dr-leon-vajabedian/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5421</ID> <title>Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Arvind Mahadevan</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 11:36:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Arvind Mahadevan is a Family Medicine Specialist with over 16 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Mahadevan is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Since he began practicing in 2008, Dr. Mahadevan has provided full-spectrum medical care to hundreds of patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mahadevan enjoys providing care to multiple members of the same family to establish long-term optimal health across generations. Even though he provides full-spectrum care, Dr. Mahadevan takes a particular interest in sports medicine, geriatrics, clotting disorders, high cholesterol, and hypertension.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Providing Optimal Care And Patient Satisfaction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"We try very hard to work with our patients and make ourselves accessible to them. We also use technology to facilitate communication, and we try as much as we can to be innovative in providing care. All these make it easier to provide care to our patients. As a result, we create a very positive ecosystem for healthcare," said Dr. Mahadevan in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine. Dr. Mahadevan dedicates his time and energy to improving patient's experience in the context of primary care because of the capacity to be more proactive rather than reactive to problems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5425,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_46.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5425"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Obesity And Its Impact On Optimal Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mahadevan explained that obesity is not just a cosmetic concern but a condition that involves excessive fat and increases the risk of other diseases and health problems. "We know pretty much every problem you have is made worse by being too heavy, and I think that prevention is key, but we are struggling as a society because we do not emphasize the dangerous effect of obesity. We don't reward a patient's efforts to overcome it, so every progress on it doesn't count for anything," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He further discloses that if people valued a healthy lifestyle, burning fats, and achieving health milestones more, we would have more success than we do.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Impact on Family Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When the pandemic was at its peak, patient volume dropped, and it became clear that family medicine and major healthcare practices will transition to telemedicine. "Thankfully, our practice had set up telemedicine before COVID-19. So, we hit the ground running when it became necessary."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though healthcare professionals responded swiftly to the pandemic, Dr. Mahadevan explained that the whole dynamic became very much politicized. As a result, many people put their regular care to the side. "We told our patients that COVID-19 doesn't care who you vote for. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to take care of everything else," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5424,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_45.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5424"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 And The Vaccine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The vaccine development process created serious concern across the medical community regarding its safety, efficacy, and reliability to provide permanent immunity. Although Pfizer and AstraZeneca have done a great job, there are many answers healthcare providers can't give with confidence.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I try to tell my patients that there is a lot that we don't know. If the COVID-19 vaccine can create a sense of normality, whether we eradicate it will take years, but we can try to put it under control by taking the right steps which will help us get closer to normal," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Pandemic And Its Effects On Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic created emotional and mental stress for healthcare providers as they were forced to stay away from their families for fear of exposing them to the virus. This disturbing reality addresses the notion that medicine is immune to recession and depression because everyone goes to the doctor. "This is true except during a pandemic when nobody wants to go to a doctor. That was a big stressor for us," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;wants to go to a doctor. That was a big stressor for us," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mahadevan warned that we're looking at a long period of abnormal before we'll eventually ease our way back to normal as it was pre-COVID. "Since it's not a flip of a switch to go abnormal, it won't be a flip of a switch to go back to normal, but it is going to be a slow and methodical return back to normal," he concluded.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Mahadevan and his practice visit his website: &lt;a href="http://www.tridenthealthcenter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;http://www.tridenthealthcenter.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_46.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/doctor-spotlight-dr-arvind-mahadevan/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5401</ID> <title>Serving the Underserved: An Interview with Dr. Lipi Roy</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 10:49:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lipi Roy is a woman of many talents, interests, and facets. In her interview with Top Doctor Magazine, she shared that not only is she currently on the journey to publishing a book, but she is also an avid sports fan and enthusiast of the arts. Recently, she had the pleasure of being one of the COVID-19 Consultants for a special performance of The Nutcracker in Upstate New York.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;I come from a big extended family… Many of whom are physicians, but I never received pressure to become a doctor," said Dr. Roy. That being said, her mom and dad always emphasized education. "They wanted me to do well in school, and they wanted me to be well-rounded. The first thing they enrolled me in was actually ballet, so there are pictures of me at 2 or 3 years old in a little tutu. Then they got me into swimming lessons, playing chess, tennis, you name it! But at the age of 7, I fell in love with piano."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6981,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Lipy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6981"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though buying a piano is a significant investment for parents with a young child, after much begging on Dr. Roy's part and seeing her dedication, she would receive her first piano at 8. For the next twenty years, she took lessons, performed in recitals, and competed across her hometown of Toronto, Canada. She would even become a student at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her love for music and piano would continue to be a balm as she transitioned into medical school. "Fast forward to when I was doing my residency in North Carolina at Duke Medical Center. I would work 12-14 hour days. I would be exhausted when I got home, but when I got home, I would look at my piano and go 'alright Lip, just 15 minutes'," said Dr. Roy. "Then I would play classical, I would play Simon and Garfunkel, whatever I wanted to, and I would just feel calm. Soon, I'd look up at the clock, and two hours would have passed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:columns --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-columns"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:column {"width":"100%"} --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:100%"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:gallery {"ids":[5454,5457],"linkTo":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped"&gt;&lt;ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"&gt;&lt;li class="blocks-gallery-item"&gt;&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PianoJavits1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" data-id="5454" class="wp-image-5454"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class="blocks-gallery-item"&gt;&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PianoJavits2-768x1024.jpg" alt="" data-id="5457" data-full-url="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PianoJavits2-scaled.jpg" data-link="https://topdoctormagazine.com/news/serving-the-underserved-an-interview-with-dr-lipi-roy/attachment/pianojavits2/" class="wp-image-5457"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:gallery --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:column --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:columns --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Journey into Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There was no single "defining moment" for Dr. Roy on her journey to become a physician. Instead, a series of events captured her attention, fascinated her, and grew her desire to learn. From getting malaria as a child to doing a project in Biology class on leprosy, Dr. Roy always had an interest in the disease. Her interest would eventually lead her to India, where she would learn about international health and tropical diseases.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I started volunteering in hospitals and talking to other people who were in the health profession. Later, I worked for Pharma as a scientist and biomedical researcher and came to realize that I didn't enjoy being in a lab all the time," said Dr. Roy. This realization eventually led her to complete a dual degree at Tulane University in New Orleans, earning both a medical degree and her Master's in Public Health. Following, Dr. Roy's self-proclaimed first academic and public swaray into public health was actually during Medical School when Hurricane Katrina struck.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Due to the immense flooding, the medical school closed, and Dr. Roy's class was moved to Houston for nine months to continue training. Upon returning, she remembers coming back to a very different New Orleans. As a result, Dr. Roy and several of her fellow classmates began volunteering at grassroots clinics in the area where they were confronted with patients who had lost everything in the natural disaster. "We took care of the residents of the city, especially the Ninth Ward, who just lost everything. They lost medications, their clothing, everything they needed that related to health," explained Dr. Roy, "And when you lose such vital necessities, things start to break down. We took care of patients with florid heart failure, diabetic complications, and vision problems, all because they were disconnected from the healthcare system and their own medications. That was my first real touch with what public health means."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Throughout her career, Dr. Roy has been able to serve underserved populations in a wide variety of ways. Early on, it became evident that she would be drawn to the dedication in caring for the vulnerable homeless and addiction medicine populations. "They teach you on the first day of medical school that your best teacher will be your patients, and I sure learned that first and foremost," Dr. Roy told Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As Dr. Roy immersed herself even deeper into working with the vulnerable homeless, she quickly discovered the link between living on the streets and drug overdose.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This realization completely reshaped Dr. Roy's approach, opening up a certain path towards the subject of addiction and addiction medicine: "We discovered that the leading cause of death among my homeless population of patients was drug overdose. That completely transformed the way we provided our care. I learned a lot more about addiction; we hired a lot of substance use counselors, just learned a lot. I became board-certified in addiction medicine. All of this in an effort to learn more about addiction as a chronic medical disease, a disease of the brain. We learned that most people with addiction, once connected to the appropriate treatment and care, get better."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Eventually, her dedication and expertise landed her the position of the first chief of addiction medicine for New York City jails, where the gravity of the situation unfolded before her eyes even more dramatically: a population riddled with criminal activity, high poverty, and substance use disorders, who distrusted the authorities, and who was treated as just another statistic. "Because men and women who are experiencing homelessness, or in and out of emergency departments and hospitals, are also often in and out or in touch with the criminal justice system in large part because they all have such a large mistrust of authority and for good reason," Dr. Roy shared with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;An Empathic Approach to Serving the Underserved&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Only in a moment of crisis do true heroes emerge, and Dr. Roy was ready to put on her cape and bring change to how we care for patients with substance use disorders. While health professionals receive some degree of training concerning addiction, it is not always put to good use: "Most of us never got trained in treating people with substance use disorders or drug addictions, alcohol addictions, not in a way that was evidence-based or empathic. It was more, I'm the doctor, you're the patient, this is what you need to do." Instead, Dr. Roy followed a path sprinkled with empathy, trying to understand her patients' history, their traumas, all to forge real connections and build trust with those in need of help, one baby step at a time: "I discovered that a vast majority of my patients are men and women that are in and out of the housing systems, the criminal justice systems, a vast majority of them have some type of trauma history, neglect, verbal, physical, sexual assault, you name it. Some form of abuse, trauma, and suffering. So when you come at it from that angle, just listen without judgment. It goes a long way to building trust."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the pandemic sweeping the nation and exposing the cracks within our society at a deeper level, the misfortunes of the vulnerable grew exponentially. When asked about liquor stores being allowed to stay open during the quarantine, Dr. Roy saluted this decision, although begrudgingly, since there was no better alternative to manage cravings for people with alcohol addiction: "Many people, they resort to alcohol and other drugs to deal with loneliness, isolation, anxiety, depression, that's not necessarily the safest or healthiest thing to do, but unless you present an alternative like a society that fills in those gaps of isolation, that manages and treats and prevents anxiety and depression then we need to find other tools that are from a harm reduction standpoint."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, with COVID-19's notorious fame taking over TV, social media, and day-to-day interactions, addiction issues became of lesser interest. One example that perfectly illustrates how every major health issue fell second to COVID-19 is opioid addiction, which, from Dr. Roy's stand, is alive and thriving on the streets: "It didn't magically disappear just because COVID is here; we're just not talking about it. It's just not making headlines the way COVID is because COVID for what it is, it has taken over every headline."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A strong feeling of isolation exacerbated inadequate care, leaving the vulnerable praying for a miracle. That's when Dr. Roy stepped up and proposed a more proactive approach by keeping in touch with the ones in need in an empathic and compassionate setting: "We need to work even harder and find creative ways to connect to people. So what you are doing right now by via phone, via zoom, using technology, picking up the phones, how are they paying visits, but in a safe way, say dropping off food, dropping up reading materials, clothing, you know, doing things, but from a distance, mask, you know, they're safe ways to do these things. We just need to really be outside the box and approach it from an empathic and compassionate point of view."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Such an empathic approach to vulnerable populations does not have to be the exception, but the rule, coming from each member of our society as a whole, especially from those who interact with alcohol&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;or substance use disorders or mental illnesses daily. "We need to provide it (i.e., mental health training) to police officers, fire department folks, again, not to make them mental health experts, but to give them this important training, to make their jobs easier, to make their interactions with clients and patients easier and government and policymakers, you know, we need significant funding towards these areas that have been grossly underfunded health in general, typically mental illness and substance use, but you got to educate folks in government that are in decision-making areas, policymakers so that they're all aware that mental illness needs to be addressed," Dr. Roy explained to Top Doctor Magazine. After all, when dealing with another human being, we often distance ourselves from their issues, forgetting that we are all dealing with personal issues, such as job insecurity or eviction. And it's not just adults – young students, who, in extreme cases, end up resorting to suicide, are suffering from isolation and lack of human interaction. For them, going back to school is the best, most straightforward solution: We have to keep making it so schools are safe to open them up, so students can go back."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Long-Term Effects of COVID-19&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Turning towards a more COVID-19-oriented discussion, Dr. Roy spoke about the unpredictability of the virus and its long-term effects. From cardiac issues and hypercoagulability to pulmonary embolism and strokes, the COVID-19 virus can leave terrible scars on those who suffer from it, enough of a reason for society to pay closer attention to preventive measures and the ongoing vaccination campaign. "We need to really continue practicing preventative measures, so we can reduce the number of cases, and then, of course, encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine because, without 70, 80% of the population vaccinated, we just won't achieve herd immunity, and we just won't be able to contain this pandemic," Dr. Roy shared with us.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another long-term effect, or, to put it in a better way, an exacerbated effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the social and racial inequality which are plaguing our society: "We need to dismantle racial injustice in every sector, medicine, government, education, criminal justice, you name it. And&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;last, but certainly not least, we need to really educate and empower and compensate girls and women, because we've seen that this pandemic has again disproportionately affected women, in terms of unemployment, it's affected women far more than it has men. And we need to compensate for childcare. We need to because without that 50% of the population is being&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;handcuffed. And, without that, society will just never succeed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Will the vaccination campaign be enough to bring the COVID-19 virus down?" "Not at all," Dr. Roy shared with Top Doctor Magazine, giving the example of countries with fewer resources who kept the pandemic in check through hard work and humility: "Other countries have handled this pandemic far better than the US even though we have far more resources and wealth, so we need to learn from other countries, and you have to be humble."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, a strong administration, committed to bringing the pandemic to a halt, will bring the much-needed support to the frontline medical heroes engaged in all-out warfare with the virus: "I'm hopeful of the leadership; we now have an administration, at least in the United States that is committed to addressing the first problem right now, which is the COVID-19 pandemic."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LRoyMD-Family2_Credit-Vlad-Cupsa-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5459"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of Self-Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, the strongest sign of resilience must come not from the medical community but from every one of us, translated into self-care. As long as we put general health first and follow official guidelines to the letter, our triumphs against the virus will overcome our past defeats. "Let me tell you. You do not have to have an MD or an RN, or have a Ph.D. behind your name to be able to practice self-care and to have the tools to take care of yourself."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;To help people understand what self-care is and how they can achieve it, Dr. Roy will be leading seminars designed for her colleagues. Although people might expect some sort of deus ex machina stories, Dr. Roy is here to disappoint, in an unexpected way: "I'll just share with what I do every morning. I meditate for 20 minutes. I try to eat healthy meals throughout the day, plenty of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins and whole grains, and drink plenty of water. And I also treat myself to things that I enjoy, like say cookies or ice cream. And then, I even get a little bit of a workout, a little bit of exercise." As she tells us, this exercise time doesn't have to be marathon-style since it's all about enjoying oneself.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It would be more helpful to socialize regularly with the people we love and care for, whether through a Skype or Zoom call, and, at the top of the list, enjoy eight hours of sleep every night: "I know it's hard, but getting seven to eight hours of sleep because poor sleep hygiene has been associated with every chronic illness from heart disease and diabetes to cancer and Alzheimer's, so getting that good sleep also reduces your rates of anxiety and depression, so good sleep and mindful practice."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the general population has been lamenting the loss of day-to-day activities that brought joy and community amongst each other, such as seeing a musical or watching a game at the Madison Square Garden. However, this is not a reason to despair, as Dr. Roy tells us, but, on the contrary, to rejoice: "There's plenty of other things you can do. And I'll share with you what I do. I now have a piano, so I can play that, but&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;in other cases, find things that you enjoy. Coloring, drawing, dancing, writing, listening to music, watching TV and movies. I watch comedy every night because it relaxes me. I like laughing."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Such an approach teaches us that staying mentally sane during a pandemic is not so hard, as long as we embrace novelty with an open heart and try our best to let go of our anxiety constructively. By following this road, we will keep our heads up until we bring the COVID-19 virus down, staying away from anxiety, depression, and addiction. As a parting reminder, Dr. Roy reminds us that, in the end, laughter and enjoying oneself genuinely are the best medicine: "Laughter is in many ways the best medicine because it relie anxiety. So I really want to emphasize to people, do what you enjoy, what makes that fun, but that's also safe." We wish Dr. Roy the best of luck in her future endeavors and all the strength and resilience she needs to bring her patients back on the right track.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Lipy.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/serving-the-underserved-an-interview-with-dr-lipi-roy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5119</ID> <title>Profile Spotlight: Dr. Michael Greiwe</title> <publishDate>2021-03-20 17:24:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Michael Greiwe is an orthopedic surgeon with more than ten years of experience. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, He specializes in shoulder replacement, rotator cuff pathology, instability, and labral tears. Dr. Greiwe created a telemedicine platform dedicated to orthopedic providers to optimize care and increase practice revenue. He is determined to facilitate cutting-edge healthcare delivery for clinics in a way that offers patients incredibly convenient treatment options.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, Dr. Greiwe also specializes in advanced arthroscopic surgical techniques for sports-related injuries of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine amid Pandemic: An alternative medium for healthcare providers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When the pandemic hit the U.S, physicians needed an alternative way to provide care. Since we had the structure pre-COVID, we grew ten times in two months. It was really tough; obviously, there were so many bad things happening at the time, but our practice grew in a way that helped establish telemedicine as something that was very helpful for patients and providers," said Dr. Michael Greiwe in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine. It is essential to understand that Dr. Greiwe and his staff have provided care for over 50,000 patients.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insights on Orthopaedics and Telemedicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;There are a lot of ways you can use telemedicine inside orthopedics, with a focus on three basic ways. Dr. Greiwe stated that the first one is a post-operative recheck appointment, where patients answer questions. The second stage is the imaging follow-up, designed to review a patient's X-ray and MRI scan through screen sharing while the physicians explain everything in detail. The last stage is the injection follow-up, designed to see how a patient is doing after receiving injections.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5121,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5121" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_29.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 effects on Orthopaedics&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"It has been tough. We have had to adjust significantly. We were unable to perform surgeries for six weeks in April; we were only doing urgent surgeries. That slowed us down. It allowed us to reset and make sure that we are doing the small things right. We transitioned to telemedicine, and it was what helped keep our lights on, to be honest, because, during that time, we couldn't see so many patients.," said Dr. Greiwe. He stated that orthopedic surgeons made some adjustments to survive through the challenges. Dr. Greiwe was grateful for the PPE money that was distributed because it helped tremendously.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Orthopedic Practice and the New Normal&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Greiwe disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing a couple of changes, eventually becoming the new normal. Physicians will perform many outpatient surgeries because patients don't want to spend a night in the hospital due to COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Also, we will see more computer-guided and robotic surgery and patient-specific guides and 3D printing, which will allow us to create implants and things that are specific to patients' anatomy. New approaches are happening particularly in the shoulder where we are developing rotator cuff sparing approach for total shoulder replacement," continued Dr. Greiwe.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19: Potential change in PPE usage and Social Distancing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Greiwe predicts that governments will enforce PPE use in 2021 and beyond. He also added that social distancing would continue as well. For Dr. Greiwe, it's likely that people will still maintain social distancing and the use of PPE for the next 24 to 36 months.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine and the Future of Healthcare Services&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think we are going to continue to see telemedicine as a primary way of seeing patients. One of the things that have been holding telemedicine back in the past was rules around licensure for particular states, and that was taken away by pandemic," said Dr. Greiwe. Ultimately, the new administration needs to support telemedicine to provide healthcare access across the country and provide reimbursement for telemedicine, which will be useful for patients and physicians.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_29.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-michael-greiwe/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5187</ID> <title>SURVIVING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC: BEN KENUK, HIS RPM APP, AND ULTIMATELY THE MARK OF A HERO</title> <publishDate>2021-03-20 09:02:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic made an enduring mark on our healthcare system and affected the lives of billions worldwide. The virus spread across the globe at an unprecedented rate creating disturbing morbidity and mortality statistics that put everybody on high alert. As many of us grapple with the new reality by staying away from people to avoid illness, healthcare workers put their lives on the line by gearing up and running into the fire. Healthcare workers have emerged as the new soldiers in countries across the world. But, as F. Scott Fitzgerald said: "show me a hero, and I'll write you a tragedy." During the pandemic, the risks to frontline heroes are considerably more significant than those encountered in standard practice. In addition to the risk of contracting the virus, health care workers suffer mental and physical exhaustion and emotional pain. Even though some personal dangers are inherent in working in the medical field, these risks have been amplified in a way that justifies associating the word 'heroism' with the medical profession.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6961,"width":626,"height":877,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-6961" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Ben-1-731x1024.jpg" alt="" width="626" height="877" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;During a discussion with Top Doctor Magazine, Ben Kenuk, a physical therapist at the University of Pennsylvania hospital, told us, "Adjusting to the new reality is pretty overwhelming and exhausting. I have been on the COVID-19 therapy team since May. We had to adjust all of our schedules to make sure there weren't too many therapists in the department at one time." Ben worked in heart failure and on cardiac surgery patients pre-pandemic, but his role changed to accommodate the new reality. Even when the pandemic was at its worst, the hospital only minimizes the number of therapists working on COVID-19 patients just in case of exposure so that other available therapists will proceed with the treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5188,"width":755,"height":359,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5188" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_31.png" alt="" width="755" height="359" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As everyone tries to practice social and physical distancing, healthcare workers rose to action and worked round the clock to provide care to patients with the virus despite the risk of being infected. While discussing the impact of the pandemic on his practice, Ben explained that "patients who require different levels of care couldn't proceed with their treatment because a lot of the facilities were closing their doors off because they were a lot more selective with who they will accept. Most of our patients stayed a little longer than they should have, which doubled our effort and affected the time we could have spent providing care to other patients."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Unfortunately, as the frontline heroes strived to keep us safe, the lockdown and the pandemic's effect became too much for people to handle. Consequently, they were complacent and less careful with the virus. As a result, over 400,000 people have died from COVID-19 related complications since the pandemic began.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Ben Kenuk studied physiotherapy at the University of Southern California and graduated in 2017. His dedication to the practice led to the creation of Mobile Measures, an app for physical therapists to help optimize the use of functional outcome measures. When the hospital was getting crowded during the pandemic outbreak, physiotherapists were doing a lot less than other physicians. Still, Ben wanted to help people get access to care through a unique approach. The Mobile Measure app provides access to patient assessment tools proven to measure critical aspects of a patient's health and functional status, including hospitalization, risk of falling, frailty, and much more.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;This app guides users to the best test, calculates scores, interprets the results and uploads them into a patient's documentation. Physicians can track progress, visualize their patient's current condition, and determine the impact of treatment immediately at the point of care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5189,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5189" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_32.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When asked why he created the app, Ben shared that he wanted to help people access care and improve healthcare providers' efficiency. "I use it, and a lot of my coworkers use it. However, I don't feel comfortable pushing people to use it. I have been telling people about it because I believe it will help our practice and help our hospital, but I am now in the process of partnering with other health organizations and software companies to get widespread use of the app and help everyone's practice."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As Ben put in the hard work to help people by creating the Mobile Measure app, he faced a really tough challenge to convince people to use the app. He thought that the app would be utilized more during the pandemic. Still, many organizations were reluctant to incorporate a new app into their system. "Theoretically, you think it should be used more, but some health organizations that I told about it put it on hold because their therapists were overwhelmed with the COVID, and they didn't want to add something new to their practice. Even though it would help them to identify which patients actually needed therapy and improve their efficiency allocating resources a little bit better and minimize the time going to patient's house, it was just from an administrative standpoint that it is not the right time to implement something new in their practice."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;To overcome the challenge, Ben hired a marketing company to help create awareness so that more people could get to know about the Mobile Measure app. "I was initially doing it myself, just trying to write all these articles on social media, but it is stressful. So I hired a marketing company for a short period of time." When his savings depleted, Ben struggled to continue with the marketing campaign because it was not really sustainable for him. "It is kind of a balance between time and money. Pay someone to do it or lose another hour of sleep. It is a balance I am struggling with."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Ben was actively connecting with people hoping that he could build relationships to spread the message about the Mobile Measure app. Still, he immediately surrendered his pursuit for a greater cause when the pandemic ramped up. "It has been a lot harder to develop the kind of relationship with a potential client because I can't meet them in person." He hoped that he could start all over again when the pandemic is over. Talking about his experience at the hospital at the time, "We had to shuffle things around a lot, I was brought onto the COVID-19 therapy team, and I saw COVID-19 patients. When the cases started going back down, I went back to usual business. A few weeks later, the number went up again, and I went back to seeing COVID-19 patients again."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5190,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5190" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_33.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 vaccine was developed rapidly to help combat the raging virus, but the FDA EUA approval triggered mixed feelings across the medical community. In this regard, Ben said, "I am cautiously optimistic. We have heard a lot about the vaccine.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;We have been told that healthcare workers will be the first to have access to it, and it would be optional for us to get it or not. Many people are afraid because of how quickly they came out because they don't want to be the first to take it. But I guess someone has to. I am optimistic that FDA did it after making sure it is safe. I plan to take it when it is available. I definitely have my reservation about it. I am not totally confident, but I think it is necessary."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;He told us that widespread use of the vaccine would take a while because many people will hold off at least a year to see what happens. In his opinion, Ben believes that the vaccine might help with the virus but ultimately, we need to have an extended lockdown again. However, this time it needs to be consistent across states because when the restrictions were enforced in Pennsylvania, people went to New Jersey for social engagements. If there is consistency across the border, we will have fewer cases, and more lives will be saved.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As the whole world struggles with the virus, Ben hopes that the rest of 2021 will be different. Although healthcare providers will likely honor their oath in a time of great need, Ben cautioned that we have to respect the virus because it will not go away. We have to work as a team and do our part to control the spread.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Ben-1-731x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/surviving-through-the-pandemic-ben-kenuk-his-rpm-app-and-ultimately-the-mark-of-a-hero/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5111</ID> <title>Profile Spotlight: Dr. Shivesh Kumar</title> <publishDate>2021-03-14 17:15:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Shivesh Kumar is a Family Medicine Specialist with over ten years of experience. He is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine, focusing on partnering with large insurance companies and hospital systems. Standing in the middle of the two prominent health care forces, Dr. Kumar also focuses on providing population help, systemic help, alleviating disparities, and helping systems overcome inefficiencies.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kumar combines a wide range of expertise, experience with clinical and transition care work, and post-hospital care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Family Medicine Amid the Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When the pandemic started, there was panic across the country because nobody knew what was going to happen. We had over mobilized, so we had to cancel vacations, cancel breaks. We needed everyone on the frontline to see as many patients as we could," said Dr. Shivesh Kumar in an interview with Top Doctors Magazine. He explained that hospitals were clogged with COVID-19 patients while patients with chronic illnesses avoided hospitals.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Pandemic: The Overall Impact On The Healthcare System&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The current market situation has affected businesses so that certain groups have been falling off since last year. Even worse was the news about two of the largest insurance groups, operating for over 18 years, both simultaneously filed for bankruptcy. As we advanced, Dr. Kumar explained that there would be a lot of uncertainty because people are losing their insurance, especially in Las Vegas.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5112,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5112" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_26.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creating Awareness To Help Overcome The Challenge&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kumar believes that there needs to be a national movement towards a universal health care insurance type of safety net coverage. It does not have to be expensive, but it could be Medicaid level care where costs are being covered, and providers and hospitals are being paid.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think that is the most important thing for the next administration. That kind of funding is crucial to keep the health system intact. Provider groups are going to have huge revenue shortfalls," said Dr. Kumar&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Family Medicine And Technology: Remote Patient Monitoring&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kumar explained that technology would help healthcare workers optimize their service in the future. He raises the point that wearable technology will aid remote monitoring so that healthcare providers can monitor and spot worsening diseases.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Although it may happen slowly, we will be there in five years. Patients will be able to use their iPad or other biometric equipment to receive care from their doctor. Also, we will see the use of holograms of a doctor providing care to patients through 3D or Virtual Reality where doctors will put on a headset and appear in front of a patient," said Dr. Kumar.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Overcoming The Pandemic Through Vaccination&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The virus hit the U.S hard and working together to fight it is crucial. Evidence has shown that if everyone gets vaccinated and we achieve herd immunity, COVID-19 will become a common cold, and it will be treated as such. It won't be a devastating illness anymore.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"If we understand and trust science and get vaccinated, we will be talking about the common cold in the next year and not a devastating illness. We all need to work together to get each other vaccinated so that all of us as a society can get past coronavirus."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_26.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-shivesh-kumar/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4870</ID> <title>Profile Spotlight: Dr. Javaid Khan</title> <publishDate>2021-02-27 17:13:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Javaid Khan&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Javaid Khan, DO, is board-certified in two different specialties: Internal Medicine and Allergy and Clinical Immunology. He went on to medical school at Touro University in Henderson, Nevada, and then completed his 4-year residency at the Johns Hopkins University-Sinai Hospital Program in Baltimore, Maryland. He then completed his fellowship at Nova Southeastern University, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4872,"width":223,"height":277,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4872" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-25.png" alt="" width="223" height="277" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Currently, Dr. Khan is working with the Kaiser Permanente Group, specifically the Permanente Medical Group (TPMG), covering California’s Northern Bay area, particularly Marin and Sonoma County. He has been heading the office for the Allergy Department for five years now.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Effects of California Wildfires&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With Dr. Javaid Khan growing up in Claremont, California, he is not a stranger to the area’s notorious wildfires. Dr. Khan shares that his childhood home almost got burned down due to a wildfire that got a little too close.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When asked about the effects of the recent forest fires on people’s health, Dr. Khan reports that there has been a notable increase in patients with sinus problems and respiratory conditions related to low air quality.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Immune Targeted Treatments&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Khan boasts that most medical advancements are coming from the field of Allergy and Immunology. “A lot of Ph.D. lab researchers are developing novel cancer treatments that use different immune responses to treat different types of cancers in a very targeted way,” he tells Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;In his field, Dr. Khan and his colleagues use a similar immune-targeted therapy to treat patients with chronic hives (which people didn’t have treatments for in the past) and develop new medications to treat severe sinus disease, severe eczema, and severe asthma.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kaiser’s Response to Covid-19 and Thinking Forward&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Kaiser Permanente shows commendable action not only with the crazy wildfires but also with the onset of COVID-19. Dr. Khan happily shares that Kaiser has been very proactive during the whole COVID crisis. He mentions that they were one of the first to provide drive-thru COVID testing, as well as participate in the clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine. And, aside from rigorously practicing all the safety and health protocols, Kaiser also quadrupled their bed capacity in their hospitals.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, Dr. Khan mentions that Kaiser has already been doing telemedicine for a fairly long time and is quite familiar with the whole process of telephone and video appointments - so much so that they developed their unique platform for these appointments. They also created an app called ‘My Doctor Online’ where people can access all their medical history, tests, notes, etc., and order prescriptions and have them delivered right to their doorstep. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Kaiser also developed an app called ‘Cortext’ wherein people can text doctors for any medical-related questions. The future is digital, and so Dr. Khan believes all of these are here to stay.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4873,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4873" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-26.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Financial Effects of Covid-19 to Kaiser&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Because of Kaiser Permanente’s well-thought-of implementation of their membership and health plan, it comes as no surprise that they are doing well financially compared to other hospitals that might have suffered some financial losses. Another bonus is that Medicare and other medical insurance companies are willing to reimburse for video appointments, Dr. Khan states.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get the Correct Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With the vaccine coming out, tons of misinformation is being circled online. “I’ve been getting a lot of emails about the COVID vaccine: Is there a microchip in it? Or is it going to alter my DNA and become a permanent part of my DNA?” shares Dr. Khan. These are all false, and a lot of them stem from conspiracy theories. That is why Dr. Khan says, “With regards to vaccines and health care, one of the things that I think needs to be emphasized is communicating directly with your doctor and looking at validated sources.” Some examples of where to find credible sources are articles published by the New England Journal of Medicine, CBC, and FDA, as suggested by Dr. Khan.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Getting the correct information and looking up at proper vaccination guidelines could also stop people from being afraid of the vaccine. Dr. Khan explains that people are scared of the mRNA vaccine because it’s relatively new. However, mRNA technology has already been used before. To explain, this type of vaccine uses our cellular machinery to produce a protein to which our immune system can then form antibodies. With the 94% effectiveness shown in data, he believes that there is no contraindication for people to receive the vaccine unless stated otherwise by their physician.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don’t Forget Your Yearly Check-ups&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;A parting reminder from Dr. Javaid Khan is to seek medical and preventive care when appropriate. “We are seeing a decrease in hospital admissions for heart attacks and strokes because people are scared to go to the hospital because of the pandemic. That can result in permanent heart and neurological damage,” he says. He adds that they have also been seeing a dip in colonoscopies, mammograms, and other routine cancer screenings. That is concerning for Dr. Khan, and he worries that there may be a considerable rise in metastatic cancer and late-stage cancer in the near future. That is why he encourages everyone not to be afraid to go to medical centers and get their check-ups as the centers have a reliable system in place to lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-25.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-javaid-khan/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4829</ID> <title>Vaccines, the Future of Medical Education, and the Reality of Reimbursements: An Interview with Dr. Thomas d'Amato</title> <publishDate>2021-02-21 15:36:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Armed with an impressive scientific education, cardiovascular &amp;amp; thoracic specialty, and experience as Ship's Surgeon on the USS Enterprise, Dr. Thomas d'Amato of Las Vegas has seen plenty of ups and downs in the medical community. However, no amount of training, experience, and notable repute could have prepared him and his colleagues for the COVID-19 pandemic. The year 2020 has been full of reflection on the past, present, and future – and Dr. d'Amato has valuable insight on how COVID-19 has affected his field, the current state of elective cases and vaccines, the future of medical education, and the reality of reimbursements.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Regarding the pandemic, coronavirus hit close to home. "I got COVID," Dr. d'Amato shared in an interview. "It was very mild symptoms. I had monoclonal antibodies, so things continued to be mild… My symptoms were a little bit of fatigue and anosmia – inability to smell." Dr. d'Amato explained how he had caught COVID right before Thanksgiving, a time where cases were spiking in the U.S. But even now, months later, he is still feeling the effects of the sickness. "It's getting a little bit better,"&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4855,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4855"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He said about his anosmia. "But we [in healthcare] are not immune to getting [COVID]."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, for Dr. d'Amato, his own experience with the novel virus is the least of his worries. Amongst his concerns, he finds that current conditions make it increasingly challenging for doctors to establish a meaningful relationship with their patients during a time when patients need their doctors more than ever. Dr. d'Amato explained the strategy used to determine between essential and non-essential procedures: "You define cases…as elective, meaning someone can recover at home, whereas urgent is…where it's probably unsafe to let them go home. Emergent is taking them to the operating room as soon as you can. And salvage is someone you're not going to take to the emergency room and isn't going to make it." Because of COVID, many states are urging that people who would qualify as "elective cases" stay away from hospitals and doctors so as not to overwhelm hospital beds and to help slow the spread. However, with private practices such as Dr. d'Amato's, this has become a challenge. "We are way behind with what you would call an elective case. [For example] we usually do a fair amount of aortic dissections, and we're just not seeing that amount now."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Additionally, Dr. d'Amato explained that many of his patients fall into the 3rd category of "emergent," where "patients suffer life or limb loss if you don't operate on them within the cardiovascular specialty."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But even getting those patients into the hospital has proven to be complicated. He explains, "The challenge that all of us have is getting these patients into the hospital. There's some supposition… that patients are dying at home where they're ignoring symptoms because they're afraid to come to the hospital." He shared. "I think that's challenging from both a fiscal and being-able-to-provide-good-patient-care standpoint." However, the solution isn't as easy as simply resuming practice as usual: "There's different issues that occur, it can be hospital staffing, it can be hospital beds, it can be O.R. staffing, nursing staffing, any one of those things depends on where we are on the curve for this pandemic. It changes."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4856,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4856"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nonetheless, Dr. d'Amato is cautiously optimistic that the vaccine is a promise for better days ahead. "We want to start knocking out those elective cases as soon as possible, as soon as we have light at the end of the tunnel, and so far, it's getting a little better." He says, stressing the importance of treating elective cases before they worsen. "I think, since the vaccine's coming, people are hoping it'll make a big difference."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Having received his Bachelors of Science in Microbiology &amp;amp; Cell Biology plus a Ph.D. in Biological Science, Dr. d'Amato is personally very interested in the mechanisms behind the COVID vaccines. "I keep up with some of this, I speak the language, and I'm not very concerned." He said. When asked about people's hesitations about the vaccines, he replied, "I'm a big proponent of the two vaccines which are out now [Moderna and Pfizer], but I can't comment on all of them." He went on to explain more about how the vaccine works: "I think it's a very amazing, novel thing that they d regarding these RNA vaccines regarding Moderna and Pfizer. Our RNA's are very fragile macromolecules that get chewed up very easily by enzymes that we have, and they're ubiquitous all over…the lipid nanoparticles are just a way to get it into our muscle cells that translate into our mRNA and turn it into a protein, a spike protein. And we excrete the spike protein, which is foreign to our bodies, and we make antibodies against it."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From his personal experience, the only people he knows who've had adverse reactions are people who've had COVID and have gotten sick for a few days, plus arm soreness. Other than that, though, he says, "I think enough people have had this to show it's safe…what they're putting in your arm will eventually go away. I'm encouraging people to get it." However, Dr. d'Amato warns against an early victory and quickly returning to normal. Even with the vaccine, he asks, "Who knows how long immunity will last?... It will be interesting. Is it going to be the 'be all that end all'? Probably not, but it's going to slow it down."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4857,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4857"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Will a COVID world of social distancing, quarantining, shutdowns, and online everything be the "new normal"? Dr. d'Amato doesn't quite think so. "My opinion on that is very simplistic. I think that when I was a kid growing up, my mom used to tell me to wash my hands, don't touch your face, stay away from people who are sick, wash your hands a lot. And I think we've lost those things. That's what we need to teach our kids from the time they're toddlers. That ought to be the new normal, to keep your environment, hands, face, food, drink – all that clean, and try to stay away from sick people." He credits the low rate of influenza to people being more conscious about hygiene and cleanliness. "And I think that's despite this year's flu shot…why? I can speculate. People are washing their hands, staying away from sick people, not touching their faces, basic things. It's amazing how those simple things might make a difference."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As for technology, the online world, and virtual networking, Dr. d'Amato thinks those changes are here to stay, evolve, and revolutionize learning, particularly for the medical industry. Today, medical students are using technology, simulations, and the virtual world as a significant part of their education – even more than before with the rise of distance learning. For some, simulations and virtual experiments are entirely replacing the classroom. While this offers promising technological gain, it also has its downsides: "What worries me is some of the technology that we are using ends up being a crutch, and we end up not knowing how to do things... I hate to say this... the old fashioned way." Dr. d'Amato warns. "When I was in academia, we had residents and students learning from us. And I would tell them I was going to 'hit them with a secret weapon' and they would ask me 'what's the secret weapon?'…It was the physical. [But now] we're losing the hands-on part, and I'm not sure a lot of that is going to come back."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Learning will change." Dr. d'Amato promises. "[Technology] is going to improve, it's going to keep getting better…Management of people with stents has improved, medications have improved, you can't deny the ethical value of some of the cholesterol-lowering drugs and those things." He points to the COVID vaccine as yet another example of how incredibly beneficial technology has been and shares his hope that this is only the beginning. But on the other hand, he still wholeheartedly believes in the importance of real, hands-on work: "You're not going to be able to do [everything] virtually. You can do simulations, but it's not the same. Yes, some of the simulations are really good, and they do help. Sometimes I'm like, 'Oh wow, I wish I had that,' but you don't come out of medical school knowing how to operate. And you're certainly not going to have the judgment for that." His biggest worry is that virtual will gradually chip away at the patient-doctor relationship, which has already been strained. "Nothing beats going to the patient bedside and learning from the patient. But that's kind of gone away."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4837,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4837"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Additionally, medical reimbursements have been a particular difficulty for doctors this year, adding to the already-challenging private practice field. Dr. d'Amato compares the medical business to an airline business – they're both highly-reliable organizations held to high-quality standards. However, Dr. d'Amato notices a big difference: "We have biological entities in it." He states. And in order to fulfill the high-quality standards and maintain the best patient-doctor relationship -- "well, what's disheartening is that all costs money."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. d'Amato explains that doctors cannot write off what they don't collect, and overall reimbursements have gone down. "The reimbursements are incredibly much much lower than when I started and definitely lower than when my specialty started. And your big concern is that there's going to be a massive collapse of private industry in medicine, and it'll be completely controlled… for good or bad reasons."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. d'Amato foresees that if things don't change soon, the private medical industry may indeed collapse: "It gets to a point where you won't even be able to turn your lights on. It's going to be almost impossible to do that in the future. [Private collapse] may not be the worst thing in the world if it's done properly…but the whole quality issue, that's hard." Dr. d'Amato explains that physical location, loyalty to one's practice, and doctors being stretched thin due to finances has been difficult for some private practices. "Higher tax burdens, lower reimbursements, these are negatively going to affect most of us."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The fancy dream of the medical field being a life of luxury is no longer the case. "The billionaire doctor doesn't exist anymore." Dr. d'Amato says. The fact that medical school is so expensive and the real world is becoming increasingly costly adds up. And Dr. d'Amato is especially worried about how this too will affect patient-doctor relationships. "[Some doctors] have to see 35 patients a day to make ends meet, and they're not bringing home a lot of money…but nonetheless, they can't turn on the lights if they don't see 35 patients a day. But how can you spend quality time with 35 patients a day? You can't, and that's worrisome."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Like the entire world, the medical community is facing a significant change in the traditional status quo. New challenges, hopes, dreams, problems, and solutions are popping up left and right. From COVID to vaccines to technology to finances, doctors have had to juggle handfuls in 2020. Still, Dr. d'Amato believes that the transition from the usual to the new doesn't have to be one of the challenges. "We need to have mentors, lifelong mentors, and colleagues that can mentor you," He advises young people going into the medical community. "Mentorship programs, mentorship philosophy…everyone has something they can bring to the table." He once again emphasizes the importance of the patient-doctor relationship, saying that it is a priority above all: "Nothing substitutes number of patients that you see and what you observe. That's kind of my old-fashioned take on this. But it's important... Haha! I hate to say it. I never thought I'd call myself old fashioned."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-15.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/vaccines-the-future-of-medical-education-and-the-reality-of-reimbursements-an-interview-with-dr-thomas-damato/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4586</ID> <title>Frontline Heroes: How Healthcare Providers are giving their all to keep us safe - an Interview with Dr. Alena Butkevica</title> <publishDate>2021-02-14 13:11:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In this challenging time, every small action can have significant meaning, helping us reconnect and progress in times of crisis. The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world; rather than breaking us apart, it helps people unite. As every country around the world grappled to contain the pandemic, lockdown and other restrictions were put in place, which affected every aspect of our lives.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though restrictions were put in place to contain the virus, the pandemic still ravaged. As a result, over 400,000 people have died from COVID-19 related complications. As many people gladly embrace the work-from-home option and adhere to the social distance rules to avoid exposure to the virus, healthcare providers are bravely leading the charge. Even with the looming exposure threat, they have been providing care to patients to the best of their ability. Even though some of their colleagues are becoming infected and dying from COVID-19 related complications, these amazing heroes decided to put their lives on the line honoring their oaths in a time of great need.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4587,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4587"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"[During the lockdown] many businesses closed, but we didn't because we do emergency care for people who have trauma, and we attended to other things that need to be addressed. Since the hospitals were busy at the time, we got the approval to work. We focused on emergency cases during the time. " Dr. Alena disclosed while recounting her experience during the lockdown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Alena Butkevica, a Dental Surgeon, CEO, and leading researcher at AB BioInnovations in Huntington Station, New York, started practicing over 30 years ago. The Latvian relocated to the United States in 1998 to learn dental implants hoping to provide care to people experiencing different dental complications. Dr. Alena ended up in Boston University for her postgraduate training in Prosthodontics and Implantology, and she has performed over fifteen thousand surgical procedures.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While discussing the COVID-19 impact on her practice with TopDoctor Magazine, the award-winning physician said, "Absolutely, we have always been making changes to make sure that patients are safe. As we were trained, every patient presents a threat of infection like hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS. We are always very cautious to protect ourselves and the patients from cross-contamination. Therefore, we were always prepared even before COVID-19. There are rules and regulations like measuring temperature and all. Also, everything is tested and sterilized, and we have a system where people only go one way, meaning patients will come in one way and exit the other way to avoid contact."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4588,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4588"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though they have a 15-minute timeframe to disinfect everything in the room before attending to the next patient, Dr. Alena told us that her staff's stress has been immense. "We never had such long breaks in-between patients, now my doctors and I have a lot of free time between patients. But we still have to keep ourselves safe by wearing a mask. To avoid exposure to COVID-19, now, we wear masks, face shields, and magnifying globes. Actually, working the whole day with the mask, face shield, and magnifying globes is now difficult because protective gear makes it difficult to breathe. At the end of the day, everyone has circles under their eyes as a result of the stress. I made a decision that every doctor should work one day less so that they can recover from the stress."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While still facing uncertainties, Dr. Alena was continually brainstorming ways to help people and provide the best care to her patients during her free time.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"[During the lockdown] practice slowed down tremendously because people don't go out for treatment as long as they are not desperately in need of surgery or treatment, which is good for me because I could concentrate my energy and time towards research. You know, apart from the social distancing and not being able to do surgical work, this pandemic time, for me, has been very productive because I was laser-focused on what I was doing pre-pandemic. In this kind of time when I can't go out and do so much, I can use the time to do research and development, intellectual properties, product development. All these take time, and this is the best time to do it. I didn't rest at all. All the time I had was spent on creative work."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While expressing optimism regarding the monumental effort on the successful work on vaccine development, Andrew Cuomo, the New York governor, said, "This is the weapon that is going to win the war." Although the vaccine is an outstanding achievement, it is only the first step in a global mass immunization process that will not instantly end the pandemic. Even though the vaccine will help control the infection's harmful effects and limit its spread, bringing the virus under control will likely take a few years.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Vaccination is a part of a multi-faceted public response to the emergence of pandemic illness. Pandemic diseases have swept through the human population since the beginning of time. For example, the bubonic plague, also known as Black Death, killed about 75 million people in Europe in the 1300s, while the 1918-1919 influenza killed 50-70 million people globally. Researchers are known to develop influenza vaccines to mitigate the spread of a circulating virus but never before in the history of pandemics have researchers been caught off-guard, as we saw during COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I agree that a vaccine is one great way to avoid COVID-19. What if there is COVID-20, for example? We don't have a new vaccine. We might have COVID today, but we don't know what will happen in January or what the next virus will be. Is it going to be a mutation of COVID or a new virus? We have flu shots every year because we do have flu every year. Every year we do have a different virus. It is very good if we could predict the next virus that will be out in the air," she said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Alena further explained: "Apart from having a vaccine, we know that every year we have a new virus. There are many different viruses; every winter comes with a different virus. People have predicted COVID, but we don't know exactly what will happen."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though the vaccine will be a great help, Dr. Alena said that everybody's primary duty is to stay healthy: "The body's natural defense mechanism, which is typically strong, can fight. Statistically, most people who died of COVID had some other additional existing health problems. What I am seeing from a general medical standpoint is the need to eat good food, stay warm, and have a lot of sleep. The less stress there is, the higher the body's self-defense level. If you are completely exhausted, and you run yourself down with stress, you are much likely to get infected rather than if you are healthy, sleep well, and eat healthy and proper nourishing food. These are general basic health rules which apply to everybody at any circumstances. People who maintain this kind of balance in their life are healthier, and others who don't subject their bodies to disharmony, which makes them susceptible to health challenges. The major message right now for everybody is that you should keep yourself healthy."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Before responding to the question regarding her plans for the New Year, Dr. Alena sighed and told us that she had so much to do that she couldn't remember when she last had a vacation.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Right now, I am working on a broad spectrum of antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory products. For example, we are doing final testing for psoriasis cream before it will be made available for public use once it is ready. " Dr. Alena's dedication and selfless effort to provide care throughout the lockdown period is a testament to how we should admire our physicians for their sacrifices. "Knowing that I can help people avoid suffering is a huge motivation for me to keep going." Dr. Alena concluded.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7-2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/frontline-heroes-how-healthcare-providers-are-giving-their-all-to-keep-us-safe-an-interview-with-dr-alena-butkevica/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4593</ID> <title>Frontline heroes: sacrifice and dedication across the medical community - an interview with Dr. Kendrick Johnson</title> <publishDate>2021-02-13 13:17:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic is upending life on a global level. The highly infectious disease, which was first seen in Wuhan, China, has spread across multiple countries globally, causing a devastating health crisis in its wake. In less than a year, the virus has killed over 2 million people, with over 450,000 succumbing to pandemic-related complications in the United States. As the virus-related death toll continues to mount, health care providers are courageously taking on the risk by helping patients recover amid medical equipment shortages.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Apparently, the pandemic has taken a toll on every person's mental health across the world. Thousands have taken to the internet to provide coping strategies to deal with the unpredictable global outbreak's challenges. However, frontline workers are more at risk of getting infected and exposed to the raging virus's emotional horrors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As everyone struggles with the pandemic's consequences in their own ways, healthcare providers are considering whether to write their will as they submit to fate in what might be their last act of courage. According to a study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 300,000 healthcare providers have been infected across thirty-seven countries, and over 3000 fatalities have been recorded.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4594,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4594"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I don't think there is any doubt that we have missed much of the opportunity to use this pandemic as a wakeup call to live healthier lives and that this virus, as well as most of the other problems that plague our country and its health, are likely directly connected with our lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise." Dr. Kendrick lamented while responding to questions from TopDoctor magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kendrick Johnson is a family health physician and lifestyle medicine doctor at Ark Family Health in Peoria, Arizona. Graduating from Touro University in Nevada, Dr. Kendrick started Ark Family Health, the first Direct Primary Care clinic in Phoenix, helping hundreds of people and employers improve their quality of life while saving money.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kendrick is the seventh child of a dedicated pediatrician who inspired his children through his selfless service towards humanity. "From an early experience, I have always wanted to be a physician. I remember being in a grocery store with my dad, and a lady came up to us and looked down at me and said, 'do you know that your dad saved my son's life?' I remember thinking, wow, my dad is a hero because he had this incredible impact on this family, and I thought about becoming a physician as a way of preventing suffering, alleviating people's pain, and improving their quality of life."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a result, Dr. Kendrick has devoted his time to providing care, which underscores his remarkable effort to help people during the pandemic. As an optimistic student who was determined to provide a solution to people's health challenges, Dr. Kendrick was a bit surprised when he didn't hear much of anything about preventing and curing disease in medical school.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4595,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/12.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4595"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"There wasn't a lesson where we talked about how nutrition could prevent 90% of heart attacks, we didn't talk about how powerful exercise is in preventing disease, we looked at how poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for some of the major killers, but we didn't do justice or help us understand that if these people were living different lifestyle probably wouldn't have heart attacks, strokes, or diabetes. I was surprised that we weren't learning how to prevent these diseases, so I wondered if the disease is preventable. So I started looking at research and statistics and data published in medical journals and high-quality medical articles and found that most of the diseases in the US are preventable, most with lifestyle changes. As a young physician, after medical school, I was determined that I was going to help people to prevent this disease even if no one else thinks about helping people to prevent this disease. On my appointments, I spend more time talking to people about nutrition and about exercise and depression and mental health because these seem to be the heart of so many people's problems."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Talking about the impact of the pandemic on his practice, Dr. Kendrick told us, "It's been a not-so-welcomed but helpful test of the Direct Primary Care model because we are many in my traditional models with real problems. Many of the independent primary care offices shut down because they only have one way of taking care of patients, and that was based on the old model of bringing patients to the office. In Direct Primary Care, we were already doing virtual visits as part of the way we take care of patients even before the pandemic. As patients became more comfortable with the technology, we found that this is a model that was better prepared for the future. Though many of our patients lost jobs and experienced all other challenges that came with the pandemic, we have continued to grow and provide service to people through the pandemic, which is a blessing."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kendrick's direct care practice was perfectly suited to the pandemic virtually because the primary care was not connected with employer-based insurance, so people could keep their doctors when they lost their jobs. His virtual health care service also gave people the ability to get care when they aren't supposed to leave their homes or visit the clinic to avoid spreading disease. Consequently, Dr. Kendrick was able to spend more time with people, check-in on their mental health, and meet their needs while going through tough times.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4596,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/11.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4596"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While responding to questions regarding the most significant issues that occurred during the pandemic, Dr. Kendrick said, "the biggest issue was confusion. Many people suffered in fear because of an inaccurate understanding of how the virus works and what the risks are. Our practice serves people across political lines, and we were able to talk and meet with patients with differing political viewpoints. I think so many issues were clouded by political discussions and so few people ended up really understanding the pandemic very accurately because both of the polarizing views were inaccurate. I think that providing unbiased education that people on both sides of the spectrum can understand and listen to was a challenge."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Recently, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of vaccines to fight the virus. The first two vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were authorized despite growing concerns regarding their efficacy as they were developed at record speed. The FDA granted an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer's on Dec. 12, 2020, and Moderna's on Dec. 18, 2020.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I am encouraged by the news about the vaccine, and they look more effective than I was expecting them to be. It sounds like they are going to be able to get enough doses to really make a difference. However, there is a lot of buzz about people being concerned about the vaccines' safety and efficacy, but I am not very concerned about that. Although I don't necessarily trust pharmaceutical companies to do anything besides that which is in their financial interest, and I don't think anybody has enough power to push out a vaccine that is going to be dangerous or ineffective."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though he was optimistic about the efficacy of the vaccine, Dr. Kendrick quickly added that our country's most important thing is to live a healthy lifestyle. He said that the vaccine will be critical in helping us get back to normal life. The pandemic would probably have been much less effective if we as a culture were embracing more healthy nutrition and exercise in our daily lives. "I believe that we can protect ourselves and our family by being self-responsible."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Also, I continue to emphasize to my patients that eating the whole plant is probably the most important part of nutrition and getting out and moving to anywhere you enjoy is probably the most important part of exercise. We talk to patients about eating fruits and vegetables and getting more exercise."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Looking ahead to the New Year, Dr. Kendrick was excited about the potential opportunity to increase his healthcare coverage. He told us, "One of the most exciting things about this New Year is the growing trend of employers recognizing that they have the power to improve their bottom line and help their employees by contracting directly with primary care. We are getting more and more interest all the time. The experience we are having with our employers is proving to be really valuable both for business, and individual employees are patients. That's an exciting thing that is happening. Employers are starting to understand that they have a real stake in their employees' health, and there is something they can do about it."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although 2020 was full of challenges, Dr. Kendrick hopes that the New Year will present us with more opportunities to look inward, take better care of ourselves, and improve the status quo.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/frontline-heroes-sacrifice-and-dedication-across-the-medical-community-an-interview-with-dr-kendrick-johnson/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4384</ID> <title>A Power Couple in the Pandemic: An Interview with Dr. Divya Shokeen and Dr. Raj Khalsa</title> <publishDate>2021-02-05 13:17:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In the continuous struggle against COVID-19, doctors and medical personnel are working around the clock, often to exhaustion. These are our frontline heroes, who deserve nothing less than our utmost respect and gratitude. However, we often get a chance to gaze only at their mountainous amount of work and forget about their difficulties, their fears, and their struggles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In the hectic world we live in, some doctors find the necessary strength to rise to the challenge by looking out for the community and by giving something back as well – they truly are our modern-day heroes! That is the case of Dr. Divya Shokeen, a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and her husband, Dr. Raj Shokeen, a Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, who more than joyfully agreed to talk to us about their uphill battles during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, from time to time, brought them little drops of true blessings. Let us tune in to Dr. Divya and Dr. Raj and learn more about how they made their contribution to the battle against COVID-19 while Dr. Divya opened up a second practice, launched her own skin care product company, and brought a small angel into this world!&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;The Challenges of COVID-19&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although the year 2020 seemed to begin under good auspices – Dr. Divya had founded the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in May 2019 - initially, the arrival of COVID-19 has put a great strain on her practice. A complete shutdown was in effect between early March and the beginning of June. &lt;strong&gt;“I continued to do telemedicine so that I could be there for my patients who wanted to be seen but who unfortunately couldn’t be.” &lt;/strong&gt;Aside from telemedicine, Dr. Divya made sure that she took care of emergency patients by keeping her practice open one day/week.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Resuming On-premises Work and Keeping Patients Safe&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As private practices gradually opened up at the beginning of June, Dr. Divya took every single step to protect both her patients and her employees. Constant temperature check, constant COVID-19 tests for employees, restricting the number of admitted patients to one at a time, moving the offices into larger rooms, decontaminating surfaces, hyper filters – those were the measures put in place to effectively keep the practice virus-free. &lt;strong&gt;“We are trying to make sure that we are as safe as possible for our patients,” &lt;/strong&gt;Dr. Divya tells us.&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though the waves of fatigue and uncertainty brought by COVID-19 affected every individual, Dr. Divya is proud of her patients, who respected every single rule put in place. &lt;strong&gt;“Everyone’s been very receptive and understanding, so I think our patients have been pretty good about it.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4387,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/A-Power-Couple-in-the-Pandemic_-An-Interview-with-Dr.-Divya-Shokeen-and-Dr.-Raj-Khalsa-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4387"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;COVID-19 and “Zoom Time”&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although the pandemic has hit numerous medical practices, in her opinion, Dr. Divya believes that people have become more receptive to cosmetic procedures, mainly because of “Zoom time.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;“When people are sitting on Zoom, and they’re sitting all day, and at home, they kind of start to notice the things that they’ve been forgetting, and a lot of that has to do with self-care.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;Because of “Zoom time,” patients are more attentive to their appearance, which led to an uptick in hair loss and acne scarring treatment requests.&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, she believes that, at least in LA, people are starting to let go of previous misconceptions about her work and begin to embrace cosmetic procedures as means of self-care. &lt;strong&gt;“Everyone’s coming in asking: I’ve kind of forgotten myself. I used to spend a lot of time on myself. Now, I realized I spend a lot of time on my job or my kids or on my environment, where I’m not really focusing on myself.” &lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;The Challenges of Protecting Your Community during COVID-19&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although her Ocean Skin and Vein Institute experienced a comeback since June, the first few months of the pandemic put her resolve to the test. Unlike other employers, Dr. Divya saw her employees as members of the community, who also had to pay rent and take care of their families. For that reason, she decided to avoid layoffs and stick out for them, which put a strain on her family’s finances. In the end, they managed to survive the worst of the pandemic and emerge as a stronger community together.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Divya admits that she often found herself in need of guidance in this hostile business environment.&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;“There’s no guidebook to running or operating your business, and, unfortunately, they don’t teach that in medical school.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;However, she tells us that the key to a successful business is not going to business school but understanding people. Whether patients, suppliers, or employees, it is people who are the foundation of a thriving business.&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;“We’re trying to build something that is going to be a long-standing brand.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;In this mission, letting people know that they can count on her is Dr. Divya’s secret weapon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Skin Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4392,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4392"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Apart from caring for their patients on-premises, Dr. Divya found a way to help people take better care of their skin while also giving back to the community. In September 2020, six months later than originally planned and after 1 ½ year of testing, she launched her first line of skin care products to bring a comprehensive skin treatment to the market.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;By launching this product, Dr. Divya is trying to bring something new to the skin rejuvenation field while also helping those in need. &lt;strong&gt;“We want to give back, especially during this time, I think, we’re trying to keep it very cost-conscious, and we’re giving percentages to two different charities every year, and the best part is that the person purchasing can choose, so it also makes you feel like you’re part of it.” &lt;/strong&gt;She intends to improve her line of skin care with four additional products by the end of January.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When asked about the product’s progress in terms of sales, Dr. Divya was happy to tell us that she has built a loyal community of patients who repurchase her product regularly. In her opinion, this has to do with women looking towards a mask-free future. &lt;strong&gt;“Women are really saying, You know what, I’m not spending the money to go to the hair salon as much, I’m not going to get my nails done, I’m not going on vacations, so I want to spend it on myself, I want to make sure that I feel and look better for when I do get to take the mask off.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;The Blessing of Having a Baby during the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Putting their careers and work aside, Dr. Divya and Dr. Raj saved their biggest blessing of the year for last – their first son, Arien, was born just a few months ago!&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;They admitted that starting a family, as a power couple in medicine during a pandemic, was not easy. Dr. Raj was always reluctant about coming home from the hospital or bringing stuff from work. &lt;strong&gt;“I know this has been especially hard on my husband because every time he comes home, he has to go and decontaminate for half an hour before he can even hug his child, and that’s tough on any parent.” &lt;/strong&gt;However, after becoming a parent, he is more sensitive about newborn children or mothers as patients - &lt;strong&gt;“When it’s about newborn children or mothers delivering, he doesn’t even question it, he just goes to the hospital,” &lt;/strong&gt;Dr. Divya tells us.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Besides becoming a parent during a pandemic, Dr. Divya was forced to face another stringent issue for any new parent, maternity leave. When asked about how many days of maternity leave she enjoyed, Dr. Divya confessed that she was happy to receive 4-and-a-half weeks of maternity leave while complaining about a colleague dermatologist in FL who spent only nine days with her newborn before returning to the field. &lt;strong&gt;“This is what happens for all physicians,” &lt;/strong&gt;she tells us. The short maternity leave left Dr. Divya with no choice but to find a nanny who takes COVID-19 tests regularly.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, for Dr. Divya, the joy of bringing a baby into the world surpasses all difficulties.&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;“It tests you in a different way, for sure, but I’m incredibly blessed and graceful, and I think we both can say that because we have a wonderful, healthy, baby boy, who we couldn’t imagine our lives without, so it’s been a tough year, but this has actually been the one silver lining that we’ve had through everything, and it’s a reason to get up in the morning because we want to make sure that he is taken care of.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Hope is in Sight&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With their practices coming back strong, a skin care line of products, and a healthy newborn baby, Dr. Divya and Dr. Raj are confident that the future has more sunshine in store for all of us. Their hope mainly resides in the vaccination program – Dr. Raj already receive the vaccine while Dr. Divya is on a waiting list. &lt;strong&gt;“I think that the vaccination is the light at the end of the tunnel,” &lt;/strong&gt;Dr. Raj tells us, confident enough in the vaccine’s ability to neutralize the new COVID-19 strains that sprung up in Europe.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As for the medical field, both of them see a future with more technologically enabled care and more light-type hospitals for COVID-19 patients in a trend towards outpatient care and procedures.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4393,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4393"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;What Keeps Dr. Divya and Dr. Raj Going?&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“I just look at her,”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;Dr. Raj tells us, always impressed by his wife’s hard work and dedication.&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;“I don’t feel like it’s work because I love what I do. I think the day that it becomes work, I’m probably going to stop doing it,”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;Dr. Divya tells us, with a smile on her face. They hope to keep cultivating their energy, their excitement, and their thirst for knowledge for years to come.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, spending more time with their newborn son is their true resolution for 2021. We wish them the best of luck in all of their endeavors, not only as a power couple in medicine but also as a strong, beautiful family!&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/A-Power-Couple-in-the-Pandemic_-An-Interview-with-Dr.-Divya-Shokeen-and-Dr.-Raj-Khalsa-1024x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/medical-influencers/a-power-couple-in-the-pandemic-an-interview-with-dr-divya-shokeen-and-dr-raj-khalsa/</url> </article> <article> <ID>3954</ID> <title>Edna Hudson: A Frontline Hero</title> <publishDate>2020-12-07 15:44:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Edna Hudson grew up in the small town of Orange Bend near Leesburg, Florida, where she now lives and works. Graduating in 1982 from nursing school, Edna has thirty-eight years of experience and is currently a charge nurse at the Ambulatory Surgery Unit of Leesburg Regional Medical Center.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Becoming a single mother at the age of 24 when her husband passed away, Edna’s two sons are now in their forties and following in her shoes. Willie Hudson is a nurse practitioner and works for a neurologist, and Tremaine Hudson, a registered nurse, is working at a rehabilitation facility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“I never said, get into nursing. I never encouraged one way or another. I just let them do what they wanted to do, and it’s amazing how they have centered their life around the medical field because never did I say go into the medical field, but for some reason, they decided to go that way,” said Edna.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Edna shared with Top Doctor Magazine that her five-year goal is to open a private clinic together in the Leesburg area with her sons, daughter-in-law Sonia, a medical staff credentialing specialist, and soon to be daughter-in-law Lajuana, a doctorate nurse practitioner. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3956,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3956"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Speaking about her school experience, Edna shared that she was going through earning her two-year degree right after the loss of her husband. Even though it was tough being a single parent and going to school at the time, she recognized the blessing of not having to work, parent, and study all at once because her husband left her financially prepared to go to school.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Through school, Edna admits that it was a lot of touch and go, of wondering if she passed and could move on to the next class. Where one student might spend four hours studying, she would need closer to eight. But thanks to teachers who were attuned to her needs and her desire to succeed, Edna graduated with a two-year degree and returned several years later to earn her Bachelors of Nursing.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“It took a lot for me, but once I got it, I got it. I had an anatomy and physiology teacher who told me that basically, some people get it easy, but for some people, it comes more difficult. You just have to stick with it. And, of course, I was able to.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When asked what drew her to becoming a nurse, Edna explained that it is a lifelong goal. At the age of eight or nine, she remembers watching nurses running around in their white hats and uniforms, thinking, “I want to be that when I grow up.” And, 38 years later, nursing is still a passion and joy in Edna’s life.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“[Nursing] is a career that I have grown to really love and is one of the things I most value and treasure. Never in my 38 years of working have I ever said I hate going into work today, and that’s how I know it’s my passion. There is nothing bad I could say about what I do because I love it so much.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3957,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3957"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In the past year, Edna has seen drastic changes in the healthcare industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While these changes have been quickly adapted to by the professionals on the medical frontlines, there are potential impacts that could affect healthcare for the foreseeable future if not adequately addressed. A survivor of the Coronavirus herself, Edna believes that one of the biggest concerns facing the medical community is an impending shortage of nurses.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“I think there will be a severe shortage of nurses because a lot of the hospital personnel I see are getting out of the field. It’s the fatigue that nurses are facing. They’re thinking if I could do anything besides this, I’m going to get out of it.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In her management role at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Edna has talked to nurses all over the hospital and found a common complaint. They talk about the shortage of personnel, the extreme fatigue they’re working under, and the unknowns that COVID-19 presents. For many, it’s a juggling act of monitoring patients to provide the best possible care, trying to figure out how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, or being the sole financial provider for their families.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Working on the frontlines, Edna advises that the best way for nurses and other medical personnel to protect themselves and stave off a shortage of staff is to take care of themselves - this applies to physical, mental, and emotional health.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“I think we have to take care of ourselves physically; mentally, we have to give ourselves a check-up and make sure we stay strong. We comfort others all day every day, but no one takes the time to console themselves.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Amid this year’s pandemic, one of the significant changes seen in the healthcare industry is the advancement of Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) services. For many, these digital platforms were the only way to check in with their patients or were a much-needed means of protecting vulnerable populations against the spread of COVID-19.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A supporter of RPM and Telehealth services, Edna believes that it will be a saving grace for patients, families, and the country as a whole.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“It’s state of the art technology to make sure we keep everyone safe, including medical professionals.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Through Telehealth, it is possible to protect the patient and their family as well. Unnecessary exposure to the Coronavirus or other illnesses is limited, while those in need of medical attention are still getting an actual assessment complete with visualization, questions and answers, and education, all from the comfort of one’s home. This is especially important for the older demographics of patients who might be in a higher risk category.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In her own mother's case, Edna has found that RPM's monitoring capabilities make physical doctor visits easier and help avoid unnecessary medication. Suffering from severe white coat syndrome, Edna’s mother can experience extremely high blood pressure when in her doctor’s office. However, because Edna monitors her blood pressure at home throughout the week and establishes a baseline, she can inform the doctor of the actual blood pressure readings. This is just one of the many helpful monitoring tools RPM gives to patients and doctors.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Because of these benefits and more, Edna is an investor for TopDocRX, an RPM company headquartered in Las Vegas, and will be utilizing Telehealth in the private practice she intends to open with her sons.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“It [TopDocRX] is very innovative and very state of the art. I’m so glad to be part of a leading company with Telehealth and RPM. I know that all my patients that come in contact with it are benefiting.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It was a privilege to speak with Edna Hudson about her life and what she sees on the medical community's frontlines. Having spoken with many of those who have dedicated their lives to helping others, it is apparent that she has a real heart for her patients and the nursing profession. In closing, she asked me to include one of the mantras by which she lives her life and career.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“Duty is a matter of the mind. Commitment is a matter of the heart.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/edna-hudson-a-frontline-hero/</url> </article> <article> <ID>3365</ID> <title>Meet Dr. Randall Whitaker Maxey, a Civil Rights Activist and Doctor</title> <publishDate>2020-09-26 16:03:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_40 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_64"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_74 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_85 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Voice of Reason and Hope on Both Racial Disparity and Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image"&gt;&lt;img alt=""/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Randall Whitaker Maxey is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio with over 48 years of experience as a top Nephrologist. In this time, Dr. Maxey has also been a dedicated civil rights activist and lawyer. Dr. Maxey goes on to explain where his dedication to further his education stems from his current views on today’s health issues among minorities, as well as his thoughts on the current Covid pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Maxey was raised in a Mid-west family setting with his mother, father, and his three siblings. His mother was a schoolteacher, his father a local mortician. Dr. Maxey’s childhood was filled with fond memories consisting of weekends spent fishing with his father.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Maxey became a licensed mortician and embalmer, with a degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He continued his education with a pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati. Torn between a career in medicine or law, he applied for graduate school in both fields of study. After trying his hand in both programs, he ultimately chose law school.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3369,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Copy-of-Dr.-Harvey-Risch-of-Yale-on-Hydroxychloroquine-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3369"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Maxey was the first black assistant Dean of Men at the University of Cincinnati, an honor which helped him pay his tuition.&amp;nbsp; By the age of 30, Dr. Maxey had already acquired a Bachelor of Science, an M.D and a PH.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Maxey’s interest in practicing law diminished over time, and with that realization, he went on to attend the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. He was the first student to enter and complete their dual M.D/PhD in cardiovascular pharmacology. Dr. Maxey describes his time at Howard University as being “a special experience”. It was the first time in his already accomplished, young career that black professors and instructors surrounded him.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He moved to New York to complete his internship and fellowship at Harlem Hospital Medical Center in conjunction with Columbia University and Kings County Hospital of Brooklyn.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Maxey moved to Inglewood, California in 1978, pursuing his work as an attending physician in numerous hospitals, including Sinai Medical Center, Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center, and Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During the 1980s he would serve 8 years at Los Angeles’ Charles R Drew University as their Clinical Assistant Professor in Medicine, as well as the Director of Nephrology at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital and Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The early 90s-pointed Dr. Maxey’s interests towards the field of Renal failure where he followed his desire to become a licensed attending Physician in Guam. During this time, he published several notable medical papers on renal failure.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3367,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Copy-of-Dr.-Harvey-Risch-of-Yale-on-Hydroxychloroquine-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3367"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Dr. Maxey’s dedication over the years was not limited to the struggle between medicine and law. After joining the NMA in 1972, it was only a few years before he was elected to their Board of Trustees. His goals with the NMA have been aimed at “eliminating health disparities&amp;nbsp; between underserved Americans and the general population”. He has remained driven and determined to push for quality, accessible healthcare for the underserved Black and Latino minority communities.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Maxey’s years of awareness in this critical area inspired him to found the Church Health Network in 1990. The Church Health Network’s goal was to help connect the health needs of the disadvantaged to local community churches to provide the most necessary medical resources.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It is Dr. Maxey’s firm belief that African American and Latino populations suffer the greatest from inadequate access to healthcare. He explains that due to allostatic experiences, medically known as the allostatic load, that poor communities suffer an excessive medical burden from traumatizing experiences, often beginning at childhood. The underserved become more susceptible to diseases like diabetes and hypertension, and thus, vulnerability to illness and high-stress levels compromise their immune system. In today’s climate, his message is incredibly helpful in building constructive solutions to systemic problems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;With 2020 bringing the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Maxey has founded a nonprofit organization called TheBlackhealthtrust.org, focused on stopping the spread of misinformation on COVID-19 and other health crises.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;TheBlackhealthtrust.org is an educational tool to give communities information from physicians of color, who present academic topics about protecting oneself from COVID-19, providing accurate statistics, up-to-date facts on the pandemic, and lifestyle tips to protect one’s mind and body.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":3366,"sizeSlug":"large"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Untitled-design.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3366"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;The legacy of Dr. Randall Whitaker Maxey has spanned decades, touching the lives of communities across so many sectors, not only as a doctor, but as a lawyer, activist, and a concerned citizen who seeks out solutions everywhere he turns. He’s proven the example of a life that is never limited, pursuing every degree and honorable position in excellence, while using his remarkable gifts to help others overcome their challenges.&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Dr_Randall_Maxey_Full_Photo.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=3365</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>14765</ID> <title>Telehealth, It’s Come A Long Way!</title> <publishDate>2021-11-02 17:21:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_41 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_65"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_75 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_86 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Telehealth has been around a lot longer than you may think&lt;/h2&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_42"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/young-woman-writing-respiratory-sickness-treatment-notebook-discussing-pills-treatment-during-online-healthcare-videocall-e1635872618472.jpg" alt="" title="young-woman-writing-respiratory-sickness-treatment-notebook-discussing-pills-treatment-during-online-healthcare-videocall" class="wp-image-14772" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_87 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Telehealth has been around a lot longer than you may think. The pandemic has made telehealth and telemedicine more of a household word as physicians limited patient’s in-person visits out of concern of spreading Covid-19. Since 2020, virtual visits have become the norm and adding a blood pressure kit, oximeter and improved electric thermometer to your Amazon cart has happened for almost all of us. But did you know that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://evisit.com/resources/history-of-telemedicine/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;telehealth first appeared in the 1940’s &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;through telephone lines? And with the advancement of the motion picture industry came the technology that influenced today’s video medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to platforms like Skype, and Zoom for health, there are many new HIPAA compliant technologies that enable you to speak with your provider via computer, phone or tablet almost anytime, day or night. This round the clock availability provides you with access to a healthcare provider at those times of day previously regulated to an “urgent care” or emergency room visit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Janice Johnston, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Redirect Health tells us that telehealth allowed her to diagnose and treat conditions virtually that range from pink eye to managing someone’s glucose levels. “Telehealth has benefited the person with open access but also meaningful follow up.” says, Dr. Johnston. A patient that met with her at 2p.m. could follow up that evening if the symptoms got worse. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This ease of connection offers great relief to both patient and caregiver, as no one has to be untethered from the care they need. If things get worse, a Redirect Health provider can schedule a virtual follow-up visit to determine the best next steps, coordinate care at the local hospital or urgent care clinic and then alert the facility when the patient is on their way.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new approach to managing medical needs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Redirect Health makes healthcare work with a people-first approach to care, offering access to streamlined, affordable healthcare. Redirect Health combines physician expertise via the company’s own employed staff, easy-to-use technology and pro-active population health to bring transparency to care and cost. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;It works like this: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;if you wake up with a sore throat, instead of calling your primary care doctor or heading over to the urgent care, a patient uses the Redirect Health app or care number. A concierge team speaks with you as a person, not an ID or group number. They ask what your symptoms are and help guide you to the best care. You may have a virtual visit with a provider or perhaps it will be to order your lab work. If that is the case, you’ll head directly to the lab and then have a follow up visit to go over results. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is all included in the monthly fee. You are not limited to the number of times you can speak with a provider and don’t have to worry about co-pays, deductibles and excessive time spent with a provider. It’s all part of the standard plan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The big difference is that, instead of stepping into a doctors office, you are in the comfort of your own home. Your providers are dressed just like you, so no white coat syndrome. They want you to feel as comfortable as possible and not rush you out the door. If your telehealth plan is like one from Redirect Health, your provider is equipped with your medical history, current and past medications and has any on hand notes from past appointments, all to help you get the best care possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you were seeing a traditional doctor or lab, the time spent traveling to different offices alone would have taken significantly longer and could have amounted to weeks of lost time. Telehealth makes it possible to have a virtual visit and start treatment almost immediately without needing to go to the ER or urgent care. This basic difference saves time, money, offers faster relief and more complete answers to you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_13 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_39 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_40 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_41 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_66"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_76 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_43"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/doctor-advising-patient-online-with-laptop.jpg" alt="" title="doctor-advising-patient-online-with-laptop" class="wp-image-14768" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_88 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Benefits of managing a chronic condition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about chronic conditions like diabetes or thyroid conditions? A telehealth provider can help monitor your health with lab orders to stay on top of your levels and have a direct contact to check in with you 24/7. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Covid-19 is a perfect example of how telehealth can be a lifeline when you are battling an unknown virus. Each case is so different, one minute you are breathing fine and the next minute gasping for air. A telehealth provider can assess your symptoms virtually by watching how you speak, cough and your appearance to make quick decisions about the care you need. They are also there throughout the night to contact if any new symptoms may arise and can prescribe the medications that may be necessary to get you feeling better again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthcare can have many barriers and cost shouldn't be one of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Far too many people get concerned when they see their provider and the visit calls for additional procedures and tests. If you don’t have a comprehensive insurance plan and/or if you are self-pay, the unknown costs can cause you to hesitate. What will the tests cost? How many will there be? What other unknown procedures are lurking around the corner?  If you have ever been in this situation, you know it can feel scary staring at an open bill. Unfortunately, some people stop their treatment at this stage for this very reason, resulting in prolonging your symptoms and extending the time to start the healing process.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s important to note not all physicians are aware of the cost of medication or tests. On a telehealth plan, your provider can often begin with just one or two items on a bigger list to see if the first tests/procedures bring relief. The ease of frequent check-ins allows for easier connection between patient and provider and eases the stress of waiting for appointments and additional cost associated with it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Telehealth, an option to explore&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inquire with your insurance if they offer a virtual service. If they do not, you can find plans out there that offer telemedicine services and have regular open enrollment so you can sign on as a member and have access to their providers. Consider your lifestyle if you think this may work for you.  Services like Redirect Health are a great option if you have children because no one wants to get out of their comfy bed at 2a.m. to go to the ER for their 5 years old’s rash or upset tummy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember as you look at plans to be sure and include the following items:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ability to see the same provider multiple times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Available 24/7/365&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Easy access to health history once you have provided it&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The pandemic may have propelled virtual medicine into our lives, but the quality and access to care will launch this service into the mainstream soon. The good news is that this shift will improve the healthcare experience for everyone, not just people who are on specialized plans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Melissa Blatt is the founder of indipop, simple and affordable healthcare for the self employed. To learn more about health plans that offer 24/7 virtual care, visit. www.indipop.co&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/young-woman-writing-respiratory-sickness-treatment-notebook-discussing-pills-treatment-during-online-healthcare-videocall-e1635872618472.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/guest-blogs/telehealth-its-come-a-long-way/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>27166</ID> <title>3 Vegan Recipes for Christmas</title> <publishDate>2022-12-18 21:30:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_42 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_67"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_77 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_14 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_42 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_43 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_44 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_89 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many Americans, every Christmas abounds with mealtime memories of glazed ham, gravy and turkey or prime rib. Such meals can be conflicting for those who have since adopted a vegan diet. Thankfully, the rise in the acceptance and popularity of veganism means they can maintain festivity and flavor with vegan Christmas meals.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://sentientmedia.org/how-many-vegans-are-there-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6.5 million Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; self-identify as vegans, and the number is ever-growing. In 2021, Google searches for the phrase "vegan food near me" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://vegnews.com/2021/12/google-searches-for-vegan-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased by over 5,000%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, the market for both animal-based food and products has also grown tremendously. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/05/30/2452673/0/en/Vegan-Food-Market-Size-to-Worth-Around-USD-65-4-Bn-by-2030.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As per Precedence Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the global vegan food market is projected to be $65.4 billion in 2030, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% between 2022-2030. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vegan-leather-market-research-report-111800171.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other research indicates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that the global vegan leather market is set to reach $66.92 billion by 2026, growing a CAGR of 9.93% between 2020-2026.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To celebrate the proliferation of the vegan lifestyle at home and abroad, below are three vegan recipes for meat-free Christmas.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Vegan Recipes for Christmas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The three vegan Christmas recipes below will make your home legendary amongst your loved ones. Even with vegan meals as the centerpiece, it is possible to create lifelong memories of amazing food that complements spending time with those you love and care about.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;An Easy Whole Roasted Cauliflower&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/whole-roasted-cauliflower/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This show-stopping recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the perfect first Christmas meal for the first year of your vegan lifestyle. Substantial, packed with flavor and ready to serve in under two hours, this whole roasted cauliflower is a must-try.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 large cauliflower with outer leaves (2 pounds)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 lemon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cloves of garlic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 tablespoons of dry sherry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of smoked paprika&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 bunch of fresh thyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 bunch of fresh parsley&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 handful of flaked almonds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peel the garlic, then mix it with the paprika and half of the thyme leaves in a pestle and mortar. Beat well until you have a rough paste. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season to taste.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using a grater of your choice, zest the lemon and place the zest in a separate bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut off the outer leaves and stalk of the cauliflower and discard the trimmings. The cauliflower can now rest flatly. Cut a cross into the bottom side of the cauliflower.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the cauliflower in a medium casserole pan and lather it with paprika paste. Drizzle the cauliflower with the sherry and squeeze out the lemon juice over it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover and put in a hot oven for about 1 hour 20 minutes or until soft. Take the lid off for the last 20 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the pan out of the oven. Tear or cut the tomatoes into chunks and add them. Sprinkle the lemon zest and the rest of the thyme leaves over the top.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the pan back in the oven for 1- more minutes or until the cauliflower has a deep golden brown color.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the meantime, toast the almonds in a dry pan or pot over low to medium heat until fragrant and golden. Allow the almonds to cool completely before using them further.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the cauliflower achieves the desired color and has been removed from the oven, break the almonds over it and garnish with parsley leaves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil before serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For new vegans, this recipe is a no-brainer in terms of preparation, ease and taste.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Juicy, Tender Tofu Turkey Roast&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Replicating turkey's texture and wow factor for those on a vegan diet takes skill and precision. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/best-vegan-turkey-roast-perfect-for-thanksgiving/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will put your culinary skills to the test.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;17 ounces of firm tofu&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 ounces of rice paper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 ounces of gluten flour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enough powdered vegetable broth to create 24-32 ounces of liquid broth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of onion powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of thyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of sage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ounce of soy sauce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 ounces of vegan butter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 ounces of nutritional yeast&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ounce of white miso paste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salt (to taste)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Black pepper (to taste)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the firm tofu, white miso paste, nutritional yeast, salt, thyme, gluten flour, powdered vegetable broth, garlic powder, sage and onion powder to a food processor. Blend until a ball is formed. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth consistency. Refrain from mixing by hand to avoid creating a rubbery texture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using your hands, shape the tofu mixture into a desired, turkey-like shape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wrap the oval-shaped tofu mixture in foil, but not too tightly, to avoid altering the shape and smooth texture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add a steaming basket to a pot and boil some water, either in the pot or with a kettle. Once the water is steaming, add the foil-wrapped roast and let it steam for one hour.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the tofu mixture in a fridge for up to three days (the longer, the better).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the desired cooling period has elapsed, remove the tofu mixture from the fridge and remove the foil covering it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat your oven to 400 F and gently grease a suitably sized baking tray before placing the tofu mixture on the tray. Do not put it in the oven yet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine salt, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, soy sauce and melted vegan butter in a mixing bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lather the tofu mixture with vegan butter mix. Ensure that all sides are covered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add moisture to the rice paper for 30 seconds and allow it to soften.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover the tofu mixture with the rice paper. Brush the vegan butter mix over the rice paper to soften it further and ensure it sticks to the roast.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the roast in the oven for 15 minutes at 400 F, then brush the remainder of the vegan butter mix before returning it to the oven for up to 25 minutes. Remove it once the rice paper skin is deep golden brown and crispy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allow the roast to cool for 10 minutes before serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This vegan turkey roast will imbue any dinner with the Christmas spirit and wow all participants. Don't hesitate to embark on a culinary labor of love for your friends and family this holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Complex Fig and Vegan Custard Tart&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/vegan-fig-custard-tart/sFmqokRJ?r=recipes/veganchristmasrecipes&amp;amp;c=xn0MWNDI/Vegan%20christmas%20recipes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; creates an unforgettable dessert for those who want to satisfy their sweet tooth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 fresh figs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 strips of orange rind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 unseeded and split vanilla bean (keep the seeds)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 ounces of pistachios&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 ounces of cornflour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;14 ounces of vegan milk of your choosing (we recommend coconut or almond)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.7 ounces of candied ginger&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;16 ounces of rolled oats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 ounces of desiccated coconut flesh&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 ounces of hardened coconut oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sea salt (to taste)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grease a removable base-fluted tart mold (roughly 1.4 inches deep and 9.4 inches in diameter) with coconut oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To create the tart base, use a food processor to combine the pistachios, ginger and oats (8 ounces) until finely cut up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the desiccated coconut, maple syrup, salt, coconut oil and remaining oats into the processed mixture to create a sticky substance. Press the final mixture into the base of the mold until smooth and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let it cool once done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a mixing bowl, add the cornflour and slowly whisk in 8 ounces of vegan milk until smoothly combined, then add in the rest of the milk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour the mixture into a saucepan. Add the vanilla pod and seeds, orange rind and maple syrup. Cook on low to medium heat for six minutes or until it thickens.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once it thickens, transfer the mixture to a heat-tolerant bowl for 30 minutes, stirring it periodically. Discard the vanilla pod and orange rinds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover the mixture and place it into the fridge to cool for an hour.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the mixture has cooled, whisk it until it reaches a smooth, custard-like consistency, then add the coconut yogurt before whisking until everything is combined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spread the custard over the base and let it sit for three hours or until firm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove from the fridge and slice the figs. Place the figs and the remaining pistachios over the tart as desired, and drizzle over the maple syrup before serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This vegan fig and custard tart is the best way to end a fabulous Christmas dinner.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Merry Vegan Christmas to You, All!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A festive holiday season is entirely possible on a vegan diet. You can preserve your beliefs, morals and values while sharing delicious food with your loved ones. Thanks to these three recipes, vegan Christmases have never been easier.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/vegan.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/holiday-special/3-vegan-recipes-for-christmas/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26930</ID> <title>Five Tips for Intuitive Eating Over the Holiday Season</title> <publishDate>2022-11-17 11:10:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_43 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_68"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_78 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_15 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_45 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_46 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_47 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_90 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who have implemented and benefited from dietary changes know how conflicting the approach of the holiday season can be. Our minds abound with questions such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is it okay to indulge for just a couple of weeks?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will my friends and family be willing to cater to my dietary requirements?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are not alone. Surveys show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://swnsdigital.com/us/2021/11/over-60-of-americans-agree-they-deserve-to-indulge-in-holiday-treats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over half of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; go into the festive season intending to put their diets on hold. Whether or not this is justified according to health, social or lifestyle perspectives, the conundrum posed by dieting during the holidays reveals a downside of rigid and uncompromising dietary regimens.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An excellent alternative is gaining in popularity — &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-intuitive-eating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intuitive eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Intuitive eating is a practice whereby you forego the austerity required by traditional diets and instead try to get in tune with your body's needs. By listening to their bodies, people who practice intuitive eating can achieve the benefits of traditional diets — weight loss, appetite control and improved mental and physical well-being — without hassle!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Intuitive Eating Work?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with any new or resurfacing idea, most people approach the concept of intuitive eating with a healthy dose of skepticism. Thankfully, the scientific literature supports the efficacy and merits of intuitive eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6360478/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A qualitative study of middle-aged women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the Health Psychology Open journal found that intuitive eating helped participants avoid the negative feelings associated with setbacks in following a strict diet. These negative feelings include frustration, depression and demoralization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Critics of intuitive eating claim that it can lead to uncontrollable eating habits. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144521000887" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a study of over 700 Hungarian university students&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found little to no connection between intuitive eating and uncontrolled eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Intuitive Eating Help You Lose Weight?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The desire to lose weight, improve one's physique or boost overall self-image is one of the primary reasons individuals alter their diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8535513/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A mixed methods study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that self-image, alongside overall health, was the main impetus behind participants changing their diets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating is effective at helping individuals lose weight healthily. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256073762_Review_Article_Relationships_between_intuitive_eating_and_health_indicators_Literature_review" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An Australian literature review of 26 studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that individuals who follow intuitive eating principles had, on average, a lower body mass index (BMI) than those not following intuitive eating. It also found many other benefits associated with intuitive eating outside weight loss, including improved cholesterol readings and better diastolic blood pressure markers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Intuitive Eating Principles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a modern dietary concept, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intuitive eating was created&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by a dietician, Evelyn Tribole, and a nutritionist, Elyse Resch, in 1995. Tribole and Resch centered their concept around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 principles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Reject the diet mentality&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Letting go of the diet culture of restriction and shame frees individuals to live freely and fully.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Honor your hunger&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Eating when your body signals to you, through hunger, that it needs nutrition averts overeating further down the line.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make peace with food&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Insatiable cravings and bouts of guilt are mitigated by not creating a list of forbidden foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Challenge the food police&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Avoid labeling certain food groups as "good" or "bad" to free yourself from the cycle of negativity associated with diets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Discover the satisfaction factor&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Enjoy food instead of associating meals with weight gain and guilt — this approach will help you discover when you have truly eaten your fill.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Feel your fullness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Be mindful of the signals your body sends about your level of satiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cope with Your emotions and kindness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Recognize that emotional eating won't solve your problems, and try to recognize your emotional triggers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Respect your body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Accepting your body and genetic traits is a critical step in intuitive eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Movement — Feel the difference&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Move your body without giving yourself the pressure of following stringent exercise routines.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Honor your health — Gentle nutrition&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Provide your body with adequate nutrition, and it will reward you. Don't beat yourself up over one unhealthy meal. True progress is made gradually over time — one slip-up won't set you back.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Intuitive Eating Tips&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The principles of intuitive eating can be a lot to take in all at once. Moreover, taking abstract concepts and implementing them simultaneously can take time and effort. Hence, deriving five actionable tips for this holiday season can help you successfully implement intuitive eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Afford Yourself the Pleasure of Enjoying the Holidays&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The festive season only comes around once per year — a time of joy, celebration and happiness. You deserve to indulge in the cheerful spirit of the holidays without being shackled down by guilt and shame. Give yourself permission to eat your favorite foods, relish holiday drinks and savor the generational homemade recipes that only come out during the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don't View Healthy Eating as Black and White&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Refrain from believing that there is no point in eating healthily or practicing moderation during the holiday season. Just because you are having dessert after dinner doesn't mean your healthy lifestyle is irreversibly damaged. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people make the mistake of exhibiting extremes during the festive period. Individuals either punish themselves by practicing total austerity (and missing out on fantastic meals), or they abandon any semblance of healthy eating and believe that because they are not following their diet to the tee, they now have to overeat at every opportunity. A healthy compromise and balance are always within reach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trust Your Body&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Listening to your body will let you know when it has had enough food and if it can endure the third helping of turkey and cranberry sauce. Your body is designed to regulate your appetite and eating habits as per its needs. You don't have to police your every thought and want associated with food during the holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be Kind to Yourself and Those Around You&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Well-intended jokes and comments about overeating and the need for a period of dieting following the holidays might seem harmless, but they can fuel a toxic cycle. You are not the only one at risk of falling victim to this. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be mindful of the jokes you make and the conversations you engage with regarding other people's appetites, appearances or health. By channeling this positive change outward, you will naturally afford yourself the same kindness. Don't perpetuate the notion that enjoying yourself during this period is unhealthy and worthy of punitive measures.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don't Punish Yourself After the Holidays&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the new year arrives, don't subject yourself to arbitrary, oppressive, unfair food rules. Instead, acknowledge that there is a time and place for enjoyment and indulgence and that you deserve to treat yourself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Punishing yourself is counterproductive and likely to worsen future eating habits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Harness the Power of Intuitive Eating&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A true commitment to intuitive eating requires being kinder to yourself and fostering a healthier relationship with food. There is no need to punish yourself during or after the holidays. You deserve to focus your thoughts, time and energy on resting, enjoying the company of your loved ones and reflecting on the past year. By trusting your body to do what it was designed to do — regulate your hunger and eating habits — you can enjoy guilt-free participation in all of the holiday festivities!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/eating.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/five-tips-for-intuitive-eating-over-the-holiday-season/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26920</ID> <title>How To Make Holiday Cookies for Every Dietary Need!</title> <publishDate>2022-11-16 10:44:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_44 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_69"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_79 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_16 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_48 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_49 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_50 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_91 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Society has been serving the holidays with a side of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.history.com/news/dont-forget-santas-cookies-and-milk-the-history-of-a-popular-christmas-tradition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cookies and milk since the 1930s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Baking these staple holiday treats has become a tradition in many families' homes. But with more people opting to follow specific diets, relying on those old-timey recipes can become difficult. Maybe you've recently chosen to reduce your gluten intake, or your cousins coming over are strictly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keto&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whatever the case, these holiday cookie recipe ideas will cover all your bases. Who knows, maybe even Santa has changed his diet recently!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These six recipes for holiday cookies will suit a variety of dietary requirements without compromising the flavor and baking fun!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Cookies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/sugar-free-peanut-butter-cookies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is low-carb and gluten and dairy-free.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peanut butter cookies pair perfectly with a cool glass of dairy or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-milk-substitutes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;non-dairy milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including these sugar-free cookies. The recipe calls for minimal ingredients and is protein-packed — a perfect guilt-free holiday cookie!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of peanut butter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3/4 cups of Truvia or a plant-based sweetener of your choice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 egg&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the peanut butter, salt and Truvia into a bowl. Beat together using an electric mixer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the egg to the peanut butter mixture and mix until the mixture forms a dough.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scoop the dough onto the baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Press the dough balls out with a fork.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the baking tray into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These holiday cookies are simple yet delicious, and for added utility, they can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bowl Snickerdoodle Cookies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://minimalistbaker.com/1-bowl-snickerdoodle-cookies-vegan-gf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is gluten-free, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vegan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and naturally sweetened. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is no wonder that snickerdoodle cookies are such a fan favorite — cinnamon-infused puffy pillow cookies sound like the perfect Christmas cookie! Even better, this recipe comes together in no time at all! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients for Coating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of coconut sugar or cane sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients for Cookies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 of vegan or dairy butter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 1/3 cups of gluten-free flour blend&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 1/4 cups of almond flour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 cup of coconut sugar or cane sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/what-is-aquafaba" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aquafaba&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or 1 egg&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of vanilla extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3/4 teaspoon of baking powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar (optional)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 1/4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 teaspoon of sea salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot starch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F and line two baking trays with parchment paper. Set aside for later.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by preparing the coating. Add the sugar and cinnamon to a bowl and combine and set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add softened butter to a large mixing bowl and mix until creamy and smooth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add sugar to the butter and mix on medium speed. The mixture should be fluffy and light.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the Aquafaba, egg and vanilla and mix again, scraping down the sides of the bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the baking powder, cream of tartar, ground cinnamon and sea salt to this mixture. Mix lightly until combined. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the gluten-free flour, almond flour and starch powder and gently mix until combined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the dough is thick and moldable, cover the bowl and transfer it to the fridge. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using a tablespoon or cookie scooper, measure out equal-sized amounts. Roll the dough into balls in the cinnamon and sugar mixture until coated evenly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Arrange the balls on the parchment-lined baking tray and gently press down with the palm of your hand.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Snickerdoodle cookies are quintessentially festive, so giving these a try this season is a must!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keto Thumbprint Cookies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sweetashoney.co/keto-thumbprint-cookies/#recipe-card" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is low-carb, gluten-free, Keto and vegetarian.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keto desserts are often hard to come by, but this cookie recipe has you covered. They are filled with a raspberry &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/291334" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chia seed jam&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to add cheer to your dessert table!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 cup of unsalted butter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of cream cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/3 cup of erythritol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 3/4 cups of almond flour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 teaspoon of sea salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12 teaspoons of Keto raspberry jam&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Line a baking tray with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the softened butter, cream cheese and erythritol to a bowl and mix with an electric mixer on high speed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the almond flour, egg, salt and vanilla extract to this mixture. Mix again on medium speed until a fluffy, sticky cookie dough forms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the cookie dough in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove the dough and roll it out into balls, placing each on the tray.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To create the print, place your thumbprint into the center of the dough ball.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the sugar-free jam to fill 3/4 of the thumbprint.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Once out, let them cool completely.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perfect for anyone who has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or for anyone looking for a low-carb, low-sugar festive cookie alternative!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Paleo Chocolate Crinkles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.simplyjillicious.com/paleo-christmas-cookies-chocolate-crinkles-gluten-free-dairy-free/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is refined sugar, dairy and gluten-free.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Crinkle cookies are often the star of the show, with the lovely contrast between the chocolatey brown cookie and the white powdered sugar!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients for the Cookie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 1/4 cups of almond flour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 cup of raw cacao powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 cup of coconut sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 teaspoon of baking soda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of baking powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 teaspoon of sea salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 cup of pure maple syrup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of avocado oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 egg&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients for the Maple Powdered Sugar Coating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of maple sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 1/2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix the coconut sugar, almond flour, cacao powder, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the eggs, vanilla, maple syrup and oil and mix to form a dough. Let the dough sit for at least 10 minutes at room temperature.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prepare the powdered sugar by placing 2 tablespoons of maple sugar into your food processor or grinder and pulsing until the sugar forms a coarse powder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the roughly powdered maple sugar into a medium-sized bowl along with the arrowroot powder, and stir until well combined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough directly into the powdered sugar bowl. Shake the bowl to coat the cookie dough evenly with the powdered sugar mixture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove the dough and place it on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes and let them cool to room temperature.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You would never guess these cookies are gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Millet, Almond and Pistachio Cookies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://nirvanacakery.com/millet-almond-and-pistachio-cookies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is gluten-free and vegan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Millet is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-millet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high in fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and gluten-free, which adds excellent health benefits to these cookies. This recipe is a perfect rework of a top holiday cookie recipe!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 cup of millet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of almond flour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/3 cup of pistachios, chopped&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pinch of bicarbonate of soda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pinch of sea salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 of lemon zest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of coconut oil, melted&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of maple syrup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of vanilla extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of lemon juice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the millet into a food processor and blend until it forms a flour-like consistency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine millet flour, almond flour, cardamom, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and whisk together. Mix in chopped pistachios and lemon zest. Set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whisk melted coconut oil with lemon juice, vanilla and maple syrup in a small bowl. Pour this mixture into the dry mixture bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine all the ingredients to form a dough. Leave to stand for 10 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roll cookie dough balls in the palms of your hands and place them onto the lined tray.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for about 15 minutes until light golden brown.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Similar to biscotti, these cookies have an elegant flavor profile and are the perfect addition to any festive dinner party!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Spritz Cookies Made With Homemade Food Coloring&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://draxe.com/recipes/spritz-cookies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is dairy, gluten, artificial colorant and refined sugar-free.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Originating in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spritz-cookies_l_61a8e1b3e4b0f398af1dc0fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scandinavia and Germany&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, spritz cookies are fun to bake and even better to eat! This recipe is guilt-free and will keep you and your guests reaching for more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of paleo flour (a combination of almond arrowroot, coconut and tapioca flour)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of baking powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 cup of maple syrup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of coconut oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of vanilla extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 teaspoons of almond extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 tablespoons of flaxseed meal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 cup of water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of powdered &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spirulina&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for green coloring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of red beetroot juice for red coloring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 spritz cookie press&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine half the flour, baking powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, almond extract, flaxseed meal, the total quantity of beetroot juice and 1/4 cup water in a medium-sized bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repeat this step with the remaining ingredients and replace the beetroot juice with spirulina powder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix thoroughly until well-combined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spoon mixtures into the cookie press, one after the other, after choosing the cookie shape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use the cookie press to spritz cookies onto a lined baking sheet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for 8-10 minutes and cool before serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spritz cookies come in all shapes and sizes, so this is a precious opportunity to get creative with shapes and colors!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's Always an Option!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your cookie traditions do not have to sit on the back burner this Christmas. So many alternatives and different options are available today to suit a wide array of dietary requirements if you want to try something new this year. Using the recipes provided above will fit just about any palate and lifestyle!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/holiday-cookies.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/how-to-make-holiday-cookies-for-every-dietary-need/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15347</ID> <title>Do You Have Plants in Your Home? You Should. Here Are 5 Health Benefits</title> <publishDate>2022-01-15 19:10:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_45 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_70"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_80 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_44"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/garden-home-concept.jpg" alt="" title="garden-home-concept" class="wp-image-15348" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_17 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_51 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_52 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_53 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_92 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It seems that more of us than ever are either spending more time in our homes or working from them. For some, this has meant newfound flexibility, but for others, it has created more loneliness and isolation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The solution to this problem might be simpler than you think. Research has shown that adding plants to your home, known as biophilic design, can have significant health benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The benefits of biophilic design have been linked to an extraordinary number of positive health improvements, physically, psychologically and socially both short and long-term," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/there-s-a-reason-why-you-want-more-plants-in-your-home-20210915-p58rxr.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Suzie Barnett&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, general manager of Sydney-based 'living infrastructure' company Junglefy, and Chair of the Biophilic Design Initiative, shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So what are these benefits of incorporating plants into your home? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Reduce Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding a green friend to your house can help you regulate your stress. Many plants, such as lavender, are often consumed in tea to help relieve stress and anxiety. But it turns out that plants can do more to help us relieve stress than just being boiled for tea. Having potted plants around your house can be invaluable for battling the stress and anxiety which can weigh us down. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Physiological Anthropology study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, plants in your home or office can make you feel more comfortable, soothed and natural. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, the study also found that the gardening needed to help these plants thrive in your home also helped to reduce physiological and psychological stress. This could be especially helpful for those who handle demanding tasks or mental stress. For example, being around plants can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help reduce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your blood pressure, heart rate and your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, while some plants like lavender can reduce anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also have found that plants can help those suffering from mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety by increasing "feelings of well-being." So if you find yourself suffering from routine or occasional depression, anxiety or stress, make sure to consider growing some green friends! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Create a Better Work Environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creating a better working environment for you is another benefit of keeping house plants. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has found that by working near plants, you can increase your creativity and job satisfaction. Adding an indoor plant can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; concentration and productivity by up to 15%. Thus, adding a potted plant to your home office can help you work faster and be more creative, making plants a must-have for those that work at home. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, plants can have substantial health benefits even if you don't work from home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Students in classrooms with three potted plants performed better on math, spelling, reading, and science tests than kids in classrooms without any greens," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Serkissian&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This principle holds true even if you're not a student. Science routinely shows that working near plants will increase your focus to accomplish any task. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Boost Your Mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to helping you be productive and reduce stress, plants can raise your mood. As we have all experienced at one point or another, a bouquet can often help brighten one's day. But this holds for more than just flowers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As explained by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2018/02/10/think-you-dont-need-houseplants-science-says-different/?sh=1d934e6f3595"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Joey Doherty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Certified Wellness Counselor, having plants in your home boosts your mood by releasing cytokines, leading your brain to produce more serotonin. This release of serotonin causes your brain to feel happier and more relaxed, which improves mood. As a result, adding plants to your home is like adding a natural antidepressant that can raise your mood even on the darkest day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Improve Your Air Quality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants can also work as natural air filters to purify your air. According to a study conducted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NASA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, houseplants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours. Removing these toxins allows you to breathe easier and, consequently, to feel better. This is especially true for people who suffer from allergies, as plants also purify the air by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;removing dust and mold&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding a plant to your home can make your air healthier. If it's healthy enough for NASA, then it's probably healthy for you too! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Keep You Healthier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants go beyond your air and mental health; they also improve your physical health and help you combat illness. According to several studies, plants and greenery can help surgery patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2018/02/10/think-you-dont-need-houseplants-science-says-different/?sh=1d934e6f3595"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heal faster&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tolerate pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; better. By adding a plant to your home, you can contribute to the strength of your body to heal faster and need less pain medication. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants are so much more than pleasant house decorations. They can tangibly improve your lifestyle by reducing your stress, improving your work environment, boosting your mood and air quality, all while helping you stay healthier for longer. All these benefits can only mean one thing: adding plants to your home is a must-have for everyone, from students to home office workers! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/garden-home-concept.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/do-you-have-plants-in-your-home-you-should-here-are-5-health-benefits/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15329</ID> <title>Don't Forget to Include Your Mental Health in Your New Year's Resolutions</title> <publishDate>2022-01-14 18:20:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_46 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_71"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_81 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_45"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/happy-woman-enjoying-idyllic-nature-celebrating-freedom-rising-her-arms.jpg" alt="" title="happy-woman-enjoying-idyllic-nature-celebrating-freedom-rising-her-arms" class="wp-image-15332" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_18 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_54 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_55 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_56 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_93 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Approximately&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2020/12/23/2021-new-years-resolutions-poll"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 27% of the U.S. population&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; makes New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, while resolutions represent applaudable intentions, they are often steeped in shame, guilt, and self-blame. This year, put your mental health at the forefront by setting goals that fulfill you rather than induce shame.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How New Year's Resolutions Impact Your Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The "new year, new you" rhetoric pushes you to focus on what you didn't accomplish this year. As these unchecked tick boxes pile up in your mind, you resolve to turn them around. In the new year, you're going to make up for lost time and change harmful habits once and for all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, this mindset perpetuates a feeling of inadequacy. It makes you feel you can't measure up to what other people are doing or your personal goals. And because most New Year's resolutions are centered on achievements and productivity, they neglect to make room for positive mental health. So when February finds you going back on your resolutions, the cycle of dissatisfaction with yourself continues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That doesn't mean that you should avoid setting goals. Laying out objectives has numerous benefits, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helping you prioritize and organize even when you're overwhelmed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allowing you to connect with your intuition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxing your central nervous system by giving you a plan to face the unknown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing a framework for learning what works and what doesn't&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increasing your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thebestbrainpossible.com/goals-mental-health-brain-habits/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;satisfaction with life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips for Setting Supportive Resolutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making New Year's resolutions can be helpful, but many people go about this task the wrong way. They may set unrealistic goals, contributing to tension, anxiety, and stress. In addition, many resolutions are rooted in insecurity, negativity, and restriction instead of affirmation, positivity, and abundance. Even if your resolutions aren't specifically directed at your mental health, they can support your psychological wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focus on Being Instead of Doing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a society that applauds productivity and efficiency over rest and rejuvenation, most people feel like they should do more. But adding obligations to a loaded schedule is a recipe for failure. Instead, eliminate some pressure by setting objectives for who you want to be instead of what you want to do. Doing this also helps you set authentic goals. When your resolutions are aligned with your more profound aspirations, you're more likely to enjoy accomplishing and sticking with them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take Baby Steps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the reasons why &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899328988800166?via%3Dihub"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; don't keep up their New Year's resolutions is that their goals are unattainable. Challenges can be motivating, but they're discouraging if they're unfeasible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constantly falling short of your resolutions can make you beat yourself up. Furthermore, failure to advance toward your goals may exacerbate depression and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making achievable resolutions keeps you in a motivated, positive mindset. You activate your brain's reward centers every time you reach an objective. That subconscious pat on the back gives you confidence that you can perpetuate positive habits. In addition, your self-assurance will help you tackle tasks with ease, relieving stress&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and supporting a healthy emotional state.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make It Fun&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many adults fall out of the habit of playing as they get older. We have different priorities and more responsibilities than we did as children. As a result, many adults have trouble accessing a child-like level of delight. Moreover, losing interest in pleasurable activities is also a symptom of depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't let your New Year's resolutions propel you into a negative spiral. You're much more likely to stay optimistic about meeting your goals when they're enjoyable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look at previous resolutions that have fallen to the wayside. Identify what took the joy out of them. If you couldn't bring yourself to hit the gym regularly, maybe you should try a dance class. If you couldn't complete the initial purge to keep your garage organized throughout the year, invite friends over to help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding a bit of joy in everyday activities sustains a positive mood. Your resolutions should encourage you to live your best life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Health Resolutions to Make This Year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The top New Year's resolutions have to do with exercising, losing weight, saving money, eating more healthfully, and working toward a career aspiration. Most people don't make mental health resolutions. At the same time, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-disorder-statistics"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than 25% of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;struggle with diagnosable psychological disorders in a given year. Focusing on your mental health helps you take steps toward mental wellness and allows room for personal growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carve Out Time for Self-Care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adults often give themselves time to relax only when they've finished all of their daily obligations. For many, this means that they never get a moment to de-stress. As their to-do list piles up, they prioritize productivity over rest. You may actually achieve less by doing this. Although you feel productive, you're distracted. Your performance suffers because you're trying to do too much. Moreover, you probably take plenty of breaks, but they're not revitalizing because they make you feel guilty.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you set an intention to relax, you can enjoy that time purposefully. Make a resolution to do something comforting and pleasurable every day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treat Yourself with Kindness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you aware of your negative self-talk? We often say things like, "I didn't get anything done today," or "I should be better at this by now." These statements become our beliefs. They can even develop into ruminating thoughts that keep us trapped in anxiety, irritability, or depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set a resolution to reframe your negative self-talk. You could write down three positive things about yourself at the end of each day to spark some affirmative momentum.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look at the Lessons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get in the habit of approaching obstacles and letdowns with a curious mind. Rather than shaming yourself for something you didn't accomplish, praise yourself for what you did well. Then, ask yourself what the situation has to teach you. When you look at life as a series of lessons, you stop categorizing every event as a failure or accomplishment. Instead, you view your journey as a spectrum of occurrences. Each one offers you something valuable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making New Year's Resolutions Work for Your Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you don't prioritize your mental health, you struggle with motivation, satisfaction, and resilience. It's no wonder, then, that so many people struggle to stick with their New Year's resolutions. Mental health goals aren't typically at the top of the list. Establishing resolutions that support your emotional and psychological health can make life more enjoyable and help you achieve your other goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hands-holding-brain-with-puzzle-paper-cutout-world-mental-health-day.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/dont-forget-to-include-your-mental-health-in-your-new-years-resolutions/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15338</ID> <title>Strategies to Make your New Year’s Health Resolutions Attainable</title> <publishDate>2022-01-14 16:01:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_47 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_72"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_82 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_46"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/healthy-menu-recipe-food-diet.jpg" alt="" title="healthy-menu-recipe-food-diet" class="wp-image-15339" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_19 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_57 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_58 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_59 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_94 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picture this. It’s the last workday before the new year, and your co-workers begin to discuss their resolutions. Panicked, you find yourself inventing a resolution of your own. Of course, you hope this resolution will be the one that finally results in change, but part of you knows you probably won't keep it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the end of the year, we often feel a need to change, which might be why health-related resolutions are so popular on New Year's Eve.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But do resolutions actually result in a change of behavior? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Clinical Psychology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that two weeks into the new year, 29% of people had failed their New Year's Resolution, a month later, 36% had failed, and by midway through the year, a staggering 54% of participants had abandoned their new year's resolution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What can be done to curb this unfortunate trend? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts say that a lack of clear definition &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(for example, resolving to "exercise more" without elaborating on what healthful exercise looks like for you) is a leading reason why health resolutions fail. This article will be your guide to effectively defining your New Year's health resolution and steering you away from unwise health resolutions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The All-or-Nothing Approach&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When New Year's Day finally comes around, it can be tempting to go all-in on a drastic plan, perhaps to make up for the previous year's disappointments. Dietician Sharon Palmer recommends &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ditching this all-or-nothing approach and focusing on personal improvement instead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This "all-or-nothing" approach may take many forms, including fad diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Palmer warns against fad weight-loss diets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many of which can damage your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because they focus too much on one food group. In fact, Palmer argues that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight loss shouldn't be your primary objective when reforming your diet for the new year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition to weight loss, a healthy diet has several other benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resolving to eat less food carries the same "all-or-nothing" risks as the fad diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just as eating healthy isn't just about losing weight, losing weight isn't about eating less&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Don't predicate your weight loss goals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;on skipping meals or going more than five hours per day without food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;these habits zap your energy and often lead to wasteful snacking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Without enough food, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your body turns stored fats into ketones, too many of which can harm your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Negative/Harmful Mentality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fueled by the hopes and anxieties of a new year, resolutions &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;often conceal a negative or even harmful mentality regarding one's health and body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Negative mentalities give rise to unrealistic goals, such as wanting a body like your favorite&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;celebrity, revealing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a basic, unhealthy desire to be someone other than yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Banish these negative body thoughts and avoid situations in which other people are talking badly about peoples' bodies. Research shows that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;talking negatively about bodies (whether your own or others') increases shame&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in both men and women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also avoid grounding your New Year's efforts in a self-deprivation mentality &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;warns Cynthia Sass from the American Dietetic Association.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Weight loss based on self-deprivation is depressing and creates a motive for retributive bingeing. Instead, orient your goals towards &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what you can eat, not what you can't.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By focusing on behavior modification (rather than outcomes)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you'll ensure you're setting goals you can reach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resolve to Do Something Attainable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by honestly taking stock of your current eating habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Then, make your plans based on realistic improvements. Next, maintain regular eating patterns, and disperse this eating throughout the day rather than at one large meal. By planning your meals in advance, you can reduce your stress and make it less likely to give into eating junk food. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In terms of physical exercise, resolving to join a gym/buy exercise equipment &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is expensive and unlikely to stick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Instead, find a physical activity you enjoy or something you can easily work into your life. Consider adding something as simple as sitting less and moving more by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;taking regular five-minute walks reduces mortality rates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Better Diet is a Better Life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you continually fail dietary resolutions, it could be because you're prioritizing the short term over the long term. Instead, break the dieting cycle and establish &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a sustainable, nourishing eating plan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Your eating plan should be adaptable so that you can follow it regardless of your circumstances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Begin by eating more whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish. Adding just &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a few of these foods to your weekly diet can be a springboard for better health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Focus on fruits and vegetables which are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foods "pre-packaged" by Mother Nature to contain concentrated nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that deliver a massive boost to the immune system. If you still feel the urge to snack try &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sprinkling rolled oats or crunchy whole-grain cereal on your salad for extra fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; so you'll feel full.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, cut back on sweetened drinks, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which increase your risk of obesity, fatty liver, heart disease, insulin resistance, and cavities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Cutting out soda is an excellent place to start. Focusing on gradually minimizing your consumption of drinks with sugar is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more effective in the long run than quitting cold turkey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make a Resolution That's Tailored to Your Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This holiday season, don't make resolutions based on your hopes and fears about the upcoming year. Beware of committing to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;too many resolutions or to resolutions you've previously attempted. Stick to one or two achievable resolutions so that your project remains manageable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Armed with this arsenal of knowledge about the best and worst new year's resolutions for your health, you can head into the new year happy and hopeful. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/healthy-menu-recipe-food-diet.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/strategies-to-make-your-new-years-health-resolutions-attainable/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15319</ID> <title>5 New Year's Resolutions to Avoid This Year</title> <publishDate>2022-01-13 12:16:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_48 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_73"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_83 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_47"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/notebook-calendar-2022-month-schedule-make-appointment-meeting-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="notebook-calendar-2022-month-schedule-make-appointment-meeting" class="wp-image-15325" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_20 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_60 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_61 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_62 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_95 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the holidays approaching, people begin creating New Year's resolutions. Some resolutions result in positive lifestyle changes, but others never come to fruition. To help you achieve your New Year's resolutions, here are some tips and tricks on the kinds of resolutions to avoid.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies indicate that around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12% of people believe they have achieved their New Year's resolutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, experts agree that while most resolutions go unfulfilled, they are positive in changing behavior. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to change their behavior than those who do not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resolutions to Avoid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some typical New Year’s resolutions include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dieting, exercising every day, living healthier lifestyles, and managing time better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While these goals seem positive, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/habits/new-years-resolutions-never-make/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;experts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; advocate avoiding them since they can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;detrimental to physical or mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Unfortunately, these resolutions fail because they aren't specific enough, measurable, and actionable, while other times, they’re &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/resolution-ideas"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;made for the wrong reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are five resolutions you want to avoid making this coming year:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1: Resolving to Lose Weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This commonly made resolution should be avoided for several reasons: it can lead to unhealthy decisions including starving yourself, or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/habits/new-years-resolutions-never-make/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating an incorrect proportion of food for your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Specify the amount of weight you want to lose, and make sure it’s healthy for your body. Additionally, you can talk to your doctor or nutritionist about setting eating and exercising goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2: Resolving to Manage Stress Better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If there are situations or people in your life causing you stress, make time for yourself, do things that relax you, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/habits/new-years-resolutions-never-make/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;return to these situations and people later&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3: Resolving to Reinvent Yourself &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you reinvent yourself, whether physically or mentally, it can be negative for your mental, physical, and emotional health. Forcing yourself to be a more positive person can lead to a toxic positivity that strains your mental health, and wanting to look a certain way can lead to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;negative feelings about your body and toxic thoughts about yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If there is something you want to change, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;clarify the reasons for doing so&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4: Resolving to Break Off a Relationship until the New Year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you believe that a relationship is harming your mental and physical health, it's best to break it off immediately rather than wait for the New Year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5: Resolving to Fall in Love or Begin a New Relationship &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By setting up such expectations, you might become discouraged when you do not fall in love or begin a new relationship. You can even begin to question yourself and view yourself negatively. Instead, try to focus on yourself and allow the option of love to be open, but don't force it to happen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Smarter Method for Crafting Resolutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While setting New Year's goals and resolutions can help change behavior, keeping them is a difficult task. One of the main reasons people don't achieve their resolutions is because they are not well developed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts advise the use of the SMART method when making New Year's resolutions. This method defines and clarifies the goals of New Year's resolutions. Furthermore, it offers a framework people can use to craft their resolutions and ultimately achieve them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/resolution-ideas"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SMART method&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was developed by the Journal of Management Review in 1981 for managerial purposes but has proven useful in other contexts, including setting New Year's Resolutions. The SMART method advocates setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;S&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pecific goals help eliminate vagueness and define exactly what is being achieved. For example, someone could resolve to lose weight in the next year, but this goal is easily redefined without specifying how much weight, causing this resolution to go unrealized.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;M&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;easurable goals are easily achieved since they quantify the goal. Measurable goals necessitate tracking progress on a goal or using other tools to ensure that these goals are being met. For example, the person desiring to get better sleep in the upcoming year should set specific times in which they intend to sleep, whether it be time frames or hours of sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;A&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chievable goals are essential when crafting resolutions. This is not to say that a person cannot set ambitious goals, but sometimes small goals can lead to a bigger one. If a person resolves to travel at least fifty times in the upcoming year, several factors must be considered, including destinations, costs, etc. If these factors cannot reasonably be met, then the goal should be changed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;R&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;elevant goals determine whether or not a person is motivated to achieve these resolutions. These are some basic questions to ask when crafting a resolution: is this a goal I want to achieve? What's the motive behind setting this goal? For example, the person desiring to reinvent themselves could be doing so because they feel pressured to do so. If that's the case, they are less willing to stick to the resolution. The more important and relevant the resolution is to the person making it, the more willingly they will complete it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;T&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ime-bound goals are crucial to fulfilling resolutions. By creating time constraints, resolutions become more urgent and force us to complete these goals within the set timeframe. The longer these goals go for, the more easily it is to let them go unfulfilled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking to change a few things in your life this coming year with a New Year's resolution, remember to follow the SMART method. Be specific with your goals, measure your progress, make achievable goals, make sure these goals are relevant, and lastly, make sure they are bound by time constraints. By following these tips and tricks, you'll be able to craft achievable New Year's resolutions. Happy holidays!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/notebook-calendar-2022-month-schedule-make-appointment-meeting-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-new-years-resolutions-to-avoid-this-year/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15309</ID> <title>Take Care of Your Mental Health Once the Holiday Blues Kick In</title> <publishDate>2022-01-13 11:32:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_49 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_74"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_84 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_48"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/mental-health-care-sketch-diagram.jpg" alt="" title="mental-health-care-sketch-diagram" class="wp-image-15312" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_96 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blues: a feeling of melancholy and unhappiness in response to specific circumstances. Countless singers have crooned about “feeling blue” and what (or who) made them feel that way. We have all been there at some point in our lives. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, those feelings are triggered by the holiday season. Many different holidays are tightly packed between November and January, producing a whirlwind of events, traditions, activities, and overwhelming expectations for some people. These are the holiday blues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;temporary ailment eventually disappears after the holidays. Until then, you can manage your holiday blues and keep yourself from feeling like you’d rather crawl under a large, craggy rock and stay there until mid-January. Read on for some insights into holiday blues, how to reduce the feeling, and ways to get some enjoyment out of your holiday time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Causes Holiday Blues?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holiday blues are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not a diagnosed mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but a negative response to the activity surrounding the holidays. There are as many causes as there are people with holiday blues. For some people, maybe money is tight this year, and they can’t buy the kind of gifts they want for their children. Others miss their families and can’t travel to see them. Some have to travel to see relatives they’d rather avoid. For others, the party better be perfect, or people will talk. Maybe someone else experienced a loss earlier in the year. You’re just not as joyful as the commercials say you’re supposed to be!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It often boils down to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;expectations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;—your own or others’ expectations of you—that are unrealistic or unfair. You want the perfect holiday, but you don’t have enough time to get everything done. You’re spending more money than you can afford, or the family dynamics make a perfect gathering impossible. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/201712/what-we-know-about-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that while people reported positive and negative feelings during the holidays, stress increased for 38% of the participants due to lack of time or money, gift-buying issues, family gatherings, and commercialism. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In reality, a cause can be anything that prevents you from having an ideal holiday. A cause may also be you trying too hard to overcome those obstacles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Do the Holiday Blues Feel?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They are stressful! A study by the American Psychological Association found that about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychology.org/resources/the-holiday-blues-how-to-cope/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;44% of women and 33% of men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reported feeling holiday-related stress from “forced joyfulness and expectations.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethharris/2015/12/12/money-worries-top-new-survey-of-2015-holiday-season-stresses/?sh=4616add831a0"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Financial Well-Being Index&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, conducted by the Principal Financial Group, found that 53% of survey participants felt financial stress from holiday spending. There is also the stress of obligations to attend multiple events and other demands for perfection.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All that stress and all those expectations either &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;make you feel so tired&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that it’s hard to get things done or push you into a dizzying fray of activity in an attempt to do it all. As a result, you might &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/feeling-blue"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feel sad and experience lower energy levels than expected&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or you might feel anxious and wish you could be alone. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since early 2020, we have all been stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This adds &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;another set of issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to the holiday blues. Many people have found themselves without jobs and with very tight budgets. They have been struggling with restrictions and safety measures. The lack of travel and in-person events has either added to their stress or given them some relief. Isolation has affected many, and holidays may intensify that feeling of holiday blues.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_21 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_63 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_64 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_65 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_75"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_85 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_49"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-calculating-expenses-due-date.jpg" alt="" title="woman-calculating-expenses-due-date" class="wp-image-15317" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_97 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What to Do about Holiday Blues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, the holiday blues are not a serious, chronic mental illness. You can do many things during the holiday season to lighten up your mood and find some enjoyment. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Manage Your Expectations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don’t expect perfection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You’re not living in a scripted movie or television show. Your friends’ social media posts don’t paint the whole picture of their lives. Relatives who don’t get along all year will not suddenly become best buddies because it’s a holiday. And other people’s expectations of your perfection are unrealistic. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead, create new, realistic expectations. Can you react differently to Uncle Joe’s and Cousin Bob’s inevitable political argument? How many party invitations can you accept? How much should other people expect of you? What about your lists for gifts, cards, visits, and such? Pare them down if you need to. Try creating new, more realistic traditions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Manage Your Time and Money&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set limits! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decide what things are most important&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Devote most of your time to them, and say no to other things. Most people will understand, so you don’t need to run yourself into the ground trying to please everyone. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before the season begins, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;set a budget&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with as much detail as you need and stay within it. You don’t need your holiday blues to reappear when the January credit card bill arrives! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Manage Yourself&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, be kind to yourself. Don’t blame yourself if you cannot do everything necessary for a perfect holiday. No one can do that. Instead, spend time with people who support you and share your concerns. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2015/Tips-for-Managing-the-Holiday-Blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;good care of your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with sleep, exercise, and good food. It’s tempting to overdo the special holiday foods, but try to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keep it under control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Do things you enjoy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Managing New Activities&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you tried volunteering? You can wrap gifts for children in foster care, deliver holiday meals and gifts to families in need, pack care packages for military people overseas, and much more. Helping others turns your mood around, as does surrounding yourself with other volunteers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look for other activities in your area that take a reasonable amount of time and resources on your part and share with others you care about. It’ll make you feel happy!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holiday blues keep you from enjoying what could be a pleasant time. When society and your circumstances seem to dictate how you are supposed to feel and your true feelings don’t match, the holiday blues can set in. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to pull yourself out of that emotional trench. First, create realistic expectations, which allow you to de-stress. Then, you change your plans and activities to reflect those new expectations. Give yourself this gift, and enjoy the holidays on your terms!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/medium-shot-anxiety-concept-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/take-care-of-your-mental-health-once-the-holiday-blues-kick-in/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15298</ID> <title>10 Ways to Lose the Holiday Weight</title> <publishDate>2022-01-12 07:21:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_50 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_76"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_86 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_50"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/full-shot-woman-stretching-inside.jpg" alt="" title="full-shot-woman-stretching-inside" class="wp-image-15300" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_22 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_66 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_67 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_68 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_98 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you may feel as though you grow two sizes over the holidays every year, the average American adult will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bestlifeonline.com/holiday-weight-gain/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gain only one pound over Thanksgiving and Christmas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This doesn't sound like much, but it adds to the weight you gained over your birthday weekend and Halloween. Over time, all the extra pounds add up. The following tips can prevent you from gaining weight or help you lose it during the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Drink More Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if it's a few weeks out from the beginning of holidays, you can get a head start on your holiday weight loss by staying hydrated. Hydration is vital for just about every bodily function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You need water in order to burn fat stored in your body and from the foods you eat. In addition, water helps your muscles and organs function optimally to facilitate your exercise and daily activities. Staying hydrated also keeps stress hormones level, supporting adequate digestion and waste elimination. In other words, if you're hydrated, your body will deal better with a bit of overindulgence. Remember to drink even more water if you're celebrating with alcoholic beverages.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Dilute Your Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's hard to wean off calorie-laden holiday beverages. If you crave sugary or alcoholic beverages, dilute them with seltzer. This will help you manage the craving without dumping empty calories into your system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Eat Abundantly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psycom.net/post-holiday-depression"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;post-holiday&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; blues are real. As the holiday adrenaline wears off, you fall into a slump. Keeping your hands away from food during this time can make you feel further deprived.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It sounds counterintuitive to eat abundantly when you're trying to lose weight. However, if you focus on consuming primarily fresh produce, you'll keep up the psychological satisfaction without increasing your calorie load dramatically. Furthermore, all of the nutrients will optimize your bodily functions, including your metabolism and digestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Rest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holiday stress &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/stress-weight-gain#1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contributes to weight gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you use food to cope with stress, your brain doesn't get the memo that you just ate while you're in fight-or-flight mode. Therefore, you may feel the need to snack constantly. Plus, stress hormones increase cravings for fatty and sugary foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For that reason, finding ways to relax during this time is essential. Sometimes, the only break from holiday exhaustion happens when you're sleeping. Encourage high-quality sleep by following a regular bedtime routine, avoiding &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/sleep-disruptions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep disruptors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and prioritizing healthy rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5. Stay Active&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be hard to find time for exercise during the holidays. But if you don't maintain your momentum, getting back to the gym in January may feel daunting. Work movement into your daily routine if you don't have extra time for a workout. Try using your computer at a standing desk or taking a walk with a coworker on your lunch break. Take guests on a walking tour of your town after a feast, or try parking a little further than usual from your gift shops to get in those extra steps. Even a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/6-mental-tricks-tricks-help-make-exercise-habit-ncna914386"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5-minute workout every day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help you maintain your muscle memory so that you're more confident resuming your routine after the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6. Make Healthy Choices Your Goal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How many times have you abandoned your diet after making one unhealthy choice? You had a brownie after lunch so you might as well have ice cream for dinner. This mentality keeps you in the cycle of failure, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268449831_Shame_and_motivation_to_change_the_self"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regret is not a strong motivator&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of shaming yourself for poor decisions, try rewarding yourself for the good ones. Set a goal to complete a specific number of healthy activities each day. This could involve swapping a treat for a healthy snack, going to bed on time, or exercising for five minutes. Add more activities if you're consistently meeting your goal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These small but consistent achievements will help you feel more confident and motivated throughout the day. As you make more healthy choices, you'll be inspired to keep up the excellent work.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7. Wrap Your Food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If sandwiches and burgers are your thing, then you’re loading your calorie count with bread. Cut out 200 to 300 calories by wrapping your food in lettuce, kale, or steamed collard greens instead of a bun. It will be just as satisfying because you could still add all the condiments and eat them with your hands.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8. Make Yourself Convenience Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lack of time and competing priorities are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276670/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proven barriers to healthy eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Make yourself a batch of something that you can split into single portions so that you can grab it and go when you're in a hurry. Combining a carb, protein, and two cooked vegetables in a storage container before drizzling it all with a homemade dressing is an easy way to prepare a convenient meal. You can use leftovers and swap out the greens for variety. Add sprouts or a handful of nuts for texture and added nutrition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9. Include Strength Training in Your Routine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't skimp on lifting weights and doing exercises with high resistance. Although it doesn't burn calories as quickly as cardio, strength training builds and maintains your muscle mass. This will speed up your metabolism in the long run, which means that you might not gain as much weight next holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10. Look at the Big Picture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may have to transition to a larger pants size after the holidays, but that's not necessarily because we've gained fat. The bloating might come from consuming excess sugar and holding onto water weight. Don't worry; you'll be able to button your pants as you practice healthier habits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't be tempted to try a crash diet just because you feel puffy after the holidays. Extreme calorie restrictions and diet trends don't often generate permanent weight loss. Instead, be patient and focus on setting up practices that allow your wellness goals to stick.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Final Thoughts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The extra pounds go on quickly, but it takes effort to lose them. Even if the pounds drop off, you need to maintain the right mindset to keep them off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/yo-yo-dieting/faq-20348589"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight cycling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; increases the likelihood of future weight gain and elevates your risk of obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, the most effective steps for reducing holiday weight involve making lifestyle changes. When healthy living is a habit, you won't be derailed by weight gain every holiday season. Stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://sources.plasticsurgeryvips.com"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/female-leg-stepping-weigh-scales-healthy-lifestyle-food-sport-concept.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/10-ways-to-lose-the-holiday-weight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15288</ID> <title>Relaxation Tips for Post-Holiday Stress</title> <publishDate>2022-01-11 06:44:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_51 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_77"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_87 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_51"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/young-man-relax-bed-enjoying-mountain-view-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="Young man relax on bed and enjoying mountain view" class="wp-image-15291" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_99 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What do you think of when the holiday season approaches? Time off work and vacation with family, or additional responsibilities and stressful expectations? A survey conducted by Verywell Mind revealed that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of respondents found the holidays to be "somewhat stressful" or "very stressful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" Whether it's preparing elaborate meals, picking out meaningful gifts, or attending an unusual amount of parties, the holidays bring something for everyone to stress about.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you can relate to the holiday stress, you're not alone! The high expectations that come with traditions, parties, and family gatherings are a source of stress for many people. So the question we're asking today is this: how can we best recover from the stress after the holidays are over? If you're interested in taking the best possible care of yourself in the new year, read on to find out how!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where Should I Start?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important part of your life to consider after the holidays is your sleep schedule. With everything that goes on—especially with Christmas and New Year's Eve so close together—it's easy for your regular sleep rhythms to get thrown off. The effects of this change will show very quickly, making you drowsier and more sensitive to stress during the day. And this only makes it more difficult to sleep the next night! It is a familiar and vicious cycle, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/sleep/why-americans-cant-sleep/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over 25% of all Americans struggle to fall asleep at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are solutions! The most obvious is setting a specific, regular time to fall asleep each night. However,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it's one thing to get in bed and another to fall asleep. If you're having trouble drifting off,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;change your environment. Make your bedroom darker by removing any televisions or clocks that emit bright light, and consider taking the natural supplement &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/melatonin"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;melatonin, which is renowned as a sleep aid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you consider your sleep habits, remember your pre-holiday season sleep schedule. When would you get in bed? When would you wake up? How many total hours of sleep did you get each night? If your old schedule was working, then by all means, resume it! However, if your pre-holiday sleeping habits were less than ideal, don't be afraid to switch things up in the new year. Getting the right amount of sleep will work wonders for your stress levels, and the benefits of sleep will be critical in recovering from the busy holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_23 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_69 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_70 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_71 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_78"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_88 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_52"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-meditating-lotus-position.jpg" alt="" title="woman-meditating-lotus-position" class="wp-image-15292" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_100 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Best New Year's Resolution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once your sleep schedule has been sorted out, the next way to de-stress is through exercise! For many of us, the holidays are a time to stay out of the gym and eat more than usual. This is why it's especially important to evaluate your routine afterward. Ask yourself the same sort of questions we just discussed for sleep. Was your pre-holiday approach to exercise working for you? If so, great! Seize the post-holiday opportunity to continue the old regimen. If it didn't work, this is your chance to design a routine that will best serve you. Whether it's cardio or strength training, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/10-best-exercises-everyday#how-to-improve"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;there is an exercise out there that's ideal for you&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can exercise really boost your energy levels? Wouldn't the extra effort just add more stress to your routine? It might feel that way, but in fact, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Therefore, once you see the benefits of exercise, you'll be better prepared to handle daily stress and recover from the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet is also a factor in dealing with stress. What you eat has an enormous effect on your mood from day to day, which is why it's essential to know how different foods affect you. For example, research has shown that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/stressed-out-belly#prevention"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress can be relieved with leafy vegetables, avocados, bananas, fish, and chicken&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So while you're increasing your intake of those foods, increase the benefit further by cutting out items with trans fats, added fructose, and lots of carbs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Improve My Emotional Life?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last way to recover&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is to take control of your emotional health. This is especially helpful&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;after a stressful season full of holiday celebrations and short on time to yourself. While the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/emotional-health#improvement"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exercise and sleep habits we covered above do play a role in your emotional health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, there are more direct ways you can take care of your emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, prioritize your activities. This is very relevant during the holiday season but applies to the rest of the year as well. If you decide how important certain events are to you, you'll be able to say no to the events that would drain you without offering value in return. It can be uncomfortable at first, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://namica.org/blog/handling-stress-during-the-holiday-season/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;turning down activities that don't fit into your schedule is ultimately for the best&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you've decided which items are most important, be sure to integrate self-care strategies into your daily life. One of the most widely-praised options is spending time in nature. Multiple studies concluded that "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://namica.org/blog/mental-health-benefits-of-nature/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;if people simply take time to notice the nature around them, it will increase their general happiness and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to stress and your emotional health, consider taking a break from technology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2019/march/the-benefits-of-unplugging-from-electronics/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Technology use often contributes to feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is especially true of social media websites, so if your job prevents you from unplugging, take a break from social media. Studies have revealed that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/giving-up-social-media-for-a-month-can-have-these-5-benefits-according-to-psychologists-18224866"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;just one month off social media can bring mental health benefits to our lives&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you need to recover from the stress of the holiday season, this is the step for you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether it's sleep, exercise, diet, or emotional health, many areas of our lives can be improved with a few minutes of reflection and a little determination to adopt a new habit. We hope that these ideas—whether a walk in nature, a social media fast, or a simplified schedule—help you and your loved ones as you recover from the stress of the next holiday season. Stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/wonderful-moments-spent-is-silence.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/relaxation-tips-for-post-holiday-stress/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15276</ID> <title>How to Set Realistic Fitness Goals for the New Year</title> <publishDate>2022-01-10 05:52:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_52 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_79"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_89 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_53"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/full-shot-smiley-women-running-stairs.jpg" alt="" title="full-shot-smiley-women-running-stairs" class="wp-image-15281" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_101 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we start a new year, people turn to New Year's resolutions for healthier and happier lives. Many of us set new fitness goals to become healthier. But what does getting fit really mean to different people? Sometimes, the most challenging part of fulfilling resolutions is due to unclear or lofty goals. If it’s difficult to understand what your goal is or if it’s simply too much for you to accomplish, then it will be hard to stay motivated and complete resolutions. This year, let's focus on doable fitness goals that you can implement in your daily life and reap the benefits of being happier and healthier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What are the benefits of improving your fitness? There are plenty of reasons to get into better shape: better self-esteem, more mobility, and improved health are some examples. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lowering your likelihood of premature death&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is closely tied to your level of physical fitness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have found that when ordinary people achieve a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;certain level of fitness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, they live longer lives and are much less likely to develop certain diseases. Simple lifestyle changes that improve your fitness have the same effect on your life expectancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's more to physical fitness than just preventing disease and living longer. Fitness positively affects&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your current quality of life as well. People who consistently exercise&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;report having &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:~:text=1.%20Exercise%20controls%20weight.%20Exercise%20can%20help%20prevent,intense%20the%20activity%2C%20the%20more%20calories%20you%20burn."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;higher levels of energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout the day and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:~:text=1.%20Exercise%20controls%20weight.%20Exercise%20can%20help%20prevent,intense%20the%20activity%2C%20the%20more%20calories%20you%20burn."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better stamina&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to complete daily tasks. Others report &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:~:text=1.%20Exercise%20controls%20weight.%20Exercise%20can%20help%20prevent,intense%20the%20activity%2C%20the%20more%20calories%20you%20burn."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better quality of sleep and improved mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. All of these benefits can be just a few steps away from&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you this New Year!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most important things to remember as you set some goals this season is to keep them realistic and achievable. You don't have to go from a sedentary lifestyle to running a marathon in two months to see tangible improvements in your life. Your first step in determining your fitness goals is to accurately assess where you're at right now. Do you exercise a few days a week or not at all? Do you regularly eat vegetables and drink water throughout the day, or do nutrition and hydration take a backseat to eating out and drinking soda? Check out this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/age-chart.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;helpful activity level guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that breaks down targets based on age and sex.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you've determined your starting point, making simple goals like walking regularly and moving your body daily&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is the next step. Walking, especially trying to get &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10,000 steps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a day in, is an excellent fitness goal. So take those stairs, volunteer to take the dog for a walk, and make sure to get up and move around a bit at work. You'll be amazed by the results of walking alone! Most people who don't have active jobs take around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3,000-4,000 steps a day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So if you're starting at this point, try to add about 1,000 steps to your regular day every week until &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you work up to 10,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This way, you won't put too much stress on your body, and it will be easier to stick with this new goal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_80"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_90 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_24 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_72 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_73 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_74 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_54"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/happy-sportswoman-drinking-water-park.jpg" alt="" title="happy-sportswoman-drinking-water-park" class="wp-image-15282" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_102 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1424730/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistent running&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a great fitness goal to improve your cardiovascular health. Running a few miles here or there or working up towards a 10k is not only beneficial to your health, but it also gives you some pretty impressive bragging rights! To make running easier, recruit a running buddy who makes the activity more enjoyable and keeps you accountable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although cardio alone is beneficial, it needs to be augmented with other exercises to be most effective. One of your fitness goals should be to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1424730/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;supplement cardio&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with light strength training and flexibility or mobility exercises. If you have access to a gym, lifting, other resistance training, or taking a yoga class will help your body achieve holistic physical fitness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other Health Goals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical fitness goals are fantastic for improving your quality of life and increasing longevity, but they are only one side of the equation. To maintain physical fitness, paying attention to other parts of your physical and mental health is essential. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/823365/fitness-goals"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, drinking enough water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/823365/fitness-goals"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fueling your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for your new exercise goals are essential steps to becoming fit. Making a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-12105-5_25"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;habit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; out of drinking around eight glasses of water a day is a worthwhile goal to get you started on your way to improved physical health. These goals are useful for your physical fitness and to maintain and improve your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehopeline.com/diet-for-your-brain-can-what-you-eat-or-drink-affect-your-mental-health/#:~:text=Eating%20well%2C%20getting%20enough%20rest%2C%20and%20drinking%20plenty,faith%20community%2C%20meditating%2C%20or%20talking%20with%20a%20counselor."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental and emotional health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; team hopes you'll take your newfound knowledge of physical fitness&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;into this New Year. Maintaining physical fitness should be a top priority because it comes with numerous health and quality of life benefits. If you're looking for more recommendations on how to live a happy and healthy life, check out our lifestyle publication!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/full-shot-smiley-women-running-together.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-to-set-realistic-fitness-goals-for-the-new-year/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15050</ID> <title>Sad for the Season? An Explanation for Your Emotions around the Holidays</title> <publishDate>2021-12-10 11:47:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_53 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_81"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_91 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_55"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/man-disappointed-with-present.jpg" alt="" title="man-disappointed-with-present" class="wp-image-15054" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_92 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_56"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/beautiful-young-woman-with-glass-champagne-home-e1637680783650.jpg" alt="" title="beautiful-young-woman-with-glass-champagne-home" class="wp-image-15053" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_82"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_93 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_25 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_75 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_76 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_77 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_103 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people look forward to the holidays as a time to relax and celebrate with family and friends. The traditions of each holiday, the time off of work, and the chance to see family are all things to get excited about. This air of excitement and nostalgia makes it surprising to find out the holidays can be a time of extreme sadness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many people who struggle with mental illness, the holidays aren't a welcome time of cheer. In a study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2014/Mental-health-and-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;64% of people with mental illnesses report that the holidays make their conditions worse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Yet at the same time, others look forward to the holidays every single year. What does this mean? Researchers have identified many different psychological reasons why the holiday season helps or harms our mental health, and we're going to explore a few of them today!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Would the Holidays Be Depressing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first reason why many find the holidays difficult has been termed Seasonal Affective Disorder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/holiday-blues#symptoms"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Approximately 14% of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; experience this condition every single year. While seasonal patterns of depression can apply to both winter and summer seasons, people in northern parts of the globe are more likely to experience the wintertime variety because of the shorter days and longer nights.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals who experience stronger feelings of depression in the wintertime report &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder#symptoms"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daytime fatigue, lack of interest in social activities, and feelings of hopelessness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Increased social expectations often bring on such feelings during the holidays because of all the events and the perception of others being unusually joyful. This is not to say that people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder want others to be unhappy. It is relevant to acknowledge the winter months can be harder for our loved ones who already suffer from depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from seasonal affective disorder, there is another significant reason why holidays can be difficult. For people who have recently lost a family member or close friend, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201912/not-everyone-enjoys-the-holidays"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the nostalgia and traditions of holiday celebrations can be intense reminders of their loved one's absence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Even if we aren't grieving the death of a loved one, events such as breakups, divorce, or family estrangement can make it challenging to navigate the season. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201912/not-everyone-enjoys-the-holidays"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Suzanne Degges-White writes that&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; "not everyone is lucky enough to have a family, intimate friend group, or neighbors to ensure that they feel a sense of connection and belonging."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Can I Do about It?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If we know that the holidays can be a time of increased sadness and stress, what can we do to prepare? First, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;learn how to say no&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Everyone wants to take advantage of the time with friends and family, but committing to every party or event that comes your way is a recipe for stress. Your loved ones will understand that you can't be available for every outing or activity they'll be hosting, so choose which options are most important to you and gracefully decline the rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next, be sure to maintain your healthy habits. Whether we're talking about your diet, drinking, or sleep schedule, the freedom and mood of celebration that comes with the holidays make it easier to lose control. Instead, plan and commit to staying on top of these things. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating a healthy snack before holiday meals will make it easier to stick to healthy portions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Moreover, fitting some exercise into your schedule each day can reduce your stress levels and help you sleep better. Such strategies may sound simple, but they can make a big difference in your holiday season experience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Exactly Makes Holidays Joyful?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With that in mind, we should consider&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the psychological reasons for the benefit of the holidays. One of the biggest factors is nostalgia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2011/12/nostalgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Krystine Batcho&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; says,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; "People feel more nostalgic during the holidays because many memories are reawakened, and relationships renewed. During the holidays, families and friends get together to celebrate and reconnect; they get caught up on one another's lives, reminisce, and browse through old photographs." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This end-of-year nostalgia can feel very meaningful and give a much-needed boost to our mood!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On top of nostalgia, the holidays are a time of rituals. The sense of familiarity and routine associated with rituals can provide a strong feeling of peace and security. As &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://theconversation.com/an-anthropologist-explains-why-we-love-holiday-rituals-and-traditions-88462"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dimitris Xygalatas, a professor of anthropology, explains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, "Everyday life is stressful and full of uncertainty. Having a special time of the year when we know exactly what to do, the way we've always done it provides a comfortable sense of structure, control, and stability." These positive psychological effects can make the holidays a time to await with eagerness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you look forward to the coming winter or you find that the holidays are a time of increased stress and sadness, there is hope! If you struggle with seasonal affective disorder, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/holiday-blues#management"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;plenty of resources and strategies are designed to help you&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Tips like maintaining your sleep schedule and being willing to say no can have a clear impact on our mental health during the holidays, and we owe it to our loved ones to share these ideas when they're having a difficult time. So enjoy this holiday season, and stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/christmas-tree-blurred-background.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/sad-for-the-season-an-explanation-for-your-emotions-around-the-holidays/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15025</ID> <title>Exercises to Do at Home When the Gym is Closed for the Holidays</title> <publishDate>2021-12-08 10:32:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_54 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_83"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_94 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_104 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holidays are a great time to catch up with old friends, reunite with family, and reminisce about the past year. As the festivities and gatherings—whether via Zoom or in-person—start filling in our social calendar, it may get challenging to fit in a quick workout in between. Also, don't forget that we're still in the middle of a pandemic - which means that, depending on your location, gyms may be closed or allow limited access during this holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thankfully, there are many ways to stay active and minimize adding those holiday pounds. Below are 10 basic exercises you can do in the comfort of your home with minimal equipment in only about 30 minutes. Do these at least twice a week for thirty days, and you're sure to meet your holiday fitness quota!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_57"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/charming-young-caucasian-female-yoga-instructor-with-hair-knot-warming-up-legs-before-class-gym-center-smiling-cheerfully-while-doing-high-lunge-pose-cute-girl-exercising-indoors-daytime-1.jpg" alt="" title="charming-young-caucasian-female-yoga-instructor-with-hair-knot-warming-up-legs-before-class-gym-center-smiling-cheerfully-while-doing-high-lunge-pose-cute-girl-exercising-indoors-daytime (1)" class="wp-image-15028" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_105 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Lunges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lunges work on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/lunges-benefits#overall-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;large muscle groups in your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; - including your thighs, core, and glutes. They help create lean muscle and reduce body fat. Aside from just being a good lower body strength exercise, they help you work on your balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="padding-left: 40px;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="list-style-type: none;"&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your arms down at your sides.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Step forward with your right leg and bend your right knee to a ninety-degree angle. Your right knee should be aligned with your right ankle as you bend down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lift yourself off from your right foot and return to the starting position. Repeat with your left leg. This is one rep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete 10 reps for three sets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_58"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/smiling-fit-young-black-athlete-doing-pushups-light-wooden-floor-against-white-wall.jpg" alt="" title="smiling-fit-young-black-athlete-doing-pushups-light-wooden-floor-against-white-wall" class="wp-image-15029" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_106 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Push-ups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Push-ups are great for building the strength needed to pick up your nephews and nieces during your holiday reunions! As a basic exercise when starting strength training, push-ups help improve your posture, build muscle in your triceps, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/pushups-everyday"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strengthen the lower back and core&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when done properly. Like all exercises, doing the correct form is crucial to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/rise-push-ups-classic-exercise-can-motivate-get-stronger-2019021810165"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;experiencing the effects of push-ups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; If you find the traditional push-up form challenging at first, there are ways to modify it. Below are&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; two ways on how to do a push-up: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Traditional Push-Up&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get into a plank position. Tighten your core, pull your shoulders down and back, and keep your neck neutral.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bend your elbows and begin to lower your body down to the floor. Focus on keeping your elbows close to your body during the movement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As soon as your chest slightly grazes the floor, lift yourself with your arms (and not the momentum) and return to your plank.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete three sets of as many reps as possible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_84"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_95 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_59"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/full-shot-woman-doing-pushups.jpg" alt="" title="full-shot-woman-doing-pushups" class="wp-image-15030" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_107 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Modified Push-Up&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kneel on your mat, and put your hands directly under your shoulders. Tighten your core as you stretch your upper body, pull your shoulders down and back, and keep your neck neutral.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bend your elbows and begin to lower your body down to the floor. Focus on keeping your elbows close to your body during the movement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As soon as your chest slightly grazes the floor, lift yourself with your arms (and not the momentum) and return to your plank.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete three sets of as many reps as possible&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For your first week, consider starting with at least five repetitions per set. Then, to avoid plateauing and to continue receiving the benefits of this exercise, gradually increase the number of repetitions in your push-ups each week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_60"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joyful-athletic-black-person-leggings-using-stability-ball-training-biceps-doing-curls-with-dumbbells-strong-athletic-person-doing-sports-home-using-modern-equipment.jpg" alt="" title="joyful-athletic-black-person-leggings-using-stability-ball-training-biceps-doing-curls-with-dumbbells-strong-athletic-person-doing-sports-home-using-modern-equipment" class="wp-image-15033" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_108 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Bicep Curls to Push Press&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For this move, you may need a set of light dumbbells. However, if you don't have any at home, it's perfectly fine! Household items such as bottled water or canned food are equally good alternatives. This exercise is perfect for those sitting all day in front of a computer, especially in the age of working from home. Your triceps, biceps, and shoulders will thank you for giving them some TLC after a long day of work!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stand with your feet hip-width apart and keep your back straight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hold your weight in one hand with your palm facing forward and your arm extended down to your side.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep your elbow close to your body as you curl your bicep towards your chest. Do this in a slow and controlled motion - feel your bicep curl as the weight nears your arm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Then, turn your hand outward so your palm and wrist face against you, and you see your clenched fist. Lift the object upward above your head in a controlled motion. Extend your arm to the top.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slowly bring your item back down the same way you came until your hand is at your side in the starting position.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete eight reps with one arm, then switch.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aim for three sets on both sides.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_61"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/smiling-sporty-girl-black-workout-tight-suit-is-doing-classical-boat-exercise-back-coach-superman-pose-conducting-remote-online-fitness-class-blue-yoga-mat-home.jpg" alt="" title="smiling-sporty-girl-black-workout-tight-suit-is-doing-classical-boat-exercise-back-coach-superman-pose-conducting-remote-online-fitness-class-blue-yoga-mat-home" class="wp-image-15034" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_109 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5. Superman&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This move, as its name suggests, is not only fun, but it's also a killer move for your upper back. While Superman looks relatively easy compared to other moves, observing the proper form can easily give more sophisticated-looking moves a run for their money. Aside from working on your upper back muscles, you get to have the opportunity to work on your overhead mobility and activate your lats, the muscles needed for when you do &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://barbend.com/no-equipment-back-exercises/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;deadlifts, pull-ups, and even bench presses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lie on your stomach on your mat. Make sure that you have enough space in front of and behind you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Squeeze your glutes as you lift your arms and legs towards the ceiling at the same time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hold the pose for one breath and go down to the original position in a controlled motion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete eight reps for three sets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_26 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_78 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_79 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_80 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_85"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_96 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_62"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bosu-one-leg-extension-deadlift-girl-exercise.jpg" alt="" title="bosu-one-leg-extension-deadlift-girl-exercise" class="wp-image-15038" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_110 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6. Single Leg Deadlifts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, we love the multipurpose effect compound exercises have. This modified version of the deadlift works on your balance once more! On top of this balancing act, you get to work on your back, core, and legs. We recommend a dumbbell for this exercise, but if it's not available, take note from the earlier exercise and make do with what you have at home!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stand with a weight in your right hand and with your knees slightly bent.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hinging at the hips, begin to kick your left leg straight back behind you, lowering the dumbbell down toward the ground.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you reach a comfortable height with your left leg, slowly return to the starting position in a controlled motion, squeezing your right glute. Ensure that your pelvis stays square to the ground during the movement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repeat 10 to 12 reps before moving the weight to your left hand and repeating the same steps on the left leg.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_63"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/woman-doing-burpee-exercise-young-african-american-woman-doing-fitness-active-lifestyle-morning-outdoors-near-stadium.jpg" alt="" title="woman-doing-burpee-exercise-young-african-american-woman-doing-fitness-active-lifestyle-morning-outdoors-near-stadium" class="wp-image-15039" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_111 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7. Burpees&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Burpees are infamous for being that one exercise everyone &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to avoid. Despite the infamy, there's a good reason why it's in many exercise lists (including this one!). Burpees are a great cardio and strength exercise! This move targets your major muscle groups, helps build your endurance, and works out your whole body. Most people can do&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-do-a-burpee#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 20 burpees in a minute&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but you can do as many burpees as you can at your own pace. If you feel like burpees are such a chore, it may help you to know that this exercise is excellent at burning a lot of the holiday food you have been munching on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stand shoulder-width apart and keep your arms down at your sides.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With your hands out in front of you, start to squat down. When your hands reach the ground, pop your legs straight back into a push-up position.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jump your feet up to your palms while keeping your torso parallel to the ground. Get your feet as close to your hands as you can get, landing them outside your hands if necessary.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lift yourself and stand straight. Bring your arms above your head and jump.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is one rep. Complete three sets of ten reps as a beginner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_64"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pretty-girl-wearing-leggings-short-top-standing-side-plank-one-hand-gym-training-body-core-balance-strengthening-abs-muscles-attractive-female-doing-planking-bodyweight-exercise.jpg" alt="" title="pretty-girl-wearing-leggings-short-top-standing-side-plank-one-hand-gym-training-body-core-balance-strengthening-abs-muscles-attractive-female-doing-planking-bodyweight-exercise" class="wp-image-15041" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_112 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8. Side Planks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Side planks are a great way to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/side-plank#benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; work on your obliques, lengthen your spine, and strengthens your core without stressing your back&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition, the pose may challenge your balance on the mat, as you make sure you maintain an excellent form to reap the benefits of the pose. While we love the side plank here at Top Doctor, this may not be a good exercise for you if &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://familydoctor.org/shoulder-pain/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you are experiencing shoulder, arm, or core pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Should such pain be present, avoid this exercise and proceed to the next.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lie on your right side with your left leg. Stack your left foot on top of your right leg and foot. Make sure you feel comfortable. If it is difficult, you may cross your legs and keep your right foot in front of your left foot.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prop your upper body by placing your right forearm on the ground, elbow directly under your shoulder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tighten your core to stiffen your spine. Lift your hips and knees off the ground, forming a straight line with your body. Make sure your torso is not pushed forward in this pose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Return to start in a controlled manner. Repeat three sets of 10–15 reps on one side, then switch.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_86"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_97 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_65"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/side-view-young-dark-skinned-sportsman-doing-elbow-plank-studio-wearing-stylish-sneakers-training-clothes-looking-ahead-him-with-determined-concentrated-expression-endurance-stamina.jpg" alt="" title="side-view-young-dark-skinned-sportsman-doing-elbow-plank-studio-wearing-stylish-sneakers-training-clothes-looking-ahead-him-with-determined-concentrated-expression-endurance-stamina" class="wp-image-15042" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_113 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9. Planks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Planks are popular for a good reason: this simple isometric exercise works wonders for your body as a whole. It helps build your strength and stability, can help get you abs, and can be done for at least a minute.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get on your mat on your knees. Keep your hands parallel to your shoulders, and keep your toes firmly planted on the ground, your back straight, and your core tight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep your chin slightly tucked and your gaze just in front of your hands.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take deep, controlled breaths while maintaining tension throughout your entire body, so your abs, shoulders, triceps, glutes, and quads are all engaged.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ensure that your body is in a straight line from your head to your feet. See to it that your core or buttocks are not rising above your head or legs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete two to three sets of 30-second holds to start.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_66"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/fit-woman-trains-home-does-exercise-glute-bridge.jpg" alt="" title="fit-woman-trains-home-does-exercise-glute-bridge" class="wp-image-15043" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_114 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10. Glute Bridges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finish strong by lying down on your mat with a glute bridge. This exercise primarily focuses on your gluteal muscles - your gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, and gluteus medius. What sets this apart from other lower body exercises is that it doesn't strain your back.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lay on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the ground, and arms straight at your sides with your palms facing down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pushing through your heels, raise your hips off the ground by squeezing your core, glutes, and hamstrings. Your upper back and shoulders should still be in contact with the ground, and your core down to your knees should form a straight line.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pause one to two seconds at the top and return to the starting position.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complete 10–12 reps for three sets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel like having a challenge, you can add some weight through a barbell or add a resistance band through your legs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This workout is a great basic routine that we hope you can sustain during your holiday vacation! We made this routine with as little equipment and space needed as much as possible. However, if you're looking to add more challenges or are at an intermediate level already, feel free to add the following variations:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add five more repetitions to this exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slowly introduce weights. You may use resistance bands, kettlebells, and dumbbells if they are available to you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add a jump to your squats and lunges.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Staying fit doesn't need to be complicated. By sticking to the basic exercise poses, we can see that what matters most is not how complicated an exercise move is. Instead, observing proper form and being consistent with your workout can do wonders for your body!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We hope that this workout will keep you active—both mentally and physically—during this busy season of the year. From us here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Happy Holidays!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/close-up-sporty-woman-with-laptop.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/exercises-to-do-at-home-when-the-gym-is-closed-for-the-holidays/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15014</ID> <title>Discover What's in Your Holiday Foods</title> <publishDate>2021-12-06 10:12:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_55 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_87"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_98 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_67"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/part-livingroom-with-served-table-decorated-firtree-couch-with-cushions.jpg" alt="" title="part-livingroom-with-served-table-decorated-firtree-couch-with-cushions" class="wp-image-15016" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_115 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone looks forward to the holiday season as a time to relax and celebrate with family and friends. The weather, the time off of work, and the traditions all work together to make the holidays feel like the most special time of year. Whether we’re thinking of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Eve, chances to gather together and celebrate are always something to look forward to.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But those chances to celebrate are also when many lose control of their diets. If we’re committed to eating in ways that improve our health, the holidays are a time of extra precaution when it comes to food choices. And we’re here to help! Read on to discover which holiday foods could hurt you the most - and what to eat instead. We’re going to break our list down into beverages, sides, entrees, and desserts. By the end, you’ll be prepared to navigate the entire holiday menu!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To Drink or Not to Drink?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you think of the holiday season, what beverage do you think of first? If you answered eggnog, you’re not alone! We drink &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/eggnog-fun-facts/#:~:text=American's%20consume%20more%20than%20135,and%2070%20mg%20of%20cholesterol." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;135 million pounds of it per year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so it’s no surprise that many different recipes have sprung up. Traditional eggnog, however, contains a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-eggnog-bad-for-you#ingredients" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high sugar content, a high saturated fat content, and a high cholesterol content&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. To indulge and take care of yourself simultaneously, try substituting the heavy cream with milk alternatives like almond milk or skim milk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hot chocolate is another holiday beverage staple, which is why it might be a shock to hear that hot chocolate can contain as many as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/grapefruit-diet-plan-is-it-safe-to-complete" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;330 calories and 45 grams of sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. To avoid that excess sugar–which &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-sugar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;could contribute to weight gain, blood sugar issues, and an increased risk of heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;–drink cinnamon tea instead of hot chocolate. Cinnamon can benefit your blood sugar, and the flavor will still put you in the holiday mood!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sides&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of all the sides that come with a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, mashed potatoes might be the simplest to make and easiest to recognize. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=94fc3951-9fc5-4a71-9a1c-f9fda104b6df#94fc3951-9fc5-4a71-9a1c-f9fda104b6df" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;this crowd-pleaser often calls for butter, sour cream, and heavy cream&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. All those calories and saturated fats mean white mashed potatoes can be a serious threat to your diet. Instead, try making mashed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes will provide the creamy consistency that we love about mashed potatoes without the extra heavy ingredients! If that wasn’t reason enough, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sweet-potato-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sweet potatoes also bring lots of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and iron&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next is the casserole! A necessary side at any holiday gathering, casseroles are easy to stick in the oven and easy to transport. What we need to watch out for here, though, is the sodium content. If you go with the standard green bean casserole, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=1bfa1b4e-a451-47dd-8ae1-cab18f6b6bd2#1bfa1b4e-a451-47dd-8ae1-cab18f6b6bd2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you could be getting 550 milligrams of sodium with each scoop&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. To avoid that, make a sweet potato casserole instead. This will bring the benefits of sweet potatoes that we discussed earlier, plus the easy cooking and serving of a casserole!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_27 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_81 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_82 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_83 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_88"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_99 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_68"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/young-woman-holding-bowl-with-food-while-her-husband-taking-piece-meat.jpg" alt="" title="young-woman-holding-bowl-with-food-while-her-husband-taking-piece-meat" class="wp-image-15015" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_116 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Main Event&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No Thanksgiving celebration would be complete without a turkey, and there’s no shortage of different recipes you can follow. But how should you choose a recipe while trying to take care of your health? The biggest category to avoid is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=1c0f9260-455a-451f-af4f-b770258f311a#1c0f9260-455a-451f-af4f-b770258f311a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;deep-fried turkey, which adds a lot of unnecessary fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The healthier (and safer) method is oven-roasting, which takes a little bit longer but will be worth it in the end. The calories you save–especially if you don’t butter the turkey–will definitely make up for it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you and your loved ones will be following the tradition of holiday turkey, you should also know which part of the turkey is healthiest to eat. The easiest way to remember the answer is that white meat contains less fat and fewer calories than dark meat. While it may not look huge, the dark-meat heavy leg of the turkey &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=a9ab2f92-b742-40e9-b8e8-6afaa9d6e0c3#a9ab2f92-b742-40e9-b8e8-6afaa9d6e0c3"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contains about the amount of fat you’re supposed to eat in an entire day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (54 grams). Eating the white meat instead will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/32652/dark-meat-vs-white-meat-which-turkey-is-healthier/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;save you 45 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat for every three ounces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of turkey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dessert&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No matter which holiday we’re talking about, there will be plenty of pies on the table. But which are the healthiest? The clear winner is pumpkin pie, with its &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=78d1237f-9048-4170-979f-caa217c868a2#78d1237f-9048-4170-979f-caa217c868a2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin A and fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. On average, a slice of pumpkin pie will come with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=78d1237f-9048-4170-979f-caa217c868a2#78d1237f-9048-4170-979f-caa217c868a2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;276 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Compare that to pecan pie, where &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-64-best-and-worst-holiday-foods?slide=bd527608-15aa-4007-bfe8-6c807f9946ac#bd527608-15aa-4007-bfe8-6c807f9946ac"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;just one slice contains 500 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Once we compare the calorie, fat, and sugar content of these two options, the choice is easy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Speaking of pies, there’s an excellent substitute for apple pie as well. While an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-food-swaps-holidays/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;apple pie will bring you an unnecessary amount of fat and sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, baked apples will cut down on the fat and sugar while still providing a comforting, seasonal flavor. On top of that, baked apples are much easier to make!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the festive parties and meals of the holiday season, it might not be easy to make health-conscious decisions. But you can do it! With these food comparisons in mind, all it takes to get out of the holidays feeling great is a little willpower. With recipes like almond milk eggnog, cinnamon tea, sweet potato casserole, oven-roasted turkey, pumpkin pie, and baked apples, your holiday menu can be delicious and help you start the next year off right. Stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/baked-turkey-christmas-dinner-christmas-table-is-served-with-turkey-decorated-with-bright-tinsel-candles-fried-chicken-table-family-dinner-top-view-flat-lay-overhead-copy-space.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/healthy-and-unhealthy-benefits-of-holiday-foods/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15002</ID> <title>A Living Tree in Your Living Room: Health Benefits of a Real Christmas Tree</title> <publishDate>2021-12-04 09:40:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_56 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_89"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_100 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_69"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/natural-christmas-trees-farm-market-closeup.jpg" alt="" title="natural-christmas-trees-farm-market-closeup" class="wp-image-15005" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_117 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are stockings over the fireplace, Grandma's recipes, gatherings of relatives and friends, shopping, wrapping paper, and so much more when the Christmas season is in full swing. Of course, you want a Christmas tree you can decorate to perfection. What tree do you choose? Each year you have a choice between  a real tree or an artificial one holding your ornaments and memories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depending on your preferences and circumstances, either can be justified. Of course, with an artificial tree, you get convenience. However, a real tree can provide additional benefits—physical and emotional—beyond being just a decoration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Americans annually buy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://today.tamu.edu/2020/12/10/the-benefits-of-a-real-christmas-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;20 to 25 million real Christmas trees&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Is yours one of them? Let's see what you're getting and compare it to an artificial tree.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Artificial Trees&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People choose artificial trees for several reasons. First, they are convenient. A quick trip to a local store or an online order, a little assembly time, and you have your tree. As long as you have storage space, you can use them for years. Second, they won't aggravate specific allergies that make having a real tree difficult. Third, the wide variety in size, shape, and quality means you can find one for&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;any space and budget. You can even get one in pink!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://today.tamu.edu/2020/12/10/the-benefits-of-a-real-christmas-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;U.S. Department of Commerce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, 85%of artificial trees are made in China. Most of them consist of metal or plastic, usually PVC, which may contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://realchristmastrees.org/education/fake-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hazardous lead.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Still, artificial trees remain a popular choice for many, even though other than avoiding allergies, they do not offer any health benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Advantages of a Live Christmas Tree&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A live Christmas tree brought into your home is much more than just a pretty base for your ornaments. It is a bit of nature, a representation of life from the outside world. Being surrounded by a natural environment has been shown to positively affect a greater sense of well-being, reduced stress and fatigue, and increased creativity. Even having a house plant or two in your home can trigger these positive effects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Well-Known Benefits of Houseplants &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies show&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that houseplants offer many health benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the findings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with plants in the room may have better attention and focus than those without. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Horticulture therapy can ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, dementia, and other mental illnesses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants may help speed recovery from illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;produce oxygen and take in carbon dioxide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can contribute to improved mental health, happiness, and a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://today.tamu.edu/2020/12/10/the-benefits-of-a-real-christmas-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stronger immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And what about your real Christmas tree? Think of it as a giant house plant! It may be temporary, but it shares some of those benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_28 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_84 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_85 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_86 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_90"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_101 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_70"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-holidays-decor-rich-decorated-new-year-tree-stands-with-present-boxes.jpg" alt="" title="winter-holidays-decor-rich-decorated-new-year-tree-stands-with-present-boxes" class="wp-image-15006" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_118 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Something Special about Pine Trees&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study in Japan drew similar conclusions specifically about coniferous trees (they have needles instead of leaves), including pine trees. They &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hobbyfarms.com/pine-aroma-therapy-pines-conifers-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;clean the air and support our immune systems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They can also encourage a sense of peace. Another study at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/2-wants-to-know/health-benefits-of-a-real-christmas-tree/83-496780037" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kansas State University&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that the appealing pine scent can help defend against sinus infections, colds, and flu. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Essential Oil&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Japan study produced evidence of even greater benefits of coniferous trees. Using essential oils diffused from trees, study participants benefited from an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hobbyfarms.com/pine-aroma-therapy-pines-conifers-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased number of anti-cancer proteins and white blood cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that destroy viruses and tumors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While many medicinal claims are associated with pine essential oil, there is not enough data to be certain of the effects. However,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inhaling the strong scent of your Christmas tree can undoubtedly improve your mood and help clear your sinuses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;That Scent, Those Memories&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The robust scent of a Christmas tree fills the room with a sense of freshness and nature. You may say that it smells like Christmas. It does because the sense of smell is a powerful trigger for memories. The smell of apple pie can spark a memory of your grandmother who loved to bake. The scents of coffee and bacon can bring to mind relaxing Sunday mornings in your childhood home. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This association between smell and memory (stronger than sight and memory) is so strong because, in the brain, odor information &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/02/how-scent-emotion-and-memory-are-intertwined-and-exploited/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;travels directly from the olfactory bulb to areas involving emotion and memory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The sense of smell is powerful in younger children, who form early associations between smells and memories that last through adulthood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So the scent of a pine tree in your living room can bring back distinct memories of yourself as a child learning the family's annual Christmas traditions and being awed by the magic of it all. Perhaps this is a connection you want your children to have. Positive memories like these can contribute to your emotional health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Remains of the Day: Recycling Your Christmas Tree&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though it will last for several years, an artificial tree will eventually need to be discarded. Unfortunately, it cannot be recycled and will sit in a landfill somewhere. A real tree, however,  is a natural part of the Earth, and that is where it will ultimately return.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A real tree can be shredded for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://today.tamu.edu/2020/12/10/the-benefits-of-a-real-christmas-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mulch or compost&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, nourishing other plants and trees and giving you a green thumb. Another option is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/73407/one-way-recycle-christmas-trees-feed-them-elephants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;donate your tree to a zoo or animal sanctuary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As long as the tree has no pesticides, tinsel, glitter, or anything else that can harm the animals, it can provide enrichment. For example, lions and tigers at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/73407/one-way-recycle-christmas-trees-feed-them-elephants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Catty Shack Ranch in Florida&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, for example, treat the trees like giant toys. And in Tennessee, you can donate to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/73407/one-way-recycle-christmas-trees-feed-them-elephants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elephant Sanctuary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where an elephant will kindly eat your tree. The big cats get mental stimulation, and the elephants get a treat that provides nutrition and digestive aid. Unlike the fake trees, there are so many ways to recycle your real Christmas tree that can benefit the lives of other plants or animals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With its natural pine scent, a real Christmas tree brings a bit of nature into your home. In addition to the gifts beneath its branches, your tree shares enhanced physical health and mental well-being with everyone in the house. And when the Christmas season is over, your live tree can nourish and give back to the world it came from. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interested in more lifestyle articles? Visit us at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/small-decorative-christmas-tree.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/a-living-tree-in-your-living-room-health-benefits-of-a-real-christmas-tree/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14991</ID> <title>Healthier Ways to Drink Your Eggnog</title> <publishDate>2021-12-02 09:18:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_57 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_91"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_102 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_71"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/glass-traditional-christmas-drink-eggnog-festive-table-copy-space-text-spicy-drink-made-from-egg-milk-with-cinnamon-cardamom-high-quality-photo-e1637660050463.jpg" alt="" title="glass-traditional-christmas-drink-eggnog-festive-table-copy-space-text-spicy-drink-made-from-egg-milk-with-cinnamon-cardamom-high-quality-photo" class="wp-image-14992" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_119 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of all holiday traditions that involve food, eggnog may be the most beloved. While the drink's origins are still being debated, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/3957265/history-of-eggnog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it is believed that what we know as eggnog is inspired by a medieval European drink called "posset."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Since the drink migrated from Europe, multiple variations have been created, gaining popularity because of its cozy creaminess and rich flavor.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-eggnog-bad-for-you#ingredients" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The classic eggnog today is a dairy-based punch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Most recipes mix heavy cream, sugar, milk, egg whites, and raw egg yolks. Distilled spirits are added for the adults, and the eggnog is served chilled. Spices can also be used, and the most popular eggnog spices are nutmeg and cinnamon. So it's no surprise that this combination is delicious and has become a holiday staple for many people. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.southernliving.com/christmas/eggnog-facts"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, we drink more than 135 million pounds of eggnog per year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! But does eggnog come with a health risk? Read on to find out!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's Wrong with My Eggnog?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The biggest potential problem from standard eggnog is food poisoning from raw eggs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/nutrition-healthy-eating/before-you-drink-eggnog-read-this-a4679659436/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the words of Dr. James Rodgers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, "Eggnog made with raw, unpasteurized eggs can contain salmonella, a leading cause of food poisoning." Salmonella causes around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/chow-line-eggnog-safe-drink-if-pasteurized-or-cooked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one million foodborne illnesses in the United States each year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Fortunately, there are several precautions you can take to avoid food poisoning.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before indulging, it's vital to be aware of traditional eggnog's high saturated fat and sugar content. As &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/eggnog-ingredients-nutrition-info/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Eudene Harry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; says, "These are two of the things that we are most often counseled to limit in our diet, due to concerns about the increased risk of chronic illness such as diabetes and heart disease," which explains why eggnog is considered a significant contributor to holiday weight gain.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The eggnog's cholesterol content is also significant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/eggnog-ingredients-nutrition-info/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Melynda Barnes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; puts it realistically  when she says, "The heavy cream, eggs, and sugar contribute to store-bought eggnog having 350 calories and 149 mg of cholesterol. To put that in perspective, that's as much cholesterol as two double cheeseburgers, two fries, and two soft drinks." Fortunately, part of the history of eggnog is altering the recipe as people see fit, making this exquisite drink healthier for those whose cholesterol levels are not too permissive.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_29 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_87 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_88 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_89 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_92"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_103 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_72"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/two-glasses-traditional-christmas-drink-eggnog-gray-background-web-banner-with-copy-space-text-spicy-drink-made-from-egg-milk-with-cinnamon-cardamom-high-quality-photo.jpg" alt="" title="two-glasses-traditional-christmas-drink-eggnog-gray-background-web-banner-with-copy-space-text-spicy-drink-made-from-egg-milk-with-cinnamon-cardamom-high-quality-photo" class="wp-image-14995" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_120 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Make Eggnog Healthier?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, be sure that you're avoiding food poisoning, something easily achievable in two ways. The first is to buy eggnog from the grocery store. Eggnog sold in stores is usually pasteurized, but check the label to be sure. Your second option is to make your own eggnog, using either liquid eggs that have already been pasteurized or raw eggs. If you use raw eggs, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://simplegreen.com/news-and-media/salmonella-prevention/#:~:text=Heat%20your%20meat,food%20thermometer%20to%20be%20sure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;avoid food poisoning by heating them to 160 degrees Fahrenheit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the other health consequences of eggnog—the sugar and cholesterol we talked about earlier—the best switch you can make is using milk alternatives instead of heavy cream. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/eggnog-ingredients-nutrition-info/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almond milk, skim milk, and coconut milk are all excellent options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Try using honey or maple syrup instead to cut down on the sugar content of your eggnog. Another option is to remove sugar altogether and create flavor with eggnog spices! The most popular options are nutmeg and cinnamon, which will benefit the eggnog's flavor and your health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we consider the two popular spices used in eggnog, there can be health benefits that will encourage making your drink healthier! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nutmeg-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nutmeg contains powerful antioxidants that prevent cellular damage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so this addition to your eggnog could lead you to feel healthier! Studies have also suggested that the eggnog spice &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nutmeg-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may improve your mood, heart health, and blood sugar levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But don't forget cinnamon! This popular eggnog spice also brings health advantages. Many of these benefits are from the compound &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cinnamaldehyde, which gives cinnamon its unique flavor and scent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Like nutmeg, cinnamon is also an eggnog spice that contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities. Your body's ability to repair tissues and fight infection could be improved by adding cinnamon to your diet. In addition, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cinnamon can decrease insulin resistance,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which is when the insulin hormone will be able to accomplish more in your body such as regulating your metabolism, your energy levels, and your blood sugar.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We hope you feel inspired to enjoy some eggnog this holiday season in a healthier way! It can be bad for you in excessive amounts and with the wrong ingredients, but if you are aware of the risks and have the chance to make a health-conscious version of this classic drink, then there's nothing to worry about. In addition to its comforting and nostalgic eggnog flavor, eggnog spices like cinnamon and nutmeg will help you take control of your hormonal and heart health. Stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for more!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/glass-traditional-christmas-drink-eggnog-festive-table-copy-space-text-spicy-drink-made-from-egg-milk-with-cinnamon-cardamom-high-quality-photo.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/healthier-ways-to-drink-your-eggnog/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14955</ID> <title>Easy Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain</title> <publishDate>2021-11-27 20:09:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_58 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_93"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_104 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_73"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/beautiful-family-having-nice-thanksgiving-dinner-together-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="beautiful-family-having-nice-thanksgiving-dinner-together" class="wp-image-14958" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_30 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_90 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_91 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_92 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_121 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holidays are filled with family, friends, cheer, and good food. It is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy fun and fellowship. However, holidays can also be stressful. As you head into the holiday season, thinking about all of the delicious foods that you will make and eat becomes a common stressor. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although this is a joyous time for most people, some of us can get a little anxious about putting on a few pounds of that classic holiday weight gain. With all the good food around, it is easy to overeat and end up regretting it later. But don't worry, holiday weight gain is totally manageable and even avoidable! Here are some simple lifestyle changes that you can make to help manage that dreaded holiday weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A big part of holiday weight gain is because we're surrounded by some of our favorite foods we usually avoid. It is easy&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to overdo it when you restrict yourself from having certain foods, and then you are suddenly surrounded by those off-limit foods. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/obesity/conditioninfo/cause"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overeating on calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the cause of holiday weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One practical way to avoid this problem is to have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://biteoutoflifenutrition.com/blog/overcome-food-guilt-this-holiday-season/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no off-limits food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; all year round! This may seem counterintuitive at first, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2694569/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;restricting calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or specific foods can lead to overindulgence later. Instead of putting special significance on foods, you'll only eat for the holidays as a "cheat day," have those foods any time of the year you want to. This will help you eat in moderation and avoid holiday weight gain when the season rolls around. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to maintain a healthy weight all year, don't forget to look into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intuitive eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This lifestyle choice can help you avoid holiday weight gain and maintain a healthy body and mind. Intuitive eating focuses on allowing your body to communicate its needs. Eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full are some of the basics of intuitive eating. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are significant &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ideafit.com/personal-training/nutrition-hacks-based-on-hard-science/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;psychological and physical benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to intuitive eating, including a lower BMI (body mass index) and a healthier relationship with food. Studies have shown that intuitive eating effectively maintains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23962472/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; levels, making it an effective approach to avoiding holiday weight gain. As you navigate the stress of avoiding holiday weight gain, slow down and pay attention to what your body says. Eating what you want in moderation is a great way to maintain a healthy body and mind and stay away from holiday weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Recommendations &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We talked above about some lifestyle changes that you can implement to help circumvent holiday weight gain. However, there are also some great options of new foods or even classic favorites that you can try out this holiday. One great way to keep holiday weight gain in check is to eat fiber-rich, satiating foods. These will not only keep you satisfied longer but will also slow down your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/287742/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-eating-more-fiber/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;body's absorption of calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ideafit.com/personal-training/nutrition-hacks-based-on-hard-science/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fruits, veggies, and whole grains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the best way to ensure you're getting enough fiber to maintain satiety and keep off holiday weight gain.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/275021/vegetable-side-dish-recipes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are some incredible holiday dishes featuring vegetables curated by Martha Stewart. These tantalizing dishes will allow you to enjoy delicious food during the festivities while getting around holiday weight gain.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thankfully, fruit pies are already a staple of the holiday season. You can knock out getting your fiber through fruits with recipes like this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/recipes/classic-apple-pie" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tasty apple pie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Since you can manage holiday weight gain by getting your holiday staples and eating healthy ingredients, add this delicious &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/recipes/corn-bread-stuffing-with-cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cornbread stuffing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to your holiday cooking repertoire. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are plenty of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/food/50-holiday-foods-you-shouldnt-eat?slide=5ccf3300-77e8-4742-8683-544e67655021#5ccf3300-77e8-4742-8683-544e67655021"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nutritious holiday favorite alternatives&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to choose from if you still want to evade holiday weight gain. Having some classic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.com/food/50-holiday-foods-you-shouldnt-eat?slide=5ccf3300-77e8-4742-8683-544e67655021#5ccf3300-77e8-4742-8683-544e67655021"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;alternatives with lower calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may reduce your stress levels this holiday season while still ensuring that you get to eat all of your holiday favorites.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; team hopes you have found this guide to navigating holiday weight gain helpful. Remember that an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle includes your attitude and perspective towards food, which includes how you approach holiday weight gain. Although this can be a stressful subject, we hope that you have learned some valuable concepts and gotten some fun new recipes to try out this holiday season. If you have specific health concerns regarding your weight, we encourage you to check out our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/wellness/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; publication!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/traditional-uzbek-oriental-cuisine-uzbek-family-table-from-different-dishes-new-year-holiday.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/easy-ways-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14897</ID> <title>Stressed about the Holidays? Try These Anti-Stress Techniques This Holiday Season</title> <publishDate>2021-11-18 15:44:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_59 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_94"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_105 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_74"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/diy-acts-kindness-advent-calendar-christmas.jpg" alt="" title="diy-acts-kindness-advent-calendar-christmas" class="wp-image-14898" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_122 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the air becomes crisp and the leaves change color, the delicious scents of apple cider, and pumpkin spice once again fill the air. The beginning of the holiday season delights the senses and reminds us that many weeks of cooking, hosting, and shopping are just around the corner. Self-care should not be neglected while you prepare for this wonderful time of celebration and friends.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many, the holidays can be a challenging time of year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of people report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; moderate to severe stress by the time New Year’s Day finally arrives. Contrary to expectation, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research indicates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that people find the season of good cheer as stressful as asking for a raise! Today, we will explore the best strategies for mitigating this seasonal anxiety. As you consider potential strategies, always remember that you should seek help if you need it. If the symptoms you experience do not change or worsen, consider reaching out to a psychologist or personal counselor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tis the Season? Some Reasons Why Holidays Are Stressful&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When considering the sources of seasonal pressure, remember that a certain amount of stress is an inevitable part of life. Good mental health is not about eliminating stress; rather, it’s about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;learning to respond in a healthy way&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientists think&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a certain amount of stress actually helps make our lives fulfilling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With this in mind, it’s evident that the holidays&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; involve many taxing activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as hosting guests, cooking meals, shopping for presents, and cleaning your living space will likely pop up on your to-do list more often than usual. Unfortunately, the marketing surrounding holidays &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;does little to mitigate this workload&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, contributing to the tension by creating an artificial sense of built-up anticipation. Add to that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the ever-present social challenge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of balancing between excessive and insufficient togetherness with friends and family, and you’ve got one tricky time of year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_31 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_93 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_94 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_95 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_95"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_106 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_75"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/family-preparing-thanksgiving-day-turkey-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="family-preparing-thanksgiving-day-turkey" class="wp-image-14900" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_123 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxation Responses: Cultivating Mindfulness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Dr. Herbert Benson&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Harvard Medical School cardiologist, the body’s initial response to stress is physical- the heart rate and breathing increase, and the muscles tighten. These physical responses initially developed as a survival mechanism. Dr. Benson &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recommends &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;developing a “relaxation response” mechanism to deactivate natural stress. Learning a relaxation response equips you to start confronting your stress from the comfort of your own home. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common relaxation response discipline is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;breath focusing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You attempt to empty your mind of distracting, upsetting thoughts by fixating on long, slow, deep breaths. Breath focusing functions as a cornerstone for several other relaxation response disciplines, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mindfulness meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which trains the mind to contemplate presentness rather than the past or the future, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yoga&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which challenges the body’s flexibility to calm the mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Body, Healthy Mind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that we understand how a natural defense mechanism intensifies stress responses, it should come as no surprise that biological causes also contribute to holiday stress. Consider tweaking your lifestyle a bit as you attempt to decrease seasonal stress. To begin, take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stock of your habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce your caffeine intake&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if you find yourself consuming an excess of five cups of coffee per day, as high doses of this energizing chemical produce jitters and anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to counteract stress hormones in your brain with positive endorphins, and eat a healthy snack before scenarios where you might be tempted to gorge yourself on junk food. Top this regimen off with a dietary supplement or two - lemon balm and kava kava &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;possess beneficial anti-anxiety properties&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; - and you’ll be feeling better in no time!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_96"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_107 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_76"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/happy-family-having-nice-thanksgiving-dinner-together.jpg" alt="" title="happy-family-having-nice-thanksgiving-dinner-together" class="wp-image-14903" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_124 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s All about Outlook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychiatrist &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/6_simple_practices_to_handle_holiday_stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dan Siegel says&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that successfully fighting back stress boils down to “priming” your brain for positive responses throughout the day. Therefore, set your intention on enjoying the holidays as much as possible, and take a moment to notice when things are going well. Fred Bryant, a researcher at Loyola, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/6_simple_practices_to_handle_holiday_stress"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that dwelling on a positive emotion for just 15 to 30 seconds increases neural connections and makes a lasting positive memory possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When things go wrong, take a moment to acknowledge your feelings and their causes - whatever those may be. Think of this as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“emotionally taking stock.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; If you’re still upset about the situation, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;write it down&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Start with what you’re grateful for. However, only afterward make a list of the sources of your stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thriving During the Holidays&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, the key to a happy holiday season is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;accepting the time for what it is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Don’t impose unrealistic expectations on yourself or others. Instead, establish a budget, set your priorities, and permit yourself to say no when you feel overwhelmed. If you develop mindful habits and a positive outlook, you will find yourself much better equipped to acknowledge the sources of holiday stress for what they are and enjoy the season all the more. Armed with these helpful tactics, you can dive headfirst into wrapping paper and recipes this December and come up at the end of it all with a big smile on your face!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/diy-acts-kindness-advent-calendar-christmas.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/stressed-about-the-holidays-try-these-anti-stress-techniques-this-holiday-season/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29079</ID> <title>Can Walking After a Meal Lower Blood Pressure?</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 15:44:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_60 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_97"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_108 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_125 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. However, many lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure, including exercise. Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise, and many people wonder if walking after a meal can help lower blood pressure. This article will explore the relationship between walking and blood pressure and whether walking after a meal can positively impact blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is High Blood Pressure?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against the arteries is consistently too high. High blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries and organs over time and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Causes of High Blood Pressure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many factors can contribute to high blood pressure. Some of the most common include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Genetics: High blood pressure can run in families.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Age: Blood vessels become less flexible as we age, which can lead to higher blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Lifestyle: Eating a diet high in sodium, not getting enough physical activity, and being overweight or obese can contribute to high blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like sleep apnea, kidney disease, and thyroid problems can contribute to high blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29087 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/walking2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="763" height="954" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Walking Lower Blood Pressure?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure. Exercise helps improve the flexibility of blood vessels, which can reduce the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Exercise also helps improve heart health, which can lower blood pressure over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. Walking can be done anywhere and anytime, requiring no special equipment or training. Walking can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase overall fitness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have shown that walking can be an effective way to lower blood pressure. For example, a study published in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Hypertension&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for eight weeks, can lower blood pressure by an average of 10 points. Another study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that simply walking for 10 minutes after a meal can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Walking After a Meal Lower Blood Pressure?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking after a meal may have a positive impact on blood pressure. A study published in the journal &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diabetologia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that walking for just 15 minutes after a meal can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is important because high blood sugar levels can contribute to high blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29090 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/walking3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="765" height="400" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another study published in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Hypertension&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that walking for 10 minutes after a meal can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. The study participants were divided into two groups. One group walked for 10 minutes after each meal, while the other group did not walk. After 12 weeks, the group that walked after meals had significantly lower blood pressure than the group that did not walk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is believed that walking after a meal helps improve digestion and blood flow, which can reduce the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Walking after a meal may also help reduce stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is an excellent form of exercise that can help lower blood pressure. Walking for just 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can help lower blood pressure by an average of 10 points. Walking after a meal may also have a positive impact on blood pressure. Studies have shown that walking for 10-15 minutes after a meal can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. In addition, walking after a meal may help improve digestion and blood flow, and reduce stress, all of which can contribute to lower blood pressure. Speaking with a healthcare provider before starting any exercise program is essential, especially if you have high blood pressure or other medical conditions. Incorporating regular exercise, such as walking, into your daily routine, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes, can help lower blood pressure and improve overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/walkingcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/can-walking-after-a-meal-lower-blood-pressure/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29163</ID> <title>Sleep and Aging: Exploring the Impact on Health and Strategies for Quality Sleep</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 15:39:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_61 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_98"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_109 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_126 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Introduction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is an essential component of overall health and well-being at any age. However, as individuals age, changes in sleep patterns and an increased prevalence of sleep disturbances can significantly impact their quality of life. This article delves into the impact of sleep on the aging process and overall health. We will examine common sleep disturbances experienced by older adults, explore their causes and discuss potential interventions to improve sleep quality and promote healthy aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Impact of Sleep on Aging and Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Function:&lt;/strong&gt; Adequate sleep plays a vital role in maintaining cognitive function. It supports memory consolidation, information processing and problem-solving abilities. Older adults who experience insufficient or disrupted sleep show a link to decreased attention span, impaired memory and reduced cognitive performance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physical Health:&lt;/strong&gt; Quality sleep is crucial for optimal physical health. It supports immune function, helps regulate hormones and facilitates the body's healing and repair processes. Chronic sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality in older adults can be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and weakened immune systems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emotional Well-being:&lt;/strong&gt; Sleep disturbances can contribute to emotional and mental health issues. Older adults experiencing poor sleep are more susceptible to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation can intensify feelings of irritability, fatigue and stress, impairing overall emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29172 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingchess-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common Sleep Disturbances in Older Adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insomnia:&lt;/strong&gt; Insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, is a prevalent sleep disturbance among older adults. Contributing factors may include underlying health conditions, medications, lifestyle changes or increased sensitivity to environmental factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sleep Apnea:&lt;/strong&gt; Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing stops repeatedly and starts again during sleep. It can lead to fragmented sleep and oxygen deprivation. Older adults are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to age-related changes in throat muscles and the increased prevalence of obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS):&lt;/strong&gt; RLS causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. Symptoms often worsen during rest or in the evening, leading to sleep disruption and daytime fatigue. RLS can be idiopathic or related to certain medical conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29169 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingclock-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Potential Interventions to Improve Sleep Quality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sleep Hygiene Practices:&lt;/strong&gt; Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime and reducing exposure to electronics can improve sleep hygiene. These practices help signal the body to wind down and promote better sleep quality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I):&lt;/strong&gt; CBT-I is a proven therapeutic approach for managing insomnia. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors related to sleep. CBT-I can help older adults develop healthy sleep habits, manage anxiety around sleep and promote relaxation techniques.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):&lt;/strong&gt; CPAP therapy is a common recommendation for individuals with sleep apnea. It involves wearing a mask during sleep that delivers continuous airflow, ensuring open airways and reducing apnea episodes. CPAP can improve sleep quality and alleviate associated health risks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medications and Alternative Therapies:&lt;/strong&gt; In some cases, healthcare professionals may prescribe sleep medications for short-term relief from sleep disturbances. However, these should be used judiciously due to potential side effects and dependency. Alternative therapies like relaxation exercises, aromatherapy or soothing music can also aid in promoting better sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29171 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingmedicine-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conclusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep disturbances can significantly impact the health and well-being of older adults. Recognizing the importance of quality sleep for healthy aging and addressing and managing common sleep disturbances is crucial. By implementing sleep hygiene practices, considering therapeutic interventions such as CBT-I or CPAP and exploring alternative therapies, older adults can improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive function, support physical health and foster overall well-being. Prioritizing sleep is vital in promoting healthy aging and enjoying a fulfilling and rejuvenating life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingcover-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/sleep-and-aging-exploring-the-impact-on-health-and-strategies-for-quality-sleep/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29130</ID> <title>A Guide to Healthy Aging for Women: Promoting Vitality and Well-being</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 15:35:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_62 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_99"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_110 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_127 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aging is a natural process that every woman experiences. While we cannot halt the passage of time, adopting a proactive approach to healthy aging can significantly enhance the quality of life and overall well-being. Women can age gracefully by making informed lifestyle choices and prioritizing self-care while maintaining physical, mental and emotional vitality. In this article, we will explore essential factors contributing to healthy aging for women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nourishing the Body: Proper nutrition plays a vital role in healthy aging. Women should focus on consuming a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Adequate hydration is also essential for maintaining optimal bodily functions. Women should limit processed foods, sugary beverages and excessive salt intake, as they can contribute to various health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Staying Active: Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining strength, flexibility and overall fitness. Engaging in exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or pilates can help improve cardiovascular health, manage weight and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Women should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and strength training exercises to maintain muscle mass and bone density.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29137 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/healthyagingwomen2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing Bone Health: Osteoporosis is a common concern for women as they age. It is essential to focus on calcium and vitamin D intake to promote healthy bones and reduce the risk of fractures. Incorporating calcium-rich foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified alternatives into the diet can help. Exposure to sunlight or vitamin D supplements can ensure sufficient vitamin D levels. Additionally, weight-bearing exercises and resistance training can help improve bone density.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental and Cognitive Health: Maintaining mental and cognitive well-being is crucial for healthy aging. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills or playing musical instruments can help keep the brain sharp. Social interaction and staying connected with friends, family and community can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and promote emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Managing Stress and Emotional Health: Chronic stress can have a negative impact on overall health. Women should develop effective stress management techniques, such as regular exercise, mindfulness journaling, deep breathing exercises or engaging in hobbies that bring joy. Seeking support from loved ones, joining support groups or talking to a therapist can also help manage emotional health and promote healthy aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29138 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/healthyagingwomen3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular Health Check-ups: Regular health check-ups are vital for early detection and prevention of age-related health conditions. Women should schedule routine visits with their healthcare provider, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, bone density tests, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks and other age-appropriate screenings. Following prescribed medications and immunizations and discussing any concerns with the healthcare provider is essential for maintaining optimal health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy aging for women encompasses various physical, mental and emotional well-being aspects. By adopting a holistic approach focusing on nutrition, exercise, bone health, mental stimulation, stress management and regular health check-ups, women can enhance their vitality, maintain independence and enjoy a fulfilling life as they age. Embracing these lifestyle choices will empower women to age gracefully while prioritizing their overall health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/healthyagingwomencover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-guide-to-healthy-aging-for-women-promoting-vitality-and-well-being/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29147</ID> <title>A Lifelong Journey in Cardiology: Dr. Monzur Morshed's Journey and the Future of Heart Care</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 13:30:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_63 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_100"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_111 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_128 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Inspirational Journey and Outstanding Achievements of Dr. Monzur Morshed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Monzur Morshed, a distinguished cardiologist, commenced his medical career within the challenging realm of a combined emergency and internal medicine residency at Albert Einstein Affiliated Hospital in New York. During this pivotal period, he encountered a mentor cardiologist who ignited his enduring passion for cardiology. In this demanding field, where matters of life and death are a constant presence, Dr. Morshed and his dedicated team consistently act with urgency to ensure the well-being of their patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Morshed had the opportunity to choose neurosurgery at tertiary care hospitals in USA  but his passion was leaning stronger towards cardiology, in which he specializes in being an invasive cardiologist in addition to Nuclear Cardiology, Echocardiography, Cardiac CTA,  peripheral Vascular imaging and different branches of clinical cardiology.   He had his training at Various prestigious hospitals in New York, Long Island, NY in addition to some hospitals in London, UK.  As a chief cardiology fellow, he was accountable for supervising numerous doctors in training, interviewing cardiology candidates, and taking part in numerous cardiology research initiatives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Morshed attended university in New York City, where he graduated with Summa Cum Laude, honors and many Dean's List titles along with numerous scholarships and awards that ultimately ended his college career with an almost 4.0 GPA. Once Dr. Morshed completed his residency, he also concluded a cardiology fellowship with a hospital associated with Columbia University Hospital and later the University of Rochester in New York. His research has continued as he has given many lectures and completed training. He has received many awards for his practice in cardiology, including awards such as the Who's Who Honors, the NJ Top Docs award, America's Best Physicians Award, the New York State Trooper Surgeon Honorary Award, the New York State Senator Award, and the New York Top Doc Award. In December 2022, he received the President's Award from President Joe Biden and his White House staff. He was also awarded the Doctors' Choice Award this year in addition to the  Best Cardiologist Award nationwide,  the New York Magazine’s Top Cardiologist Award and received an award from the American Medical Association in the past. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Morshed has had terrific grants to practice medicine in New York for the past several years from the United States Health Department.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29153 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/drmorshed1-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="743" height="991" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He has also written a book about breast cancer with his son titled &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Road to Love and Redemption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Currently, Dr. Morshed has television programs with Time Television, USA and TBN 24 New York, IBTV New York, ABC Bangla TV channel, Channel 24 TV, and Channel I Television, where he focuses on discussing medical topics and issues that patients are facing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiology's Vital Role in Emergency Medicine and Medical Advancements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His long medical journey has only continued to improve over the past years of practice, and his love for cardiology has only increased. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have a limited time to do all the interventions, and we see how the patient becomes family. Doctors are what can make a difference between life and death situations. I think cardiology is just one of those fields," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiology is a field that plays a significant role in emergency medicine. In many trauma-related cases, the heart is involved. In sports, injuries often impact the heart, and many other situations can call for treatments on the heart. Advancements in technology for the medical field are always happening, and cardiology is no different. The newest advancements are always available in Dr. Morshed's office to allow for more accurate findings for each patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have a lot of new technology and new medicine to improve the health of patients and cardiac care so that people do great," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips on How to Keep Your Heart Healthy  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blood pressure and diabetes are all influenced by cardiology and the heart. Prevention is key. Dr. Morshed emphasizes that a proper preventive care regimen for your heart relies on diet, exercise and stress management. Your lifestyle impacts your heart the most. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29155 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/heart-healthyfoods-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The best preventative care comes from our lifestyle. Focus on reevaluating stress, sleeping well, and healthy oils and fats along with proper use of BMI," Dr. Morshed said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventative care starts now. Caring for your heart is vital in the long run of life and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and blood-pressure-related issues, among many other diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Cardiology &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constant advancements in the medical field play a vital role in where the healthcare industry and cardiology will head in the future. Dr. Morshed said that injectable medicine and new technology will continue to improve the cardiology field and create a world where patients can access important information about their hearts and general cardiovascular health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The cardiology field is advancing more than any other medical field," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are devices now that can monitor for many days at different paces, and the devices keep getting smaller and higher tech. They continue to improve cardiology's near future and can best communicate what the patient is experiencing internally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The appreciation of patients after we care for them in life or death situations is the most rewarding part of what I do every day. Those stories keep me motivated," Dr. Morshed concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29156 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TDM_Social172_Facebook-LinkedIn-Website-31-1024x577.png" alt="" width="1024" height="577" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To find out more about Dr. Morshed and his practice in cardiology, call his office at:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tel: 718-583-7736.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dr. Monzur NEW YORK Cardiologist &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Essen Medical Clinic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1990 McGraw Ave, Bronx, NY 10462&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/drmorshedcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-lifelong-journey-in-cardiology-dr-monzur-morsheds-journey-and-the-future-of-heart-care/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29180</ID> <title>Prostate Health: Screening and Prevention for Men</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 13:27:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_64 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_101"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_112 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_129 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining optimal prostate health is crucial for men's overall well-being. The prostate gland plays a vital role in reproductive function but is also susceptible to various conditions, including prostate cancer. Regular screening and adopting preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk and promote early detection of prostate-related issues. In this article, we will explore the importance of prostate health, discuss screening methods, provide essential prevention tips and delve deeper into lifestyle modifications that support prostate health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Understanding the Prostate: The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate's primary function is to produce and store seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Screening for Prostate Conditions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Digital Rectal Exam (DRE):&lt;/strong&gt; A healthcare professional assesses the prostate gland through the rectum during this examination. The DRE allows the doctor to check for abnormalities like lumps or hard spots. Although the DRE is not a definitive test, it can provide valuable information and complement other screening methods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test:&lt;/strong&gt; This blood test measures the levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels may indicate the presence of prostate conditions, including infection, inflammation, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer. However, it is essential to note that a high PSA level does not necessarily mean cancer is present. Additional tests, such as imaging studies or a prostate biopsy, may be required to confirm a diagnosis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29185 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/prostatehealth2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prevention Strategies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Diet:&lt;/strong&gt; Adopting a balanced and nutritious diet can significantly improve prostate health. Include foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables (particularly cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower) and berries. These foods help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, which some believe contribute to prostate issues. Additionally, include sources of healthy fats like nuts, seeds and fatty fish (such as salmon) that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown potential protective effects against prostate cancer. Reduce the consumption of red meat and processed foods, as they may increase the risk of prostate issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Regular Exercise:&lt;/strong&gt; Regularly engaging in physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Additionally, incorporate strength training exercises and stretching to enhance overall fitness. Exercise has been associated with a lower risk of developing advanced prostate cancer and can also help manage other prostate-related conditions like BPH.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintain a Healthy Weight:&lt;/strong&gt; Excess body fat and obesity can increase the risk of prostate cancer and other prostate-related problems. Focus on maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Even modest weight loss can positively impact prostate health if you are overweight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Limit Alcohol Consumption:&lt;/strong&gt; Excessive alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of prostate issues. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate levels (up to two drinks per day for men) or avoid it altogether. If you drink alcohol, use red wine in moderation, as it contains antioxidants that may benefit prostate health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Quit Smoking:&lt;/strong&gt; Some have linked smoking to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer. If you smoke, seek assistance and quit smoking to improve your prostate health and overall well-being. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of prostate cancer and lowers the risk of numerous other health conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stay Hydrated:&lt;/strong&gt; Maintaining proper hydration is essential for prostate health. Drink adequate water daily to support urinary function and help flush out toxins from the body. Dehydration can lead to concentrated urine, potentially irritating the prostate and increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Consider Prostate-Healthy Supplements:&lt;/strong&gt; Some natural supplements have demonstrated promise in promoting prostate health. Saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol and pygeum africanum are commonly employed to alleviate symptoms of BPH. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements, as they may interact with medications or have adverse effects in specific individuals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29186 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/prostatehealth3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing prostate health through regular screenings and adopting preventive measures is crucial for every man. Routine screenings, including the DRE and PSA tests, can aid in the early detection and treatment of prostate issues. Moreover, incorporating healthy lifestyle choices, such as a nutritious diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, staying hydrated and considering prostate-healthy supplements, can significantly reduce the risk of prostate conditions. Regular discussions with healthcare professionals and timely screenings are essential for maintaining optimal prostate health. By taking proactive steps, men can safeguard their prostate health and lead fulfilling lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/prostatehealth1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/prostate-health-screening-and-prevention-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29106</ID> <title>80-year-old Stan Cottrell's Home Run for Veterans!</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 13:25:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_65 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_102"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_113 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_130 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a world where people often perceive age as a limitation, one man has shattered the boundaries of what's possible. At the age of 80, Stan Cottrell is not just running; he's on a mission to change the world, one stride at a time. His incredible journey is a testament to the human spirit's boundless potential for greatness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell is a USMC veteran whose life story is a symphony of resilience, hope and unwavering determination. From the very beginning, Cottrell's days start with an unshakable belief in his own ability to win. He carries with him a cherished motto, a gift from his mother that has guided him throughout his remarkable journey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29120 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/stanwithfriends-1024x536.png" alt="" width="753" height="394" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 30"&gt; &lt;div class="section"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stan and friends in Kentucky&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"'Lord, I'm reporting for duty,' my Mama would say," Cottrell recalls. "And on the last day of her life, on that final morning, she said it for the last time."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Cottrell, age is nothing but a number, a mere label that he refuses to let define him. He firmly believes that too many people limit themselves based on society's expectations. Labels, whether self-imposed or externally imposed, can dictate our actions and beliefs. In Cottrell's eyes, there are no neutral moments in life; we're either positive, hopeful and expectant or we're not. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29114 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/staninpoland-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 31"&gt; &lt;div class="section"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stan and friends in Poland&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As Stan Cottrell embarks on his 77th ultra distance run and 44th year of running for causes greater than himself, his story becomes an anthem of purpose. Two years ago, he completed his third jaw-dropping 100-day run across the entire United States, covering 30 miles a day. Over the past 76 years, he has run a staggering 283,000 miles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THE MISSION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His most recent endeavor, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;"Home Run for Veterans,"&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a rallying cry for veterans suffering from PTSD. Cottrell's connection to this cause runs deep, as he recalls family members who endured the aftermath of World War II without the understanding of PTSD. "When I was growing up, people called these symptoms 'shell shock,'" Cottrell added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29113 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mstbook-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;COMBATING PTSD&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying or dangerous event. These stressful or traumatic events usually involve a situation where someone has faced life-threatening situations or a severe injury has occurred.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell has joined ranks with the Gene Birdwell Foundation to support their book; "Military Sexual Trauma" (MST). This monumental manual showcases a myriad of causative agents leading to an all-encompassing world called PTSD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mission of the Birdwell Foundation is to decrease and eliminate veteran and first responder suicide by providing a community of support from fellow warriors who have found their way out of the darkness through a healing process that equips them to be now reared and ready to teach and provide to others. "No one can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. We need each other." Cottrell added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;RUNNING A MARATHON A DAY&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;"Home Run for Veterans"&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is such an attraction magnet," Cottrell explains. "I'm honored to do my part — running a marathon a day for 39 days — 1,024 miles total beginning March 15th throughout Georgia to bring light where only darkness has long been the norm."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's 1,024-mile run is for the benefit and awareness of veterans suffering from PTSD and the issue of 24 veterans each day that commit suicide. Cottrell plans on visiting with as many veterans as possible as he runs to 9 Georgia-based military bases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29118 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/runninginvietnam-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 33"&gt; &lt;div class="section"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Finishing run in DeNang, Vietnam&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His dedication to this cause, especially at the age of 80, is truly inspiring. By running a marathon distance every day and including all the military bases in Georgia in his route, he is not only raising awareness but also paying tribute to the sacrifices made by veterans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's heart also extends to the less fortunate, as he has witnessed both the grandeur of the White House and the struggles of those living in poverty. He has run through third-world countries, raising funds to provide coats and shoes for children facing winter without adequate clothing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was one of those children who didn't have a coat for winter," Cottrell reflects. "I know what it's like to wait for a pair of shoes until tobacco sales time." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29115 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/windingroad-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;UNIFYING THE WORLD&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yet, Cottrell's journey is not just about personal achievement; it's about transformation and the power of the human spirit to soar beyond limitations. His life began with adversity, as he faced ridicule at the age of 12 for his small stature. But on that summer day in 1955, when he won a 100-yard dash running barefoot at the county fair, he discovered his gift and theme for the rest of his life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A stranger's encouraging words ignited a spark within him: "You sure are little, but those legs of yours sure can fly. Why, you might just grow up and be a champion someday." Cottrell reflects this was a significant marker in his life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Four years later, Cottrell received an unexpected scholarship opportunity, which led to his college education. But that was just the beginning of his extraordinary journey. Running in 43 countries, the Great Wall of China, and coast to coast three times in the United States, he became a symbol of hope and unity, drawing crowds of 100,000 or more in countries like Korea, Bulgaria, China, and Vietnam. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every step of Cottrell's journey reinforces a message of hope, purpose, and unity. He believes every person has a unique mission, a divine decree to fulfill. His gift for running became his vessel to inspire, unite, and bring about change. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29117 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finishingraceinchina-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div class="page" title="Page 34"&gt; &lt;div class="layoutArea"&gt; &lt;div class="column"&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stan running in China&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As he continues challenging himself, Cottrell imparts wisdom to future runners and individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle. His message is simple yet profound: movement is life. Almost 70% of the U.S. population is overweight, and Cottrell urges people to start with small steps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Get yourself a good pair of walking shoes and just start moving," he advises. "Fitness should never be a punishment; it should be a nourishment for your body."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's life is a testament to the limitless potential of the human spirit. His age is merely a number, and he believes there are no limits to what one can achieve. As he reflects on his remarkable journey, he leaves us with a powerful truth: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"And my life has just begun at 80 years old. Where are the limits? They don't exist. It's time to salute the Veterans!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stan Cottrell's call is for everyone to join this cause by using their influence, resources, talents, and prayers as a rallying cry to stand in solidarity with veterans and work towards a better future for them. Let's support this noble endeavor and help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our nation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/stanholdingflag.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/80-year-old-stan-cottrells-home-run-for-veterans/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29435</ID> <title>Gifts for Well-Being: A Health and Wellness Gift Guide</title> <publishDate>2023-12-07 16:44:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_66 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_103"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_114 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_131 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Welcome to our Christmas gift guide, specially curated by our editorial team. As we approach the holiday season, what better way to show your love and care for your friends and family than by giving the gift of well-being? From promoting restful sleep to enhancing oral hygiene and supporting a healthy lifestyle, we've curated a diverse selection of gift ideas for a happier and healthier you. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful skincare basket, eco-friendly glass containers, or even a membership to an ingredient-savvy app, our guide has something for everyone. So, this Christmas season, let's prioritize health and wellness and share the gift of self-care and vitality with ourselves and our loved ones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29571 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hatchgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hatch: Restore 2&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$199&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A full night's rest is essential for muscle recovery and can even help digestion. The Hatch: Restore 2 is a great gift for anyone needing more restful sleep or would like to wake up peacefully rather than to a blaring alarm every morning. Add it to your Christmas list this year, or get one for someone you know is needing a better night’s sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hatch.co&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29564 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/castoroilgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack Kit &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$85.94&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Castor oil packs are an easy gift for anyone in your life who likes taking a more natural approach to health and wellness. Using castor oil packs can be beneficial for improving circulation, reducing inflammation and relieving pain in specific areas of the body, making them a popular natural remedy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aliveandwell.health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29574 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/skincarebasketgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Skincare Basket&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A skincare basket can be a thoughtful gift for someone who has an extensive skincare routine or can be nice to give someone trying to figure out what their skincare routine looks like. Here are some ideas if you’re thinking about putting a skincare basket together for someone this Christmas: a face cleanser, their favorite moisturizer, a gua sha tool, face masks, a facial steamer, a gift card to get facial or reusable eye patches. This kind of gift is very customizable to any individual and budget.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-29569 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/glasscontainersgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;20-Piece Round Glass Containers with Bamboo Lids Set&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$59.95&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Glass storage containers are a wonderful gift for the person in your life who is trying to avoid using plastic for any number of reasons, and will be a welcomed gift this Christmas. Glassware is a reusable and sustainable way to store food and takes away the worry of the harm of microplastics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Crateandbarrel.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29572 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/medspagiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gift Card to Medspa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Who doesn’t love a trip to the spa? A gift card to a health spa could be the perfect gift to give someone close to you this Christmas. Many health and wellness spas offer a number of different services from hydrafacials, to cryotherapy to aesthetics. If you want to treat someone else or yourself this holiday season, a trip to your local medspa could be a great option!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29565 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/coconutoiltgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Unrefined Coconut Oil&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$7.97&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you know someone who is serious about their oral health, unrefined coconut oil is an easy gift for them. Some believe oil pulling can help reduce harmful bacteria, prevent bad breath and promote healthier gums and teeth. While it doesn’t replace regular oral hygiene like brushing and flossing, it can be used as a fantastic addition to their oral hygiene routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;publix.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29575 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/waterpickgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rechargeable Cordless Water Flosser&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$70&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Speaking of oral health, a water flosser could be a great addition to your (or anyone you're giving gifts to this Christmas) oral hygiene regimen. Add this to your Christmas wishlist, or get it for anyone who’s been wanting to step up their oral health routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;getquip.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29566 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/donategiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Charity Donation to a Health and Wellness Initiative&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A charity donation is the perfect gift for the person who loves to give. If one of your friends or family members has a charity they enjoy supporting, donate in their name this year. It’s a thoughtful way to show you are attentive to their interests and give back to support the health and well-being of others in the community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29573 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/potsgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;LIMA CERAMIC NONSTICK 12-PIECE COOKWARE SET&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$214.99&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An all-natural cookware set is a must for anyone who’s tired of every product in their house being harmful to their bodies. If you’ve been wanting to make the switch to non-toxic cookware, put this set on your wishlist this year or check it out for a friend or family member. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;greenpan.us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29576 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yukagiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;YUKA Membership&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$13.99/year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This app is a brilliant way to see what ingredients are in the food, cleaning, and skin care products you’re using and get suggestions for more natural or healthier options. The membership allows you to search for any product without having to scan its barcode code, and it is a great last-minute gift if you waited a little too late to buy gifts this season!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yuka.io/en/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29568 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/gardengiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Véritable® SMART Garden System&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$249&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the space for a garden, but as personal gardens have been making a comeback in recent years, a compact garden system could be an excellent gift for someone who has been wanting to start their own. This is an easy way to get started and allows them to grow fresh food for any delicious dishes they want to make throughout the year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;williams-sonoma.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29570 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/gympassgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gym Membership or Class Pass&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get moving in the new year! The gift of a gym membership or class pass is a practical gift for anyone in your life who loves being active. If someone you know frequents the gym or loves taking classes, this is a great way to show them your support for their lifestyle and hobbies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29567 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/farmbasketgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Local Produce Box&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A local produce box can be an easy gift to support not only your friend or family member’s healthy lifestyle but also local farmers this Christmas. Most towns have produce box programs you can easily join, and you could always pair it with a locally made apron or cooking utensils for anyone who loves to cook or even add it to your Christmas wishlist!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Follow us on Instagram to be the first to know about new issue releases and articles!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_1"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0htyi8v9nM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"&gt;&lt;div style="padding:16px;"&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0htyi8v9nM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; 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&lt;div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"&gt;View this post on Instagram&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-left: 8px;"&gt; &lt;div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; 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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0htyi8v9nM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;A post shared by TopDoctor Magazine (@topdoctormagazine)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/giftguidecover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/gifts-for-well-being-a-health-and-wellness-gift-guide/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29545</ID> <title>The Benefits of Zinc Before and During Cold and Flu Season</title> <publishDate>2023-12-04 22:22:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_67 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_104"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_115 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_132 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we see flu season on the horizon, the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system becomes increasingly apparent. Among the various minerals and nutrients essential for immune health, zinc stands out as a crucial element that can bolster our body's defenses against seasonal illnesses like the flu! Its role in supporting immune function has been well-documented, making it a valuable addition to our health regimen both before and during flu season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Zinc as a Preventative Measure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before the onset of flu season, providing your body with zinc can be an effective preventive measure. This essential mineral plays a pivotal role in numerous bodily functions, including immune response, cell division and wound healing. It acts as a catalyst for over 300 enzymes, contributing to the proper functioning of many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;biochemical&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; processes in the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc is particularly renowned for its ability to enhance the activity of immune cells. It helps regulate the production and function of various immune cells, such as neutrophils and natural killer cells, which are essential for combating infections. Additionally, zinc assists in the production of antibodies, which are crucial for the body's defense mechanism against pathogens like influenza viruses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have indicated that maintaining adequate zinc levels can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold, which shares symptoms with influenza. While not a direct cure for the flu, incorporating zinc into your diet or as a supplement before flu season may provide an added layer of defense against viral infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29550 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/zinccoldandflu-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Alleviating Cold and Flu Symptoms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During flu season, the benefits of zinc become even more pronounced. As the virus spreads more readily, reinforcing your immune system becomes crucial in warding off illness. Zinc supplementation during this period can help shorten the duration of flu symptoms and potentially reduce the likelihood of developing severe complications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests that zinc cough drops or syrup taken within 24 hours of the onset of flu symptoms may decrease the duration of the illness by interfering with the virus's ability to multiply and spread in the body. It's important to note that the effectiveness of zinc supplementation may vary depending on the formulation, dosage and individual factors, so consulting a healthcare professional should be a first step.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc's anti-inflammatory properties can assist in alleviating symptoms commonly associated with the flu, such as sore throat and cough. By reducing inflammation and supporting the body's immune response, zinc can contribute to a speedier recovery from flu-related discomfort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29552 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zinc2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dietary and Supplemental Sources of Zinc&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might be asking a necessary question: What is a good source of zinc? There are various ways you can have a higher intake of this mineral during this year’s cold and flu season. One of the easiest ways to get zinc is through seafood like oysters and crab or through red meat. These have the highest presence of zinc out of all the foods you could eat for a natural source of zinc. If you are not partial to seafood or are trying to avoid red meat, there are other foods that have a great source of zinc! Brown rice, legumes such as kidney beans, blueberries and even cheddar cheese are fantastic natural sources where zinc can be found. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel you are not getting enough zinc through your diet, there are also supplements you can take. This can be an easy way to ensure you are getting enough of this cold-fighting supplement during cold and flu season to help your immune system ward off any cold-related symptoms.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Striking a Balance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it's crucial to strike a balance with zinc intake, as excessive amounts can have adverse effects on health. Overconsumption of zinc may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and interfere with the absorption of other essential minerals like copper and iron. Therefore, moderation and adherence to recommended daily allowances are essential. Consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating zinc into your daily routine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating zinc into your health regimen before and during flu season can offer significant benefits for immune health. Whether through dietary sources like nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains or as a supplement, maintaining optimal zinc levels can bolster the body's defenses against seasonal illnesses like the flu. As always, it's best to seek guidance from a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and form of zinc supplementation tailored to your individual needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20richest%20food%20sources%20of,also%20contain%20zinc%20%5B3%5D."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20richest%20food%20sources%20of,also%20contain%20zinc%20%5B3%5D.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zinc.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/holistic-medicine/the-benefits-of-zinc-before-and-during-cold-and-flu-season/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29527</ID> <title>Embarking on the Path to Longevity and Vitality: Bio-Optimized Living</title> <publishDate>2023-12-04 18:48:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_68 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_105"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_116 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_133 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every great journey commences with a single, deliberate step—the decision to begin. Biohacking is the art of optimizing human performance and well-being through strategic interventions. It is a multifaceted approach to enhancing longevity and vitality. As an expert in the field, I live this Bio-Op Life successfully and advocate for a comprehensive strategy that includes not only individual practices but also the cultivation of a supportive community. Below are top biohacking tips, each integral to the quest for a longer, healthier life, and the added dimension of community as a vital component of this journey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mindfulness for Self Mastery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everything starts in the mind. Mindfulness and stress reduction are vital practices in the biohacking toolkit, as they help mitigate the detrimental effects of chronic stress on the body, enhance mental clarity, and promote a balanced emotional state, all of which are foundational for long-term health and vitality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dedicate time to mindfulness or meditation, reducing stress's impact on aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Utilize breathing techniques to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cultivate positivity through gratitude practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use visualization and affirmations to maintain focus on your health objectives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stimulate your mind with brain training, new skills and complex tasks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29533 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yelibio2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Understanding your Personalized Metrics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the pursuit of longevity, biohacking isn't merely about adopting a set of best practices; it's about understanding and tracking the unique biological markers that define our individual health. By comparing our biomarkers to those of the healthiest individuals, we achieve a marker of peak performance. Through diagnostic testing, you can have a personalized plan to reach your Optimized Performance Levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blood Panels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DNA Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Inflammation Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gut Microbiome Analysis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormone Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Sleep Tracking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Telomere Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Art of Rest and Recovery:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Rest and recovery are not just intermissions in our bustling lives; they are essential chapters in the story of our health. Taking cues from the regimens of top athletes, incorporating a rest protocol that transforms downtime into a strategic component of health optimization is essential.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aim for 7-9 hours of restorative sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistency is key; maintain a regular sleep schedule to regulate your circadian rhythm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Create a sanctuary for sleep: ensure your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce blue light exposure in the evening to signal to your body that it's time to wind down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29535 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/restandrecovery-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Food As Fuel:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nutrition is the premium fuel for the intricate machinery of your mind and body, powering every function and facilitating optimal health, while the practice of fasting acts as a reset button, enhancing cellular repair and metabolic efficiency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choose a diet abundant in whole foods, fostering cellular health and longevity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experiment with intermittent fasting to promote autophagy and metabolic balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce intake of sugars and processed foods to decrease inflammation and slow aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Support a healthy microbiome with a fiber-rich diet and fermented foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Adding the Missing Building Blocks of Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supplementation has become an essential tool for filling nutritional gaps and ensuring our bodies receive the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals required for optimal health. The efficacy of supplements hinges not only on their intrinsic nutritional value but also on the integrity of their sourcing, the reputation of the manufacturing company, the transparency of user testimonials, and, critically, their bioavailability—ensuring that the body can readily absorb and utilize them to the fullest extent. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Test for nutrient and mineral deficiencies and supplement for personalized optimization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Movement for Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular physical activity not only plays a pivotal role in stimulating the lymphatic system, essential for immune function and bodily detoxification, but it also triggers the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that elevate mood and contribute to mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engage in a balanced mix of aerobic and resistance training for overall fitness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporate HIIT for enhanced metabolic health and endurance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice flexibility and balance exercises to preserve mobility and prevent injuries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29534 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yelibio3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using Technologies to Unlock Peak Performance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;My bio-optimized living protocols, crafted with precision, incorporate a suite of advanced modalities. Each of these modalities has been selected for its evidence-based capacity to profoundly influence health, forming the pillars of a protocol that stands at the forefront of anti-aging and restorative medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Near-Infrared Red Light:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Penetrates deep into tissues, stimulating cellular repair and regeneration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Far-Infrared:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Enhances circulation and promotes detoxification at the cellular level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cold Therapy:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Boosts metabolism and inflammation control, fortifying the body's resilience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy):&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Encourages cellular recovery and balances the body's electromagnetic fields.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Saturates cells with oxygen, vastly improving healing and function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Environmental Optimization&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Addressing environmental stressors is imperative as they can insidiously undermine our health, contributing to chronic disease and diminishing our body's innate capacity to heal and thrive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce toxin exposure by choosing natural products for cleaning and personal care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Invest in air and water purification to minimize environmental pollutants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice grounding to connect with nature and reduce inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29531 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Bio-optimized-Community-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Power of Community&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The embrace of a supportive community is a cornerstone for longevity, providing social connection, shared knowledge and the collective encouragement that are essential in nurturing and sustaining a long, vibrant life. I personally attend conferences worldwide to gain more knowledge in my field and create relationships with those elevating the regenerative medical and self-development space. I also personally have been a part of a health and wellness community through Jennifer Nicole Lee for years, and it ensured a support system connected with like-minded women all looking to live their best, fittest and healthiest lives. Seek out communities living the examples you want to live.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Immerse yourself in a health-conscious community for support and shared knowledge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Participate in group activities that encourage physical and social engagement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Share your journey with peers to build accountability and collective wisdom.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you weave these biohacking strategies into the fabric of your life, remember that the journey is deeply personal. Approach each practice with curiosity and adaptability, and always consult healthcare professionals who are living these practices successfully. The path to longevity is a marathon, not a sprint, and each step forward is made richer through the support and camaraderie of a like-minded community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yeli-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/regenerative-medicine/embarking-on-the-path-to-longevity-and-vitality-bio-optimized-living/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29511</ID> <title>Meet Dr. William J. Cole Jr.: A Board Certified Regenerative Medicine Expert Transforming Lives and Assisting in Healing Without Drugs or Surgery</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 22:38:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_69 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_106"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_117 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_134 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By Contributing Author William J. Cole Jr., DO, FAASCP, Regenerative Medicine Expert with RegenaMed.US® and Interventionist with OrthoMed® Pain &amp;amp; Sports Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get to know Regenerative Medicine Expert Dr. William J. Cole Jr., who serves patients throughout the State of Florida and the entire US to "Have the Body Heal the Body®"   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                           &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole is a renowned regenerative medicine expert who has dedicated his medical career to decreasing pain and increasing function without unnecessary drugs or surgeries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is the president, founder, and CEO of RegenaMed.US®, OrthoMed® Pain &amp;amp; Sports Medicine, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kNOwPAIN Institute &amp;amp; Foundation®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and proud father of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mary Jane® - Medical-Grade CBD,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which has replaced up to 50% of the narcotics formerly prescribed by his two certified pain clinics in Southwest Florida.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole completed training at NYU Rusk Institute in 2004, just after a life-threatening motor vehicle accident deprived him of the use of his hands. As a result, he changed his career path from orthopedic surgeon to physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. He underwent the first of seven surgeries in 2003 and concluded with a cervical decompression in 2013, resulting in a spinal cord injury that nearly made him a quadriplegic. As Dr. Cole had already changed so many lives through regenerative medicine, he then underwent extensive regenerative treatments resulting in a tremendous reduction in pain and an increase in functional abilities, in lieu of the typical four-level cervical fusion with a 10% success rate, as recommended by traditional neurosurgeons that would have ended Dr. Cole's successful career in&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regenerative, conservative and interventional pain management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For nearly 20 years, he built a very successful, outpatient-based, multi-location regenerative and orthopedic medicine group serving thousands of local, regional, national and international clients with customized traditional and regenerative treatments of the highest quality care, resulting in exceptional outcomes and lives that have been positively changed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dual board certified in regenerative medicine and interventional PM&amp;amp;R,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Dr. Cole is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR). He is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one of five in the world&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with this rare &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;double-board certification&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While working with some of the most prominent orthopedic surgeons in the United States, Dr. Cole has devoted his career to mastering and perfecting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minimally invasive interventional procedures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to maximize benefits and minimize pain while working toward a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better quality of life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He specializes in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advanced regenerative therapies &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for all joints, muscles, tendons, spine and nerves with Ultra PRP and "SMART" Cell Nano Particle Treatments via fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided interventions, with over 60,000 total procedures performed throughout his 20-year career. He has also achieved major medical innovations such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Sciatica Solution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; via the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kNOw PAIN®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; approach to diagnose and treat over 10,000 patients with difficult and elusive disorders with outstanding results and very happy patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole has pioneered multiple adjunct therapies that are safe and effective non-surgical alternatives to surgery or narcotics, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mary Jane&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medical-grade CBD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that has the potential to reduce not only muscle and joint pain but also nerve pain, spasms, anxiety, insomnia and other disorders as it resets the body into our tranquil “rest and digest” sense of well-being, but without the unwanted effects of THC products. He even developed a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;100% natural 16-component IV essential vitamin and mineral therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that he generated from 66 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Institute of Health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coronavirus Studies to hyperboost immunity, turbocharge antioxidants, assist in preventing respiratory disorders and stop viruses from replicating, and is a wonderful adjunct treatment to help prevent vulnerable patients from getting sick.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the last 16 years, Dr. Cole has served as an&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; assistant clinical professor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at LECOM in Bradenton, teaching all aspects of conservative and interventional pain management, in addition to regenerative medicine, to build strong community and medical ties to future physicians, as he believes in giving back to the medical and local community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Among his professional affiliations, Dr. Cole is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Director of Orthopedic Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the American Association of Stem Cell Physicians and an esteemed member of the American Osteopathic Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the North American Spine Society and the Sarasota County Medical Society, and will be the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;founder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the AARP (American Association of Regenerative Physicians).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29517 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/dr.cole2_-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having come to the realization that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients deserve a better quality of life, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole's motto is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"FIND IT, and FIX IT"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to get patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;back to their lives faster, fitter and more functional&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than our failed traditional medicine, for the exceptional health of all patients today, tomorrow and in the future. And as Dr. Cole always says: “The future of medicine is to have the body heal the body… naturally, and I LOVE WHAT I DO!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While PM&amp;amp;R aims to treat those with physical impairments or disabilities, such as disorders of the brain, spinal cord, spine, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons, Dr. Cole’s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; advanced regenerative treatments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; utilize &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cutting-Edge Nano-Technology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to stimulate your body to rapidly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; rebuild, restore, repair, renew, rejuvenate, replenish and revitalize&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; those same tissues of the body to enhance and restore the natural functional ability and quality of life, but without pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Happily married for 23 years (and counting), Dr. Cole and his lovely wife, Dr. Liliana Cole, are bilingual in English and Spanish and raise their two children by example by serving our Florida community through the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kNOwPAIN Institute &amp;amp; Foundation®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by assisting patients in the diagnosis and treatment of severe or chronic illnesses for those who deserve but can't afford quality healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Learn More about Dr. William J. Cole Jr. through his findatopdoc profile:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/149407-William-Cole-physiatrist-physical-medicine-Saraso ta-FL-34232 or through OrthoMed Pain &amp;amp; Sports Medicine, https://www.knowpain.com/provider/william-j-cole-jr-do, and at https://www.regenamed.us/meet-dr-cole/, or “DrMaryJane.US”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                                                           &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About FindaTopDoc.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FindaTopDoc is a digital health information company that helps connect patients with local physicians and specialists who accept your insurance. Our goal is to help guide you on your journey toward optimal health by providing you with the know-how to make informed decisions for you and your family. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dr.-Cole-Article-cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/regenerative-medicine/meet-dr-william-j-cole-jr-a-board-certified-regenerative-medicine-expert-transforming-lives-and-assisting-in-healing-without-drugs-or-surgery/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29395</ID> <title>A4M and Regenerative Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Robert Goldman</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:29:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_70 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_107"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_118 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_135 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The inspiring story of Dr. Robert Goldman helped send him on a path that has now led to hundreds of thousands of people being better educated in regenerative medicine and expanding the world of anti-aging to provide exceptional training to health professionals worldwide. In our interview with Dr. Goldman, we explore regenerative medicine and A4M’s founding, Dr. Goldman’s achievements and inspiration, training health professionals, and tips that anyone can take away for living and aging healthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Regenerative Medicine and the Founding of A4M&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is becoming more and more influential and paramount in the lives of many around the world. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/about-a4m-mmi.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, or A4M, was founded in 1992 by Dr. Robert Goldman and Dr. Ronald Klatz and has become the global leader in medical education continuation in total body care. They provide medical education opportunities to those around the world in training of all sorts, including university-level certifications, workshops, CME events and more. A4M seeks to provide care and training beyond the traditional standard of healthcare to improve the longevity and lifespan of people worldwide. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We want to continue to educate the physician community as we have done for three decades," Dr. Robert Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29409 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dr._Goldman_Cover.jpeg-791x1024.jpg" alt="" width="791" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman helped found A4M in acknowledgment that standard medical education could be better in staying up to date on the newest variables and enormous volumes of information out in the world. There are millions of journals to read and articles to educate, and being able to stay well-informed on everything would take a lot of work. The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine wanted to become a platform where medical societies could become educated on many topics rather than just one specialty. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're very inclusive. We have many forms and specialties. In other words, we will have a plastic surgeon next to an internal medicine guy next to a cardiologist. And this way, we can take the best knowledge base from every specialty and combine that all together to help all of these specialists to enhance their knowledge in areas that they may not have been familiar with when they attended medical school," Dr. Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A4M had to create a field that previously did not exist, especially when it came to regenerative medicine. Traditional medicine often treats symptoms and the issue itself rather than finding the origin of the problem and treating it. The organization wanted to train medical professionals on the entirety of the body so they could treat the origin of the issue rather than just the problem. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Doctors would end up trying to fix one thing. Then they end up creating four other bad things for the patient, and so we were able to literally turn this whole thing around," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29408 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/robandfriends.jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="742" height="836" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Where Dr. Goldman's Interests Began&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what started Dr. Goldman on the path to helping co-found some of the world's most well-known anti-aging and professional health education programs?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; When Dr. Robert Goldman was working in gyms and health clubs in the 80s, there were no titles like 'Certified Personal Trainer' or an 'Educated Personal Fitness Trainer.' He noticed the need for basic first aid training and the lack of any form of health training for the people at the facilities. Wanting to create a profession that did not currently exist, Goldman worked toward founding the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and helped create a whole personal fitness trainer certification program through NASM, where about 1.6 million have now been certified. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Goldman also founded the term CPT or 'Certified Personal Trainer,' which is now in use worldwide. As he grew older, he realized that older people needed aid as well. To tackle this, Goldman and A4M co-founder Robert Klatz flew 12 doctors to Chicago, where they tried to strategize a new form of medicine. There, they addressed the health and longevity issues of those as they aged in a new approach. From this knowledge and research, A4M was born. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now, thousands of doctors join their training programs, modules and master's degree programs with memberships from 120 countries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The reason that I felt it was important to do this was for our own personal health and for that of our patients," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29413 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/stathamarnoldrob.jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="774" height="451" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Further Achievements and a Message from Rob Fletcher of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman is no stranger to high achievements, holding over 20 world strength records, a 6th-degree Black Belt in Karate, winning the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Physical Fitness Award three times and receiving many other championship awards throughout his life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with these awards and recognitions, Dr. Golman holds two Physician and Surgeon Medical Degrees and two Ph.D. Doctorates. He has also served as a Senior Fellow at the Lincoln Filene Center, Tufts University, as well as an Affiliate at the Philosophy of Education Research Center, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overseeing and founding multiple cooperative research agreement development programs and receiving his aforementioned degrees have qualified Dr. Goldman to serve as the chairman of many other committees and boards, such as the International Medical Commission, the AAU/USA Sports Medicine Council, the President's Council on Physical Fitness &amp;amp; Sports and many more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29410 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/robandrob-1-1024x981.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="981" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Dr. Robert Goldman has made countless selfless contributions by supporting, promoting and helping others, especially in the world of sports, bodybuilding, health, fitness, anti-aging and martial arts. He's been the head of organizing and hosting multiple events and certification programs that improve our society physically, mentally, educationally and spiritually. With countless awards, accomplishments, and accolades, Dr. Robert Goldman has chosen not to base his legacy on these things but rather on making a positive impact and a difference in the world. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dr. Goldman has shown a relentless drive to consistently better people's lives worldwide through anti-aging, health and fitness. His efforts remain unmatched to make the world better, healthier, happier and stronger. His selfless contributions to inspire and motivate others have been proven through the Founding of the International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF), a non-profit that recognizes inductees not only for their accomplishments on the field, in a ring or on stage but for those who contribute to society by giving back — especially among our youth. Goldman himself donates 80% of his time to these charitable pursuits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman has a lifetime mission to support and promote events that align with his values, beliefs and efforts. He has recently partnered his global brand &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FWorldhealth.net%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0IahgGTNXD3T8xBtN4f7RpyNPmFYggWrrnl2JkwY5BOFZ2rsBSC0YdU-U&amp;amp;h=AT1ZvHqbxXfI9IP0zLdogQqFMA3c0nab8CgPnwwFwf9QOOkQw9RntHYXDuqZR7apcH41Dr3ScAl2RtgI5KJJnVLJfqm4Gx6BTrBDhDdBqGWAUhLRSL3Wth48_Q6C4OZLTF_tW10&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c&amp;#091;0&amp;#093;=AT1Xdve35RMiDnnVN9lOp8YQPV7-DbuQNtVl29x9L7MEz5PZfg7mXiGUR3OIsCxeMQdiEajv18RiHoVSftQI-fgZu2Bzg-34A3bjfCZiPzU97BA4hexjVa7dABeCFPaVQ2pd156LNd4XPgqSX6FVlxwmHQ1MlcUYsT2o9qLioAedswkEOHPaCQ"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Worldhealth.net&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with the global brand Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness, Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness Hers, FLEX Magazine, and the OLYMPIA Weekend in a combined effort at the international event, the A4M Anti-Aging Conference, to be held at the Venetian Resort &amp;amp; Casino in Las Vegas, December 14-16. A4M is a gathering of leaders and experts in anti-aging with speakers, workshops, forums and exhibitors featuring new advancements in technology, innovation, products and services. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Oz, who will be joined by a long list of highly recognized worldwide leaders. They will be sharing their knowledge at the A4M conference to improve the lives of others for optimal health and performance.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Rob Fletcher, Business Development Director Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29411 size-full aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/robfitness.jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="749" height="936" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Training Medical Professionals Through A4M&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A4M invests significant resources in its sophisticated training, which encompasses various regenerative medicine techniques such as stem cell therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Even business aspects for medical professionals are covered and taught in the training through A4M. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everything under the sun, we have developed specific fellowship training programs to enhance the doctor's knowledge. So they are the best on the planet, and we are reaching out to the physician community to help them to be the most proficient and best trained out there. That's why after a patient goes to one of our doctors, they never want to go back to a conventionally trained doctor again. Because a conventionally trained doctor is not trained in nutrition," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A4M trains its professionals to spend time with the patient and figure out the root cause of their issues and where they may be stemming from, which is an alternative to traditional medicine. A4M's organization played a pivotal role in the development of medispas, as well as in the global expansion of concierge and precision medicine around the world.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are one of the very few organizations that have held world congresses all over the globe, everywhere from South Africa, China, Singapore and Thailand. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many organizations would have one big show every one to every four years. We have two major ones every year in America, with dozens of workshops every year in America. And we have held multiple conferences even in the same years as we have a congress in China, Singapore, Germany, France- we've had these all over the world. This really made us a very unique organization, and that was because of the experience I had in how to run global," Dr. Goldman shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The training is world-renowned and helpful to anyone in the medical field. For more information on upcoming events, visit their website at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.a4m.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29405 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/a4m5-949x1024.jpg" alt="" width="949" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tips for the Best Aging&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While aging is inevitable, it is possible to be proactive and engaged in that process. Dr. Goldman gave us three suggestions for the best ways to age well and live a longer, healthier life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip #1: Exercise &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise may seem like an over-exaggerated part of a healthy life, but Dr. Goldman has expressed that in his years of research and practice, exercise is one of the most basic yet important things to remember as you age. Weight lifting and moving the body are two of the most critical parts of healthy aging. Years ago, doctors did not promote weight lifting but now would suggest it as one simple, healthy way to exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think that exercise and weight training is critical and very, very important. This is something that was resisted by a number of areas in the sporting community because if you were a football player, they would say, 'Just play football;' if you were a baseball player, 'Just play baseball,' and they were almost anti-weight room, and now there isn't a sports team in the world that doesn't have a fully-fledged training facility," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip #2: Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet is another simple yet vital piece of healthy aging and living. Eating healthy and making health-conscious food decisions can tremendously prolong your life through your health journey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Diet is critical, especially since so much of the food has been manipulated. You want to try and get as much organically-based healthy natural foods as possible. Now, with all the artificial components put in food, you have to be very careful what you eat," Dr. Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just because something has the 'organic' label does not mean those items have not been manipulated or have GMOs in them. Oftentimes, pollution is also present in our water sources. Because of this, Dr. Goldman suggests vitamin supplementation in daily eating habits while still watching what foods you consume. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip #3: Watch Your Stress Levels &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Hard work won't kill you, but stress will," Dr. Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress harms the longevity of your life because there are physical effects of stress that come out during the time of stress. There are even long-lasting effects of stress that those wanting to increase their lifespan should avoid. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman suggests different breathing exercises done in the East and meditation techniques that are done all over the world. These are simply coping mechanisms for stress that can aid your lifespan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"These are things that are also very helpful because you can try to calm and nurse the body, but if you don't take good care of the mind, the stress will kill you because it causes micro and macro inflammation. We are living in a toxic environment, and if you don't try to counteract, there will be issues," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29402 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/a4m2-1024x615.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="615" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine can be as simple as choosing the right foods and exercises while maintaining low stress levels. Visiting a regenerative medicine doctor and receiving treatments is an excellent way to boost your health and age better, but simple daily choices help the most in terms of longevity and healthy living. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People now value their health as number one. There's no excuse if you can find at least 30 minutes a day to do an exercise program. If you can't spend a little bit of time and self-control on your diet, and you're not willing to spend a little bit of money for nutritional supplementation, then you're missing the boat because people don't care about things until they're taken away," Dr. Goldman concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Explore more ways on how to be proactive with your health and age well. Visit a4m.com to learn more about Dr. Goldman, the mission of A4M and regenerative medicine and find inspiration to face aging head-on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/drgoldmancoverphoto.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/fitness/a4m-and-regenerative-medicine-an-interview-with-dr-robert-goldman/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29377</ID> <title>Christmas Cranberry Potpourri</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:25:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_71 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_108"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_119 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_136 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the holiday season approaches, the warm and inviting scent of a natural stovetop potpourri can infuse your home with the delightful aromas of Christmas. This cranberry and orange potpourri recipe not only fills your space with a festive fragrance but also adds a touch of seasonal decor with its vibrant colors. Whether you're hosting a gathering, wrapping presents, or simply enjoying a cozy day by the fire, this potpourri will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 cup fresh cranberries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 oranges, sliced&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 3 cinnamon sticks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 6 whole cloves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 small sprig of fresh rosemary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 small sprig of fresh thyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 small pine branch or a handful of pine needles (optional)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29382 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instructions:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Prep the Ingredients:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Rinse the fresh cranberries and set them aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Slice the two oranges into rounds. You can also cut them into smaller pieces if you prefer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Assemble the Potpourri:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - In a small pot or saucepan, add the cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Place the fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs on top of the other ingredients. These herbs will release a wonderful fragrance as they simmer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Add Pine (Optional):&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - If you have a small pine branch or a handful of pine needles available, you can add them to the potpourri for an extra touch of Christmas tree scent. This step is optional but highly recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Simmer on the Stovetop:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Fill the pot with water until it's about 3/4 full or as desired.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Place the pot on the stovetop over low heat. Allow the potpourri to simmer gently.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - As the mixture heats, the scents will combine, filling your home with the delightful aroma of cranberries, oranges and spices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="5"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Keep an Eye on It:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Check the water level periodically, and add more water as needed to prevent it from evaporating entirely. You can continue simmering the potpourri for as long as you like; just remember to keep an eye on it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="6"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Enjoy the Aroma:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - As the potpourri simmers, your home will be filled with the warm and comforting scents of the holiday season. The cranberries and oranges will release their fragrant oils, and the spices will add depth to the aroma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29384 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This natural stovetop potpourri, infused with the delightful combination of cranberries and oranges, evokes the spirit of Christmas and will make your home feel even more special during this festive time of year. The warm, inviting scents will create a cozy atmosphere that's perfect for holiday gatherings, quiet moments by the fire or simply adding a touch of Christmas to your everyday life. Enjoy the season and the wonderful aromas that this potpourri brings to your home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry-potpourri-cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/recipes/christmas-cranberry-potpourri/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29340</ID> <title>Winter Wellness: Strategies to Combat Cold Weather's Impact on Your Body</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:23:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_72 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_109"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_120 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_137 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with the cozy feelings of the holidays come earlier sunsets and colder winter weather. As the air gets cooler, you might find your body and mental health are also going through some seasonal changes. These are things you can easily prepare for, prevent and address as winter sets in. In this article, we will explore a few ways winter weather might affect your body, how to combat these effects and ways to stay active mentally and physically during these chillier days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Winter Weather Effects on the Body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle Stiffness and Joint Pain: Cold weather can contribute to muscle stiffness and joint pain, making movement more challenging and uncomfortable. While cold temperatures can have an impact on people with normal muscle and joint use, it could have a greater effect on those with pre-existing conditions like arthritis or Lyme disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry Skin: The cold, dry air of winter can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and even cracking. Those with skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis or cystic acne will most likely notice an increase in sensitivity during the winter months.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): There could be an explanation for why you feel a bit down during the holidays and following cooler months, even if you feel like there isn't a reason. With the winter months come shorter days. Reduced sunlight during winter can affect mood and lead to symptoms of SAD, including feelings of lethargy and sadness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29345 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Address Winter Weather Effects&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warm-Up Exercises: Easily combat regular muscle stiffness and joint pain with some simple stretches and warm-ups. Prior to outdoor activities, engage in thorough warm-up exercises to increase blood flow, loosen muscles, and reduce the risk of injuries in cold weather. If you have any pre-existing conditions, ensure that any stretches or warm-ups you do are gentle on your muscles and joints and properly address any pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moisturizing: The best way to combat dry skin is prevention! Regularly moisturizing the skin helps prevent dryness and maintains its natural barrier against harsh winter conditions. If irritation and extreme dryness persist, research a holistic care doctor or dermatologist in your area and see if they have any suggestions to combat abnormal dryness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Light Therapy: Exposure to bright light, especially in the morning, can help alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and regulate mood. An easy way to do this is to get 15 minutes of morning light and 15 minutes of evening light. Bundle up and go for a walk, or simply open your blinds and sit by the window for a while. Some people find that sun lamps are also effective in combating SAD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29347 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Activities to Stay Physically and Mentally Active During Winter:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Winter Sports: Just because it is cold out doesn't mean you can't stay active outside. Embrace the season by engaging in activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or even just going for a walk during the warmer parts of the day. As suggested above, make sure to stretch or do some warm-up exercises inside in order to maintain good muscle and joint health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indoor Workouts: If winters get too bitingly cold where you live, there are other options to stay physically active that can also improve your mental health during winter. Join a gym, take fitness classes, take up indoor rock climbing or follow online workout routines to stay active indoors. Research to see if there is an indoor pool near you and join for a low-impact way to exercise. Keeping active is also proven to improve mental health. So, continuing to exercise during the winter months could not only help your physical well-being but also your mental and emotional well-being. A lot of these indoor exercises can also help you socialize more this winter. Grab a group of friends and join a Pilates class, or see if you could join an indoor running group. The possibilities are endless!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Puzzles and Books: Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise, especially if you are looking for ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder or regulate your mood with less light during the daytime. Nothing is better than curling up by a warm fire and reading a book or putting a puzzle together. Both of these activities are great ways to engage your mind and tune out any racing thoughts for any amount of time. You could pick up a book while waiting for something to bake or work on a puzzle when you have some downtime and need to be doing something. These don't have to be activities done alone, either! Joining a monthly book club can help you meet new people, or having friends over for dinner and a night of puzzles and games can help you enjoy social interactions with people you have established relationships with already.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29346 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Winter-Wellness-Cover-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't have to endure the winter months with persisting pain, skin irritation and feelings of sadness without knowing how to combat them. While everyday muscle and joint pain can worsen with cold weather, stretching and warming up before going outside or participating in outdoor activities can help ease any stiffness. Along with stretching before being outside in the cold, be sure to put on your favorite moisturizer to prevent any dryness or skin irritation. It's good to put this into practice, even when you're inside, as house heaters can also dry out the air, causing skin irritation. If you do choose to take a walk outside, remember that the sunlight can also help regulate your moods and aid in combating Seasonal Affective Disorder. Don't be afraid to pick up a new hobby or join a club to meet new people and boost your mood! Combating the effects of cold weather starts with taking these easy and practical steps toward a winter full of physical and mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness2.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/winter-wellness-strategies-to-combat-cold-weathers-impact-on-your-body/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29358</ID> <title>The Field Of Regenerative Medicine In Orthopedic Surgery: An Interview With Bruce Fishman, M.D.</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:14:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_73 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_110"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_121 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_138 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;FROM BLUE-COLLAR ROOTS TO CUTTING-EDGE ORTHOPEDICS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Fishman has provided orthopedic care and treatment to the Los Angeles community for over 30 years. He maintains offices in the Encino and Lancaster, California areas. His current practice includes interventional regenerative orthopedics utilizing cutting-edge biologics, laser, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, peptides and minimally invasive procedures.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Fishman began his life in a blue-collar family in Detroit, Michigan. His entire family was working in the automotive industry with scrap metal. In high school, he worked sorting metal, loading trucks, driving forklifts and using pallet jacks. He also worked at the Fisher Body Plant at their metal punch facility. He would see severe injuries, including amputations, crush injuries, fractures, back injuries and head injuries. "I saw a lot of disability from these work injuries. I hoped one day I could help these people," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Dr. Fishman went on to college and was in the pre-med program at Wayne State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was accepted to medical school, completed his M.D. degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine with honors, and the board elected him into the AOA National Honor Medical Society. Dr. Fishman received his orthopedic training at the Henry Ford Hospital Medical Center in his hometown of Detroit. This is a nationally known medical center and University of Michigan affiliate. This facility provided him the opportunity to treat all individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, background or socioeconomic standing. His training came full circle as many of the injured patients he saw were blue-collar automotive workers injured on the job where Dr. Fishman planted his very own roots.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beyond just training, Dr. Fishman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical &amp;amp; Orthopedic Surgery, a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons in Orthopedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurologic and Orthopedic Surgeons. The goals of these organizations are to provide continuing education, spread awareness of medical, social, and political changes and provide a community for practicing orthopedic surgeons throughout the country. Dr. Fishman is constantly exposed to and educated on the newest and most successful procedures, which he can utilize for his own patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"These advances being front and center for the orthopedic surgical societies have expanded my horizon to a great extent and exposed me to a myriad of alternatives available without necessarily resorting to major surgeries as we used to do in the past," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the last 30 years of his practice in Los Angeles, Dr. Fishman has seen a constantly evolving medical field where surgical care has become more innovative and minimally invasive. He has utilized his orthopedic skills with a regenerative approach following these new technological advances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29364 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/drfishman1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;REGENERATIVE MEDICINE IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As an affiliate of the Cell Surgical Network and with their institutional review board, Dr. Fishman has been part of a regenerative medicine expansion utilizing cellular treatment for injury and diseases. "There are many potential benefits to working with stem cells in the field of orthopedic surgery."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some cells come from the patients themselves, originating from bone marrow or adipose tissue. Umbilical cord tissue can also provide other cellular materials. Regenerative medicine is a constantly evolving field, and Dr. Fishman keeps up with advancements and continues to use them in his practice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A new and exciting advancement in the treatment of chronic refractory low back pain has recently become available for those patients who have failed all treatment protocols, including surgery. It is the Discseel® procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Discseel® procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that uses fibrinogen and prothrombin to repair torn discs. The mixing of these two materials results in fibrin, which is a natural substance that helps to seal the tear and promote tissue growth. Studies affirm its fibrin properties as a sealant, adhesive, anti-inflammatory and chemotactic regenerative agent. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 45 minutes. The patient is given mild sedation during the procedure. The FDA has approved non-autologous fibrin for multiple applications in the human body. The Discseel® procedure has been shown to be effective in relieving pain and improving function in patients with torn discs. It has proven itself to be an effective alternative to surgery for the treatment of torn discs in people with chronic low back pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to using biologics, Dr. Fishman also uses technologies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and laser treatment to promote rapid tissue healing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that delivers pure oxygen to the body under higher-than-normal pressurized environments. It is a noninvasive treatment that enables increased oxygen levels to permeate all levels of the body. It has been shown to be successful in helping to treat many underlying medical conditions and is used in concert with some of the biologics noted above.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low laser light therapy is a minimally invasive to noninvasive treatment used to assist in reduction of pain, inflammation and sustained regeneration of injured and diseased tissue. It is often used in combination with biologic treatment, including PRP, cellular therapy and interventional spine procedures. German technology Weber low laser light therapy, as used in Dr. Fishman's office, is FDA-approved for both intra-articular and interstitial treatment, as well as noninvasive treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29365 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/drfishman2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;FISHMAN'S LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With over 30 years of experience in the field of orthopedic practice and treatment, Dr. Fishman has many credentials. He received a distinction in medicine for 25 years of service to the community from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. The Consumer Research Council of America has recognized Dr. Fishman as a Top American Orthopedic Surgeon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Fishman is a frequent lecturer on orthopedic permanent disability injuries, where he shares how he treats and evaluates injured workers for the Worker's Compensation Division of the State of California. He provides Agreed Medical Evaluations for the State, which requires precise calculations for fair impairment and disability determinations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"These are life-altering effects and decisions for permanently disabled patients. Some of them are private patients, some of them are military, our police officers, first responders and firefighters. Many of them have given a great deal of their life in order to protect our communities. I want to make sure these injured patients and heroes have a final report that is very precise," Dr. Fishman said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29366 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/drfishman3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field of Regenerative Medicine is constantly evolving and moving forward. On the horizon, stem cell treatment has the ability to take a patient's own stem cells and bank them in a specialized laboratory facility. Essentially, Dr. Fishman said this is a procedure where stromal vascular fraction and stem cells are harvested, processed and sent to an FDA-approved laboratory. These stem cells are cryopreserved, stored and made available for patients on an individual basis for future use.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This allows for an almost unlimited amount of stem cells because these stem cells are expanded, and the patient has future access to their own stem cells indefinitely. What some people have chosen to do with their stem cells is they are banking them when they are younger, such as in their 30s. The cells are preserved and stay in that same state as if the patient is 30 years old. As the patient gets older, in their 50s or 60s, they can later access their cells. Should the patient sustain an injury or develop medical problems, they can now have their 30-year-old stem cells sent to their treating doctor for administration," Dr. Fishman shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To learn about regenerative medicine and the impact it has on Bruce Fishman's practice in orthopedic surgery, visit his website at drstemcell.com.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dr.-Fishman-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/regenerative-medicine/the-field-of-regenerative-medicine-in-orthopedic-surgery-an-interview-with-bruce-fishman-m-d/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29770</ID> <title>The Importance of Sleep for Physical and Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2024-01-26 18:31:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_74 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_111"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_122 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_139 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ah, sleep. Thinking about it now makes me want to curl up in bed. Lie on comfy sheets and become enveloped under a soft, weighted blanket with a fluffy pillow supporting your head. It’s enough to make any of our eyelids heavy…and could show that we’re missing out on this key element of our health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The truth is, when we miss out on sleep, we’re not depriving ourselves of a luxury. We’re robbing ourselves of a necessity that has more detrimental effects than grogginess.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let’s take a look at the impacts of poor sleep and some practical steps for improving your sleep routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Bad Effects&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First things first: let’s start with the bad things before you decide your mediocre sleep schedule is just fine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, it’s easy to prioritize anything else but sleep. Even if we’re working to improve our health, sleep might be on the backburner. However, there are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serious consequences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for not getting enough sleep—some of them lifelong. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Without enough sleep, you put your body at risk of:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A weakened immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lower libido&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29775 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importanceofsleep1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is also instrumental to our mental health and cognitive function. If we miss it, we’re prone to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Memory problems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trouble focusing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mood swings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety or depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If we want to work on our health, sleep ought to be the top priority.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Much Sleep Do You Need?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, the real question is, how much is enough sleep, then? Most adults need at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;seven hours of sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But if you struggle to stay awake when sitting still for some time, be it driving or watching a movie, you’re likely not getting enough sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Improve Your Sleep Routine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get More Sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Well, duh. But &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you can’t&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you say. Realistically, it might be tough for you to get an hour or two more sleep than you do now. If that’s the case, start slow, as you would with any habit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You could start with just five minutes earlier tonight. That’s it. While that doesn’t sound like much, if you start making it five minutes earlier over some time, that starts to add up. Even if you increase it weekly, you’ll make it to about a half hour of more sleep in a month.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That said, quality matters as much as quantity in sleep. As such, you’ll want the most comfortable environment for sleep. Maybe it’s time to invest in a better pillow or sheets. If you’d do better in a darker room, get thicker curtains. Or, if every little creak in your house wakes you up, you might need a sound machine. Whatever it is, you deserve a good night’s rest!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29777 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importance-of-sleep3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Create a Better Evening Routine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you want a good environment to sleep in, you also need to prepare yourself for sleep. Do you find yourself working late into the night? Or having intense discussions with someone? Maybe the last thing you do is scroll on your phone in bed before going to sleep. Any of these things can make it difficult to fall asleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what can you do? Have a clear-cut time when you begin prepping for bed. I’d suggest a couple of hours before your bedtime (and if you don’t have a bedtime, I’d establish one, too). During this time, start slowing your mind down for the evening. Perhaps you don’t do any work or answer emails past this point. Or, you don’t get on your phone after this point. Instead, read a book, soak in a bath, or whatever else you do to wind down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Again, this might feel impossible to begin right away. So, set a very achievable goal tonight and slowly work toward a better evening routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29778 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importanceofsleep2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This new year, as we’re thinking about how to improve our health, make sure your sleep schedule is at the top of your list! After all, you know you want more of it, so why don’t you do yourself a favor and enjoy the sleep you’re meant to have?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;References: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importanceofsleepcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-importance-of-sleep-for-physical-and-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29738</ID> <title>Listen to Your Gut: Why You Need to Prioritize Gut Health This New Year</title> <publishDate>2024-01-04 21:18:07</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_75 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_112"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_123 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_140 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This new year, just like any other, we’re thinking about our health. Even if you’re not into resolutions, you still want to get back on track after enjoying yourself over the holidays. Whatever your goal is, there’s one vital component of your health that you must take care of, and it might be the last thing on your mind: your gut. And no, I’m not talking about the belly pooch from all the Christmas cookies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why You Should Focus on Your Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we talk about your gut, we’re referring to the microorganisms in your intestines &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#-What-is-the-gut-microbiome?"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;known as the “gut microbiome.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It’s where your body breaks down the food you eat. In this area, you have hundreds of bacteria and fungi. This is good bacteria, which helps us thrive and fight off disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what you eat impacts your gut. It might not be a surprise then that when our gut is unhealthy, we may experience discomforts like gas, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea. You may have also noticed that you tend to break out when you’re not eating well. And, of course, the scale usually isn’t the nicest after the holidays. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But poor gut health goes beyond all those things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682904/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies show poor gut health has been linked to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; cancer, heart problems, thyroid issues, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/gut-health-is-the-most-important-factor-for-mental-health-stress-management"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gut health is also instrumental to our mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All that to say, your gut controls your health. If you focus just on gut health, then you can help alleviate a myriad of problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29754 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/guthealth-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Things That Hurt Your Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As I’m sure you could guess, junk food has a lot of elements that hurt your gut. However, some foods labeled “healthy” could be chock-full of things harming your gut, too. It’s important to read labels, so you know what’s in your food. In other words, if you’re buying olive oil, the ingredient should just be olive oil—not 73 chemicals you can’t pronounce!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodgut.org/restore-gut-health/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;want to reduce sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (particularly the refined kind, but cane sugar is better), artificial sweeteners (the things that taste good but are low in calories), processed foods, artificial colorings, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/gut-health-is-the-most-important-factor-for-mental-health-stress-management"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;seed oils&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/what-you-need-to-know-about-leaky-gut-from-celebrity-doctor-steven-gundry"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inflammatory foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; could also hurt your gut, like gluten, dairy, nightshade vegetables, or coffee.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your lifestyle also plays a key role in your gut health. Stress, sleep, and exercise contribute to how well your gut is doing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29753 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/listentoyourgutreducestress-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Heal Your Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our body has a way of telling us when something’s wrong. If you consistently experience digestive problems, it’s probably time to adjust your diet. Truth be told, given the amount of preservatives and artificial flavors in foods today, most of us likely have some sort of gut imbalance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do a Gut Cleanse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To fix any abnormalities, you’ll want to clean your gut. One excellent way to do that is an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://draxe.com/nutrition/elimination-diet/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;elimination diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. An elimination diet is used to detect allergies and food intolerances. Believe it or not, you might have sensitivities or intolerances that you’re not even aware of. An elimination diet could help identify those sensitivities or give your gut a break to get it back on track. It would also be a good idea to cut out &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/what-you-need-to-know-about-leaky-gut-from-celebrity-doctor-steven-gundry"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inflammatory foods and drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The thing about elimination diets is that they’re temporary. You don’t have to stay away from those foods forever. But, if you find you are intolerant to something, it’s best to limit those foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And if an elimination diet sounds unrealistic, you could start reducing processed foods, artificial colorings, and seed oils. That &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; make a difference! Then, you could evaluate if you want to cut back on other foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat Foods that Help Your Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you’ve given your gut a break or you’ve started reducing inflammatory foods, you’ll want to eat things with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8021156/foods-to-improve-gut-health-overnight/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;probiotics and prebiotics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Probiotics are fermented foods with good bacteria, like Greek yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir. Prebiotics are fiber-rich foods like garlic, oats, mushrooms, artichokes, and dragon fruit. It’s also beneficial to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-improve-gut-health-naturally-6833619"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eat a plant-rich diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that has a variety of colors (natural ones, of course!) and drink more water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress can really do damage to your gut health. You can lower stress by getting more sleep, exercising, and calming yourself by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuULVY9KhWE/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stimulating the vagus nerve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here’s the bottom line: taking care of your health is about mindfulness, not perfection. Notice I said “reduce” mostly instead of “eliminate” bad habits. If we’re worried about messing up, we’ve missed the point. Instead, be mindful of your health and do what you can today to make improvements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29755 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/vagusnerve-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conclusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to improve your health this year, you need to take care of your gut. Once you start making mindful changes, you’ll be well on your way to a much healthier new year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/listentoyourgutcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/listen-to-your-gut-why-you-need-to-prioritize-gut-health-this-new-year/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29717</ID> <title>The Wellness Dictionary</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 21:09:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_76 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_113"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_124 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_141 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the New Year comes around and everyone is making resolutions and setting out goals for their year, it’s easy to get lost on where to start. You might start seeing diet trends, new year workout programs, and all sorts of words that may be new to you or may take on a different meaning with emerging trends. There are quite a few terms that are thrown around in the health and wellness community that you may have some questions behind, or maybe you’re wondering where to start researching as you embark on your own personal wellness journey this year. While the landscape of health and wellness is ever-changing, we’ve done our best to research and compile a comprehensive list of definitions of some of the buzzwords you might encounter to help get you going in the right direction! Knowing the meaning of some of these terms can really help you understand your own health journey a little better and eventually lead you to expand your health and wellness vocabulary, so let’s jump in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29729 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wellness-Dictionary-Soup-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Health and Wellness Words&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adrenal Health (noun): According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-glands#:~:text=Adrenal%20glands%2C%20also%20known%20as,stress%20and%20other%20essential%20functions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clean Foods/Products (noun phrase): Foods and products that are viewed as non-toxic and usually have minimal to no processing. They are usually products and foods constructed or made with naturally occurring substances and are typically held in containers that are non-toxic, like glass or metalware. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cortisol (noun): The Cleveland Clinic defines it as “a steroid hormone that your adrenal glands, the endocrine glands on top of your kidneys, produce and release. Cortisol affects several aspects of your body and mainly helps regulate your body's response to stress, helping control your body’s metabolism, suppressing inflammation, regulating blood pressure and sugar, and helping control your sleep-wake cycle.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[2]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cycle Syncing (verb): According to Hannah Hopper, this is “t&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;he practice of naturally balancing hormones by structuring our life around the four phases of our menstrual cycle.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wholisticallyhannah.com/all/how-to-cycle-sync"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[3]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deficiency (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A shortage of substances necessary to health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[4]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet (noun): Food and drink regularly provided or consumed, habitual nourishment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diet"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[5]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;*Editors Note- At TopDoctor Magazine, we often talk about diet. When we use this word, unless otherwise stated, we are not referring to food restrictions. We believe it is important to have healthy discussions around our health and wellness in relation to our daily diets, as defined above.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elimination Diet (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Used to identify food intolerances, sensitivities, and allergies through diet. They remove foods known to cause uncomfortable symptoms and reintroduce them later while testing for symptoms,” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as defined by Ryan Raman.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-diet"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[6]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Endocrine Disruptors (noun): Per the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), “endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system. These chemicals are associated with a wide array of health issues. Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday products, including some cosmetics, food and beverage packaging, toys, carpet, and pesticides.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/endocrine_disruptors_508.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[7]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Endocrine System (noun): Defined by the NIEHS, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;endocrine glands, distributed throughout the body, produce the hormones that act as signaling molecules after release into the circulatory system. The human body is dependent on hormones for a healthy endocrine system, which controls many biological processes like normal growth, fertility, and reproduction.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/endocrine_disruptors_508.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[8]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Intolerances (noun): “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A food intolerance response takes place in the digestive system. It occurs when you are unable to properly break down the food. This could be due to enzyme deficiencies, sensitivity to food additives or reactions to naturally occurring chemicals in foods,” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp;amp; Immunology.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/food-intolerance"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[9]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortified Foods (noun phrase): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The practice of adding vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed foods during processing to increase their nutritional value,” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;per &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rebecca Olson, Breda Gavin-Smith, Chiara Ferraboschi, and Klaus Kraemer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8066912/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[10]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29730 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wellness-Dictionary-supplements-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Functional Medicine (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Institute for Functional Medicine, “a systems biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual’s illness.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[11]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genomics (noun): “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genomics is a field of biology focused on studying all the DNA of an organism — that is, its genome. Such work includes identifying and characterizing all the genes and functional elements in an organism’s genome as well as how they interact,” as defined by Eric Green.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/genomics"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[12]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding (noun): “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding, also called earthing, is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. This can include walking barefoot, lying on the ground, submersing in water, or using grounding equipment,” pe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;r Eleesha Lockett.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#types"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;13]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gut Microbiome (noun): “Your gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that live in your esophagus, intestines, and stomach and affect each other and their environment in various ways. They influence many aspects of your overall health, both within your digestive system and outside of it,” as defined by the Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[14]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heavy Metals (noun): From the Cleveland Clinic, “microscopic molecules of metals accumulate within your body after exposure. Heavy metals attach to your cells and prevent them from properly performing their functions. Some common heavy metals include lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and thallium and can be found in things like pipes, batteries, cigarette smoke, and more.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23424-heavy-metal-poisoning-toxicity"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[15]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holistic Health (noun phrase): Defined by Western Connecticut State University as “an approach to life that considers multidimensional aspects of wellness. It encourages individuals to recognize the whole person: physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/ihhs/what-is-holistic-health/#:~:text=Holistic%20health%20is%20an%20approach,social%2C%20intellectual%2C%20and%20spiritual."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[16]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormones (noun): According to the Cleveland Clinic, “chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10978-skin"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21887-muscle"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;muscles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. They control different bodily processes, including growth and development, reproduction, internal balance, and sexual function.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[17]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy (noun): “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Primarily focuses on replacing the estrogen that your body no longer makes after menopause. There are two main types of estrogen therapy; systemic hormone therapy and low-dose vaginal products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,” according to the Mayo Clinic Staff.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[18]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inflammatory Foods (noun phrase): Katie McCallum defines it as “an immune system reaction causing inflammation can occur when eating inflammatory foods such as processed meats, packaged snacks like cookies and crackers, artificial sweeteners, refined grains and vegetable oils, and fried foods.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/jun/5-types-of-foods-that-cause-inflammation/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[19]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29731 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wellness-Dictionary-Veggies-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive Eating (verb phrase): Accroding to Evelyn Tribole, it “helps you cultivate attunement to the physical sensations that arise from within your body to get both your biological and psychological needs met and removes the obstacles and disruptors to attunement, which usually come from the mind in the form of rules, beliefs, and thoughts.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/definition-of-intuitive-eating/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[20]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Micropigmentation (noun): “Also known as permanent makeup, permanent cosmetics or cosmetic tattooing, is a cosmetic procedure used to improve or replace lost coloring on your skin,” per the Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11004-micropigmentation"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[21]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindfulness"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[22]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Naturopathic Medicine (noun): “A system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies, including herbs, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/massage-therapy-styles-and-health-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;massage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/consider-acupuncture"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acupuncture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and nutritional counseli,” from the WebMD Editorial Contributors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-naturopathic-medicine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[23]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prebiotics (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A substance and especially a carbohydrate that is nearly or wholly indigestible and that when consumed (as in food) promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prebiotic"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[24]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A microorganism that when consumed (as in a food or a dietary supplement) maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probiotics"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[25]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative Medicine (noun phrase): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Seeks to replace tissue or organs that have been damaged by age, disease, trauma, or congenital issues rather than treat symptoms. The tools used to realize these outcomes are tissue engineering, cellular therapies, and medical devices,” from the University of Pittsburgh’s &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://mirm-pitt.net/about-us/what-is-regenerative-medicine/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[26]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stem Cells (noun): “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The body's raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory, stem cells divide to form more cells called daughter cells,” per &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic Staff&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[27]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supplements (noun): &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A product taken orally that contains one or more ingredients (such as vitamins or amino acids) that are intended to supplement one's diet and are not considered food.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dietary%20supplement"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[28]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone Replacement Therapy (noun): Defined by the Mayo Clinic Staff, “TRT, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;in the form of injections, pellets, patches or gels, can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone due to normal aging or Hypogonadism, which hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles in men.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[29]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vagus Nerve (noun): “Also known as the vagal nerves, are the main nerves of your parasympathetic nervous system. This system controls specific body functions such as your digestion, heart rate and immune system. These functions are involuntary, meaning you can’t consciously control them,” from the Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[30]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29728 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wellness-Dictionary-Muscles-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We hope these 30 definitions help lay an outline for your research as you go into the new year. We have been sure to include all our references so you can do more in-depth research on these health and wellness terms and so you have access to other informative medical websites and journals to reference throughout your wellness journey this year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;References&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Adrenal Glands." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Johns Hopkins Medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-glands#:~:text=Adrenal%20glands%2C%20also%20known%20as,stress%20and%20other%20essential%20functions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-glands#:~:text=Adrenal%20glands%2C%20also%20known%20as,stress%20and%20other%20essential%20functions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Cortisol."Cleveland Clinic.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hannah Hopper. "How to Cycle Sync." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wholistically Hannah. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wholisticallyhannah.com/all/how-to-cycle-sync"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.wholisticallyhannah.com/all/how-to-cycle-sync&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Defficiency."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diet"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Diet.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Merriam-Webster. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Raman, Ryan. "Elimination Diet."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Healthline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-diet"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. "Endocrine Disruptors: What You Need to Know." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NIEHS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/endocrine_disruptors_508.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/endocrine_disruptors_508.pdf&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; "Endocrine Disruptors: What You Need to Know." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NIEHS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp;amp; Immunology. "Food Intolerance." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AAAAI. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/food-intolerance"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/food-intolerance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olson, Rebecca, Breda Gavin-Smith, Chiara Ferraboschi, and Klaus Kraemer. 2021. "Food Fortification: The Advantages, Disadvantages and Lessons from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sight and Life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Programs" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 13, no. 4: 1118. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041118&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Institute for Functional Medicine. "What Is Functional Medicine?" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IFM.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green, Eric, M.D., Ph.D. "Genomics." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Human Genome Research Institute. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/genomics"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/genomics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lockett, Eleesha.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Grounding (Earthing): How It Works and the Benefits." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#types"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#types&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The Gut Microbiome." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Heavy Metal Poisoning/Toxicity." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland Clinic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23424-heavy-metal-poisoning-toxicity"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23424-heavy-metal-poisoning-toxicity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Western Connecticut State University. "What Is Holistic Health?"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Institute for Holistic Health Studies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/ihhs/what-is-holistic-health/#:~:text=Holistic%20health%20is%20an%20approach,social%2C%20intellectual%2C%20and%20spiritual"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.wcsu.edu/ihhs/what-is-holistic-health/#:~:text=Holistic%20health%20is%20an%20approach,social%2C%20intellectual%2C%20and%20spiritual&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Hormones." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic Staff. "Hormone therapy for women in menopause: What you need to know." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;McCallum, Katie. "5 Types of Foods That Cause Inflammation." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Houston Methodist. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/jun/5-types-of-foods-that-cause-inflammation/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/jun/5-types-of-foods-that-cause-inflammation/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tribole, Evelyn. "Definition of Intuitive Eating." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive Eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/definition-of-intuitive-eating/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.intuitiveeating.org/definition-of-intuitive-eating/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Micropigmentation." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland Clinic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11004-micropigmentation"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11004-micropigmentation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Mindfulness.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Merriam-Webster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WebMD Editorial Contributors. "What Is Naturopathic Medicine?" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WebMD. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-naturopathic-medicine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-naturopathic-medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Prebiotics.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Merriam-Webster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Probiotics.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Merriam-Webster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What Is Regenerative Medicine?" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://mirm-pitt.net/about-us/what-is-regenerative-medicine/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://mirm-pitt.net/about-us/what-is-regenerative-medicine/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic Staff. "Stem Cells." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Dietary Supplements.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Merriam-Webster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic Staff. "Testosterone therapy: Is it right for you?" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Vagus Nerve." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Wellness-Dictionary-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-wellness-dictionary/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29688</ID> <title>A Story of Success: Dr. Rudolph Moise, His Family Practice and Aesthetics</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 20:11:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_77 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_114"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_125 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_142 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Early Years and Education&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rudolph Moise came from Haiti when he was just 17 years old and moved to Chicago knowing no English. In July of 1971, young Dr. Moise attended a 30-day program at a community center as he redid his final year of high school to learn English and get the necessary credits to be accepted into college. He finished a pre-med degree in five years and applied for medical school, where the Chicago College of Medicine accepted him as a student. They offered him a scholarship from a federal program where they sponsored his school and required him to work for four years in an area of his choosing post-graduation. After some convincing, Dr. Moise was sent to Miami to work in federally qualified health care for a few years. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He became very involved with the Miami community and stayed to practice there, where his primary care practice took off. He quickly found that owning a medical practice also had a significant business aspect to address. Seeing an opportunity to grow and learn more, Dr. Moise returned to school, this time attending the University of Miami to earn his law degree and MBA every weekend for two and a half years. After those two and a half years of commitment to hard work, he finalized his healthcare administration and business administration degree, which ultimately helped his practice grow and thrive. Further schooling encouraged Dr. Moise to run for U.S. Congress in 2010 and again in 2012, with the goal of serving the Miami community in a new capacity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I came very close, coming in second. It was always a dream to serve this great country since it has given so much to me and my family," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deciding to stay in the medical field, Dr. Moise is one doctor who is making a positive impact on American healthcare. Having served in the United States Airforce Reserve as a flight surgeon for 21 years, Dr. Moise has been leading the way to better and more available medical opportunities throughout the medical industry as a whole.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29699 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Team-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New Aesthetics Focus, Connecting with Patients, and Community Outreach&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the Congress battle, Dr. Moise became a medical flight surgeon in the military for 21 years. He has now been serving as a family physician for 30 years, focusing on diabetes, back pain, illness, and so much more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to his practice being in Miami, people often come to Dr. Moise for referrals on aesthetic care. Because of the overwhelming demand for aesthetics and interest in the topics from his clients, Dr. Moise investigated the field and went to conferences around the country to become certified in aesthetics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I would say 85% of the aesthetic procedures that are done are non-surgical, so you can really help people doing these things. The other percent is when they go to a plastic surgeon to do cosmetic procedures or things that require a lot of downtime after surgery," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because there are so many procedures that are minimally invasive and have a short recovery time, Dr. Moise invested in aesthetic equipment for these procedures to add to his practice called Comprehensive Medical Spa, based in North Miami. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being involved in patients' lives is a vital role that Dr. Moise and his practice have always championed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always believe that success is really nothing unless you reach back out and are engaged in the community," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He spends time with different clubs and community outreaches for children to teach them and encourage them to stay in school. Dr. Moise is a mentor for these children to help them learn and do all the things others say they could never do. On top of being a mentor in his current community outreach endeavors, he was also the president of the Dade County Medical Association in Miami and then became a chairman of the Jackson Health Foundation, which raises money for the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29694 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoisefrontdesk-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Challenges in Family Medicine and Aesthetics &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Right now, access to healthcare is more important than ever," Dr. Moise shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having an easy and affordable way to see a professional medical doctor is essential. Finding a doctor and provider that truly cares for them is also vital. According to Dr. Moise, it is important for communities to provide access to the patient so there is not a time when patients walk into the office and cannot be seen. Dr. Moise's practice accepts all patients to provide the best care, even if they do not have an appointment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accessibility in healthcare is a huge issue facing the U.S. right now. According to health.gov, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 10 individuals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; do not have healthcare. The lack of affordable health care in the U.S. often prevents patients from being able to see a doctor at all and then becoming ill or not getting proper screening for disease. What could have been prevented is now an issue because they never saw a physician in the first place because of the multiple roadblocks. That is why Dr. Moise's practice makes it a point to accept walk-ins and not only take patients with appointments throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's very important that, as a community, we create the possibility where we provide access to the patient. There isn't one time that somebody has walked into my office and we told them 'no, we cannot see you,’” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29696 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoisepatient-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Overcoming Obstacles and Hiring Qualified and Dedicated Health Workers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This requirement to see all who enter Dr. Moise's practice comes with its own set of difficulties. Finding qualified workers in the health space is essential in order to see everyone who walks through the door. Finding qualified people to stay in the medical field and face the challenges that healthcare often presents can prove difficult. Tasks take longer when insurance is involved and documentation is required, so finding a team with patience and education is a necessary qualification in Dr. Moise's practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having certified healthcare professionals who have the time to commit is a difficulty of its own. Training is required for the job, of course, which is already complicated for employees. Then, it would be best to have employees who work longer hours to accommodate different needs and require a certain level of pay for their time. Finding people willing to dedicate the hours and commit to the hard work of medical jobs is a constant obstacle but a rewarding one when one's practice is able to bring compassionate and dedicated healthcare workers to the team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is also the challenge of spending proper time with each patient to really understand what they require to improve their health. This means that there must be available time, and the provider must have patience to reach the goals set in place by the patient. In order to successfully cater to a patient, Dr. Moise seeks to spend time with patients individually and not rush them out of the office before truly understanding what is necessary to treat them properly. The only way to truly understand a patient's diagnosis is to understand what symptoms they have faced, what goals they have set in place to reach full health again, and what kind of time they have put into the issue already to resolve it. How have they previously tried to cure it, and what brings them to an office to fix the problem? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I like to spend time with patients because you want to give them back communication and also listen. But if you spend a lot of time on the computer and try to document things that the government needs to know, it really reduces the time you need with your patients, and that's a challenge," Dr. Moise said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are hurdles to maneuver, Dr. Moise and his team are dedicated to giving their patients the utmost attention and care while sticking to the necessary protocol and spending the extra time needed to bring excellent care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29698 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Team-1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Road to Efficiency and Quality Care&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being efficient while providing quality care is a top priority for Dr. Moise and his team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holding a business that employs over 57 people and his current practice, Dr. Moise has had to learn to train and manage all these responsibilities to care for his patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have multiple businesses, and the key thing is to find responsible people because you cannot do everything yourself. At my office, I have a great manager who manages everything for me. Same thing in Orlando. I have somebody I meet with, and they let me know what's going on in every company I have," Dr. Moise shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the keys to overcoming barriers in the field of aesthetics and family medicine is to have upstanding people working for you. Dr. Moise implements this in every aspect of his life, including his businesses, practice, and community involvement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Moise has multiple businesses, so ensuring he can balance it all is a significant part of his success story. His practice manager takes care of his medical practice, while his employees are sure to stay involved in the business and medical aspects, keeping Dr. Moise in the know. This can include everything from charts to business expenses to day-to-day management. Between all the business endeavors, Dr. Moise must have a reliable team around him that can ensure his success along with their own success in the business. Having a great team of trusted individuals makes a huge difference in the success of business and medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The key to success is to have good people working for you who are qualified and can really handle operations in medical and business endeavors without you present. In terms of giving you advice and to other people, they have to be full of well-wishes for your success and company. And basically, that requires a lot of discipline and education from your team," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29695 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoiseoffice-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Dr. Moise Has Reached His Goals in Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discipline is something that Dr. Moise has learned and practiced over his years of practicing medicine, schooling, business endeavors, and running for public office. Years of his time have been dedicated to discipline, and those hours of dedication got him to where he is today. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He tells all his students how important it is to learn more so that they can take on more tasks and understand things around them better. Dr. Moise believes that the more you know and are educated, the easier you will solve tasks in any capacity. Education is the true power in the world of medicine, business, and just in general. To get things done, people must experience bumps in the road and trials to learn more and overcome the struggles they face. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are a lot of bumps along the way, but don't give up. Keep on pushing, and keep on doing it, and successful is what you will be," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining discipline and pushing until you reach your goals is crucial. The only way to reach your goals and overcome obstacles in life is by maintaining discipline to reach the goals you have set in place for yourself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Discipline in your education is number one. Your brain has billions of cells, and you can absorb a lot of information. So, the more you learn, the more you're ready to take on tasks and challenges and get things done. I tell all my students that education is power," he concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To learn more about Dr. Rudolph Moise and what his practice offers, visit his website at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://chcmedrehab.com/staff/Dr-Rudolph-Moise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://chcmedrehab.com/staff/Dr-Rudolph-Moise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/a-story-of-success-dr-rudolph-moise-his-family-practice-and-aesthetics/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29668</ID> <title>American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians: An Interview with Dr. A.J. Farshchian</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 18:45:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_78 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_115"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_126 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_143 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians (AASCP) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of research, education, and clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies. Founded by medical professionals passionate about exploring the potential of stem cells, the AASCP serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ethical practices within the realm of regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This year, its&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;conference&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will be held February 9-11, 2024, and will feature dozens of workshops, keynote speakers and events for medical professionals interested in stem cell treatment and advancements. All are welcome to join the conference and learn more about what stem cell treatments can offer your practice, your health, and your patients.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29675 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Dr.-A.J-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Objectives of AASCP &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary mission of the AASCP revolves around promoting the responsible use of stem cell-based therapies through education, training, and ethical guidelines. They focus on the following objectives: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Education and Training. The AASCP offers educational programs, seminars and conferences designed to update medical professionals on the latest advancements, ethical considerations, and best practices in stem cell therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Research and Innovation. AASCP focuses on encouraging and supporting research initiatives aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind stem cell therapy and its potential applications in various medical conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Ethical Guidelines. Establishing ethical standards and guidelines to ensure the safe and responsible application of stem cell treatments while safeguarding patient welfare. The workshops and keynote speakers for the conference focus on the most ethical manners to utilize stem cells and train your medical professionals on their use.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29678 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AASCP Events and Initiatives &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. A.J. Farshchian, Spokesperson and Founder of The American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians, gave an extensive list of medical professionals who are expected to attend the conference in 2024:  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. A.J. Farshchian, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Frank Shallenberger, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joel Baumgartner, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Warren Bleiweiss, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joseph Purita, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Carlos Mercado,M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gerald Harris, D.O.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Leonid Macheret, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joseph Cleaver, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Armando Pineda, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hans Richter, PhD &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. William Clearfield, D.O. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patricia Lawson, MSED-PESI &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical professionals from all over the country will be in attendance to share their knowledge and expertise at the event. Over 3,000 doctors and medical professionals have attended over the years, receiving training and listening to keynote speakers.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami on February 9-11, 2024. We will offer amazing presentations and hands-on workshops and expect to have between 22 to 25 exhibitors and around 150 attendees,” Dr. Farshchian said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-29674 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Conference-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The AASCP arranges diverse events, conferences, and workshops aimed at fostering the exchange of knowledge among professionals engaged in regenerative medicine. This conference primarily emphasizes showcasing scientific progress, deliberating on safety protocols, and handling regulatory facets to guarantee adherence to set benchmarks. Such events encompass scientific symposiums and forums that convene eminent specialists to explore the most recent innovations and hurdles within the discipline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This conference will center on discussing the progress in the development, manufacturing, and safe delivery of regenerative cell therapies. The AASCP emphasizes crucial considerations for physicians employing biologics in their practice, encompassing SVF, PRP, bone marrow, UCB, amniotic products, exosomes, xenografts, or peptides.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We are here to educate medical professionals about stem cell treatments and do so through this conference and research,” Dr. Farshchian said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29676 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Presenter-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Established as a non-profit organization, the AASCP aims to serve as an educational resource for medical professionals and the public concerning treatable physiological dysfunctions causing diseases. Its primary objectives are to advance research in regenerative medicine, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each year, the conference is held in Miami for anyone interested in stem cell treatments and care or for regenerative medicine companies and nonprofits to table and share their own information with other medical professionals. This conference is an excellent networking opportunity as well as an educational opportunity that medical professionals seeking to expand their practice or try stem cell treatments should attend. The education shared by professionals is day-to-day treatment and research-based for all to hear and understand.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians, AASCP,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a non-profit organization that boasts of advancing knowledge and research in the development of therapeutics in regenerative medicine. To get tickets, apply for a table, or find more information about the AASCP and their conference, visit their&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or social media. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29677 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/american-academy-of-stem-cell-physicians-an-interview-with-dr-a-j-farshchian/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>28665</ID> <title>Celebrating National Farmers Day: Supporting Local Farms for a Sustainable Future</title> <publishDate>2023-10-02 16:00:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_79 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_116"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_127 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_32 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_96 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_97 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_98 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_144 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every year on October 12th, the United States celebrates National Farmers Day, a day dedicated to honoring the hardworking individuals who dedicate their lives to feeding the nation. This day provides us with an excellent opportunity to not only express our gratitude but also to learn more about the vital role farmers play in our lives and how we can support them. In this article, we'll explore the significance of National Farmers Day and offer active ways to support and buy from local farms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of National Farmers Day&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Farmers Day serves as a reminder of farmers' essential role in sustaining our communities, economies, and overall well-being. Farmers are the backbone of our food system, working tirelessly to cultivate crops, raise livestock, and provide us with a diverse array of nutritious and delicious products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28845 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nationalfarmersday2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Here are some key reasons why National Farmers Day is worth celebrating:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Food Security: Farmers are responsible for ensuring a consistent and reliable food supply. They work diligently to grow crops and raise animals, making it possible for us to put meals on our tables daily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Economic Contributions: Agriculture is a significant contributor to the economy. In the United States, it generates billions of dollars in revenue and employs millions of people in various sectors, from farming to food processing and distribution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Environmental Stewardship: Many farmers actively practice sustainable and regenerative farming to protect the environment. Celebrating National Farmers Day encourages these practices, which are essential for a healthy planet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Community Building: Local farmers often play a crucial role in building strong, vibrant communities. They participate in local farmers' markets, educational programs, and community events, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's delve into several ways you can actively support and purchase from local farms now that there is an understanding of the importance of National Farmer's Day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28844 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nationalfarmersday1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ways to Support Local Farms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Shop at Farmers' Markets: One of the best ways to support local farmers is by shopping at farmers' markets. These markets provide a direct connection between consumers and producers. You can come across fresh, locally grown produce and artisanal products and even engage in conversations with the farmers. By buying from farmers' markets, you support local agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program: CSA programs allow you to purchase a share of a local farm's produce for a season. In return, you receive a weekly or monthly supply of fresh, seasonal items. It's a win-win situation as you get fresh food while providing financial stability to the farm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Visit Farm-to-Table Restaurants: Choose restaurants that prioritize sourcing their ingredients from local farms. When dining out, ask where the food comes from and support establishments that invest in the community's agriculture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Participate in Farm Tours: Many local farms offer tours and educational programs. These experiences allow you to see firsthand how farms produce your food and provide an opportunity to learn about sustainable farming practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="5"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Buy Directly from Farms: Some farms have their own farm stores or offer online platforms where you can purchase their products directly. By buying directly from the farm, you ensure that a more substantial portion of your money goes to the farmers themselves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="6"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Support Farm-to-School Programs: Encourage your local schools to participate in farm-to-school programs that promote using locally sourced ingredients in school cafeterias. This supports both local farmers and the health of students.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="7"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Advocate for Local Farming: Raise awareness about the importance of local agriculture and advocate for policies that support small-scale and sustainable farming practices. Your voice can make a significant difference in shaping local and national agricultural policies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="8"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Volunteer on Farms: If you have the time and inclination, consider volunteering on local farms. Many farmers welcome helping hands during busy seasons, and it's an excellent way to learn about farming while directly contributing to the local food system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="9"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Choose Seasonal and Local Produce: When shopping at grocery stores, make an effort to choose locally grown and seasonal produce. Look for labels that indicate the origin of the product.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="10"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Educate Yourself and Others: Take the time to educate yourself and your community about the benefits of supporting local farms. Share information about National Farmers Day and the importance of sustainable agriculture through social media, community events or local school programs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/I4SIM4anScQLuMcm6Z/giphy.gif" alt="" width="734" height="367" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In conclusion, National Farmers Day is a time to express our gratitude to the dedicated individuals who feed our nation. By actively supporting and buying from local farms, we can ensure a more sustainable and resilient food system, strengthen our communities, and contribute to a healthier planet. Whether you choose to shop at farmers' markets, join a CSA program, or advocate for local farming, every effort counts in building a brighter future for farmers and consumers alike. So, this October 12th, let's celebrate National Farmers Day by taking meaningful actions to support the unsung heroes who nourish our lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nationalfarmersdaycover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/celebrating-national-farmers-day-supporting-local-farms-for-a-sustainable-future/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28720</ID> <title>Discover Radiant Skin: Your Guide to Microneedling Benefits and Treatment at TopDoc Clinics Miami</title> <publishDate>2023-09-22 09:15:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_80 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_117"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_128 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_33 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_99 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_100 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_101 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_145 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses tiny needles to create controlled punctures in the skin. This can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that give skin its strength and elasticity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microneedling can address a variety of concerns, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acne scars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stretch marks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wrinkles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Age spots&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sun damage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hyperpigmentation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rosacea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Melasma&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctor's offices or medical spas can perform microneedling, which is a safe and effective procedure. The process typically takes about 30 minutes, and no downtime is required. You may experience some redness and swelling immediately after the procedure, but this will usually subside within a few days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28854 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/radiant-skin1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Does Microneedling Work?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microneedling works by creating tiny punctures in the skin. These punctures allow the body's natural healing process to kick in, stimulating collagen and elastin production. Collagen is the protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity, while elastin is the protein that gives skin its flexibility.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The increased production of collagen and elastin can lead to several benefits, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved skin texture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced appearance of scars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased skin elasticity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved skin tone and radiance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Is Microneedling Right for Me?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microneedling is a safe and effective procedure for most people. However, there are some people who should not get microneedling, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with active acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with open wounds or infections on the skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with a history of keloid scarring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who are pregnant or breastfeeding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are considering microneedling, it is important to talk to your doctor or a qualified medical professional to see if it is right for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Getting Microneedling Done at TopDoc Clinics | Miami&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics Miami is a leading provider of microneedling treatments. Our experienced and qualified team of doctors and nurses will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your individual needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our team performs the microneedling treatments using the latest technology and techniques to ensure that you achieve the best possible results. We also offer a variety of other cosmetic treatments, including laser hair removal, Botox, and fillers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To learn more about microneedling or to schedule a consultation, don't hesitate to contact our team at TopDoc Clinics | Miami today.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;div style="width: 1080px;" class="wp-video"&gt;&lt;!--[if lt IE 9]&gt;&lt;script&gt;document.createElement('video');&lt;/script&gt;&lt;![endif]--&gt; &lt;video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-7957-1" width="1080" height="1350" preload="metadata" controls="controls"&gt;&lt;source type="video/mp4" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tdcmicroneedling.mp4?_=1" /&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tdcmicroneedling.mp4"&gt;https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tdcmicroneedling.mp4&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/video&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Here are some additional things to keep in mind about microneedling:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The number of microneedling treatments you need will vary depending on the severity of your skin concerns. Most people need 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may experience some redness, swelling, and bruising after the procedure. This is normal and should subside within a few days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is best to avoid sun exposure and the use of harsh skincare products for a few days after the procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microneedling is a safe and effective procedure, but it is important to choose a qualified provider.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are considering microneedling, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a qualified medical professional to see if it is right for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To book your appointment at &lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/a&gt; | Miami, visit our&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; website&lt;/a&gt; or&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; contact us&lt;/a&gt; by scanning the QR code.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TDM_WebImgs_Facebook-LinkedIn-Website-39.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/discover-radiant-skin-your-guide-to-microneedling-benefits-and-treatment-at-topdoc-clinics-miami/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28706</ID> <title>Mastering Your Diet: The Key to Health and Performance</title> <publishDate>2023-09-18 08:49:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_81 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_118"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_129 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_34 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_102 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_103 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_104 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_146 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The diet you are following will either make or break you!   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy body and reflect positively on your daily performance.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Good nutrition is an important aspect of leading a healthy lifestyle. Your diet, combined with physical activity, can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases and promote your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you are an athlete, a regular gym goer, or a person who just likes to maintain a healthy body, having a well-rounded diet that fits your needs is a major player towards your goal.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28930 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mastering-your-diet-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people find it hard to eat healthy and try to maintain a balance in their lives, especially with the fast-paced life we live. The best advice I can give you is to start with small steps. Small changes lead to bigger ones that will have a positive impact on your diet and your own life.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by writing down everything you eat and drink on a daily basis. Such a step is very important. Why? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the day ends, you will take 5 minutes to sit and scan your food journal. Look at what you ate today and hold yourself accountable if you ate some high-calorie or fried fast food. You will highlight it in your journal and remember it to avoid making such a mistake again, as your goal is to get healthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another essential step that many must remember is reading food labels well. What do I mean by that? Do not only read the kcal and skip the rest of the label. Make sure you check the ingredients well. Oftentimes, there are many preservatives you do not want to put in your body. Check the amount of sugar, sodium content and types of fat in the product. Pick the healthier food for you and your goal.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Think of your goals before you eat. Will that food help me get closer to my goal? Is that food needed in my diet? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do not find an excuse or look for justification for a cheat meal. Stick to your diet plan and stay in your lane. Often, people ask their nutritionist or dietitian for a cheat meal before they get close to their goal. That is the wrong way of thinking, and if you see a diet that involves deprivation, then know that any person won't be able to stay on such a diet long-term, and such a diet is not a healthy choice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I am not a fan of the term `cheat meal` because a balanced diet will always provide you with what your body needs, and you won't crave unneeded types of food that can negatively affect your body and delay you from reaching your goal or even performing well at your training.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28926 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alexjamal2-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="732" height="1097" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fix the bad habits and replace them with good ones. Human beings live by habits. Look at your lifestyle and what led you to where you are. Try to identify unhealthy habits, like sleeping late or eating processed food, and change those habits to good ones that will get you to live a healthy lifestyle.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Always aim for high protein. You may be able to live without carbohydrates, but you can't live without protein. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A common piece of misinformation is that people think protein is only for muscles and that a lot of protein can negatively affect your health. That is not correct at all. In fact, any person who is highly active on a daily basis will need more protein and amino acids to help his body recover and perform well.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Right now, the recommended dietary allowance for protein is low and does not help a normal person stay healthy and strong. Not eating adequate amounts of protein on a daily basis often results in eating other macronutrients, thus affecting our body composition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As for athletes, you will definitely need to be on higher protein than the average person. The diet that you are following has a huge impact on your performance. Let us take an example of a boxer and a long-distance runner. Those two athletes are high-performers on a daily basis until the contest day comes. Most of the time, the boxer needs to make weight on the scale, so his nutritionist or registered dietician puts him on low carbs a few days before and keeps the protein moderate. The long-distance runner will be loading carbohydrates for a few days before. It's very important for all types of athletes to eat according to a plan and take any necessary supplements, go to sleep early to get good rest and stay hydrated all the time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you know how important it is to follow a healthy diet, start today and do not wait for a signal to save your health and save yourself from paying high medical bills from an unhealthy lifestyle.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating clean and healthy today is less expensive than paying for medicine and hospital bills in the near future.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can find more from Alex at:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.Fitnessresultscoach.com"&gt;www.Fitnessresultscoach.com &lt;/a&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IG: &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/thetraineralex/"&gt;thetraineralex&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alexjamal1.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/mastering-your-diet-the-key-to-health-and-performance/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28697</ID> <title>Harvest Chicken and Autumn Vegetable Sheet Pan Dinner</title> <publishDate>2023-09-15 08:33:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_82 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_119"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_130 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_35 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_105 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_106 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_107 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_147 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the crisp air of autumn sets in, there's no better way to celebrate the season's bounty than with a comforting and flavorful meal straight from the farm. Our Balsamic Glazed Autumn Chicken with Roasted Vegetables recipe embraces the essence of fall, combining tender chicken breasts marinated in a rich balsamic infusion with a medley of vibrant autumn vegetables. This dish warms the heart and tantalizes the taste buds with its harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and earthy flavors. So head to your local farmers market, pick up the freshest seasonal ingredients, and get the whole family involved in preparing this delicious recipe. Whether you're looking to bring the family together or create a memorable dinner for friends, this farm-to-table delight promises to be a feast for both the eyes and the palate, embodying the very essence of fall's rich and colorful tapestry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28945 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/autumn1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Servings: 4&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For the Chicken and Marinade:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 tablespoons olive oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 cloves garlic, minced&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 teaspoon dried thyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Salt and pepper to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For the Autumn Vegetable Medley:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 red onion, cut into wedges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 tablespoons olive oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 teaspoon dried sage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Salt and pepper to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instructions:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour in the refrigerator.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Prepare the Vegetables: In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle dried rosemary, dried sage, salt, and pepper over the vegetables, and toss again to evenly distribute the seasonings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Assemble the Sheet Pan Dinner: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Arrange the marinated chicken breasts on one side of the baking sheet. Place the seasoned vegetables on the other side, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="5"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Roasting: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and roast for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken and toss the vegetables for even cooking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="6"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Serve: Once the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are roasted to perfection, transfer them to serving plates. The combination of fall flavors and roasted chicken creates a hearty and satisfying meal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/hHZfOv3tpyItG/giphy.gif" alt="" width="716" height="534" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="7"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Garnish: For a finishing touch, you can garnish the dish with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="8"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Enjoy: Delight in the warm and comforting flavors of fall with this farm-fresh sheet pan dinner. The balsamic-marinated chicken complements the caramelized sweetness of the autumn vegetables, making it a perfect dish for cozy evenings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/farmfresh-recipe.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/harvest-chicken-and-autumn-vegetable-sheet-pan-dinner/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28691</ID> <title>OneSkin: The Most Innovative Way to Treat Your Skin</title> <publishDate>2023-09-13 08:26:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_83 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_120"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_131 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_36 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_108 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_109 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_110 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_148 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pioneering the Future of Health: Carolina Oliveira's Journey in Stem Cell Biology and Anti-Aging&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are so many potential applications in using stem cell biology science to help people and avoid diseases that affect the health and quality of life for individuals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," Carolina Oliveira, co-founder and CEO of OneSkin, said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oliveira has held a passion for human health and an interest in the sciences since the young age of 15. After obtaining her degree in biochemistry, she went on to get her Ph.D. in stem cell biology and tissue engineering, where she became even more passionate about using her knowledge to help others live a better life and aid in the pursuit of healthy aging. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28890 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Portrait_Carolina-0854_final-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="727" height="1089" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a scientist, you always dream of finding a cure for a specific disease. Eventually, I learned that what underlies most of the diseases we research is aging or the accumulation of damage in our cells and tissues over time. So, if we can actually treat aging in the first place, we can help humans in a different way. By slowing down or reversing aging, we help them to live healthier for longer and avoid developing those diseases we are trying to cure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," Oliveira said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;OneSkin's Holistic Approach to Longevity&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s common to notice the physical signs of skin aging at some point in life, but with such a societal focus on skin aesthetics, most people fail to dig deeper into what skin aging means for their overall health. OneSkin created a new approach to address the aging of the skin - the body’s largest organ - first, with the goal of expanding to other tissues later down the line. OneSkin started with skin because skin is an often overlooked but very vital organ with huge impacts on health and the development of age-related diseases. While maintaining skin health with age will likely have a larger impact than we may think on the way we age, OneSkin doesn’t plan to limit its product development to a topical treatment. OneSkin's ultimate goal is to go beyond the skin and treat the whole body to help humans live healthier, better lives and avoid age-related diseases altogether. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Instead of treating diseases, we should treat what's actually causing all of those diseases, and it's aging. The science of the biology of aging and longevity has evolved so much, and scientists have started to find out what drives aging at the cellular level and how this is associated with many diseases," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Revolutionizing “Anti-Aging Skincare” from the Cellular Level&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OneSkin wasn’t founded with the goal of launching a product. Rather, the team of longevity scientists started OneSkin as a research platform to test the efficacy of anti-aging products on the market by growing human skin in the lab to replicate the skin tissues and the aging process. Their research platform uncovered the fact that most products don’t treat aging itself but just the symptoms of aging. They were primarily surface-level treatments, and no brands were trying to find and treat the root cause of aging. This is where the team realized that by developing products based on research instead of marketing goals, there was a better way to develop anti-aging products that could target aging at a cellular level. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What we realized that happens with the aging process is the accumulation of damaged cells, also called the senescent cells. These cells start to build up in our tissues as we age, and they basically function like a bad apple in a basket. They start secreting inflammatory signals that spoil the healthy cells around to age faster. And that leads to inflammation, collagen breakdown, and the signs of aging such as sagging, wrinkles, fine lines and so on," Oliveira said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OneSkin hypothesized that by reducing the amount of senescent cells in the skin, healthy cells could proliferate and function more optimally, producing more collagen, improving barrier function, and improving cellular repair mechanisms. So, they set out to find a molecule capable of reducing senescent cells in the skin. After years of research screening over 900 peptides and then optimizing the most promising ones, they developed the OS-01 peptide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We go to the root cause; we go to the deeper levels of the skin to treat what's causing aging in the first place instead of only treating the surface of the skin," Oliveira said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28891 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SHOT_1_GROUP_PDP_0969-FINAL_1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Beyond Just a Business&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OneSkin focuses on more than just selling its products, though. They currently support two institutions via continuous donations. One is the Shepherd's Centers of America, a nonprofit that helps older adults continue enjoying their life as they grow older. If older individuals need support with technology, exercising, health or mental health, the Shepherd’s Centers of America aids them. OneSkin seeks to support others with a similar mission, empowering people to enjoy their lives as they age. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifespan.io is another nonprofit that OneSkin supports. It is a nonprofit that supports research in the field of aging and longevity with an initiative to gather scientists to share their research. As they are currently supporting a project on Alzheimer's, they bring community to those with related diseases and benefit from the new developing technologies in the field of science. Lifespan.io focuses on education and promoting science-backed information so people make better choices today and age better tomorrow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"More and more consumers are demanding science-backed products. For a while, a lot of companies got away with great marketing, but now consumers are looking for real benefits and long-lasting effects," Carolina Oliveira said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OneSkin believes in developing products through the rigor of the scientific process to deliver products that provide lasting benefits to health. They are proud pioneers in an emerging revolution in the anti-aging industry that will allow more consumers to gain access to technologies and products to live better lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; offers some of the most innovative health care and regenerative medicine in the U.S. Aesthetics and skin health is a passion that TopDoc Clinics and OneSkin have in common. Be on the lookout for OneSkin products at TopDoc Clinics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28892 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SHOT_3_SCIENCE_1278-FINAL-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Sets OneSkin Apart&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only is OneSkin backed by extensive research and years of product development, but they’re also the first company to use longevity science to do it. OneSkin is the first to develop a novel ingredient targeting cellular senescence, a primary driver of skin aging. Prior to OneSkin's findings, there was no other company using this approach to promote skin age reversal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Most dermatologists and skincare companies are using common ingredients that have been in the market for over 50 years, such as retinoids or other acids, and while these can promote better-looking skin, they may also cause inflammation and irritation and were not developed specifically to target aging itself," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OneSkin has a new approach to target what drives aging at the cellular level and validate the age reversal effects in the lab. This is vital in the approach to treating aging at its root cause and sets them apart from other companies advertising age reversal for your skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For more information on OneSkin and their products, visit their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.oneskin.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;website&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or their social media on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/oneskin.co/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/OneSkinTech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or YouTube, and be sure to check out the testimonials.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/oneskin1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/oneskin-the-most-innovative-way-to-treat-your-skin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28657</ID> <title>The Secret to Women’s Health: Cycle-Syncing</title> <publishDate>2023-09-06 18:53:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_84 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_121"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_132 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_37 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_111 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_112 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_113 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_149 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There’s a new wellness trend taking the internet by storm, and it’s not just a fad. It’s called cycle-syncing, and it’s the key to unlocking the healthiest version of yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does it Mean to “Cycle-Sync?”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wholisticallyhannah.com/all/how-to-cycle-sync" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cycle-syncing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; refers to catering your lifestyle to your menstrual cycle. That doesn’t just mean eating extra chocolate during your period (which is actually recommended!). The fact is your body has four phases that it goes through cyclically. Your energy levels and hormones drastically shift through the cycle, so your body needs certain nutrients and exercise to thrive through each phase. So, based on what you eat and the exercises you do during each phase, you can optimize your energy and mood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28792 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cyclesyncingmoon-240x300.png" alt="" width="729" height="912" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Four Phases of Your Cycle Explained&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let’s start with the fun phase: ovulation. As you know, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ovulatory-phase" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;this is your fertile window&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The main function of this part of the cycle is to prepare your body for a potential baby. That said, whether or not you’re trying to get pregnant, this is when your body’s at its peak. Everything’s on high: your energy, confidence, and charisma. Think of this as your “summer” phase, where you could take on the world. In this phase, you’ll want challenging workouts and load up on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/10-best-foods-for-ovulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;good carbs and vitamin B&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Soak this part in because it’s one of the shortest phases of your cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next up is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-luteal-phase" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;luteal phase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This one can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Starting into this phase, you still feel pretty good since you’ve just come off ovulation. You may not notice you’re going downhill yet because you’re fresh off the peak. But then comes the drop, when your body realizes you’re not pregnant. Your hormones and energy levels are in a freefall, so expect to feel sad or grumpy for no reason. You should start slowing down your workouts and stock up on healthy fats and naturally sweeter foods to help with cravings. This is your “fall” phase as your body gears up for winter—known as your period. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28793 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cyclesyncingchocolate-300x157.png" alt="" width="738" height="386" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Then your period arrives. While it’s easy to meet this phase with frustration, it’s a natural part of the body. Your energy levels are at their lowest, so take this time to rest and catch up on sleep. It’s your “winter” phase, so don’t feel guilty about hibernating and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/5-ways-to-actually-look-forward-to-your-period-instead-of-dreading-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;focusing on taking care of yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Believe it or not, heavy cramping is not normal, so it matters what you do. Rest up and indulge in warm meals, like a heating pad inside your body. Some other things to eat: broccoli to help with cramps, lentils to satisfy cravings, and spinach and dark chocolate to replenish iron and provide magnesium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Following winter is your “spring” time, when your body starts to wake up in your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-follicular-phase"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;follicular phase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Your energy and hormone levels are rising, so you feel like a butterfly coming out of your cocoon. You’re feeling great again as your body prepares for ovulation. This is a great time for fresh fruits and veggies, and you’ll start feeling energized for more intense workouts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why It Matters&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Simply put, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nourishwithbella.com/blog/2021/3/8/cycle-syncing-how-to-optimize-your-life-with-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it’s your health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Getting in touch with your cycle will help you with your fertility. It’ll also allow you to feel your best, achieve the body of your dreams, and enjoy what every phase has to offer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women’s health is linked to cycle-syncing because it’s simply how a woman’s body works. This is especially important even if you don’t have a normal cycle. In fact, getting into a monthly cycle can help bring back your period (which is a good thing!). Many women struggle with irregular periods, and that likely has to do with most women being unaware of cycle-syncing. Exercising too much, not getting enough sleep, or being constantly stressed can throw off our cycle, which is detrimental to our health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Especially as more women are sounding the alarm on birth control pills, it’s crucial that we are in touch with our cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class=" alignnone" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/10jniOyQtffjbO/giphy.gif" alt="" width="720" height="435" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Get Started&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here’s how the cycle is roughly broken down: A woman’s cycle is typically 28 days. Your cycle begins when your period starts. The first half of your cycle, days 1-14, are your menstrual and follicular phases. Menstruation is about five days, the rest are your follicular phase. The second half, days 15-28, are your ovulation and luteal phases. Ovulation can be about three to five days, and the rest is your luteal phase.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There’s good news if you don’t know how to keep up with that, or if you don’t have a regular cycle. First of all, there are a number of cycle-syncing apps that track it for you. My favorite is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://28.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;28 by Evie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! This app’s especially great since it provides recommended foods and workouts to help you feel your best. Secondly, if you don’t have a regular cycle, it’s recommended that you still stick to a monthly cycle. Your body will benefit from the routine, which will help regulate you over time. If you don’t know where to start, your first day can be on the next new moon. And thankfully, the app tracks that too! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women’s bodies are so unique that almost every day of the cycle, our energy levels shift. That’s why we deserve to give our body what it needs so we can enjoy every phase. So, what are you waiting for? I encourage you to try cycle-syncing to unleash your ultimate femininity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TDM_WebImgs_Facebook-LinkedIn-Website-32-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-secret-to-womens-health-cycle-syncing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28674</ID> <title>Balancing Hormones Naturally: Tips for Women</title> <publishDate>2023-09-04 19:12:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_85 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_122"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_133 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_38 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_114 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_115 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_116 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_150 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal imbalances can affect women of all ages, causing a range of physical and emotional symptoms. While medical intervention may be necessary in some cases, there are also natural ways to help balance hormones. This article will explore some fun and educational tips for women to balance their hormones naturally. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can promote hormonal harmony and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Prioritize a Healthy Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A balanced and nutritious diet plays a crucial role in maintaining hormonal balance. Include a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals. In addition, certain foods, such as flaxseeds, fatty fish, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, can specifically support hormone health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Regular Exercise &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engaging in regular physical activity not only improves overall health but also helps regulate hormones. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which can enhance mood and reduce stress levels. Most days of the week, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling, or dancing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28942 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/balancinghormones2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Stress Management &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance. Incorporate stress management techniques into your routine, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. Find activities that help you relax and unwind, and prioritize them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Adequate Sleep &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is essential for hormone regulation and overall well-being. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a consistent sleep routine, creating a calm, dark environment to optimize sleep quality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/NDUOZHddH9HMI/giphy.gif" alt="" width="730" height="542" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Avoid Toxins &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toxins found in household cleaning products, personal care items, and pesticides can disrupt hormone balance. Opt for natural and organic alternatives whenever possible. Choose products free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Additionally, consider using glass or stainless-steel containers for food and beverages instead of plastic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6. Herbal Supplements &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain herbal supplements can support hormone balance. Herbs such as maca, chasteberry, and evening primrose oil have been traditionally used to promote hormonal harmony. However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating any new supplements into your routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;7. Maintain a Healthy Weight &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for hormone balance. Excess body fat can lead to hormonal imbalances, particularly in estrogen levels. Aim for a balanced diet and regular exercise to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;8. Stay Hydrated &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Proper hydration is essential for optimal hormone function. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help support the body's natural detoxification processes. In addition, reduce your sugary drinks and caffeine intake, as they can disrupt hormone levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Balancing hormones naturally is a holistic approach that encompasses various lifestyle factors. Women can promote hormonal harmony by prioritizing a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, toxin avoidance, and herbal supplements. Maintaining a healthy weight and staying hydrated is essential in supporting hormone balance. Remember, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle. However, by taking small steps towards balancing your hormones naturally, you can experience improved well-being and vitality in your daily life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Balancing-Hormones-Naturally.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/balancing-hormones-naturally-tips-for-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28648</ID> <title>The Gut-Skin Connection: How a Healthy Gut Leads to Radiant Skin</title> <publishDate>2023-09-04 18:39:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_86 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_123"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_134 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_39 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_117 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_118 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_119 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_151 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The quest for radiant and healthy skin has been a timeless pursuit. We invest in skincare products, follow rigorous beauty routines and seek the advice of dermatologists. However, what if I told you that the secret to achieving glowing skin may lie not just in what you put on your skin but in what you put in your body? The emerging field of gut-skin health has shed light on the profound connections between a healthy gut and healthy skin. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating relationship between the two and explore how nurturing your gut can lead to a radiant complexion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Understanding the Gut Microbiome&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The gut microbiome is a bustling ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms residing in your gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes. This complex community plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One of its many functions is aiding digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food we consume. However, its influence extends beyond the gut.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28900 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/171-Website-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;1. Inflammation and Skin Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic inflammation is a common underlying factor in many skin conditions, such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Interestingly, the gut is a significant player in regulating inflammation throughout the body. Disrupting the balance of gut bacteria can lead to a condition known as "leaky gut syndrome." In this state, the intestinal barrier becomes more permeable, allowing harmful substances, such as bacteria and toxins, to escape into the bloodstream.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These foreign invaders trigger an immune response, leading to systemic inflammation. This inflammation can manifest in the skin, exacerbating skin conditions or even contributing to the development of new ones. Therefore, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is crucial in preventing and managing skin inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;2. Nutrient Absorption and Skin Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your gut is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals crucial for skin health. For example, vitamin A is essential for skin cell production and repair, while vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress. When your gut is not functioning optimally, it can hinder the absorption of these vital nutrients, potentially leading to dull, dry or unhealthy-looking skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;3. Gut-Brain-Skin Axis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The gut-brain axis intricately links the gut to the brain, and recent research has revealed that this connection also extends to the skin. Stress and other emotional factors can trigger skin conditions or exacerbate existing ones. These emotional triggers are closely related to the gut-brain-skin axis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you're stressed or anxious, your gut can react by disrupting the balance of its microbial inhabitants, leading to inflammation and skin issues. Conversely, imbalances in the gut can send signals to the brain that contribute to stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that negatively impacts both gut and skin health. Therefore, managing stress and nurturing your gut can profoundly impact your skin's well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_2"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyEUIdEOx-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"&gt;&lt;div style="padding:16px;"&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyEUIdEOx-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; &lt;div style=" display: flex; 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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyEUIdEOx-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;A post shared by TopDoctor Magazine (@topdoctormagazine)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_152 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Probiotics and Prebiotics: Your Skin's Best Friends&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that we understand the connection between the gut and skin, let's explore how to promote a healthy gut microbiome and, in turn, improve skin health. Probiotics and prebiotics are two essential components in this quest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;1. Probiotics: The Gut's Superheroes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer various health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They are often referred to as "good" or "friendly" bacteria because they help maintain a balanced gut microbiome. Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and some supplements contain probiotics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you consume probiotics, they populate your gut, crowding out harmful bacteria and helping to restore balance. This can aid in reducing inflammation, improving nutrient absorption, and supporting overall gut health, all of which contribute to healthier skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Prebiotics: Food for Your Gut Microbes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers found in certain foods that nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut. They serve as food for probiotics and help them thrive. Prebiotics-rich foods include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus and bananas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating prebiotic-rich foods into your diet can create a favorable environment for probiotics to flourish. This synergy between prebiotics and probiotics promotes a harmonious gut microbiome, positively impacting your skin's appearance and health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28899 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Issue-171-Insta-1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Diet and Lifestyle for a Radiant Complexion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to probiotics and prebiotics, your overall diet and lifestyle play a pivotal role in nurturing both your gut and skin health. Here are some tips to achieve a radiant complexion:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. This provides essential nutrients for your skin and supports a diverse gut microbiome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for maintaining skin moisture and elasticity. Aim to drink enough water throughout the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Reduce Sugar and Processed Foods: High sugar intake and processed foods can disrupt the gut microbiome and promote inflammation. Limit these in your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Manage Stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga or mindfulness to keep the gut-brain-skin axis in balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for skin regeneration and overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Excessive alcohol and caffeine intake can dehydrate the skin and disrupt sleep patterns. Use them in moderation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/7PK51oAq6EcUnrQYmW/giphy-downsized-large.gif" alt="" width="737" height="737" /&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The connection between a healthy gut and healthy skin is undeniable. Your gut microbiome influences inflammation, nutrient absorption and the gut-brain-skin axis, all of which are crucial for skin health. By incorporating probiotics and prebiotics and adopting a balanced diet and lifestyle, you can nurture your gut and achieve a radiant complexion from within. So, the next time you invest in skincare products, remember to invest in your gut's well-being for truly glowing and healthy skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/171-Website-1024x536.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-gut-skin-connection-how-a-healthy-gut-leads-to-radiant-skin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28298</ID> <title>LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE YET!</title> <publishDate>2023-08-01 18:46:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_87 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_124"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_135 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_40 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_120 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_121 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_122 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_153 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's so easy to put your health and wellness on the back burner. We say things like, "I really want to lose this weight, I want to get back to the gym or I'm tired of feeling tired and having zero motivation to get moving." It seems like there's always something else to do. Then we're left feeling exhausted while searching for the next series on Netflix.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body and brain are deeply connected and in constant contact with each other. The thoughts you think, usually negative for some reason, will keep you from achieving above and beyond. The voices in our heads will hold us back and tell us we don't have what it takes. But, in fact, you DO have what it takes. The human body is capable of so much more than we realize. We just have to believe that we always have more in the tank.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's very easy to put your health on hold as long as you're healthy. The old adage, you "don't miss something until it's gone," rings true. Why wait for the diagnosis to start taking your health seriously? Isn't it worthy of your attention NOW while you ARE healthy?  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look at your self-care habits now while you're reading this. Ask yourself a few simple questions:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do I put others' needs before mine or let work consume me?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do I set time daily for movement, stretching or strength building?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do I fuel my body and brain in a way that leaves me energized or feeling sluggish?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do I prioritize my sleep habits so I wake each day feeling ready to take on the day?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are all very important questions. Most likely, you've probably answered "no" to more than one. Your body is a precision machine capable of so much. Just as you wouldn't put low-octane gas in your Ferrari, you shouldn't put low-octane gas (processed food, alcohol, sugar) into your body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How can you turn your mindset around today? Here are a few simple strategies to implement in order to put your health at the top of the priority list:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set aside 30 minutes 5-6 times weekly to move your body. Take a brisk walk even if the weather isn't ideal. Walking provides a meditative experience and has demonstrated the ability to reduce cortisol levels (stress hormones). Engaging in a post-meal walk aids digestion and contributes to improved sleep quality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Speak self-affirmations upon waking and going to sleep. Consciously adopt an "attitude of gratitude" and vocalize the aspects of your life you are grateful for. This does wonders for your mindset.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put down sugar and alcohol as a means of self-soothing. Both substances harm your health, providing only temporary relief from pain. When the numbness wears off, the stressor is still there. Instead, exercise and meditate, which will work wonders and have lasting benefits for your well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You have to "adult," meaning push yourself to do the things you don't want to. This is the only way you can kick out bad habits. It's much harder, but you can't cave and say, "I just don't have the motivation." That's a cop-out. Turn it around and say, "Today, I will do something good for my body and brain." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's my point, YOU have to put yourself first. Yes, even before your kids or work. You have to practice self-care and self-love daily. Don't wait for your doctor to tell you something you don't want to hear or write prescriptions for medications you don't need. Your body is fully equipped with all that you need to be strong, energetic, happy, and fulfilled. But you have to do the work. No one is coming to make you do it.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I'm also excited to announce my Midlife Mastery channel on the Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ platform. Midlife Mastery aims to show women that this is the best time in their lives. Women learn lifestyle modifications to help balance the hormonal changes experienced over 40/50 &amp;amp; beyond. This is such an important time in a woman's life as it directly correlates with how they will go through the aging process. Midlife Mastery teaches women how to live long, strong, and vibrant. We can't stop the aging process, but we can control how we feel, look, and move as we go down the path of life.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For media appearances, consulting, seminars, or speaking engagements please email me at: lindaifbbpro@gmail.com.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you desire more ways to take your life by the horns, please reach me at:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lindaiffbbpro@gmail.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or visit my website to book a complimentary call with me at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.lindamstephens.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;www.lindamstephens.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Linda M. Stephens- Owner, Linda Stephens Fitness, LLC&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LIVE-YOUR-BEST-LIFE-YET.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/live-your-best-life-yet/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28287</ID> <title>Revitalize Your Body, Boost Your Confidence, and Ignite Your Sex Life with These Expert Tips</title> <publishDate>2023-07-31 18:13:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_88 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_125"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_136 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_41 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_123 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_124 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_125 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_154 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men, if you're ready to feel great, have a stellar sex life, look great naked, and have unshakable confidence, then this is for you. Just because Father Time continues to tick doesn't mean you have to lose your vigor and youthful appearance. You have the ability to make your future even better than your past through good nutrition, sleep, exercise, and sexual health. Read on, and I'll show you how.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You've likely heard that you should eat healthy, but what does that really mean? If you want to maintain a strong body, bones, and good looks, you need to consume enough protein. Protein is what your skin, muscles, hair, and nails are made of. When you exercise, you break down your muscle tissue and put stress on your tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. It's also necessary to recover from your hard work in the gym, allowing you to get stronger and build muscle. In addition, the protein from your diet, specifically collagen, will keep your cartilage, tendons, and ligaments strong, which means you'll maintain healthier joints. It also plays an important role in hair growth. Besides the animal protein you eat, adding a quality collagen supplement will help optimize the amount of collagen you consume.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein is crucial when it comes to your appearance. Our skin is made of 70% - 80% collagen and elastin, which are both proteins necessary to keep your skin firm and youthful. The only way you can replenish these proteins is through your diet. So, how much protein should you consume, and what sources are good? A good place to be is 0.8 to 1.0 grams of protein per pound of lean body weight. My nutrition clients follow this rule of thumb, and it's a principle I stand by. Great sources of protein are pasture-raised organic or grass-fed red meat, organic chicken, pasture-raised or organic whole eggs, S.M.A.S.H fish, and wild game meat like elk and bison.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other foods that you should be eating if you want to optimize your health and support testosterone production are blueberries, arugula, and red meat. Blueberries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins, which help prevent common cancers found in middle-aged men. Arugula helps the body produce nitric oxide, which is essential for cardiovascular health, blood flow, and healthy erectile function. Red meat gets a second mention because it's a great source of zinc, an essential mineral for testosterone production. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intense resistance training is one of the keys to creating the body you've always wanted. If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I'd love to have bigger arms and shoulders," or "I'd love to have a bigger chest," or "I want to grow my legs," then resistance training is your answer. Building muscle will do a few things for you. First, it will raise your metabolism since muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in the body. This means you can burn more calories as fat while you exercise and when you are at rest. Muscle creates the aesthetics of a sexy body. A well-built physique makes you look younger and more desirable. It helps you prevent diseases such as diabetes, and combat sarcopenia as you age and it builds your confidence because you'll look better both naked and in your dress clothes.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resistance training is one of the best methods of anti-aging. Building muscle creates shape to your body and pushes upward on the skin from underneath, making the skin firmer. Squats, rows, lunges, deadlifts and hip thrusts; the ladies will thank you for that last exercise. Three to five days per week of resistance training is a good frequency for you to gain the benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most underappreciated magic bullet to longevity and a lean, strong body is sleep, especially for us men. Studies show that getting five hours or less of sleep several nights in a row can temporarily lower testosterone production by as much as 40%, directly affecting sexual function, strength, digestion, mood, cognitive function, skin hydration, and skin healing. This means you'll likely look, feel and function older than you actually are. Sleep also plays a significant role in preventing diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your next question is likely, "How much sleep should I get?" Seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep is ideal. From personal experience, research I've read, and my clients' success from following this, it's undoubtedly true and very effective.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, your regimen should include sufficient hydration and daily sun exposure. Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for promoting muscle growth, fat burning, and digestion, as well as preserving the elasticity and firmness of your skin. Dehydration is a common factor in prematurely aged skin as well as alcohol consumption and smoking. I recommend consuming at least half of your lean body weight, in ounces, of water daily. By combining this with regular exposure to sunlight, you can support your body in synthesizing vitamin D, which is vital for healthy testosterone production and efficient calcium absorption, necessary for maintaining strong bones. Finally, sun exposure helps support a healthy cardiovascular system, positively affecting blood flow. That means stronger erections, lower blood pressure, and a healthier you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's an extremely exciting time for those of you who want to live healthier, feel more confident, and look great. With so much well-supported, promising, and new research in the anti-aging industry, people can vastly improve their health and life span and feel more vigorous. This means more time to enjoy doing what you love with the people you love most. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rob Fletcher is one individual putting in a serious effort to bridge the gap between the medical and anti-aging industries and the fitness and nutrition industries. Rob has been helping fitness, nutrition, and health practitioners like myself build relationships with leading anti-aging doctors so we can spread the word about their incredible work, which can help you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through the Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ platform, the Rob Fletcher Podcast, and Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness on the Road, Rob is connecting you with the most qualified and knowledgeable doctors and health practitioners who will teach you the latest, greatest, and most useful information on hormone therapy, stem cells, blood work, supplements and so much more, to help you live a longer, happier life. I'm proud to be part of this movement and to be able to share my knowledge with you as a men's health specialist on Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I specialize in helping men create unshakable confidence through getting lean, building muscle, optimizing testosterone, and achieving their fitness goals through conquering nutrition. On my Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ channel, 'Relentless Fitness And Nutrition,' I show men how to eat for fat loss and build muscle on a busy schedule. I teach men how to optimize their health and hormones and educate them on TRT. Everything from what they need to know when considering TRT,  the health benefits, what blood work they should be getting, finding the right TRT doctor, and even some of the inconveniences they might experience. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I also guide men on improving sleep, maintaining a youthful-looking body, and improving sexual health so you can go from where you are now to the healthier, more confident, more energetic version of yourself you know you can become. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Christian Palmer- Men's Health Specialist, PN2 Nutritionist, Writer For Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness, Owner Of Relentless Fitness And Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Christian-Palmer-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/revitalize-your-body-boost-your-confidence-and-ignite-your-sex-life-with-these-expert-tips/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28269</ID> <title>Revolutionizing Health and Fitness: The Power of Collaboration and Anti-Aging Medicine</title> <publishDate>2023-07-28 08:00:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_89 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_126"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_137 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_42 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_126 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_127 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_128 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_155 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Collaboration and strategic partnerships are the keys to unlocking the true potential of the health and fitness industry. Together, we can achieve optimal health and performance with remarkable transformations." - Rob Fletcher.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In today's world, where people are increasingly focused on their health, fitness, and longevity, collaboration and access to cutting-edge information have become crucial. This article explores the revolutionary strides made in anti-aging medicine and its integration with the globally renowned brand Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness. At no cost, they create a platform that highlights the advantages and significance of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+, serving as a forum for health, fitness, and anti-aging leaders and experts, including companies, doctors, trainers, athletes, and gym owners. Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ has become a place where others can gain access to a wealth of knowledge, groundbreaking technologies, and innovations. In this article, we will delve into the details of this collaboration and highlight the significance of the partnership between doctors, trainers, and gym owners in optimizing health and performance.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Power of Collaboration&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the forefront of bringing together various influencers within the health and fitness industry is Rob Fletcher, Business Development Director, and Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness Talk Show Host. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rob presented his 10-year vision to Jake Wood, owner of the brand's Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness, Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness Hers, FLEX, Wings of Strength, and the OLYMPIA weekend.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I am extremely grateful to Jake Wood, Jan Summers (Vice President of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness), Dan Solomon (President of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness/OLYMPIA), and Dr. Robert Goldman (Founder of the American Academy of Anti-Aging - A4M) for their belief, support, and investment in education and raising awareness for optimal health and performance aligning with the anti-aging industry – new innovation, new technology, and advancements, products, and services.”&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through aligning with strategic partners and the best trainers, his aim is to educate clients and raise awareness about the plethora of information, technologies, and advancements available today. This innovative platform bridges the gap between doctors, trainers, gym owners, athletes, and companies, fostering a comprehensive approach to health and fitness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rob Fletcher: Revolutionizing the Health, Fitness, and Anti-Aging Industry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With over 30 years of experience in health, fitness, and martial arts, Rob has excelled as an instructor, competitor, trainer, author, business owner, promoter, and speaker. He is a black belt and self-defense expert with multiple National Kickboxing championships to his name. Rob's passion for education and impact led him to establish USA Karate &amp;amp; Fitness in 1990 in Naples, FL. He played a key role in bringing martial arts to the International Arnold Sports Festival in 1992 and facilitated a groundbreaking collaboration between the UFC and Olympia Weekend in 2002 at the Mandalay Bay Resort &amp;amp; Casino in Las Vegas. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Rob is a visionary. He sees the view from 30,000 ft. He recognized the potential immediately. Coordinating and bringing the UFC into the bodybuilding, health, and fitness world. He breaks the walls and gets it done." -Jim Byrne Former UFC Executive Marketing Officer&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PIC Rob Tiki Keith Evans at UFC Championships.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rob's focus on building relationships and connecting people led him to collaborate with Dr. Robert Goldman, who invited Rob to speak at the A4M Anti-Aging Conference. Dr. Robert Goldman is the founder of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Today, NASM certified over 1.5 million trainers worldwide. Dr. Goldman is also the Founder of WorldHealth.Net and the American Academy of Anti-Aging&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; (A4M). &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Subsequently, he presented his vision to Jake Wood, the owner of renowned global brands such as Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness, Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness Hers, FLEX, and the OLYMPIA Weekend, with a specific focus on the anti-aging industry and its prominent leaders and experts. Rob's efforts have created a platform that educates and raises awareness about various health and performance optimization options. Through strategic partnerships and opportunities offered through Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+, Talk Show, Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness On the Road, Rob Fletcher podcasts, and speaking engagements, Rob continues to expand his reach and empower healthcare professionals. He is also the Founder and Author of "America's Next Great Trainer: Transform Your Life" and serves as a radio host. Rob's contributions to martial arts and fitness have earned him national recognition, and he serves as a global advisor to Dr. Robert Goldman’s  ISHOF (International Sports Hall of Fame). His unwavering commitment to transforming the health, fitness, and anti-aging landscape establishes him as a trailblazer in the industry, empowering individuals and organizations to embrace optimal well-being and peak performance. At the same time, he provides&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and consults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on additional opportunities such as generating new revenue streams, bringing in new patients to doctors, clients to trainers, and members to gym owners. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This is a unique opportunity to be a part of a leading fitness global brand. The Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ platform is extremely valuable for those in the health, fitness, and anti-aging industry." -Dr. Robert Goldman &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Founder American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M), and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness: The Brainchild of Collaboration&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness is a platform that has emerged as the brainchild of the collaboration between Rob Fletcher and his partners. By bringing together medical, health, fitness, and anti-aging expertise, the platform aims to educate and raise awareness among the general population and athletes alike. With a dedicated channel at no cost to the doctors and experts in the anti-aging space, Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness provides a space to share knowledge, promote services, and advance the understanding of cutting-edge interventions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness is not just a platform; it's a movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; designed to bring together&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the brightest minds in medicine, fitness, and anti-aging to empower individuals on their journey to optimal well-being," said Rob.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Role of Anti-Aging&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anti-aging, an encompassing term for various practices and interventions, plays a crucial role in this collaboration. Rob said, "While &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you cannot alter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; chronological age, anti-aging focuses on optimizing physiological well-being." By utilizing methods such as Hormone Replacement Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Cryotherapy, IV Infusion, Amino and Peptide Therapy, and Red Light Therapy, individuals can experience transformative results in their overall health and vitality.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One of the most satisfying benefits of traveling around the country, events, conferences, and visiting with cutting edge companies and leaders is to experience the true passion they share and making a difference for optimal health and performance. Not only changing lives, saving lives." -Rob Fletcher&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;"Anti-aging is not about turning back the clock, but rather optimizing our bodies and minds to live life to the fullest. It's a collaborative effort that holds the power to transform lives." &lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Impact of Collaboration: Life-Changing Stories&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness, the collaborative approach emphasizes comprehensive assessments that encompass vital blood work, enabling trainers to gain valuable insights into their clients' internal health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Armed with this knowledge, trainers can work closely with doctors to prescribe tailored programs and protocols. Countless individuals have shared testimonies that bear witness to the transformative effects of this collaboration, ranging from significant weight loss and improved vitality to enhanced mood and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking Ahead: The Future of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vision behind Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness is to revolutionize the health and fitness industry. The platform's emphasis on anti-aging and its integration with other modalities, such as Cryotherapy, PNOE Breath Test, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, TRT, HRT, IV Infusion, and Infrared Light Sauna Therapy, pave the way for future advancements. The collaboration encourages trainers to attend anti-aging conferences,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; especially the American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to access and incorporate the latest information into their practice. Furthermore, the upcoming Olympia Weekend, a combination of bodybuilding, sports, and fitness with the addition of the Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness Anti-Aging Pavilion, will showcase anti-aging companies and experts, reinforcing the commitment to education and innovation. The OLYMPIA Weekend will be held in Orlando, Florida, on November&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 3rd and 4th,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 2023. For exhibitor, sponsor, speaker, and advertising opportunities, contact Rob Fletcher at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:rfletcher@muscleandfitness.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rfletcher@muscleandfitness.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Rob Fletcher has strategically brought all the right players to the table in order to build a multi-faceted approach to health and wellness. The Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness &amp;amp; Rob Fletcher Podcast platforms allow Rob to bring exposure to top nutritionists, trainers, health coaches, and doctors as they collaborate on their areas of expertise. The consumer gets a myriad of health, wellness and anti-aging all in one location. It's brilliant. The platforms also allow the professionals to interface with each other offline in order to increase their own knowledge for their client's benefit. Rob has also done an amazing job of vetting each individual, so there's no overlap. Each professional is top notch in their field with the qualifications to back it up". -Linda Stephens IFBB Pro, NASM Certified Trainer, Founder Midlife Mastery &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Rob's mission, I believe, is to bring science-backed information to the masses. A place to go where you can trust the information being brought forth."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's an extremely exciting time for those of you who want to live longer, feel more confident, look great and feel great. With so much well-supported, promising new research in the anti-aging industry, people are now able to vastly improve their health span and life span and feel more vigorous. This means more time for you to enjoy doing the things you love with the people you love most. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One individual who is putting in a serious effort to bridge the gap between the medical and anti-aging industry and the fitness and nutrition industry is Rob Fletcher. Rob has been helping fitness, nutrition and health practitioners like myself build relationships with the leading anti-aging doctors so we can spread the word about the great work that they do, which can help you. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through the Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness platform, the Rob Fletcher Podcast, and Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness on the Road, Rob is connecting you with the most qualified and knowledgeable doctors and health practitioners who will teach you the latest, greatest, and most useful information on hormone therapy, stem cells, blood work, supplements and so much more, to help you live a longer, happier life. I'm proud to be part of this movement and to be able to share my knowledge with you, as a men's health specialist, on Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+." -Christian Palmer, Pro Bodybuilder, Men's Health Specialist, Founder of Relentless Fitness &amp;amp; Nutrition. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The power of collaboration in the health and fitness industry, particularly in the realm of anti-aging, cannot be understated. Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness aims to revolutionize the field and optimize health and performance by bringing together doctors, trainers, gym owners, and athletes. Through this collaborative effort, individuals can embark on transformative journeys toward better well-being, gaining access to cutting-edge information, technologies, and interventions. The future holds great promise as the platform continues to evolve and expand, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in pursuing longevity and vitality. With Rob Fletcher's and his partners' leadership, the health, fitness, and anti-aging industry is experiencing a groundbreaking transformation that benefits professionals and individuals seeking optimal health and performance. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The future of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness is bright as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and education. Together, we are rewriting the rules of health and fitness and paving the way for a new era of vitality, performance, and recovery" - Rob Fletcher.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/revolutionizing-health-and-fitness-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/revolutionizing-health-and-fitness-the-power-of-collaboration-and-anti-aging-medicine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28229</ID> <title>From College Athlete to Acclaimed Strength Coach: The Inspiring Journey of Ashleigh Quint</title> <publishDate>2023-07-27 20:56:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_90 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_127"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_138 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_43 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_129 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_130 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_131 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_156 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Unique Path to Fitness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ashleigh Quint's transformative journey from a college athlete to a renowned strength coach has been an inspiring one in the world of sports performance and fitness. Overcoming setbacks and injuries, she channeled her passion into understanding the human body and optimizing performance. Her unique path started when a shoulder injury ended her pitching career but pushed her to study sports medicine and exercise science. An unexpected internship opportunity under Charles Poliquin propelled her into the fitness industry, where she worked with Olympic athletes, gaining valuable insights into injury prevention and peak performance.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Founding Uplift Fitness and Wellness &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Ashleigh pursued a master's degree in integrative medicine, focusing on experiential health and healing. She collaborated with esteemed physicians and coaches to bridge the gap between research and practical application, enriching her expertise further. With over two decades of experience, Ashleigh founded her gym, Uplift Fitness and Wellness, where she created a community-oriented space for individuals seeking physical transformation and healing from injuries. Her holistic approach to fitness, emphasizing mind, body, and spirit, has solidified her position as a respected pillar in the strength and fitness community.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Meeting Rob Fletcher and Embracing New Opportunities &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ashleigh Quint's career took a momentous turn when she met Rob Fletcher, the Business Development Director for Muscle and Fitness+. Recognizing her unique expertise, Rob invited her to collaborate with him ten years ago, which opened new doors in the fitness industry. Fast forward to January 2023, Rob reached out to Ashleigh again, offering her the opportunity to create her own channel on the new Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ platform. This innovative platform takes a holistic approach, integrating medical, health, fitness, and anti-aging expertise to educate and raise awareness among both the general population and athletes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drawing inspiration from her experience with Uplift Fitness and Wellness, Ashleigh launched her channel titled "Uplift Yourself with Ashleigh." As a female professional in a predominantly male-dominated industry, she brings diversity to the fitness landscape, providing a relatable voice for individuals who may not fit the traditional mold. With Rob's relentless focus on education and awareness in the fitness industry, Ashleigh believes their collaboration can help bridge the gap between coaches, trainers, doctors, and high-level professionals, ultimately changing healthcare for anti-aging individuals. She views Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ as the ultimate platform for this transformative merge to take place.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The platform provides an opportunity for Ashleigh to showcase her friendships and network of inspirational and highly qualified coaches and medical physicians, creating content that pushes the boundaries of the fitness industry and expands the possibilities for anti-aging health and wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"To me, fitness is not merely a hobby or a job; it's a lifelong passion. I feel grateful every day that I get to pursue what I love and make a positive impact on the lives of others surrounding me.  I was honored to work with Rob at Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ to help bridge this gap for coaches, trainers, doctors and high-level professionals who all have hands involved in making this collaboration possible. Rob’s focus on placing an emphasis on educating and building awareness in the fitness industry aligns with what I do professionally." Ashleigh says.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ashleigh Quint's extraordinary journey exemplifies the transformative power of passion, dedication, and perseverance. Starting as a college athlete and now a highly respected strength coach, she has made a significant impact in health promotion and fitness. Her unwavering commitment to continuous learning and skill in translating scientific knowledge into practical application sets her apart as a trailblazer in the field of health optimization.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Watch the Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ Channels for free by downloading Muscle and Fitness+ on your phone to see the tremendous collaboration of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ leaders, physicians, strength coaches, personal trainers, gym owners, bio-hack geniuses and much more all utilize the Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ platform, to further develop the long term vision and direction of bringing awareness to optimal health, performance, prevention and longevity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Ashleigh-Quint.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/from-college-athlete-to-acclaimed-strength-coach-the-inspiring-journey-of-ashleigh-quint/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28219</ID> <title>Social Connections and Healthy Aging: Embracing the Power of Community</title> <publishDate>2023-07-26 20:29:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_91 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_128"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_139 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_44 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_132 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_133 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_134 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_157 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As individuals age, social connections, and relationships play a crucial role in promoting healthy aging and overall well-being. The significance of social interactions goes beyond mere companionship. Engaging with others and actively participating in communities can profoundly affect physical, mental, and emotional health. In this article, we will explore the benefits of social engagement, discuss the importance of community involvement, and provide strategies to combat social isolation among older adults, ultimately fostering a vibrant and fulfilling aging experience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Benefits of Social Engagement&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Health:&lt;/strong&gt; Active social participation stimulates the brain and promotes cognitive function. Engaging in conversations, debates, and intellectual pursuits helps maintain mental sharpness, memory, and overall cognitive abilities. Social interactions challenge the mind and provide opportunities for continuous learning and growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emotional Well-being:&lt;/strong&gt; Social connections provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for emotional well-being. Strong social ties can reduce feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Sharing experiences, laughter, and emotional support with others create a positive and nurturing environment for mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physical Health:&lt;/strong&gt; Active engagement in social activities has shown a positive correlation with enhanced physical health outcomes. It can motivate individuals to adopt healthier habits like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and self-care. Participating in group activities and community events often involves physical movement, fostering an active lifestyle that benefits overall physical well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of Community Involvement&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Volunteerism:&lt;/strong&gt; Engaging in volunteer activities enables people to give back to their communities while experiencing a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Volunteering provides opportunities for social connections, helps combat social isolation, and offers a chance to use skills and expertise to impact society positively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Intergenerational Programs:&lt;/strong&gt; Interacting with younger or older generations through intergenerational programs promotes mutual understanding, breaks down age-related stereotypes, and provides opportunities for learning and growth for both older adults and younger individuals. Such programs can include mentoring, tutoring, or participating in community initiatives that unite different age groups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Active Participation in Community Groups:&lt;/strong&gt; Joining clubs, organizations, or community groups based on shared interests fosters social connections and a sense of belonging. These groups provide platforms for meeting like-minded individuals, engaging in hobbies, pursuing passions, and participating in activities that promote social interaction and personal fulfillment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Strategies to Combat Social Isolation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Utilize Technology:&lt;/strong&gt; Technology can be a valuable tool to bridge distances and connect with others. Most people have access to and the ability to use social media platforms, video calls, or online communities as an easy way to stay in touch with family and friends and engage in virtual social activities. Local community centers may offer technical assistance programs to help older adults navigate ever-changing digital platforms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Participate in Senior Centers and Community Programs:&lt;/strong&gt; Senior centers and community programs provide opportunities for social engagement and access to various activities, including exercise classes, educational workshops, arts and crafts, and group outings. These programs create a supportive environment where individuals can interact, learn, and form new connections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reach Out and Stay Active:&lt;/strong&gt; Taking the initiative to maintain and strengthen existing relationships is vital. Reach out to friends, family, or neighbors regularly through phone calls, visits, or attending social events. Additionally, pursuing personal interests and hobbies, individually or as part of a group, can expand social networks and foster new connections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social connections and community involvement are essential components of healthy aging. By embracing the power of social engagement, older and younger generations can experience numerous benefits that positively impact their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Combating social isolation through active community participation, volunteerism, and intergenerational interactions leads to a richer and more fulfilling aging experience. Let us prioritize social connections and create an inclusive society that supports and values the contributions of all generations, enabling each other to age gracefully and joyfully throughout each season of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Social-Connections-and-Healthy-Aging.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/social-connections-and-healthy-aging-embracing-the-power-of-community/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28209</ID> <title>Cognitive Health and Aging: Strategies for Maintaining Function and Preventing Decline</title> <publishDate>2023-07-25 19:38:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_92 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_129"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_140 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_45 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_135 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_136 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_137 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_158 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining cognitive function becomes increasingly important for overall well-being and quality of life as we age. Cognitive decline, including memory loss and decreased mental agility, is a common concern among older adults. However, research suggests that there are strategies individuals can employ to promote cognitive health and potentially delay or prevent cognitive decline. This article investigates various strategies, including brain-boosting activities, lifestyle modifications, and potential interventions, that can support cognitive function in older adults.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Brain-Boosting Activities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mental Stimulation:&lt;/strong&gt; Mentally stimulating activities challenge the brain and promote cognitive health. Activities like reading, puzzles, crosswords, playing musical instruments, learning a new language, or engaging in strategic games such as chess or Sudoku can help maintain and enhance cognitive abilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lifelong Learning&lt;/strong&gt;: Continuing education and learning new skills can positively impact cognitive function. Enrolling in courses or workshops, attending lectures, or pursuing hobbies that require learning and skill development stimulates the brain and helps maintain cognitive abilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Social Interaction:&lt;/strong&gt; Maintaining social connections and engaging in social activities has been linked to better cognitive health. Social interaction stimulates the brain, boosts mood, and can provide opportunities for mental challenges. Participating in group activities, joining clubs, volunteering, or spending time with family and friends benefits cognitive well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lifestyle Modifications&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Regular Physical Exercise:&lt;/strong&gt; Physical exercise benefits the body and supports cognitive function. Aerobic exercises, such as walking, swimming, or dancing, increase blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new neurons and improving cognitive performance. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Diet:&lt;/strong&gt; Adopting a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for maintaining cognitive health. Focus on consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon, have been associated with improved cognitive function. Limiting processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars is also recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Quality Sleep:&lt;/strong&gt; Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function. During sleep, the brain consolidates memories and rejuvenates itself. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night, establish a regular sleep routine, and create a sleep-friendly environment by minimizing noise and electronic distractions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Potential Interventions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Training Programs:&lt;/strong&gt; Computerized cognitive training programs, such as memory exercises and attention tasks, have shown promise in improving cognitive function and preventing decline in older adults. These programs can be accessed online or through specific apps and should be tailored to individual needs and abilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Management of Chronic Conditions:&lt;/strong&gt; Effectively managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, is crucial for preserving cognitive function. Controlling blood sugar levels, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and adopting heart-healthy habits can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Brain-Healthy Lifestyle:&lt;/strong&gt; Engaging in activities that promote overall brain health can positively impact cognitive function. These activities include stress reduction techniques (such as meditation or mindfulness), avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining cognitive function and preventing cognitive decline are essential aspects of healthy aging. By incorporating brain-boosting activities, making lifestyle modifications, and considering potential interventions, older adults can promote their cognitive health and potentially delay the onset of cognitive decline. It is always possible to start implementing these strategies, as they offer numerous benefits for overall well-being and a fulfilling life as we age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Cognitive-Health-and-Aging-.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/cognitive-health-and-aging-strategies-for-maintaining-function-and-preventing-decline/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28194</ID> <title>The Role of Exercise in Promoting Healthy Aging: Enhancing Physical and Mental Well-being</title> <publishDate>2023-07-24 19:21:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_93 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_130"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_141 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_46 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_138 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_139 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_140 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_159 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aging is an inevitable process that brings about changes in our bodies and minds. However, regular physical activity has become a powerful tool in promoting healthy aging by maintaining physical fitness and preserving cognitive function. This article explores the benefits of exercise for individuals as they age, emphasizing its positive impact on physical and mental well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, specific exercise recommendations for different age groups will be provided to help individuals incorporate physical activity into their lives effectively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Benefits of Regular Exercise in Healthy Aging&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physical Fitness and Strength:&lt;/strong&gt; Regular exercise enhances muscular strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, which tend to decline with age. Strength training exercises, such as weightlifting or resistance training, help maintain muscle mass and bone density, reducing the risk of falls and fractures. Aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, improve heart health and endurance, allowing individuals to maintain an active lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Disease Prevention:&lt;/strong&gt; Regular physical activity has been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases commonly affecting older adults, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. Exercise helps control weight, lowers blood pressure, improves blood sugar control, and boosts the immune system, reducing the risk of developing these conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Function and Mental Well-being:&lt;/strong&gt; Exercise profoundly impacts cognitive function and mental well-being. It promotes the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that enhance mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Regular exercise has been linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. It improves memory, attention, and overall cognitive performance. Engaging in physical activity also provides opportunities for social interaction, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Specific Exercise Recommendations for Different Age Groups&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Young Adults (18-40 years):&lt;/strong&gt; Young adults should aim for a combination of aerobic exercises and strength training. Examples include jogging, swimming, cycling, dancing, and weightlifting. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week and two or more strength training sessions targeting major muscle groups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Middle-aged Adults (40-65 years):&lt;/strong&gt; Middle-aged adults should continue with aerobic exercises and strength training, focusing on maintaining fitness and preventing age-related decline. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, aerobics classes, and moderate-intensity strength training are beneficial. The exercise guidelines remain the same as for young adults.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Older Adults (65 years and above):&lt;/strong&gt; Older adults should prioritize exercises that enhance balance, flexibility, and mobility to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Activities like yoga, Tai Chi, water aerobics, and low-impact exercises are recommended. The exercise guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, combined with activities that improve strength and balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular physical activity plays a vital role in promoting healthy aging by preserving physical fitness, preventing chronic diseases, and enhancing cognitive function. Regardless of age, incorporating exercise into daily routines brings numerous benefits to the body and mind. By following age-specific exercise recommendations, individuals can optimize their health and well-being throughout aging. It is always possible to start reaping the benefits of exercise for a healthier and happier life in the golden years.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Role-of-Exercise-in-Promoting-Healthy-Aging.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-role-of-exercise-in-promoting-healthy-aging-enhancing-physical-and-mental-well-being/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28184</ID> <title>5 Tips for Healthy, Beautiful Aging</title> <publishDate>2023-07-21 18:34:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_94 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_131"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_142 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_47 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_141 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_142 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_143 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_160 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we age, it becomes more important to take care of our bodies and minds to maintain good health and beauty. Aging is a natural process that we all go through, but it's important to remember that getting older doesn't have to mean losing our health and beauty. It becomes more important than ever to take care of our bodies and minds to maintain good health and stay youthful in appearance as we get older.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that we can incorporate many simple and practical tips for healthy, beautiful aging into our daily routines. Below are some of the best tips for healthy aging, including diet, exercise, skincare, and more. With a little effort and commitment, you can age gracefully and maintain your health and beauty for years to come. Follow some of these tips for healthy, beautiful aging that you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating a healthy and balanced diet is crucial for healthy aging. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats in your diet. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. A balanced diet can also help maintain a healthy weight, which is essential for good health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stay Hydrated&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we age, our bodies lose some of their ability to conserve water, which can lead to dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Staying hydrated can help regulate body temperature, improve digestion and prevent urinary tract infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exercise Regularly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise is vital for healthy aging. It can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and promote mental health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. You can choose any physical activity that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, yoga, or strength training. Exercise can also help improve balance and prevent falls, which is essential for older adults.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Protect Your Skin from the Sun&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other skin damage. Make sure to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 every day, even on cloudy days. You can also wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, hats, and sunglasses to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during peak hours.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get Enough Sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough sleep is essential for overall health and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Poor sleep quality can lead to depression, memory problems, and impaired immune function. Try to establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you sleep better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Practice Stress Reduction Techniques&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic stress can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease and depression. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help manage stress. You can also engage in activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stay Socially Active&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social isolation can lead to depression and other health problems. Stay connected with friends and family, and participate in social activities that you enjoy. You can join a social group, volunteer in your community or take a class to meet new people.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Challenge Your Brain&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your brain active and engaged can help prevent cognitive decline. Read, do crossword puzzles, learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Challenging your brain can help improve memory, attention and problem-solving skills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get Regular Health Screenings&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular health screenings can help detect and treat health problems early, before they become more serious. Make sure to see your healthcare provider regularly and follow their recommendations for health screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies and blood tests.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Poor oral health can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Brush and floss your teeth regularly, and see your dentist for regular checkups. Good oral hygiene can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss, which can affect your overall health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy aging is possible with a few simple lifestyle changes. As we age, it's important to take care of our bodies and minds to maintain good health and beauty. Incorporating these tips for healthy, beautiful aging into your daily routine can help you stay active, healthy and happy in your golden years. Remember that there is always time to start living a healthier lifestyle; small changes can make a big difference in the long run. These simple lifestyle changes allow you to look and feel your best as you age gracefully.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/5-Tips-for-Healthy-Beautiful-Aging.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-tips-for-healthy-beautiful-aging/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28173</ID> <title>The Benefits of Yoga and Meditation for Women's Health</title> <publishDate>2023-07-20 18:04:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_95 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_132"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_143 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_48 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_144 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_145 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_146 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_161 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga and meditation have been practiced for thousands of years and are known for their numerous health benefits. While both men and women can benefit from practicing yoga and meditation, women in particular can experience a range of positive effects. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Below are some of the key benefits of yoga and meditation for women's health:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stress Reduction &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women often experience higher stress levels due to various responsibilities such as work, family, and social obligations. Practicing yoga and meditation can help reduce stress levels and promote feelings of calm and relaxation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Improved Mood&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga and meditation have been shown to increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep disturbances are common in women, especially during menopause and oftentimes in some women's Luteal phase. Yoga and meditation can help to improve sleep quality and reduce the frequency of insomnia.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increased flexibility and strength&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga involves a series of poses that can improve flexibility and strengthen muscles. This can be especially beneficial for women as they age and experience muscle mass and flexibility declines.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Reduced risk of chronic diseases&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regularly practicing yoga and meditation can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This is because these practices can improve cardiovascular health, regulate blood sugar levels, and support the immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Improved reproductive health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga and meditation can also benefit reproductive health in women. For example, certain yoga poses can improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and reduce menstrual cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better digestion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga can help to stimulate the digestive system and improve digestion. This can be particularly beneficial for women who experience digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increased self-awareness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through regular practice, yoga and meditation can increase self-awareness and help women develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This can lead to improved self-esteem, self-acceptance, and a greater sense of purpose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga and meditation offer numerous benefits for women's health. Incorporating yoga and meditation into a regular wellness routine can lead to a happier, healthier, and more balanced life. Try beginner videos or visit a studio to begin the journey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Benefits-of-Yoga-and-Meditation-for-Womens-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-benefits-of-yoga-and-meditation-for-womens-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28100</ID> <title>Noninvasive Vein Treatment: An Interview with Dr. Mason Mandy</title> <publishDate>2023-05-29 14:02:07</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_96 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_133"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_144 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_49 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_147 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_148 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_149 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_162 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Medicine was one of those lifelong things because I don’t remember when I didn’t wanna do medicine- it was something I always wanted to do. I was interested in helping others,” Dr. Mason Mandy, M.D., said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mason Mandy, M.D., DABVLM, is the Chief Medical Officer in the Midtown Manhattan clinic for Metro Vein Centers. As a board-certified surgeon, he specializes in treating chronic venous insufficiency and other vein conditions, performing over 10,000 vein procedures through minimally invasive technology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After his undergrad at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. Mandy completed medical school at the University of Alabama Birmingham in his hometown. After that, he started on the path of OBGYN but quickly became interested in surgery and chose to do a surgery residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. After completion, he did three years in the Air Force as a general surgeon without getting deployed. Then, Dr. Mandy worked in Nashville for another three years as a general surgeon before moving to New York to work in the Metro Vein Centers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I like the instant gratification of surgery in a lot of cases. For example, somebody would come in with a problem like appendicitis, and then you take out their appendix, and they get well quickly and go home, and it’s kind of a one-time thing, and they’re done for the vast majority of patients. And I also like the physical part, being able to do a procedure and use my hands and the technical aspect of it,” he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Opening the Metro Vein Centers combines what he enjoys most: follow-up and gratification. Most patients receive more follow-up than a routine surgery but still have that instant gratification aspect where they usually do not need another surgery to improve. So it has a perfect mix of relationship and procedure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mandy sees patients who most often have a different mix of common symptoms like pain in their legs, swelling in their feet, prominent varicose veins or bleeding veins, or ulcers in the skin. Treatments vary according to where the vein is located and its anatomy. Each treatment is tailored to individual patients based on what they need and what will address their needs best. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vein disease never just goes away or gets better on its own. Symptoms may improve, but once the vein is broken or diseased, it does not reverse. Therefore, the earlier people come in when they notice symptoms, the quicker Metro Vein Center and Dr. Mandy can treat and prevent future issues. Most patients do not end up with ulcers or severe disease, but it could progress over time if not properly treated. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle adjustments are a huge part of the treatment plans that Metro Vein Center offers. Many patients visiting Dr. Mandy are standing for long hours or are sitting behind computers without moving and getting the blood flowing throughout their bodies. When addressing these problems, he may recommend patients wear compression stockings or elevate their legs for 15 to 20 minutes. They will also recommend weight loss techniques, exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;3 Tips to Prevent a Visit to the Vein Doctor &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mandy has three main tips to avoid having vein issues in the future or worsening existing issues. If you can take these preventative measures, your veins will thank you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#1 Wear Compression Stockings &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are a person who is standing for long periods of the day, compression stockings can help you feel better and improve circulation in your legs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#2 Elevate Your Legs &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elevation can help with any symptoms you are experiencing. Especially when you are putting your feet high in the air, not just on a stool, you will experience a relief of pressure. It also helps drain blood to relieve the pressure on your legs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#3 Weight Loss and Exercise &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mandy suggests these two essential things to relieve vein pain and pressure. In addition, weight loss and exercise can help an array of things other than just vein-related issues. They can address underlying diseases and prevent further problems much better than any other treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The thing about having problems with your veins is that it can cause significant discomfort and reduce your ability to exercise and function normally. Worst case scenarios can have significant bleeding or developing ulcers which develop infections and skin breakdown. It is important to avoid these issues while you can so symptoms do not develop or worsen. Vein treatments are now noninvasive and quick, which means more patients can access them now. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We can do 10-minute procedures in the office with no cutting and no stitches, and patients can walk in and out on their own and get the same treatment essentially. So it’s really changed dramatically. And so I think in the past, many doctors were reluctant to recommend vein treatment because it was such an invasive and such a major ordeal to go through that. And so I think we can take care of it without the risk of the discomfort and the inconvenience of major surgery,” Dr. Mandy said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the ease and noninvasive surgery options, anyone experiencing vein problems should visit Dr. Mandy and his team at Metro Vein Center. Following his preventative advice should also keep you from having any vein issues, to begin with! To learn more about his office and Dr. Mandy, visit his &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.metroveincenters.com/vein-doctors/dr-mason-mandy"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.metroveincenters.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.metroveincenters.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Noninvasive-Vein-Treatment-An-Interview-with-Dr.-Mason-Mandy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/noninvasive-vein-treatment-an-interview-with-dr-mason-mandy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28092</ID> <title>Sleep Goals for Men</title> <publishDate>2023-05-26 13:53:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_97 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_134"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_145 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_50 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_150 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_151 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_152 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_163 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is essential for good health, yet many men neglect to prioritize it. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thensf.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Sleep Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, men between the ages of 18-64 should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. However, getting enough sleep is easier said than done. Below are some tips and goals for getting better sleep!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Consistency is Key&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best ways to improve your sleep quality is to establish a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The environment in which you sleep can greatly impact the quality of your sleep. Make sure your bedroom is cool, quiet, and dark. Use curtains or blinds to block out any light, and invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows. Avoid using electronic devices, such as smartphones or laptops in bed, as the blue light emitted by these devices can disrupt your sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wind Down Before Bed&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engaging in relaxing activities before bedtime can help signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Try reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Avoid stimulating activities, such as watching TV or using social media, before bed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Limit Caffeine and Alcohol&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine and alcohol can both interfere with your sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant that can make it difficult to fall asleep, while alcohol can disrupt the quality of your sleep. Limit your intake of caffeine and avoid consuming it late in the day. Similarly, limit your alcohol intake, particularly before bedtime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise Regularly&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality. However, be mindful of the timing of your workouts. Exercising too close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep. Instead, try to exercise earlier in the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seek Treatment for Sleep Disorders&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, can significantly impact the quality of your sleep. If you suspect you may have a sleep disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss or the use of a CPAP machine or medication.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Manage Stress&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress and anxiety can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Practicing stress-management techniques, such as mindfulness or yoga, can help reduce stress and promote better sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for good health. Men should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and establish a consistent sleep schedule which can be reached through these tips. If you have consistent trouble sleeping, consult with a medical professional. Remember that by prioritizing sleep, men can improve their overall health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sleep-Goals-for-Men.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/sleep-goals-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28083</ID> <title>Staying Active and Healthy as You Age: Tips for Men</title> <publishDate>2023-05-25 13:42:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_98 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_135"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_146 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_51 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_153 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_154 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_155 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_164 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aging is an inevitable part of life and as men age, their bodies and health needs change. Staying active and healthy becomes more crucial to maintain a high quality of life. Below are some essential tips for men to stay active and healthy as they age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stay Physically Active&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical activity is crucial for maintaining good health as men age. Regular exercise helps improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and maintain a healthy weight. It also helps prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Engage in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes a day such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or weight training.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eat a Healthy Diet&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As men age, they require fewer calories than when they were younger, but they still need a well-balanced diet to maintain their health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide essential nutrients to the body. It can also help prevent chronic diseases and maintain a healthy weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Manage Stress&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress is a part of life, but chronic stress can lead to several health problems. As men age, they may experience increased stress due to work, financial or personal issues. It's essential to find healthy ways to manage stress such as practicing relaxation techniques, yoga, or meditation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Enough Sleep&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is essential for overall health, and getting enough sleep becomes more critical as men age. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night to help the body rest and repair. Poor sleep can lead to several health problems such as depression, anxiety, and obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stay Socially Active&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social isolation can lead to several health problems such as depression and cognitive decline. As men age, it's essential to maintain social connections with family and friends. Joining a community group, volunteering, or participating in a hobby can help men stay socially active.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Regular Health Screenings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular health screenings can help detect potential health problems early. Men should talk to their healthcare provider about recommended screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and prostate cancer screenings. It's also essential to get regular eye exams and dental checkups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In conclusion, staying active and healthy becomes more crucial as men age. Men who follow these tips can enjoy a high quality of life as they age. Discuss these with your doctor to find even more options for staying healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Staying-Active-and-Healthy-as-You-Age-Tips-for-Men.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/staying-active-and-healthy-as-you-age-tips-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28075</ID> <title>Testosterone Replacement Therapy: What Men Need to Know</title> <publishDate>2023-05-24 09:53:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_99 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_136"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_147 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_52 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_156 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_157 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_158 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_165 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in men's health. It is responsible for the development of male characteristics, such as muscle mass, bone density, facial and body hair, and a deep voice. Testosterone levels naturally decline as men age, and this decline can lead to various symptoms and health concerns. In recent years, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has gained popularity as a treatment option for men with low testosterone levels. Below will explore what men need to know about testosterone replacement therapy, including its benefits, risks, and considerations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medical treatment that aims to raise testosterone levels in men with low testosterone also known as hypogonadism. Hypogonadism can occur due to various reasons, including age-related decline, testicular injury, hormonal disorders, or certain medical conditions. TRT can be administered through different methods, including injections, gels, patches, and pellets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TRT can offer several benefits for men with low testosterone levels. These may include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved Sexual Health: Testosterone plays a vital role in men's sexual health, and low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, and decreased sexual satisfaction. TRT may help improve sexual function and libido in men with low testosterone levels, leading to a better overall quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased Muscle Mass and Bone Density: Testosterone is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass and bone density. Low testosterone levels can result in reduced muscle mass, strength, and bone density which may increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. TRT may help increase muscle mass and bone density, leading to improved physical performance and overall bone health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enhanced Mood and Energy Levels: Testosterone also affects mood and energy levels in men. Low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and depression. TRT may help improve mood and energy levels, leading to increased motivation, vitality, and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Better Cognitive Function: Testosterone has been found to play a role in cognitive function, including memory, concentration, and verbal skills. Low testosterone levels have been associated with cognitive decline in some men. TRT may help improve cognitive function in men with low testosterone levels, although more research is needed in this area.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Risks and Considerations of Testosterone Replacement Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Like any medical treatment, TRT also comes with potential risks and considerations. Some of these may include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Imbalance: TRT aims to raise testosterone levels to the normal range, but it is essential to monitor hormone levels carefully to avoid an imbalance. Too much testosterone can lead to side effects such as acne, increased red blood cell count, prostate enlargement, and potential cardiovascular risks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Potential for Infertility: TRT can decrease sperm production which may result in infertility in some men. If fertility is a concern, it is important to discuss this with a healthcare provider before starting TRT.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prostate Health: Testosterone is involved in the growth of the prostate gland, and TRT may increase the risk of prostate problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer. Men with a history of prostate issues should discuss the risks and benefits of TRT with their healthcare provider.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiovascular Risks: Some studies have suggested a potential link between TRT and cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks and strokes, although the evidence is not conclusive. Men with a history of cardiovascular disease should discuss the potential risks of TRT with their healthcare provider. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Talk with your health provider before beginning Testosterone Replacement Therapy to find out if the choice would be good for you and your health. Be sure to find out the specific benefits and risks associated before you begin treatment!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Testosterone-Replacement-Therapy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/testosterone-replacement-therapy-what-men-need-to-know/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28067</ID> <title>7 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2023-05-23 09:40:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_100 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_137"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_148 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_53 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_159 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_160 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_161 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_166 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In today's fast-paced world, taking care of our mental health has become more crucial than ever. Stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues can have a significant impact on our overall well-being and quality of life. There are several habits that we can implement to improve our mental health and lead a more fulfilling life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Practicing Mindfulness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness is the practice of being present at the moment without judgment. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without getting caught up in them. Practicing mindfulness regularly can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and improve emotional regulation. You can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine by setting aside a few minutes each day for meditation, deep breathing or simply being fully present during everyday activities such as eating, walking, or spending time with loved ones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Getting enough Sleep&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep plays a crucial role in our mental health. Poor sleep can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and mood swings. It's important to establish a consistent sleep schedule and prioritize getting enough sleep each night. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to help your brain and body recover, recharge, and function optimally. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine or electronics before bedtime, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and creating a comfortable sleep environment can also support good sleep hygiene.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Staying Physically Active&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. Regular physical activity can boost mood, reduce stress and improve overall cognitive function. Find an exercise routine that you enjoy, whether it's going for a walk, hitting the gym, practicing yoga, or engaging in any other form of physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week to reap the benefits for your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Building Meaningful Connections&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social connections and relationships are vital for our mental health. Surrounding ourselves with supportive and caring individuals can provide us with a sense of belonging, purpose, and happiness. Make an effort to spend time with loved ones, engage in meaningful conversations and foster positive relationships. If you're feeling lonely or isolated, consider joining a social group or volunteering to meet new people and expand your social circle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Setting Realistic Goals&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Goal-setting can provide us with a sense of purpose and motivation. However, it's important to set realistic and achievable goals to avoid unnecessary stress and disappointment. Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate your progress along the way. Setting and achieving meaningful goals can boost your self-esteem and improve your mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Taking Breaks and Practicing Self-Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's essential to take breaks and practice self-care regularly to prevent burnout and prioritize your mental health. Schedule regular downtime for yourself to relax, engage in activities you enjoy, and practice self-compassion. This can include anything from reading a book, taking a bath, practicing a hobby or simply spending time alone. Taking care of yourself and making self-care a priority can help you recharge and better cope with life's challenges.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Limiting Stressors and Practicing Stress Management Techniques&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic stress can take a toll on our mental health. It's important to identify and limit stressors in your life, whether it's work-related, financial, or personal. Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or relaxation exercises to help you cope with stress when it arises. Prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support when needed can also help manage stress effectively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of your mental health is crucial for your overall well-being. Incorporating these seven habits into your daily routine can positively impact your mental health and help you lead a more fulfilling and balanced life. Remember, mental health impacts all other aspects of your health so it is vital to take the best care possible of your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/7-Healthy-Habits-to-Improve-Your-Mental-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/7-healthy-habits-to-improve-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28058</ID> <title>How Psychedelics Have Changed Holistic Medicine: An Interview with Bianca Abbott</title> <publishDate>2023-05-22 09:29:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_101 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_138"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_149 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_54 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_162 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_163 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_164 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_167 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bianca Abbott's journey into the medical field was inspired by her lineage and the lifetime of trauma endured by her family. When Abbott's mother gave birth to her sister 38 years ago, an emergency C-section had to occur. Unfortunately, it took the medical team three years to realize that the blood her mother received resulted in her contracting HIV. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Following the diagnosis, Abbott's family had to keep it a secret to protect the family. Luckily, Abbott's family did not contract it during that time, but the diagnosis prompted Abbott's journey at an early age. At just seven years old, Bianca Abbott wanted to find a cure for HIV. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to this stress, Abbott was diagnosed with chronic pain and fatigue, migraines, IBS, TMJ, OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and an autoimmune condition. She was put on a slew of pharmaceutical medications for 13 years, yet could not find relief and greatly suffered from the side effects of these harmful drugs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At age fourteen, Abbott found yoga to be a holistic practice that she thrived in and has been practicing for 25 years and teaching for ten years. Through her dark night of the soul, her yoga practice was her saving grace and catalyst for discovering ancient wisdom from master healers. After a lifetime of healing, she was able to reclaim her health using the power of fasting, alkaline nutrition, ayurveda, functional integrative medicine, naturopathy, shamanism, and psychedelics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Through detoxification and cellular rejuvenation and food as medicine, I was able to help my mom survive AIDS. She was on her deathbed about seven years ago," Abbott said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As Abbott began her educational career, she committed her studies to Western medicine. At the time, she wanted to be a psychiatrist, so she studied psychology at Eckerd College. Then, Abbott entered a post-bach pre-med program at Columbia University and studied for the MCAT to become a doctor. After seeing a psychiatric nurse practitioner for her anxiety and depression, she was inspired to pursue this career path instead. Abbott earned a Bachelor's degree in nursing at NYU and a master's in nursing at the University of Miami.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During Abbott's master's program, she became her mother's primary caretaker, who was diagnosed with failure to thrive. At this point, no Western doctor could help her mother. This was the turning point for Abbott to come into her power as a healer and dive deeper into holistic modalities outside of Western medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abbott became fascinated with psychedelic healing to help her overcome the immense amount of responsibility on her shoulders. At the time, Abbott wanted to hide and crumble. Fortunately, her first ayahuasca journey allowed her to rise like a phoenix and gain the clarity and love to navigate this traumatic time. This experience gave Abbott the inner knowing and confidence to face this situation head-on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She traveled to India and Bali and studied with powerful healers who were healing people of everything. These master teachers showed her the importance of eliminating chemicals and toxins from the body through detoxification, fasting, alkaline nutrition, herbalism, and psychedelic healing. By sharing this powerful knowledge with her family, she was able to get her mother off of medications she had been relying on for 50 years.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although Abbott went against doctors' orders, her protocol restored her mother's immune system, and she came back to life. It took five years of intense integrative therapy to revive her mother's health, from wheelchairs and crumbling bones to walking without a cane and riding a bike. And today, she's been living with HIV for 38 years, is medication free, and the virus is undetectable in her blood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Following this miraculous experience, Abbott felt called to bring all of her knowledge together to create the Lunafast, a 10-day online holistic fasting program that has helped thousands of people around the world to restore their gut health, balance their microbiome, release harmful toxins, and transform their relationship with food. Her program also brings in ayurvedic self-love rituals and kundalini yoga to facilitate a mind, body, and spiritual transformation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abbott reveals, "This is more than a quick weight loss program. It's an opportunity to heal at the root by empowering the healer within. I give my clients the tools they need to heal themselves holistically. And that requires alignment of the mind, body, and soul." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Last year after experiencing a challenging breakup and a terrifying ayahuasca experience, Abbott didn't feel safe. After being strong for so long, these events triggered all her unresolved trauma growing up. She was on her knees in desperation, and that's when she crossed paths with ketamine. It was a game-changer in Abbott's healing, allowing her to balance her nervous system and relax at deeper levels. She had so much stored trauma in her body, and ketamine was a vehicle for her to release it. After experiencing positive results and being approached by Dr. Weiner to join her Miami team, Abbott decided to include ketamine in her practice.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today Abbott shares, "I combine ketamine with my Lunafast program and with the integration of yoga, meditation, sound healing, somatic therapy, nutrition, and energy work. I have many different certifications in the healing arts. So, I put together a personalized program for my clients for ADHD, autoimmunity cancer, HIV, anxiety, suicidal ideations, psychosis, mental health issues, and spiritual optimization."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abbott works with teams of doctors, shamans, and therapists to help prepare her clients for their psychedelic healing journey and integration. She prioritizes safety in her procedures and ensures that her patients feel comfortable in her presence so that their experience is positive and transformational. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If someone is serving a psychedelic and they've never experienced the medicine, then that's a clue that they don't know what they're doing. So to be an effective healer or shaman, they must sit with the medicine and embody the healing before practicing it on others. Otherwise, you have the sick trying to heal the sick," highlights Abbott. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Journey Process &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A considerable part of the psychedelic treatment is the journey process. Preparation for the medicine is key. To get the best absorption and experience, you must prepare the body, mind, and soul. Abbott does this through a special nutritional protocol, her Lunafast program, fasting, nutrition, and in some cases, discontinuing pharmaceutical medications.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It all begins with testing the blood, gut, micronutrients, and toxicity in the body. Assessing the microbiome, minerals, vitamins, and toxicity that needs improvement is essential. Following these results, Abbott puts together a personalized program for each client so no two journeys are the same.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Holistic wellness incorporates many different healing modalities for the client to awaken. You have to cleanse the body and learn how to detox safely. That in itself is a ceremony. Usually, your relationship with food is your relationship with everything. So if you have a major addiction to food, if you're using food to numb and run away, you usually do that in your life in all aspects. So learning to have a healthy relationship to food and how to cleanse, detox, and nourish your body is vital," explains Abbott.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When working with plant medicine, like psilocybin and ayahuasca, detoxing the gut is vital to having a powerful experience. Abbott's LunaFast program is beneficial for this process as it guides clients through an alkaline elimination diet through five fasting phases to cleanse and detox the gut, which is considered the first brain.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abbott continues, "We are the creators of our health. Our nutrition, lifestyle, and daily rituals play a significant role in our overall well-being. Chronic, mental, and physical illnesses are learned and passed down through our family lineage and DNA. I teach my clients how to love themselves and come back to joy. Self-love is the ultimate medicine and foundation of wellness. When you love yourself and vibrate your vision and intention for healing, miracles happen." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What's Next for Abbott's Practice &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There has been a vast movement in using micro-dosing for postpartum depression, and Abbott wants to incorporate her treatments into this movement. Abbott shares that she wants to be a mother and help other mothers prepare their bodies for pregnancy and support them during the postpartum phase.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I want to teach women how to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. I've helped many women detox and cleanse their bodies before conceiving. This is vital because when the fetus is conceived, it can be negatively impacted by the toxicity in the body. Doing a total body cleanse and reset before pregnancy is important to prevent chronic health conditions in your child," says Abbott.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abbott continues, "I recently received my certification in prenatal yoga to help women connect with their bodies and growing babies through breathwork, yoga, and meditation during their nine months of pregnancy. This is a critical time for women to nourish and love themselves and release trauma to have secure attachments with their children."   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her passion for helping families has never ended. Abbott's medical beginning began with her own family, and now, Bianca Abbott is seeking to help other families through her holistic care. For more information about her services, visit her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://biancaabbott.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and connect with her on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/biancaabbottwellness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You can also learn more about the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://lunafast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;LunaFast here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Psychedelicscover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-psychedelics-have-changed-holistic-medicine-an-interview-with-bianca-abbott/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28048</ID> <title>Stress Management for Busy Women</title> <publishDate>2023-05-19 09:18:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_102 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_139"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_150 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_55 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_165 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_166 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_167 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_168 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In today's fast-paced world, stress is a common issue, especially for busy women who are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities like a job, motherhood, friends, health and tons of other activities. While the stress can be overwhelming, it is essential to manage it before it takes a toll on your physical and mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few tips to manage your stress levels as a busy woman and achieve a more balanced life where stress does not negatively impact your mental health!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Identify the Source of Stress&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first step in managing stress is to identify the source of stress. Whether it is work-related or personal, pinpointing the cause of stress is vital to managing it effectively. Take some time to reflect on your stress triggers, and jot them down in a journal. Once you have identified them, you can take steps to address them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Prioritize Self-Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care is crucial in managing stress. Women, in particular, often put the needs of others ahead of their own. However, it is essential to prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. Some self-care practices include exercise, meditation, reading, taking a bubble bath, or engaging in a hobby that you enjoy. Make sure to carve out some time in your busy schedule to practice self-care regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Practice Time Management&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Effective time management can help reduce stress levels significantly. Make a to-do list each day and prioritize tasks based on their importance. Delegate tasks whenever possible, and avoid overcommitting yourself. Learn to say no when you need to and focus on tasks that are most critical.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Connect with Friends and Family&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Connecting with loved ones can be a great way to reduce stress levels. Make time to meet up with friends and family members regularly. Having a support system can help you manage stress and feel more grounded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Enough Sleep&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is critical for managing stress. Getting enough rest can help you feel more refreshed and better equipped to handle daily challenges. Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and establish a consistent bedtime routine to help you wind down before bed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seek Professional Help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If stress is becoming too overwhelming, don't hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide you with coping strategies and techniques to manage stress more effectively. They can also help you identify the underlying causes of stress and develop a plan to address them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress is a common issue for all people, particularly busy women, but it is essential to manage it effectively to prevent burnout and maintain good mental and physical health. You can manage stress and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life by incorporating these tips into your routine. Remember, managing stress is a journey, and it takes time and effort to develop effective coping strategies!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Stress-Management-for-Busy-Women.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/stress-management-for-busy-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28036</ID> <title>Building Strong Bones: Tips for Women's Osteoporosis Prevention</title> <publishDate>2023-05-18 08:59:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_103 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_140"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_151 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_56 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_168 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_169 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_170 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_169 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/osteoporosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Osteoporosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to fractures. Women, in particular, are at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis than men. This is because women generally have lower bone density than men, and they also experience bone loss at a faster rate than men as they age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several things that women can do to help prevent osteoporosis. Here are some tips to keep in mind: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Get enough calcium and vitamin D&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calcium and vitamin D are two essential nutrients for bone health. Calcium is a mineral that helps to build and maintain strong bones, while vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium. Women should aim to get at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 600-800 IU of vitamin D per day. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods such as cereal and orange juice. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, but many people may need to take a supplement to reach the recommended daily intake.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Exercise regularly&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, and dancing, help to build and maintain bone density. Resistance training, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, can also be beneficial for bone health. Women should aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Don't smoke&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smoking is bad for bone health because it can interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium. Women who smoke are at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis than non-smokers. Quitting smoking can help to reduce this risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Limit alcohol intake&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking too much alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium and can also increase the risk of falls, which can lead to fractures. Women should aim to limit their alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Talk to your doctor about bone health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women who are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, such as those who have a family history of the condition or who have gone through menopause, should talk to their doctor about their bone health. A doctor can recommend appropriate screening tests, such as a bone density scan, and can also provide guidance on lifestyle changes or medications that can help to prevent osteoporosis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Osteoporosis is a condition that can be prevented with the right lifestyle choices. By following these tips, women can help to maintain strong bones. By taking these steps, women can reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle for years to come. Talk to your doctor about your bone health for more tips and testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Building-Strong-Bones-Tips-for-Womens-Osteoporosis-Prevention.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/building-strong-bones-tips-for-womens-osteoporosis-prevention/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28026</ID> <title>The Importance of Family: Promoting Mental Wellness Together</title> <publishDate>2023-05-17 08:44:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_104 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_141"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_152 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_57 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_171 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_172 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_173 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_170 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is a vital aspect of overall well-being, and as the old saying goes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;charity begins at home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The role of the family in promoting mental wellness cannot be overstated. The family is often the first and most influential environment where an individual's mental health is nurtured, and it plays a crucial role in shaping one's psychological and emotional well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Below are some ways that families can promote mental wellness and create a positive environment that fosters emotional resilience and mental health for all its members.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Open Communication &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, including within the family. Encouraging open and honest communication among family members creates a safe space for expressing thoughts, feelings, and concerns. This allows family members to share their experiences, challenges, and emotions without fear of judgment or criticism. Healthy communication fosters understanding, empathy, and emotional support which can contribute to better mental health outcomes for all family members.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Create a Positive and Nurturing Environment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The physical environment at home can impact mental wellness. Creating a positive and nurturing environment involves maintaining a clean and organized space, incorporating elements of nature such as plants, and providing opportunities for relaxation and self-care. A peaceful and welcoming home can contribute to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and promote mental well-being for the entire family.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Foster Healthy Relationships &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strong and healthy relationships within the family are crucial for promoting mental wellness. This involves cultivating a sense of belonging, building trust, and maintaining healthy boundaries. Encouraging healthy relationships within the family including between siblings, parents and extended family members, can contribute to a supportive and loving environment that promotes mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Practice Self-Care &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practicing self-care is vital for mental wellness, and it's important for family members to prioritize their individual well-being. Encouraging and modeling self-care habits, such as exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy and fulfillment can promote mental wellness within the family. Taking care of oneself allows family members to better support each other's mental health needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Promote Emotional Intelligence&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and manage one's emotions and the emotions of others. It is a critical skill for navigating relationships and promoting mental wellness. Families can promote emotional intelligence by teaching and modeling healthy emotional expression, encouraging empathy, and promoting emotional regulation skills. This can foster healthy emotional development and contribute to better mental health outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reduce Stigma Surrounding Mental Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sadly, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health in many societies. Families can play a vital role in reducing this stigma by promoting open discussions about mental health and mental illnesses. Educating family members about mental health, providing accurate information, and encouraging empathy and understanding towards those who struggle with mental health challenges can create a supportive environment that promotes mental wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seek Professional Help When Needed&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If any family member is struggling with mental health issues, it's essential to seek professional help when needed. Mental health professionals, such as therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists, can provide valuable support, guidance, and interventions. Encouraging family members to seek professional help when needed and providing support and understanding can promote mental wellness and ensure that individuals receive appropriate care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Promoting mental wellness within the family is crucial for the overall well-being of each family member. Utilizing these strategies in your family can help the overall support of mental health. Remember that mental health is a journey, and it's essential to prioritize and care for the mental wellness of each family member and speak with a professional when needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/What-can-FAMILY-members-do-to-promote-mental-wellness.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-importance-of-family-promoting-mental-wellness-together/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28002</ID> <title>5 Pain Relief Methods for Period Cramps</title> <publishDate>2023-05-10 07:30:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_105 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_142"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_153 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_58 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_174 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_175 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_176 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_171 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Period cramps can cause intense pain for one to two days out of each month in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/13-ways-to-stop-period-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over half of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They can be frustrating, distracting and even debilitating. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, home remedies and lifestyle practices can help provide &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/can-your-period-be-an-indicator-of-your-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pain relief during periods for most women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and more advanced options are available to treat severe cramps. So, what are the most common treatments for period pain relief, and how do they work? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pain Relief for Period Cramps&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Period cramps occur when the uterus contracts and begins to shed the uterine lining. The pain associated with period cramps typically begins around the first day of a menstrual period and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/treatment/womens-health/ways-to-relieve-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lessens as prostaglandin levels drop&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different women have different baselines for normalcy when it comes to menstrual pain. Therefore, it's essential to understand what's normal for you and your body and investigate potential causes of abnormal period pain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many options are available for managing it effectively regarding normal period pain. Options for managing period cramps range from simple home remedies to prescription medications. In many cases, the best pain relief for menstrual cramps comes from combining several methods, like exercise, warmth and healthy eating. So, how can you relieve painful period cramps?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Does a Heating Pad Help With Menstrual Cramps?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A heating pad or hot water bottle is one of the most common and effective methods for pain relief during periods. Because the uterine wall is composed of muscle, warmth allows it to relax. One study found that the pain relief provided by a heating pad was comparable to the beneficial effects of ibuprofen. Other forms of warmth, such as a hot bath or shower, can also be effective.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise for Pain Relief During Periods&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is another excellent way to promote your overall health and relieve cramps while on your period. Although it might seem contradictory or counterproductive to exercise when you're in pain, moving can help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/13-ways-to-stop-period-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;release endorphins and decrease pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Yoga, walking and other forms of aerobic exercise are fantastic options. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise between periods can also help make periods less painful. Exercise can also have a wide range of other positive impacts on your health, so it's a good idea to immediately incorporate it into your routine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pain Relief Food for Your Periods&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Did you know that the food you eat can impact the level of pain you experience during your period? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, staying hydrated is essential, as drinking plenty of water can help reduce bloating. Conversely, caffeine can worsen period cramps, so it's best to avoid it during your period. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, it's best to avoid foods that contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar or trans fat. These foods can increase the pain associated with menstrual cramps and lead to increased bloating and inflammation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anti-inflammatory foods with high magnesium content can help relieve painful period cramps. Some helpful nutrients, such as vitamin D and magnesium, can be taken through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374944" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dietary supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, though you should consult your physician before adding new supplements to your diet). Managing the foods you eat and providing your body with the proper nutrients can help provide pain relief for period cramps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Painkillers Can I Take for Period Cramps?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy diet can help manage period cramps, but it might not always be enough. Many women use over-the-counter medicine for pain relief during periods. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374944" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Naproxen sodium or ibuprofen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are typically effective as soon as symptoms of period pain occur. However, over-the-counter medications might not be strong enough for more severe period cramps. In such cases, a doctor might prescribe prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For some women, hormonal birth control might also be an effective way to manage period pain. Although not a painkiller, it can address hormone imbalances and reduce irregular periods. Talk with your doctor about any medications you want to try and ensure that new medications won't interfere with any current ones. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Relieve Period Pain Without Medication&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may not need to pick up medication from a pharmacy to relieve period pain. Most professionals find that evidence for the efficacy of many forms of alternative medicine is inconclusive, but some methods are helpful. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acupuncture&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374944" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acupuncture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a treatment that involves the insertion of thin needles into the patient's skin, is often used to treat muscle cramps. Acupressure can have a similarly relaxing effect on the muscles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt; &lt;/h4&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Herbal Teas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Herbal teas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are a traditional remedy for period pain relief. Even if there's little scientific evidence for the benefits of certain herbs to treat period cramps, warm teas can still help muscles relax. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt; &lt;/h4&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Essential Oils for Period Pain Relief&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some women also recommend the use of essential oils for period pain relief. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/treatment/womens-health/ways-to-relieve-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that massaging essential oils into the lower abdomen relieved painful period cramps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A variety of methods can make your period cramps more bearable. If you struggle with painful period cramps, you may not need to search for a complicated medical solution. Many home remedies are easily accessible and can even positively affect other aspects of your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, if your period cramps are debilitating or have suddenly worsened, it might be time to consult a physician. Severe period cramps might indicate underlying medical conditions like fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PCOS or even bacterial infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Period-Cramps.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-pain-relief-methods-for-period-cramps/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27993</ID> <title>What Is the Best Food To Eat After Giving Birth?</title> <publishDate>2023-05-09 07:16:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_106 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_143"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_154 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_59 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_177 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_178 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_179 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_172 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The miracle of life — the expectation, the long wait and, of course, the delivery itself — is physically exhausting for women. So, it's no wonder why they need a bit (or more) of recovery time before taking on the new role as mothers. But is rest the only variable in the recovery equation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may have heard that some foods will speed up postpartum recovery. However, you may also have been told the opposite — that other foods can be harmful to you and your baby. Eating after delivery should be the straightforward part of the recovery process, but the vast amount of information surrounding the subject can be challenging to sort through. So are there things that new moms should and should not be eating after giving birth? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of Eating Well After Giving Birth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is vitally important for mothers to obtain proper nutrition from food after labor. Pregnancy requires women to eat for themselves and their babies, and labor is an exhausting process that burns a ton of much-needed calories. A healthy postpartum diet should also consider the baby's needs if the mother chooses to breastfeed since chemicals that women ingest while lactating can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breastfeeding-nutrition/art-20046912" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;passed on to babies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; through breast milk. However, diet restrictions are typically looser when eating after delivery than those that apply during pregnancy — a new mother needs all the nutrients she can get after delivery! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Best Ways To Nourish Your Body After Giving Birth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since many different nutrients are depleted during pregnancy and labor, it's crucial to eat various foods to bring the nutritional intake back into balance, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods that are high in fiber can help prevent &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.babycenter.com/baby/postpartum-health/postpartum-food-for-new-moms_40009352" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;postpartum constipation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods that are rich in protein can help mothers recover physically from labor;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iron, which can be found in leafy vegetables and meats, is essential for creating new &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nutrition-guide-new-moms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blood cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods that contain potassium can help reduce swelling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A postpartum diet should include more calories than would typically be required in order to make up for those lost during labor. For women who choose to breastfeed, about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/postpartum/postpartum-diet-nutrition-questions-answered/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;300-500 additional daily calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are needed to nourish both the mom and the baby. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hydration is also imperative, especially for mothers who choose to breastfeed. Mothers who breastfeed need up to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/postpartum/postpartum-diet-nutrition-questions-answered/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;96 ounces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of fluids per day, while those who use formula need about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/postpartum/postpartum-diet-nutrition-questions-answered/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80 ounces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating after delivery can be difficult since pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete women of so many essential nutrients. To mitigate this loss, some doctors recommend that mothers continue to use prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor to find out what supplements are right for you and your baby. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nutrient-Rich Foods To Eat After Giving Birth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Immediately after giving birth, mothers will need to replenish calories lost during labor and bring in nutrients that can contribute to the recovery process. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nutrition-guide-new-moms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that will provide the necessary nutrients include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salmon: rich in DHA and low in mercury, so it's a perfect food for breastfeeding moms.;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole-wheat bread can provide folic acid, fiber and iron.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fresh fruits — notably citrus fruits like oranges —are a good source of vitamin C. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eggs and some varieties of seafood make excellent sources of protein, which helps the body recover from childbirth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Should I Eat After Giving Birth While Breastfeeding&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breastfeeding mothers need to provide nutrients that can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/postpartum/postpartum-diet-nutrition-questions-answered/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;support their babies' development&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choline is vital in the development of babies' nervous systems. Women should take in about 550 milligrams per day while breastfeeding. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iodine is essential for brain development in babies. While breastfeeding, women require about 290 micrograms per day. Iodine can be found in table salt, dairy products and some types of seafood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Omega-3 fatty acids are also vital for the proper development of babies' brains. Salmon, sardines and anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Not To Eat After Giving Birth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mamaxpert.com/blogs/post/food-items-to-avoid-after-pregnancy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sugary, processed foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; might be tempting after labor, but they should be avoided — they may provide temporary satisfaction but do not promote the long-term health of mothers or babies. Instead, mothers should focus on eating a variety of healthy foods, meeting their caloric needs and staying hydrated. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some specific foods can pass harmful chemicals on to infants when consumed by breastfeeding mothers, so they are best avoided.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mothers who choose to breastfeed must not consume any amount of alcohol.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mercury can harm babies, so mothers who choose to breastfeed should avoid the consumption of fish. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine can keep babies awake, so mothers who breastfeed should stay away from coffee. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What You Should Know About Eating the Placenta&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The consumption of the placenta by a mother who has just given birth — known as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/baby/should-i-eat-my-placenta" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;placentophagy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; — is believed to boost energy levels and enhance the quality of breast milk. Since these claims have not been tested in a scientific setting, the potential health benefits of placentophagy are purely speculative. However, it is known that the bacteria found in the placenta &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/expert-answers/eating-the-placenta/faq-20380880#:~:text=While%20some%20claim%20that%20placentophagy,to%20you%20and%20your%20baby." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can be harmful when ingested&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and passed on to the baby via breast milk. Since placentophagy is unnecessary and its potential benefits have not been proven, it is likely best for mothers to forego the practice altogether. Instead, doctors typically recommend a healthy diet and light exercise to boost postpartum health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Manage Your Weight Postpartum&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After giving birth, women may seek to lose some of the weight gained during pregnancy. However, mothers who lose weight too rapidly may &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.parenthelp123.org/pregnancy/after-pregnancy/postpartum-nutrition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;produce less breast milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Additionally, the chemicals found in diet pills can be harmful to infants. Therefore, gradual weight loss is recommended. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy diet can be paired with exercise to promote weight loss after birth. For example, a new mother can incorporate walking and other low-impact exercises into a postpartum weight-loss regimen under her doctor's supervision. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Postpartum health can be stressful to navigate, particularly regarding nutrition. Even after babies are born, their mothers' nutritional choices can still impact their development. However, new mothers don't need to fear— they can aid the process of recovery and contribute to their babies' development by making healthy choices and excluding a few dangerous foods from their diets. If you're a new mother, start planning a healthy diet right away!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Best-Food-After-Giving-Birth.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-the-best-food-to-eat-after-giving-birth/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27983</ID> <title>Food for Your Mood: 5 Foods to Try!</title> <publishDate>2023-05-08 07:03:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_107 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_144"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_155 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_60 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_180 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_181 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_182 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_173 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've all experienced those days when our mood takes a dip, and we're left feeling down and sluggish. While external factors like stress, lack of sleep and other emotional triggers can contribute to our mood swings, did you know that the food you eat can also play a role in influencing your mood? The link between nutrition and mental health is gaining more attention, and research suggests that certain foods can help boost your mood naturally. So, if you're looking to give your mood a lift, here are five foods that you might want to consider incorporating into your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dark Chocolate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Good news for all you chocolate lovers! Dark chocolate, specifically the one with at least 70% cocoa content, has been found to have mood-enhancing properties. It contains compounds such as flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve blood flow to the brain. Dark chocolate contains small amounts of a compound called phenylethylamine (PEA), which can stimulate the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones in the brain. So, indulging in a small piece of dark chocolate can not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also help elevate your mood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fatty Fish&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and trout are not only delicious but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential fats that play a crucial role in brain health and have been shown to have mood-stabilizing properties. Studies have found that omega-3s can help reduce inflammation in the brain, increase the production of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood), and improve overall brain function. Including fatty fish in your diet regularly can be beneficial for maintaining a positive mood and supporting your mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Leafy Greens&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to vegetables, leafy greens like spinach, kale and Swiss chard are nutritional powerhouses that can do wonders for your mood. These greens are loaded with important vitamins and minerals such as folate, magnesium and vitamin C, which are known to play a role in brain health. Folate, in particular, has been linked to the production of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that are associated with mood regulation. Magnesium has been shown to have a calming effect on the brain and can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. So, make sure to add plenty of leafy greens to your salads, smoothies, or stir-fries for a mood-boosting dose of nutrition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nuts and Seeds&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts and seeds are not only convenient and tasty snacks but also great for your mood. They are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and keep you feeling full and satisfied. Nuts and seeds are a good source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, selenium and zinc, which have been shown to support brain health and improve mood. For instance, almonds are high in magnesium, while pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, both of which have been linked to better mental health. So, grab a handful of nuts or sprinkle some seeds on your yogurt or oatmeal for a crunchy and mood-boosting snack.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Berries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Berries are not only delicious and colorful but also incredibly beneficial for your mood. They are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and vitamins, which can help reduce inflammation, protect brain cells from damage, and support overall brain health. In particular, berries like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are rich in anthocyanins, which are a type of antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. These compounds can help improve cognitive function and mood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating these foods into your diet can improve your mood drastically, so the next time you are feeling down, try eating one or more of these foods!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Food-for-Your-Mood-5-Recipes-to-Try.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/food-for-your-mood-5-foods-to-try/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27973</ID> <title>3 Practical Ways to Manage and Reduce Anxiety</title> <publishDate>2023-05-05 06:52:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_108 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_145"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_156 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_61 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_183 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_184 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_185 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_174 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can manifest as persistent worry, fear or unease, and can significantly impact a person's daily life. While anxiety can be challenging to manage, there are some practical strategies that can help lessen its impact. It is important to see a medical professional before trying anything extreme to reduce anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Incorporate Relaxation Techniques into Your Routine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxation techniques are effective tools for managing anxiety as they help calm the body and mind. One such technique is deep breathing, which involves taking slow, deep breaths in through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth. This can help reduce the physiological symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heart rate and shallow breathing. You can practice deep breathing for a few minutes whenever you feel anxious or incorporate it into your daily routine as a proactive measure to manage anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Progressive muscle relaxation is another effective technique. It involves systematically tensing and releasing different muscle groups in the body, which can help reduce muscle tension and overall stress. To practice progressive muscle relaxation, find a quiet and comfortable space, and start with one muscle group, such as the shoulders or hands. Tense the muscles for a few seconds, then release and relax them. Move on to the next muscle group until you have worked through your entire body. This technique can be done before bedtime to promote relaxation and better sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Utilize Cognitive Behavioral Techniques&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and evidence-based approach to managing anxiety. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to anxiety and replacing them with more realistic and helpful thoughts. CBT techniques can be practiced on your own or with the guidance of a mental health professional.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One effective CBT technique is thought journaling. This typically involves keeping a journal and writing down anxious thoughts as they arise. Analyzing these thoughts by asking yourself if they are based on facts or assumptions and then challenging any irrational or negative beliefs can help aid anxiety. Taking them and replacing them with more balanced and rational thoughts is the idea of journaling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another CBT technique is exposure therapy, where you gradually face and confront situations that trigger anxiety in a safe and controlled manner. This can help desensitize you to the triggers and reduce anxiety over time. Start with small steps and work your way up to more challenging situations, with the support of a therapist if needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Make Lifestyle Changes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle changes can also play a significant role in managing anxiety. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms by releasing endorphins, improving mood, and reducing stress. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Choose activities that you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, dancing or yoga and make them a regular part of your routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing good sleep hygiene is also crucial for managing anxiety. Poor sleep can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, so establish a consistent sleep routine that includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, avoiding caffeine and electronic devices before bedtime, and creating a calming bedtime routine, such as reading or practicing relaxation techniques.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition, be mindful of your diet and consider making healthy food choices. Limit or avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine as they can worsen anxiety symptoms. Instead, opt for a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are experiencing anxiety, it is best to consult with a medical professional. These techniques can help manage anxiety temporarily but speaking with a medical professional is imperative for long-term care and health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/3-Ways-to-Lessen-Anxiety.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/3-practical-ways-to-manage-and-reduce-anxiety/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27963</ID> <title>The History of BMI and Why It Can Be Harmful</title> <publishDate>2023-05-04 06:35:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_109 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_146"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_157 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_62 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_186 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_187 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_188 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_175 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almost 200 years ago, a Belgian mathematician came up with BMI to help his statistics find the average man. This work, conducted in the 1830s by Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, found its way into life insurance companies which created an “ideal weight” and became known as body mass index to screen for obesity. The equation is the ratio of body mass to height in order to categorize people as overweight, underweight, or “healthy” weight. The “healthy” weight is any adult within the 18.5 to 24.9 index. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It has been debated by many medical professionals if BMI is really the best way to categorize adults. Many medical professionals acknowledge that BMI can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/why-bmi-can-be-a-faulty-measure-of-overall-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;useful in tracking weight trends&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; across populations but does not account for differences in ethnic groups while targeting athletic people since it does not distinguish muscle mass from fat. Most often, a high BMI index is prescribed with exercise and weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why BMI Can Be Harmful&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body mass index is based on the height and weight ratio of a person but does not account for a variety of other things that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;influence weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as muscle mass, bone density, body composition, racial differences, or sex differences. Anyone with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese and is proven to have a higher risk of developing diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and liver diseases. But some studies have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;actually shown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that some individuals with obesity have lower cardiovascular risk and improved metabolic profiles.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Arguably, BMI’s biggest fault is that it does not take into account a person’s body fat versus lean muscle tissue. Unfortunately, this leads to BMI categorizing athletic people as fatter than they truly are. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Age is another factor not accounted for in body mass index scaling. Children are usually categorized in percentile charts rather than BMI scales. Anyone over 20 years old is measured through BMI without any regard to age or sex. Women tend to have overall more body fat than the average male. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is also important to note that many studies point to the fact that those who have fat around the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323543#body-composition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;waist and abdominal organs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are at a higher risk for developing health problems than those with fat in other areas of the body. However, this is not considered in BMI. For muscular people, only height and weight measurements simply cannot accurately measure their health, as muscle outweighs fat. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are times of life when BMI is especially inaccurate such as during pregnancy or breastfeeding for women and in childhood when a person is still growing. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can BMI Be Made More Accurate?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since the current standard of BMI only includes height and weight, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323543#making-bmi-accurate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that when medical professionals are assessing people, they should take into consideration three factors: BMI, waist circumference, and risk factors for conditions associated with obesity. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Measuring and adding waist circumference paired with BMI can help assess the risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323543#making-bmi-accurate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CDC&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; says that the risk for these diseases increases when nonpregnant women have a waist size of 35 inches or more and men have a greater waist size than 40 inches. So evaluating this aspect of health can make a better way of measuring health while still including BMI. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When assessing BMI and waist size, risk factors for obesity should also be considered. Things such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, history of family heart diseases, and high consumption of alcohol or smoking cigarettes can all influence obesity risks to the heart. Professionals suggest measuring the waist size, the BMI index, and if the person has two or more risk factors listed above. This would then give a more accurate idea of if the person should consider losing weight. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Bottom Line &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;BMI is complicated in terms of determining if it is accurate and useful for people’s health. Since it does not take into account age, race, ethnicity, sex, or muscle mass, it is hard to say if it is the best way to determine if you should lose weight. In addition, risks increase as BMI increases. However, it is not to be automatically assumed that your health is poor if your BMI is high. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Waist circumference paired with BMI and risk factors may be the best way to determine one’s healthy weight. The thing about BMI is if it is combined with other health factors, it would be much more useful in determining one’s health. It is not necessary to completely throw out the idea of BMI, but it is important to take into account other factors along with BMI rather than just considering BMI. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This topic has been highly debated for years, with very little change in presentation at a doctor’s office. If BMI concerns you, discuss it with your healthcare provider and see what they say regarding other factors being considered. Research this topic more if you want to determine your BMI and how it should influence your future!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BMI.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-history-of-bmi-and-why-it-can-be-harmful/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27955</ID> <title>People in the Morning: Hit the Snooze Button or Wake up at the First Alarm?</title> <publishDate>2023-05-03 06:22:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_110 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_147"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_158 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_63 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_189 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_190 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_191 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_176 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've all been there: the piercing sound of the alarm clock jolts us awake, and our first instinct is to hit the snooze button, granting ourselves a few extra minutes of precious sleep. It's a common practice for many people, but did you know that hitting the snooze button may actually be detrimental to your health?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Interrupted Sleep Cycles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you hit the snooze button and go back to sleep, you're actually disrupting your sleep cycle. Our sleep is divided into different stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep which all occur in cycles throughout the night and are important for various aspects of our physical and mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hitting the snooze button can throw off these sleep cycles. When you drift off to sleep after hitting snooze, you're likely to enter into a new sleep cycle, but it's often not enough time to complete a full cycle. This can leave you feeling groggy and disoriented when you finally do wake up and can lead to sleep fragmentation, where your sleep is repeatedly interrupted, resulting in poor sleep quality overall.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Disrupted Circadian Rhythm&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our bodies have an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. When you hit the snooze button and go back to sleep, you're sending mixed signals to your circadian rhythm. It confuses your body and can make it more difficult for you to wake up feeling refreshed and alert.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistently hitting the snooze button and disrupting your circadian rhythm can lead to a condition known as "social jet lag." This occurs when your body clock is out of sync with your daily routine, such as waking up early during the workweek and then sleeping in on weekends. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Increased Stress and Anxiety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hitting the snooze button and repeatedly delaying the start of your day can also lead to increased stress and anxiety. When you hit snooze, you're essentially delaying your responsibilities and setting yourself up for a rushed morning which can create a sense of urgency and stress, as you scramble to get ready and make up for lost time.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, the habit of hitting the snooze button can contribute to a feeling of procrastination and lack of control over your day. It can set a negative tone for the rest of the day as you start off feeling behind and rushed. This increased stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on your mental well-being and overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Missed Opportunities for Healthy Habits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hitting the snooze button also means you're missing out on valuable time in the morning to engage in healthy habits. Morning is a great time to establish a routine that sets a positive tone for the rest of your day. You can use that time to exercise, meditate, have a healthy breakfast, or simply take a few moments for yourself before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By hitting snooze and delaying the start of your day, you're robbing yourself of these opportunities to prioritize your health and well-being. It can also create a sense of rushing through your morning routine, which may result in skipping important self-care practices that contribute to your overall health and happiness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Breaking the Snooze Button Habit&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breaking the snooze button habit may take some effort, but it's a change that can greatly benefit your health and well-being. Here are some tips to help you kick the snooze button habit:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set a consistent bedtime: Make sure you're getting enough sleep by setting a consistent bedtime that allows you to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This will help you wake up feeling refreshed and less likely to hit snooze in the morning.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Move your alarm clock: Place your alarm clock or phone across the room from your bed so that you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off. This can help you resist the temptation to hit snooze and make it more difficult to do so.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use an alarm sound that you dislike: Choose an alarm sound that you don't particularly like, so that it's less tempting to hit snooze just to make the noise stop. Avoid using your favorite song as an alarm, as it may make you associate hitting snooze with something enjoyable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid screens before bed: Exposure to screens, such as smartphones or laptops, before bedtime can disrupt your sleep quality. The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. Try to avoid screens for at least an hour before bedtime to improve the quality of your sleep and make it easier to wake up on time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place a glass of water by your bed: Keep a glass of water by your bed and drink it as soon as you wake up. This can help you feel more awake and alert, making it less tempting to hit snooze and go back to sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breaking the habit of hitting the snooze button may take time and effort, but the benefits to your health and well-being are worth it! You can develop healthier sleep habits and wake up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to tackle the day without hitting snooze. Remember, consistency and commitment are key, so be patient with yourself and keep practicing until it becomes a new healthy habit!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Alarm.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/people-in-the-morning-hit-the-snooze-button-or-wake-up-at-the-first-alarm/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27945</ID> <title>Different Goals in the Gym</title> <publishDate>2023-05-02 06:06:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_111 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_148"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_159 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_64 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_192 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_193 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_194 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_177 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to the gym does not always look the same for everyone. Some people are going to the gym to achieve more muscle mass; some are looking to lose weight; some are looking to gain weight; some are training for competitions. Regardless of the goals, everyone has a place in the gym setting! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creating goals for yourself in the gym can be simple if there is a self reflection you have been pondering on for a long time. But for some people, creating realistic goals may be difficult and planning them may be even harder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sweat.com/blogs/life/goal-setting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;articles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest using the SMART method to create goals for your gym career. SMART goes are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. The acronym is often used for business related goals, but they can be easily applied in your workout goals and gym goals as well! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you have a goal or multiple goals in the gym, it can be planned out easiest when the goals are specific and clear on what you want to attain. Rather than listing in your journal vague goals like “lose weight,” give yourself a specific number you want to attain and a specific timeline for it. If you want to be able to squat more, list the time frame you would like to reach and the specific number you think you should be able to squat in that time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next, make your goals measurable. If you can track your goals as you move along, you will feel more accomplished and motivated to continue! This pairs perfectly with the specific category because measurable means being sure you have numerical items attached to the goals and being able to see and feel the progress. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Achievable goals are vital if you want to continue progressing. Being realistic is vital so that you do not give up before you’ve reached them! Be real with yourself. Will you be able to gain 100 pounds of muscle mass in three months? Probably not. Make sure that you are not setting unrealistic standards upon yourself, otherwise you may leave the gym and never return. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picking relevant goals can be a challenge for some people. Consider your life currently and choose goals that could actually be beneficial and realistic with your current life priorities. Your goals should be relevant to your own unique health journey! Challenge yourself, but make sure the goals are actually relevant to your life, otherwise you may give up on them before you even begin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, make sure your gym goals can be time-specific. Setting a timeline for your goals allows you to hold yourself accountable and stay on top of your goals. It also allows for milestones along your journey to celebrate which will prompt you to continue on in your fitness journey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is important to remember that depending on your gym goals, your fitness journey will look totally different than anyone else’s. If your goal is to gain muscle mass and weight, you will obviously not have the same regimen as someone trying to cut or lose body fat overall. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is vital to not compare yourself to others in the gym when you are working out and creating your fitness plans. Different goals means different ways to exercise and conduct routines. Fitness looks different for every person depending on their own individual goals. Do not lose sight of your own goals by trying to compare yourself to others in the gym. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Best Quick Tips for Your Fitness Goals &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Losing Weight &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some quick tips as you begin your fitness journey to losing weight! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aim for about 50 minutes of movement a day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep your heart rate up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try strength training of some sort at least twice a week and more if possible!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Watch portion sizes while eating lots of protein. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gaining Muscle Mass&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some quick tips to remember as you adjust your goals to gaining muscle mass are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pick target weights and reps that are realistic and beneficial for your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pick strength exercises that work the muscles you are trying to grow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Structure your workouts and plan accordingly to your lifestyle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat lots of protein rich foods! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Flexibility &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking to be more flexible overall? Here are some quick tips to keep in mind as you visit the gym and begin your fitness journey: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try some dynamic stretching before working out. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focus on static stretching after workouts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be gentle on tight areas, but work them properly to gain flexibility. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stretch as often as you can!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Running a Faster Mile &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is your goal to run a faster mile or just improve your running overall? Here are some quick tips to keep in mind as you visit your local gym and begin the fitness journey: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat a proper diet!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay hydrated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintain a moderate body weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have proper techniques when running.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have proper attire including shoes and clothing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be as active as possible in general.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Train your core!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make sure you are breathing properly as you run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone has fitness goals related to their own lifestyles and desires in life. When you start your own journey, do not be discouraged by others who seem more impressive than you in the gym. Instead, focus on your own journey and see what sorts of training would be best for your goals. Listen to your body and maintain a healthy balance to stay happy and healthy as you achieve your goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Different-types-of-goals-in-the-gym.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/different-goals-in-the-gym/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27934</ID> <title>A Different Approach to Psychiatric Care: An Interview with Dr. Hyla Cass</title> <publishDate>2023-05-01 05:52:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_112 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_149"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_160 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_65 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_195 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_196 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_197 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_178 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An Integrative Psychiatrist for over 30 years, Dr. Cass described how the practice of medicine was woven into the fabric of her life from an early age. She fondly recalls how her father, a family doctor, included her in his world of medical practice, considered her his “helper” in his office suite at their home in Toronto, and took her along on house calls. In time, and with his encouragement, Cass chose medical school over nursing or physical therapy, which were the likelier choices for a woman at the time, and she has not looked back since. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cass has always been one to think outside of the box - to see what works and why. For example, during her earlier years of practice, she observed that medications were frequently ineffective, not curative, and often had unpleasant side effects, so she began experimenting with different approaches. So rather than prescribing medication as the first line of care or treating solely based on symptoms, as an Integrative Psychiatrist, she began looking “under the hood.” She has continued to evaluate individuals biochemically and physiologically to find the root cause of their problems. And the good news is most issues uncovered within her patients can be corrected naturally.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We have a built-in natural pharmacy, and medications aren’t really contributing to the healing process. Rather, they are only suppressing symptoms and also may have side effects, some quite serious. In my niche of psychiatry, we see how people can become dependent on them, even addicted, and they’re unable to get off the medications even when they have stopped being effective. So, I’d rather start by looking for the root cause and treating accordingly,” explains Dr. Cass. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These root causes can run the gamut from infections such as Lyme, viruses, or mold, or toxicities such as heavy metals or chemicals to any number of nutrient deficiencies. But you must know to look for them, then treat the person with the right natural products targeting the specific situation. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“What’s very satisfying to me is that I can most often help people withdraw successfully from problematic medication, or preferably, not go on it in the first place. So often, people are on one or more medications that have stopped working but still produce side effects, such as headaches, nausea, social or work restrictions, issues with memory and clear thinking, sexual problems, and even suicidal and homicidal thoughts, which tragically, are often carried out,” she said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The challenge is that these individuals are unable to stop the meds without experiencing difficult withdrawal symptoms. Called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;discontinuation syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it’s like withdrawing from any addictive substance like alcohol or heroin. However, according to Dr. Cass, by doing an in-depth evaluation, then gradually adding the correct supplements to support their brain chemistry, they can gradually taper off the medication safely and effectively.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I must add here that going off medication suddenly is ill-advised and even dangerous. It should be done under the care of a knowledgeable physician,” she made sure to share.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cass’ Virtual Practice &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cass’ work as a practitioner is entirely virtual, but more distinctive is her unique approach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The mainstream psychiatrist takes care of the brain and prescribes medication to suppress symptoms. Sometimes, as in acute situations, medication may be warranted, preferably short-term, but for the most part, it is vastly overused, to the person’s detriment,” she said. “Rather than individual treatment by various specialists, my approach focuses on treating the entire person. So, for example, in mainstream medicine, if someone has gastrointestinal issues and anxiety, they will generally see a gastroenterologist and a psychiatrist, who will treat them entirely separately. In the integrative approach, we are aware of the gut-brain connection. By diagnosing the state of the microbiome (gut bacteria) and finding dysbiosis or a preponderance of bad bacteria, we treat by restoring balance with such supplements as probiotics and prebiotics. This can restore balance to the brain neurotransmitters, thereby resolving gut and mood issues.”  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cass has written several &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cassmd.com/my-books/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;books&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on her experience and treatments that uncover the mind-body and body-mind connection. For example, her popular book, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cassmd.com/my-books/8-weeks-to-vibrant-health/&amp;#093;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8 Weeks to Vibrant Health,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; deals with such topics as depression, anxiety, digestion, weight, hormones, blood sugar issues, toxins, food allergies, and stress, all of which comprise the body’s physiology. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cass instructs readers on how to clean up their diets, which goes a long way to creating good health. For example, food high in sugar and processed chemicals can poison the body and harm brain function. She notes that over the past ten years or so, it has become more challenging to treat patients because they eat far more chemically laden, nutrient-deficient fast food and are exposed to increasing amounts of toxins in the air and water. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“People’s immune systems aren’t as good as in the past because the toxins actually reduce the immune system’s ability to fight infection, making them likely to succumb,” she said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She then helps them choose the right supplements based on guidance from specific questionnaires in the book. Finally, she advises you to consult a physician, preferably holistically oriented, if anything is more severe or persistent. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Like many professionals in the field, Dr. Cass switched her practice to virtual when COVID hit and has maintained it that way ever since.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When asked to give us a specific example of how her approach differs from the mainstream, she recounted the case of a 42-year-old male patient with crippling anxiety and depression and serious anger issues. His pyroluria questionnaire showed a high score. This genetic and/or possibly stress-related condition is not uncommon and can be remedied simply by supplying specific missing nutrients. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The pyroluria caused him to eliminate excessive amounts of B6 and zinc, cofactors in making neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in our brain that determine mood, focus, memory, and ability to think clearly. As a result, he experienced brain issues related to those deficient neurotransmitters - anxiety (GABA), depression (serotonin), and excessive anger (serotonin). Your body’s making neurotransmitters is like baking a cake. You need to have all the right ingredients, or neither the cake nor the neurotransmitter will come out right!” according to Dr. Cass. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cass prescribed specific supplements to counter this, and after just a few days, he was amazed and grateful (as was his wife!) to report that he felt much calmer and not anxious for the first time in forever!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The meds weren’t working for him. So, why give somebody a strong medication when natural nutrients targeted toward a specific issue like this work much better - a simple, safe, and effective solution. But unfortunately, one contribution to this over-medication is the media marketing of meds. You watch TV, and you find out that a medication will help you to reach nirvana – then there’s a whole list of scary side effects that are repeated at super high speed and often end with ‘death,’” she explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, all kinds of excellent old remedies are coming back in style, this time with scientific proof behind their success. For example, in recent years, there has been a rediscovery of the clinical use of cannabidiol, or CBD, for various mental health and overall health conditions, from stress and worry, poor sleep to social fears, low mood, pain, and far more. Although derived from the cannabis plant, the source of marijuana that can get you high, CBD doesn’t do that but instead has many documented medicinal qualities. Cass has incorporated it into her practice with great benefit to her patients. Wanting complete quality control over the CBD, she prescribed and ensured its purity and potency; she came out with her own brand, available on her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://drcass.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We know our organic growers, who provide the raw hemp. The CBD is then extracted in our lab, bottled, and distributed. An independent third-party lab tests each batch. So that’s how I have access to pure and effective organic CBD for my patients and readers,” she said.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cass has seen and studied enough over the years to truly trust our bodies’ natural chemistry. As a result, her treatments are at the forefront of psychiatry and have changed how people view modern medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“You don’t necessarily need prescription pharmaceuticals for your brain to work as it should. We have the best pharmacy inside us, and when you know how to intervene correctly, you can make it work for you in the best way possible!” she concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For more on Dr. Cass’ unique approach to mental health, you can download her free eBook, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cassmd.com/reclaim-your-brain-ebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reclaim Your Brain: Enhance Your Mind, Mood, Energy, and Memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Dr.-Hyla-Cass.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-different-approach-to-psychiatric-care-an-interview-with-dr-hyla-cass/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27894</ID> <title>Looking for a Natural Alternative to the Pill?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-29 07:43:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_113 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_150"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_161 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_66 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_198 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_199 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_200 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_179 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's be honest, being on the pill is not the most pleasant experience out there. The pill's side effects can range from nausea to migraines and can often hold you back from going about your day as you typically would. Birth control pills are not only used as contraceptives but can also address other hormone-related problems that women deal with. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While some women don't experience any adverse side effects, the pill is not every girl's best friend. There may be a more natural alternative to the pill. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is the Fertility Awareness Method? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), also known as the calendar method, is a natural form of birth control. It is done by tracking your menstrual cycle to predict when your fertile window is due. Studies show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/natural-family-planning/#:~:text=If%20natural%20family%20planning%20is%20followed%20consistently%20and%20correctly%2C%20it%20can%20be%20up%20to%2099%25%20effective%20(1%20to%209%20women%20in%20100%20who%20use%20natural%20family%20planning%20will%20get%20pregnant%20in%201%20year)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FAM can be up to 99% effective when done correctly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This method is most effective when used with another form of contraception, such as condoms, during your fertile days.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You will need to take your temperature first thing in the morning daily and chart it on a graph. You will also need to keep track of changes in your cervical mucus throughout the month. Some apps can help you with daily tracking, although you can use a physical chart.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does FAM Work To Prevent Pregnancies?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Fertility Awareness Method entails monitoring different fertility indicators (including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/family-planning/fertility-awareness%E2%80%92based-methods-of-contraception#:~:text=The%20symptothermal%20method%20combines%20daily,and%20the%20standard%20days%20method." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;basal body temperature and cervical mucus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) to follow ovulation. It is a natural alternative to the pill that's been shown effective at preventing pregnancies.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By understanding how your menstrual cycle works and pairing this with FAM, you will become much more aware of the effects that your menstrual cycle has on your body and mind. Tracking your fertility biomarkers (basal body temperature and cervical mucus) will help you understand when you're fertile and likely to conceive in your cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Benefits of Using the Fertility Awareness Method? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the benefits of FAM is that it is a natural, side-effect-free form of birth control.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FAM can also help you get to know your body better. By tracking your menstrual cycle, you will be more in tune with your body and how it works. This empowering knowledge can help you make better overall health decisions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, FAM is much cheaper than other forms of birth control. There is no need to buy expensive pills or devices. All you need is a thermometer and a chart to track your temperature and cervical mucus changes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When Should You Use the Fertility Awareness Method? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FAM can be used both to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/natural-family-planning/#:~:text=Natural%20family%20planning%20(or%20%22fertility,she's%20likely%20to%20get%20pregnant." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;avoid and achieve pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Couples should abstain from sex when they are most likely to be fertile when using FAM to avoid pregnancy and when they are most likely to be fertile when trying to get pregnant.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FAM can be an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fertilityawarenessproject.ca/blog/start-charting-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;effective and empowering way to take control of your reproductive health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It allows you to become familiar with your body's signs of ovulation so you can better understand when you are most likely to get pregnant. This method is also non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve hormones or other methods to prevent pregnancy. Ultimately, this approach empowers you to make informed decisions about your body and reproductive health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Menstrual Cycle Awareness and the Fertility Awareness Method&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The use of FAMs requires learning about the menstrual cycle for it to be of any benefit to you. To avoid getting pregnant, you have to know when you're in an ovulatory cycle, when you're fertile and when you can have sex without becoming pregnant.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your egg must first be fertilized by a sperm cell to get pregnant. Your fertile days are the days during your menstrual cycle when sperm can fertilize an egg.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every month, your ovaries release an egg into your fallopian tube, known as ovulation. There is about a 12-hour period during which your egg stays in your fallopian tube. After sex, your sperm can stay in your uterus and fallopian tube for up to six days, depending on the type of sperm. During the fertilization process, whenever a sperm cell combines with your egg in the fallopian tube, the egg travels to the uterus (i.e., womb) and attaches to the uterine wall. If your egg doesn't get fertilized, it dissolves, and you'll eventually get your period.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because eggs live about a day after ovulation and sperm live about six days after sex, you're fertile for about seven days during every menstrual cycle: the five days before and the day of ovulation.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Fertility Awareness Method is a valuable tool for women to empower themselves by being familiar with their bodies! By understanding themselves more, women can now look into potentially using FAM as a natural alternative to traditional birth control methods.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Fertility-Awareness.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/looking-for-a-natural-alternative-to-the-pill/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27904</ID> <title>Breath Analysis: How the Invention of PNOE Could Change Healthcare Forever</title> <publishDate>2023-04-28 08:05:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_114 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_151"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_162 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_67 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_201 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_202 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_203 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_180 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As an engineer in Greece, Panos Papadiamantis focused on mechanical engineering where he later conducted research and risk analysis on nuclear technology related to national security. He later was approached by his life-long friend who wanted to develop an affordable breath analysis device to analyze human metabolism with clinical precision, and PNOE was born. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“You can understand a lot of things about the human health through breath that you can't really get from any other specimen of the human body you can analyze. Our device is probably one of the most valuable assessments in medicine but also one of the most underutilized ones,” Papadiamantis said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just 5 years after creating the product, there are more than 3,000 health professionals using the device and 100,000 cardio metabolic analyses with it. Their goal with the PNOE product is  to enable health professionals to prescribe clinical grade wellness through breath analysis. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“And this enablement includes providing personal personalized analysis, doing the programming and white labeling, white labeling it with their business, providing the marketing support, and weaving all of their existing services into our programming along with our insights so that they can deliver a completely unified experience for their customers,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breath analysis, also known as metabolic testing or VO2max testing, involves analyzing a person's exhaled gasses. Its roots can be traced back to the early 1900s when scientists were searching to comprehend the fundamental mechanism of all living organisms: the absorption and utilization of oxygen. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This test is considered the most comprehensive evaluation in medicine as it assesses all aspects of human physiology that are essential to nutrition and exercise prescription, longevity assessment, and chronic disease prevention. The heart, lungs, blood circulation, and cells are all evaluated through breath analysis, which analyzes 23 biomarkers during inhalation and exhalation to assess oxygen flow through these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7739780/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;systems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The significance of oxygen has been established through numerous studies, culminating in the American Heart Association's landmark scientific statement in 2016, which elevated VO2peak to a crucial vital sign that provides the strongest evidence of life expectancy and quality.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breath analysis can provide a wealth of information for healthcare professionals even though so few use it. Before PNOE, devices for breath analysis were difficult to use and expensive. Not to mention, they are clunky and not user friendly. The process of translating the data into actionable steps was also difficult for everyone. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It is the only assessment known to mankind that can non-invasively, in just 10 minutes, analyze the combined operation of your heart, your lungs, your circulations and your cellular health. So, see how effective your metabolic activities are happening down to a cellular level, understanding how many calories, fats and carbohydrates you're burning. No other assessment is capable of delivering that,” Papadiamantis said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Papadiamantis and his company deliver the PNOE device to clinics and train them on how to use it. The good thing about their invention is that it is user friendly and only takes about 10-20 minutes to deliver the test. The product also has a cloud to connect the tests and hold data with built-in AI and algorithms. And it does not just score different aspects of the patient’s health. Rather, PNOE provides patients with very personalized and targeted nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and breath work advice that effectively becomes the wellness programming that the clinic delivers to the consumer.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An important part of PNOĒ's value is that identifying the biological limitation a patient faces, provides a biometric justification for the appropriate bio-optimization services available in the clinic (i.e., cryotherapy, red-light therapy, IV therapy). This renders PNOĒ a powerful lead generator for such services and a way for health professionals to quantify their impact on their patients through an easy, reliable, and non-invasive process that doesn't involve lab work. It bridges the "I feel better" with the "I am better."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are four categories that utilize programming. The first is longevity breath analysis, which is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the most reliable and scientifically substantiated source of quantifying biological age &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and for anti-aging plus the tests that PNOE provides are considered by the American Heart Association. The next is weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Breath analysis is the gold standard for measuring your metabolism, and understanding whether you're experiencing metabolic slowdown can result in prescribing effectively a program that is going to reverse that or a verdict in the first place,” Papadiamantis said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Performance is another aspect that can be improved through breath analysis. It can assess improvements needed in physical performance and prescribe personalized training plans to enhance performance to the ideal. The final aspect is mental health as breath analysis can analyze physiological and psychological stress levels to improve these areas and give a detailed, personal program for improvement utilizing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;breathwork, nutrition, and exercise program&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We really don't frame ourselves as a longevity company, a weight loss company, a performance company, or a mental health company, but it is something that we can very effectively support for the businesses that we serve,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breath analysis, particularly PNOE, is centered around the idea of prevention. It is an effective tool for early detection for chronic diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, metabolic disease, and type two diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Whether there is an onset of disease in any of these three systems and prescribing actionable and personalized programs for averting it. So we want to be a big part of the prevention narrative, which we all hope becomes stronger in today's medical world. And as far as prevention in general goes for the healthcare system, we need to become preventative or our economy will go under,” Papadiamantis said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients have testified on numerous occasions that PNOE saved them and changed their healthcare habits through preventative measures. Men’s Health magazine, featured a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a41415017/pnoe-metabolic-test-vo2-max-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;testimonial&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; about how it changed their life. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PNOE can be an effective tool to create personalized wellness programs and help medical professionals be more efficient in their diagnosis and preventative measures.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PNOE.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/breath-analysis-how-the-invention-of-pnoe-could-change-healthcare-forever/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27881</ID> <title>How To Build Your Mental Fitness</title> <publishDate>2023-04-28 07:26:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_115 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_152"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_163 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_68 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_204 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_205 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_206 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_181 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most people have come across Sudoku, a crossword or, more recently, the famed Wordle — the puzzle that captivated the world during the pandemic years and is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63895493" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;still widely played&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But these head-scratchers are not only for enjoyment and competing with one's friends. They serve a much greater purpose than people often consider: they strengthen and speed up the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping physically active and fit &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;brings a host of health benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but there are other forms of fitness one should focus on. Exercising the brain is the best way to harness more mental capacity and prevent disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does Mental Fitness Mean?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental fitness is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299524669_Conceptualising_and_measuring_mental_fitness_A_Delphi_study" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ability to maintain a healthy mind while handling daily life's challenges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It is an umbrella term that involves having a positive outlook on life, managing emotions, thinking logically and making sound choices. A mentally fit person can adapt to change, learn new skills and build and maintain healthy relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Others perceive mental fitness as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/mental-fitness#techniques" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;brain's ability to adapt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to new experiences and information through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neuroplasticity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Neuroplasticity is essential as it allows the brain to modify its behavior in response to a stimulus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both these interpretations&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are valuable and promote holistic wellness. Mental fitness is essential for overall health and can be improved through regular exercise, proper nutrition, memory games and learning new skills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Benefits of Mental Fitness?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being mentally fit can help you manage stress better, stay focused and be productive. In addition to assisting people in staying sharp and managing daily tasks, being mentally fit can also help prevent age-related cognitive decline and the development of conditions such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-and-dementia-whats-the-difference/faq-20396861" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dementia and Alzheimer's disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. By engaging in activities that challenge the mind and maintaining healthy habits, you can support your brain's neuroplasticity and maintain good mental fitness over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental fitness, or cognitive fitness, includes:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thinking clearly;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Retaining new information and making accurate decisions;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Staying sharp and alert.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140624092528.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;awareness surrounding brain training is increasing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200615005739/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FDA has approved brain training games&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for children with ADHD, and the NHI is funding a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-training-actually-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30,000-participant memory training study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Reading, exercise and mindfulness have been shown to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.923795/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stave off mental deterioration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The potential benefits include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fluid intelligence &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(i.e., the mind's ability to innovate and solve new problems);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increased brain vitality&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., the retention and creation of brain cells and pathways);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increased attention span and task-switching ability.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is possible to build mental toughness in a variety of ways, in turn benefiting one's overall health and cognitive ability long-term.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Improve Your Mental Fitness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different ways to improve mental fitness: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Physical exercise&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help improve blood flow to the brain, supporting cognitive function. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;A healthy diet&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can provide the brain's essential nutrients in order to function correctly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate the brain&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as puzzles and brainteasers, can help to improve cognitive function and maintain mental fitness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Effectively managing stress&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help prevent mental health issues and maintain good cognitive function. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Maintaining&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; strong social connections and relationships may prevent feelings of loneliness, isolation and poor self-worth, which can negatively affect mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Build Your Mental Muscle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Knowing where to start when considering how to develop your mental muscle can take time and effort. There are some engaging brain exercises that you can try to improve your mental fitness and keep your mind sharp for years to come. Puzzles, meditation and memory games will indeed challenge and stimulate your brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Read diverse forms of literature (social media captions don't count);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice gratitude and positive self-talk;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Begin a meditation and mindfulness practice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat wholesome, healthy meals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercises for Mental Fitness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Think of these exercises as different workouts in the gym, each aimed at strengthening a different part of the brain. Puzzles and mind games benefit the brain because they improve cognitive function and promote neuroplasticity. By providing your brain with challenging and stimulating activities, you can help improve your memory, problem-solving skills and overall cognitive abilities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This diverse set of puzzles and memory games will have a lasting impact on the neuroplasticity of your brain:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chess;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Crossword puzzles;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Memory match cards;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Paint by numbers;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Puzzles;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise such as cardio or weight training;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sudoku;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wordle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the amazing things about activities that challenge the mind is that they are usually inexpensive and convenient. You can incorporate them into your daily routine without breaking the bank or blocking off a lot of time! Even just 10-15 daily minutes of one or two mental fitness tasks can significantly affect your cognitive function. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Mental Fitness Is Important&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engaging in activities that challenge the mind will ensure that the brain stays active. Incorporating mental fitness exercises and maintaining healthy habits can further support your brain's neuroplasticity, which becomes increasingly important as you age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Mental-Fitness.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-build-your-mental-fitness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27871</ID> <title>What To Eat During Your Period</title> <publishDate>2023-04-27 07:12:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_116 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_153"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_164 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_69 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_207 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_208 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_209 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_182 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps the evening is winding down, you've finally settled on your couch to read a book and you're sipping some tea when suddenly you feel a sharp pain in your stomach. It dawns on you — it's time for your period. Or, maybe you're sitting at the office biting your lip in pain as your legs and back ache. You scramble through your bag, searching frantically for relief and dreading your shift's remaining hours.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, you might be dealing with another issue. Maybe you're panicking because your period hasn't come yet, or you want it to come early. Perhaps the stress from school or life's cares is affecting your body. Maybe you're wondering what the best ways to stimulate your period are so you can have more control over it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Either way, food plays an important role in regulating your period and even offering relief. Too good to be true? Read on to see exactly how food can help or stimulate your period!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Food for Menstrual Cramp Relief&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/nutrition-information/using-foods-against-menstrual-pain#:~:text=Naturally%2C%20eating%20foods%20that%20decrease,decrease%20inflammation%20in%20the%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several foods can offer relief&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to cramps and additional pain that comes from being on your period. These foods include fruits, leafy veggies, whole grains, legumes and nuts. The higher the number of antioxidants, the better. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Menstrual Cycle Food Cravings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During premenstrual syndrome, progesterone is high, which leads to unstable blood sugar levels that induce cravings. As a result, energy levels go down, and the body craves sugar sweets and high-carbohydrate foods to increase the glucose in the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Food To Help the Menstrual Cycle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is vital to find appropriate foods for each part of the menstrual cycle. There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;four phases of the menstrual cycle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Menstrual; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Follicular; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luteal; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Premenstrual.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Follicular Phase &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the follicular phase, the eggs develop and mature. It starts on the first day of menstruation and ends with ovulation. As a result, it is essential to eat nourishing foods, stay hydrated and incorporate mineral-rich salts into your diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The foods you should eat during the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://moodymonth.com/articles/what-foods-to-eat-during-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;follicular phase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are tailored to your fluctuating hormone levels, which rise as the egg matures. During this time, incorporate light and fresh foods such as salads and probiotics, which promote gut health and detoxification. In addition, try to eat avocado, broccoli, seeds, legumes, salmon and other supplements and herbs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ovulation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://moodymonth.com/articles/what-foods-to-eat-during-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ovulation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the release of a mature egg from the surface of the ovary. It usually occurs approximately two weeks before menstruation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During this period, hormone levels rise, especially estrogen, and body temperature increases, impacting energy levels. Too much estrogen can negatively impact menstruation, so eat nutrients that support the liver in removing that excess estrogen. Foods such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://moodymonth.com/articles/what-foods-to-eat-during-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kale, broccoli, onions, garlic and radishes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are great at decreasing this excess estrogen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Menstrual Phase&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This part of the menstrual cycle is characterized by bleeding. Hormone levels are at their lowest at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://moodymonth.com/articles/what-foods-to-eat-during-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;start of the cycle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Add nutrients, drink lots of water and focus on your comfort. Eating a good mix of root vegetables, whole grains, legumes, eggs, fish and spinach will help increase your energy and replenish iron levels you're losing when you bleed. Make sure to pick up some sweet potatoes, probiotic yogurts, pumpkin seeds and proteins next time you go shopping. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Luteal Phase&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;luteal phase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the body of the unfertilized follicle stays on the surface of the ovary and turns into the corpus luteum. This period is characterized by PMS symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to support detoxification pathways to make it easier to metabolize and get rid of used hormones from the follicular phase. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat lots of fiber, antioxidants, protein and leafy vegetables. Foods such as cauliflower, squash, cucumbers, spinach and berries, as well as drinking caffeine and eating dark chocolate, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://moodymonth.com/articles/what-foods-to-eat-during-your-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are great for this phase of your period&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PMS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cleaneatingkitchen.com/reasons-to-love-green-smoothies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The premenstrual syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occurs during the latter part of the luteal phase. The best foods to incorporate into your diet to decrease cramps and headaches are foods high in magnesium, such as nuts, leafy veggies, chocolate, bananas and vitamin C-rich foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Foods Stimulate Periods?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ndtv.com/health/irregular-periods-5-superfoods-that-can-induce-menstruation-2143388" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous factors can cause irregular periods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including hormonal imbalances, changes in weight and a sedentary lifestyle. These irregularities are annoying and can be anxiety-inducing. Experts note that some of the best ways to deal with irregular periods are to lose weight, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can certain foods bring on your period? Yes! Foods can play a substantial part in stimulating periods. Some of the best foods for regulating menstrual cycles include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Emmenagogues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as ginger and turmeric, are herbs that stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vitamin C-rich foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as papaya, contain period-inducing carotene. Pineapple reduces inflammation, which is considered another cause of irregular periods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking jaggery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a type of sugar mixed with ginger, sesame seeds, turmeric and carom seeds, is another period inducer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Menstrual Cycle Foods To Avoid&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you know the foods to eat during your period, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/what-to-eat-during-period#other-cramp-remedies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here are some foods &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to eat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;caffeinated foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as coffee which can cause cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Alcohol&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can heighten feelings of nausea. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red meat&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can cause cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dairy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; causes bloating and discomfort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Too much &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;salt&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can cause bloating and cramping.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spicy foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can cause discomfort. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid overeating &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;sugar&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; since it can cause a spike in energy followed by a crash.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding these foods will not only help relieve any sources of period discomfort by eliminating the culprits but also help with overall health, especially during the menstrual cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Period cramps are painful and may seem like they'll never end. Food plays such an important role in how periods operate and can offer relief or even induce menstrual cycles. Remember that eating foods rich in protein, vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and whole grains is essential during your period. Now, grab some pineapple, and make sure to get some rest!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/What-To-Eat-During-Your-Period.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-to-eat-during-your-period/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27859</ID> <title>What Are the Benefits of Exercise During Your Period?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-26 01:55:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_117 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_154"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_165 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_70 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_210 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_211 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_212 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_183 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Menstrual cycles can often be uncomfortable. Every month, women endure bloating, cramps, acne breakouts, fatigue and other menstrual symptoms — an inevitable ordeal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It might seem counterintuitive that exercising and breaking a sweat can assist with feeling tired and ill. Conventional wisdom tells us to rest when we are feeling sick and unwell. Exercise during menstruation, however, is an exception.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are some factors to consider, such as what types of workouts are most appropriate and the severity of one's period, overall, exercise during menstruation has a positive impact.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is It Bad To Exercise During Menstruation?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no evidence in scientific literature to suggest that exercising when menstruating has a detrimental effect on one's health. This is not to say that exercising during the menstrual phase is the same as when one isn't on their period.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Athletic performance may be affected, and some forms of exercise may be more challenging and less viable than others. Heather Watson, a British tennis player, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/shortcuts/2015/jan/21/menstruation-last-great-sporting-taboo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has spoken about how her menstrual cycle affected her performance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the 2015 Australian Open.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The hormonal changes that cause menstruation also hinder athletic performance. Body temperature increases &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/297154#Evidence-of-menstruation-affecting-performance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;during the luteal phase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, just before the period starts, making road running more difficult. An increased body temperature raises the threshold at which one starts sweating, meaning that women who run during this phase might be less effective at cooling their bodies down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7497427/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A review and analysis of studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the performance aspect of exercise during menstruation published in the Sports Medicine journal found that performance might be reduced by "a trivial amount." Moreover, the design and methodologies of the studies analyzed potentially overstated the differences in athletic performance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Performance aside, exercise when menstruating is not harmful and can imbue a range of positive effects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Will Exercise Affect My Period?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/physical-activity-menstrual-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Office on Women's Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, strenuous and excessive exercise during menstruation can cause adverse effects. If a woman who has not been regularly exercising suddenly takes up an intense workout routine, problems such as irregular or missed periods may arise. It is wise to gradually increase the intensity of your workouts to avoid disrupting your menstrual cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not consuming enough calories and poor hydration can also lead to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/exercise-effects-on-menstruation-4104136" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a change in menstrual symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as increased bleeding and a change in flow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Exercise During a Period&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no need to overhaul your routine to exercise when menstruating. If your workouts are generally intense, it might be worth toning them down during your period.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extremely long workouts (i.e., exceeding 60 minutes) should also be avoided &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/lifestyle/fitness-and-exercise/exercising-during-period" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;since they might increase overall inflammation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some experts also recommend avoiding exercise routines involving bodily inversion, which might increase bleeding and disrupt reproductive organ blood flow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is vital to ensure that you consume enough calories and drink enough water when you exercise during menstruation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/do-you-burn-more-calories-on-your-period#calorie-burn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Metabolic rates vary during different menstrual phases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so you need to ensure sufficient nourishment to account for them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Exercise According To Your Menstrual Cycle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body performance varies during the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279054/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; two different phases of the menstrual cycle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the follicular and luteal phases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to the hormonal state of your body during your follicular phase (i.e., the first menstrual cycle phase), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-tracking-your-period-can-help-improve-athletic-performance/#:~:text=With%20a%20lower%20level%20of,time%20for%20high%2Dintensity%20training"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you can build&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-tracking-your-period-can-help-improve-athletic-performance"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; muscle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-tracking-your-period-can-help-improve-athletic-performance/#:~:text=With%20a%20lower%20level%20of,time%20for%20high%2Dintensity%20training" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and train hard&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Your recent blood loss means that increasing iron intake is crucial for performance and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the luteal phase, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-tracking-your-period-can-help-improve-athletic-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you experience an increase in progesterone and estrogen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, reducing your ability to gain muscle mass. Your body also has a harder time accessing stored energy in the luteal phase, meaning that adequate nutrition and hydration become necessary. The luteal phase is ideal for milder workouts and recovery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Benefits of Exercising During a Period&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While being active is salutary for everyone, regardless of their menstrual cycle, undertaking exercise during menstruation has additional benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18620466/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; supports the notion that exercise when menstruating alleviates primary dysmenorrhoea (PD), which is the chronic, spasmodic pain associated with periods. In some women, exercise reduces the need for pain medication to manage cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/premenstrual-syndrome?utm_source=redirect&amp;amp;utm_medium=web&amp;amp;utm_campaign=otn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that at least 30 minutes of daily exercise can reduce the adverse effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the physical and psychological changes that occur before menstruation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise during menstruation can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-during-period#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relieve menstrual symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by releasing endorphins, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of pleasure and dulls feelings of pain. Furthermore, aerobic exercise can help improve your mood and blood circulation during a period.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most sought-after benefits of exercise during menstruation is its effect on bloating. During a period, water retention causes women to bloat, leading to discomfort. Exercise is a fantastic way to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gardenobgyn.com/blog/is-exercise-good-for-my-period" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; sweat out the excess water and reduce bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise and the Menstrual Cycle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Menstruation can be unpleasant for women, to say the least. Their hormones are in flux, their sleeping patterns might be affected and they're dealing with pain, discomfort and bloating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of using medication, many women have decided to work out to reduce negative menstrual symptoms. Exercise is an accessible and pragmatic way to address these symptoms and improve overall health. Whether it's a cardiovascular routine, yoga, pilates or a strength training program, exercise during menstruation can lead to a more pleasant period and greater resilience for future ones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Exercise-During-Your-Period.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-benefits-of-exercise-during-your-period/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27847</ID> <title>What Are the Benefits of Sweating?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-25 01:20:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_118 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_155"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_166 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_71 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_213 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_214 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_215 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_184 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While most people think of it as an annoyance, sweating actually has many health benefits. Your body is covered in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/multimedia/sweat-glands/img-20007980" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sweat glands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When your internal temperature rises, whether from exercise or exposure to heat, your brain signals these glands to release sweat onto the surface of your skin. As the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your body down. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://coveteur.com/sweat-skin-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also help boost your mood and improve your overall well-being!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do We Sweat?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating occurs when the body tries to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/thermoregulation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regulate its temperature&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When we work out, our muscles produce heat, and our body temperature rises. Sweating helps cool us down by pulling the heat away from our skin and releasing it into the air.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have two types of sweat glands — &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482278/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eccrine and apocrine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Eccrine glands are located all over our body and help regulate our body temperature by producing clear, odorless sweat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While both types of sweat glands regulate body temperature, only eccrine glands are activated by heat. So, when you sweat in a sauna, it is primarily water and electrolytes that are released.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apocrine glands are located in areas with a lot of hair, such as our armpits and groin. These glands produce a thicker, more malodorous sweat when we are under stress or experiencing strong emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Sweat Made Out Of?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweat comprises mainly water, along with small amounts of electrolytes such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wilsonperformancelab.com/www.wilsonperformancelab.com/2017/3/5/sweats-main-ingredients-sodium-chloride-and-potassium" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sodium, chloride and potassium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Sweat also contains small amounts of toxins and bacteria the body wants to eliminate. When you sweat, these toxins and bacteria are released from your body, helping to cleanse and detoxify your system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Sweating in a Sauna Be Beneficial to My Health?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating in saunas can be beneficial to your health. Mild heat has been shown to produce a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556521002916#:~:text=volume%20remains%20stable.-,Repeated%20sauna%20use%20acclimates%20the%20body%20to%20heat%20and%20optimizes,the%20magnitude%20of%20the%20stressor." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormetic effect&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the body, similar to a workout. The difference is that saunas don't make you feel like you just ran a marathon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saunas can also help: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3218898/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regulate hormone levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Promote healthy skin and hair. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relieve congestion and sinus pressure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improve circulation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Burn calories and promote weight loss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you're looking for a way to improve your health and well-being, consider sweating it out in a sauna. You might be surprised at the results!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Benefits of Sweating for Your Skin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating plays an essential role in maintaining &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/is-sweating-good-for-your-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When we sweat, our pores open up, allowing dirt, toxins and impurities to be released from our bodies. Sweating also helps to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells, which can further reduce the risk of acne. So, if you're looking for a natural way to help clear up your skin, don't forget the power of sweat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The liver and kidneys remove most toxins in our bodies. However, certain toxins such as bisphenol A (BPA) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are released by our sweat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255175/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; concluded that when people exercised and sweated, they excreted more BPA than when they didn't exercise. This discovery suggests that sweating may help remove BPA and other toxins from the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2013/483832/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that sweating can help eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the body. PCBs are a type of pollutant that has been linked to numerous medical disorders. The study found that those induced to sweat could hasten the elimination of some, but not all, PCBs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do We Sweat So Much When We Are Sick?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few reasons we &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mycarpe.com/blogs/sweatopedia/why-does-the-body-sweat-when-youre-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sweat more when we're sick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For one, our bodies work harder to fight off the infection, raising our internal temperature. That increase in temperature signals our sweat glands to start producing more sweat to cool the body down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating also helps flush toxins out of our system. When we're sick, our bodies produce more toxins as they work to fight the infection. Sweating assists in releasing those toxins and can help us feel better overall.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequently Asked Questions About Sweating&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Will Sweating Help You Lose Weight?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you work out, you sweat. And when you stop working out, the sweating stops. That's because when you sweat, you're losing water weight. So, yes, sweating can help you drop those pesky extra pounds, but if you want to lose weight long-term, you must focus on more than just water weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do We Sweat So Much When We Sleep?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating is a natural and necessary process for the body, but it can be especially bothersome when trying to sleep. You can do a few things to help control sweating at night. Try sleeping with a fan on, using a cooling pillow or sleeping in loose-fitting, breathable fabrics to help keep your skin dry. Whatever method you choose, the important thing is to find what keeps you cool and comfortable at night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can I Eliminate Heavy Metals From the Body Through Sweating&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26903134/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted in China, sweating may be an effective way to detox from heavy metals. The study found that people who sweat regularly had lower levels of heavy metals in their bodies than those who did not sweat regularly. If you are concerned about your exposure to heavy metals, consider sweating more often to help detox your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Replenish Your Body With Water After Every Sweat Session&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We need to replenish the water and electrolytes lost through sweating — otherwise, we risk dehydration. For light to moderate sweating, simply drinking water will suffice. However, after a more intense workout, you'll need to replace both fluids and electrolytes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to replenish your body with fluids and electrolytes is by drinking a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade. These drinks contain carbohydrates and electrolytes that help to replenish the body's energy stores and keep you hydrated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't have a sports drink handy, you can also make your own electrolyte-rich beverage by adding a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice to a glass of water. Another alternative is coconut water, a great option for replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Breaking a Sweat Is Valuable for a Healthy Body&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating has many health benefits. It helps regulate body temperature, rid the body of toxins and boost the immune system. In addition, sweating helps clean our skin and has anti-inflammatory properties. Hit the gym or enjoy regular sauna sessions to get the most out of sweating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Benefits-of-Sweating.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-benefits-of-sweating/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27835</ID> <title>Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)</title> <publishDate>2023-04-24 00:57:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_119 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_156"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_167 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_72 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_216 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_217 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_218 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_185 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wondering if therapy could help with your mental health or addiction problems but don't know where to start? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral#:~:text=Cognitive%20behavioral%20therapy%20(CBT)%20is,disorders%2C%20and%20severe%20mental%20illness." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive behavioral therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (CBT) may be a good option to explore. CBT is a type of therapy used to treat various mental health disorders, including trauma, anxiety, depression and addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The insight of the CBT pioneers was that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all interconnected. CBT teaches us how to recognize and change negative thinking and behavior patterns keeping us from living our best lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive behavioral therapy is a short-term therapy that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intensive-cbt-how-fast-can-i-get-better-2018102315110" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;usually lasts for 12-20 weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. During CBT, you will work with a therapist to identify your negative thinking and behavior patterns. You will also learn new skills and techniques to help you change these patterns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who Started Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CBT was developed in the 1960s by American psychiatrist  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://beckinstitute.org/about/dr-aaron-t-beck/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aaron T. Beck&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, who noticed that his patients suffering from depression habitually had negative thoughts. So, he adapted &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/cognitive-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cognitive therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, developed initially to treat psychosis, toward helping people with depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive therapy focuses on helping people identify and challenge their negative thoughts. Over time, CBT has evolved to focus on changing both thoughts and behaviors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today, CBT is one of the most widely used forms of talking therapy, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3584580/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown it to be effective for treating a range of mental health conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Used?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you've never been to therapy before, you might be wondering what to expect from your first CBT session.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your therapist will want to get to know you and your history. They will ask questions about any past trauma or difficult experiences, as well as any mental health issues you may be dealing with.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They will also want to know about your addictions or unhealthy coping mechanisms. This information will help create a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Techniques for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once your therapist has an idea regarding the problem you are dealing with, they will help you identify the negative thoughts and beliefs at the root of your behavioral problems. Once identified, the therapist works with the patient to challenge and change them through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cognitive-restructuring#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various techniques&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discussing evidence that disproves the negative belief; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Role-playing new responses to old situations; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gradually exposing the patient to feared situations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does CBT Approach Thoughts?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive behavioral therapy categorizes the patient's thoughts into automatic, core beliefs, and hot thoughts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Automatic Thoughts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-and-automatic-thoughts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Automatic thoughts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the initial reaction we have to a situation. They are often negative and based on previous experiences or assumptions that we may not even be aware of. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Core Beliefs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/core-beliefs-cbt.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Core beliefs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the fundamental and deeply held assumptions about ourselves, others and the world around us. These beliefs can be positive or negative, but they tend to be more resistant to change than automatic thoughts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hot Thoughts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ccbhc.org/hot-thoughts-what-are-they-and-how-can-you-handle-them/#:~:text=In%20cognitive%20therapy%2C%20the%20belief,to%20perceived%20threats%20or%20problems." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hot thoughts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the intense emotions we feel in response to a situation or trigger. They can make it difficult to think clearly or rationally, and may lead us to act in ways we may later regret.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Benefits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the negative thoughts and beliefs have been addressed, the therapist will help the patient learn and practice new, more positive coping skills to: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Manage difficult emotions; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deal with stressful situations; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make healthy choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The therapist will then create a plan and help support as the patient implements these new skills in their day-to-day life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reshaping thoughts and behaviors to be more positive can be a slow and challenging process, though very effective in treating mental health conditions like trauma, addiction, anxiety and depression. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health problem, consider seeking a therapist specializing in CBT.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Long Does CBT Last?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive behavioral therapy usually lasts for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.klearminds.com/blog/cbt-for-anxiety-how-long-will-it-take/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6-24 sessions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but can be shorter or longer depending on the needs of the individual. Therapists typically provide CBT in weekly 50-60 minute sessions, though the length and frequency of sessions may vary depending on the problem being addressed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is CBT Confidential?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Confidentiality is one of the most critical aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy; it is the only way to ensure that patients feel safe and comfortable enough to open up about their thoughts and feelings. Therapists will not share any information disclosed during CBT sessions with anyone outside the therapist-patient relationship.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are some exceptions to confidentiality (such as if the patient is suicidal or homicidal), anything said during CBT sessions will remain confidential. This approach helps create a safe space for patients to explore their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment or disclosure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are considering CBT for yourself or a loved one, ask your therapist about their confidentiality policy to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe during sessions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Started with CBT&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you have decided to learn more about CBT or find a therapist who specializes in it, there are a few things you can do to get started:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read up on CBT&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A good place to start is the National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nacbt.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which has information on CBT and how it can help with different issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Find a CBT therapist near you&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: You can search for CBT therapists in your area on the American Psychological Association's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Talk to your doctor about whether CBT is suitable for you&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If you're struggling with a mental health issue, your doctor may be able to recommend a therapist who specializes in CBT or refer you to a treatment program that offers this type of therapy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;CBT can be an effective treatment for various issues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If you think it might be helpful, don't hesitate to try it. CBT might be the first step on your journey to a happier, healthier life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CBT.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27823</ID> <title>Why Do We Hiccup?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-24 00:28:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_120 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_157"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_168 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_73 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_219 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_220 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_221 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_186 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiccups are an inescapable reality for every one of us, with no exceptions. For most people, they are a source of mild annoyance. For others, however, hiccups are disruptive, and for a few of us, they are downright dangerous. They typically go away quickly, but hiccups can sometimes persist for days or weeks, hampering our daily lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiccups happen when the diaphragm contracts involuntarily and the vocal cords close, causing a sound to be produced.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; But why do we hiccup in the first place?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The ultimate purpose of hiccuping is, oddly enough, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whats-the-science-behind-why-we-hiccup/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;unknown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Despite being able to observe many hiccup causes, researchers do not know for sure how hiccups benefit the human body. However, understanding the causes of hiccups can help prevent their occurrence and better protect your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Main Hiccup Causes?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One thing scientists do know about hiccups is that their origin is not onefold. Many different factors can trigger hiccups, with some of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiccups/symptoms-causes/syc-20352613" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;common causes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; including: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking too much of a carbonated or alcoholic beverage;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overeating or eating too quickly;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swallowing air; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sudden changes in temperature.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The common factor in many hiccup causes relates to the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is irritated, the body responds with hiccups. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiccup causes in adults overlap significantly with hiccup causes in children. However, the only causes that are exclusive to adults relate to activities children cannot and should not indulge in, such as smoking or drinking. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Very young children may hiccup more frequently than adults. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/child-hiccups/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Infants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be particularly prone to overeating and frequently experience reflux, both of which can trigger bouts of hiccups. Thus, it can seem alarming when an adult hiccups frequently or for an extended period of time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do I Hiccup Randomly? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiccups are not genuinely random. While hiccup causes might not be immediately evident, they do exist. If you appear to hiccup randomly, the underlying cause might be a little harder to pinpoint, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychological factors (e.g., stress and anxiety);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sudden irritation of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2021/07/why-do-we-hiccup-and-how-can-we-stop-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diaphragm or the nerves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that communicate with it;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other disorders that can affect the central nervous system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do I Hiccup So Much While Pregnant? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you often hiccup while pregnant, rest assured that there is a reason for your symptoms. Throughout pregnancy, hiccups can be caused by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://momlovesbest.com/hiccups-during-pregnancy#:~:text=The%20good%20news%20is%20pregnancy,vomit%2C%20we%20can%20get%20hiccups." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;other typical symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as nausea, shortness of breath or stress. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiccuping is not dangerous to developing babies, but it can become problematic if it prevents mothers from eating or sleeping. You should take steps to protect your health if you hiccup so much that you cannot sleep or eat while pregnant. In many cases, diet modifications can reduce nausea, helping you hiccup less often. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pregnancy also puts patients at greater risk for chronic hiccups because it can trigger intense and lasting nausea. You should seek medical attention if you hiccup for more than 48 hours while pregnant, especially if your hiccups disrupt your ability to sleep or eat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do I Hiccup After Drinking Soda? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's no secret anymore that gulping down a soda can send people into an endless bout of hiccups. But why? The explanation is straightforward. When you drink soda, you ingest CO2 (i.e., carbon dioxide), and researchers believe that the extra gas &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicaldaily.com/hiccup-mystery-solved-what-causes-hiccups-and-why-we-make-hic-sound-269894" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;irritates your diaphragm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when it stretches your stomach, causing you to hiccup. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is normal to hiccup after drinking soda, so those who do should not be concerned. Drinking soda can also lead to prolonged and intense hiccuping without indicating any underlying medical conditions. However, if you experience hiccups that last for over 48 hours, you should ensure that your hiccups aren't a symptom of other, more severe issues. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do I Hiccup Every Day?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you hiccup on a daily basis, you might be wondering: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is it normal?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The answer is that it depends on the duration of your hiccups. If you hiccup a few times every day, particularly after consuming carbonated beverages or eating heavily, it is unlikely that your hiccups are symptoms of a serious medical condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, hiccuping every day without pauses or for more than 48 hours is abnormal. You should seek medical attention if you hiccup so often that you are having trouble eating or sleeping. Likewise, hiccups lasting more than two days can indicate an underlying medical condition that may require treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When Are Hiccups Dangerous?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiccups become dangerous when they persist for too long and disrupt patients' lives. Sometimes, bouts of hiccups can last for more than 48 hours or even months, which are referred to as chronic, and one lasting for over two days but less than a month is categorized as persistent. In such cases, they can interfere with routine activities like sleeping, eating or even breathing, resulting in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiccups/symptoms-causes/syc-20352613#:~:text=For%20most%20people%2C%20a%20bout,in%20weight%20loss%20and%20exhaustion." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;excessive weight loss and exhaustion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Excessive Hiccup Causes &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive hiccup causes include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common triggers (e.g., overeating);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking too much of an alcoholic or carbonated beverage;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swallowing air.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, chronic hiccups can also signify a serious underlying medical condition: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiccups/symptoms-causes/syc-20352613" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vagus or phrenic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; nerves carry information between the brain and the diaphragm. As a result, irritation or damage to them can trigger hiccups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your acid reflux might also be indirectly causing hiccups if it is severe enough to irritate your diaphragm. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181573#causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be a trigger for chronic hiccups. On the other hand, your hiccups might be causing acid reflux in the first place, so you should be sure to seek treatment for any underlying conditions responsible for both hiccups and reflux.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive hiccups could also be caused by central nervous system disorders. Since hiccups are involuntary reflexes, they can be triggered by damage to the systems that normally regulate them. A stroke or a traumatic brain injury might cause damage that could lead to excessive hiccups. Conditions like meningitis can also cause lasting brain damage, leading to extended bouts of hiccups. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some cases, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320234#:~:text=Chronic%20hiccups%20can%20cause%20gastroesophageal,unpleasant%20taste%20in%20the%20mouth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;metabolic disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as diabetes and kidney diseases, can lead to hiccups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, medications can trigger hiccups. Steroids, barbiturates, tranquilizers and anesthesia are known to cause hiccups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In most cases, hiccups are harmless and even amusing. But when they last for more than 48 hours, they become a symptom of something more severe. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention if your hiccups last longer than two days and cannot be attributed to a more common cause.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are what you eat, which is why both healthy and junk foods will leave a clear mark on your body. Your body is like a machine that needs all kinds of nutrients to function correctly, and the food you eat will heavily influence the type and quality of these nutrients. Some of these essential nutrients are amino acids, whose roles inside the human body differ based on their importance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hiccup.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-do-we-hiccup/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27813</ID> <title>What Amino Acids are Essential?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-21 00:15:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_121 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_158"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_169 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_74 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_222 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_223 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_224 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_187 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are what you eat, which is why both healthy and junk foods will leave a clear mark on your body. Your body is like a machine that needs all kinds of nutrients to function correctly, and the food you eat will heavily influence the type and quality of these nutrients. Some of these essential nutrients are amino acids, whose roles inside the human body differ based on their importance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is an Amino Acid?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amino acids are the essential building blocks of proteins for many vital biological processes. There are two main groups of amino acids: essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are those that the human body cannot produce independently, so we must get them from our diet. On the other hand, the human body can produce non-essential amino acids, although diet supplementation becomes necessary for non-essential amino acids as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amino acids are essential for a variety of bodily functions, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acting as building blocks for proteins;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Assisting the creation process of enzymes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regulating metabolism;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supporting the immune system;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Facilitating detoxification;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aiding in cell repair and growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dealing with an Amino Acid Deficiency&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amino acid deficiencies can lead to adverse health effects, including weakened immunity, poor wound healing, decreased energy levels and impaired brain function. Make sure that you are getting enough essential amino acids in your diet by consuming a variety of protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds. You can also get all of the essential amino acids from plant-based proteins such as quinoa, soy and hemp.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Amino Acids are Essential for the Body?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Twenty amino acids are essential to human health, and of those, nine are considered essential. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The nine amino acids types that the body cannot synthesize on its own and must be obtained through diet are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Histidine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: This amino acid is vital for tissue growth and repair. It is also needed to produce hemoglobin (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Isoleucine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: This amino acid assists the synthesis of proteins, enzymes and hemoglobin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Leucine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Leucine plays a vital role in building muscle tissue, regulating blood sugar levels and increasing energy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lysine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Lysine helps the body build muscle mass and absorb calcium. It also helps fight off viruses that cause cold sores.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methionine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Methionine is converted into S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound that promotes mental health and has anti-inflammatory properties.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Phenylalanine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that can boost mood and help with dopamine production, the brain chemical associated with positive feelings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Threonine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Threonine supports immune function and helps maintain heart muscle health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tryptophan&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Tryptophan is essential for building proteins and supporting the nervous system. It is also necessary to synthesize niacin (vitamin B3), which plays an essential role in metabolism and has antioxidant properties.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Valine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Valine helps our muscles recover after exercise by increasing energy levels, reducing fatigue and building lean muscle mass.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Failing to obtain these amino acids through food can lead to deficiencies that may compromise health and even increase the risk of certain diseases. Therefore, it is vital to make sure you ingest adequate amounts of all 20 amino acids, especially the essential ones. To ensure proper amino acid intake, you can follow a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and other nutrient-dense foods. Additionally, there are a variety of available supplements that can assist your amino acid intake.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are the Health Benefits of Taking Amino Acid Supplements?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/branched-chain-amino-acids-uses-risks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that amino acids can provide a range of health benefits, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Improved digestion and gut health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids help break down food and absorb nutrients more effectively. They also support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, thus supporting overall digestive health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stronger immune system&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids play a role in maintaining a strong immune system. They help produce antibodies that fight off infection and disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Reduced inflammation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Some amino acids have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis and asthma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better heart health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids help lower risk factors for heart diseases, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Improved brain function&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids protect and repair brain cells, and they have been shown to improve memory and cognitive function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better exercise performance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids improve energy levels, endurance and muscle recovery time after exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Healthier skin and hair&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids support collagen production, an essential protein for healthy skin and hair.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Reduced stress levels&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Some amino acids help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Amino acids improve sleep quality and decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amino acid supplements are available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, powders and liquids. They can be found at most health food stores and online retailers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When selecting an amino acid supplement, go with a high-quality, contaminant-free product. It is also important to take the supplements as directed on the label. Amino acid supplements are generally safe for healthy adults, but they can cause side effects in some people.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't need to focus on eating a particular food throughout the day to get the required essential amino acids that your body needs. Instead, the best way to get all the essential amino acids is to balance your food. With attention to diet and supplement intake, you can support optimal health and wellbeing by ensuring your body has all the amino acids it needs to function properly!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Amino-Acids.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-amino-acids-are-essential/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27802</ID> <title>Food Ideas for a Healthy Pregnancy</title> <publishDate>2023-04-20 23:47:22</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_122 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_159"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_170 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_75 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_225 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_226 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_227 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_188 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pregnancy is one of the most draining life episodes a woman can experience. While pregnancy is also a beautiful experience, it is challenging and power-draining, too. Not only does a pregnant woman have to care for herself, but she also must care for the child that is growing inside her as well. Now, everything she eats will be directly consumed by the child, and that is why she has to be as careful as possible with what she's eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Pregnancy Guidelines&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many parents, especially pregnant women, have questions about a healthy diet for their unborn baby. Many people will have advice ready for you, so it may be hard to decide whom you should listen to. The most important thing you have to consider is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20045082" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prenatal nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout every piece of advice you will hear. Prenatal nutrition has to be taken into account before and during the pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, keep the following facts in mind:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Variety is Essential&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods should be part of your diet when preparing for a pregnancy. These foods will solidify your nutritional health and the baby's as well. The more vegetables and fruits on your plate, the better. Are you feeling snacky? Grab a baby carrot, celery or apple!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Remember That You're Eating for Two Now&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's common for women to have a larger appetite during pregnancy—you're not the only one that needs food anymore. A pregnant woman needs more and more calories as the unborn child develops. So, to support the baby's growth, try adding an extra snack or small meal to your diet as much as possible. Although you may not feel like having another bite, remember that the healthy growth of your baby depends on it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eat Fish with Low Mercury Levels&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mercury found in certain fish can be detrimental to your pregnancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Opt for fish with low levels of mercury, such as salmon and anchovies. Besides the low mercury level, they are a great source of protein, iron and zinc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Switch Beverages with Water&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although not food, water is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Besides the nutrients it carries, water keeps your body cool and prevents constipation. It also controls swelling, a typical symptom of pregnancy. Try keeping a water bottle next to you at all times.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Foods for a Healthy Pregnancy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy diet equals a healthy pregnancy. Although a healthy diet should be followed by everyone, it's crucial for a pregnant woman. Try and shape your diet by including the following foods and nutrients into your diet:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Carbohydrates&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carbohydrates, found in starchy foods, are essential for a healthy pregnancy because they contain a high energy source, vitamins and fiber. If you're trying to cut on some calories or having a bad day and don't feel like overeating, starchy food will make you feel full quickly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods such as bread, potatoes, rice, noodles, pasta, oats, yams, cereals, millet and corn are all high in carbohydrates and healthy for your pregnancy. Choose whole grain and higher-fiber foods over refined white food such as brown rice and whole-grain pasta. Try to add these foods into your diet until they make about a third of it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dairy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calcium, folate and iron from dairy products are necessary for the healthy development of the unborn child. These nutrients are all found in products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Always pick the low-fat varieties such as 1% fat milk, skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk, low-fat yogurt and low-sugar yogurt. Also, soya milk and yogurt are great choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The safe choices are cheddar, stilton and parmesan when talking about cheese. Although these cheeses are produced with unpasteurized milk, they don't contain as much water, so bacteria are less likely to develop. Instead, try to choose cheese made with pasteurized milk, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, paneer, halloumi and cream cheese. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protein&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your diet has to be as rich in protein as possible but within the healthy limits. Proteins are essential for a healthy pregnancy as the nutritional demand on a pregnant woman is enormous. Foods such as beans, some fish, eggs, meat (without liver), nuts, pulses and nuts are all packed with protein for you and your baby. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Beverages&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are smoothies healthy for pregnancy? Besides water, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellfamily.com/smoothies-to-enjoy-when-pregnant-5191427" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;smoothies are an excellent choice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for a healthy pregnancy. They are a splendid way of consuming as many vegetables and fruits. Because women experience nausea and vomiting during the first trimester, smoothies are essential to take the vitamins you need and keep you and your baby healthy. They are easy and fast to put together, can be taken on to go, and are pleasing to the eye. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Food and Meal Ideas for a Healthy Pregnancy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It may be challenging to prepare healthy food three times a day without even thinking about snacks. It becomes even more complicated when experiencing crazy carvings, usually consisting of unhealthy foods that mess up your diet. Yet, it's imperative to stay on course for the healthy development of your baby, and certain healthy pregnancy food recipes will help you stay on the right path!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#1: &lt;a href="https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/nutrition/prenatal-meal-plan/?slide=slide_b78174f3-486b-4978-ab08-0a729f87e15d#slide_b78174f3-486b-4978-ab08-0a729f87e15d" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Healthy Pregnancy Breakfast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you the energy you need to start your day and, as you just woke up, the nutrients you are in much need to function throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can never go wrong with a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;bacon and egg frittata&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;—a warm and delicious way to start your day. You can even take it with you to work! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you need something sweet? Answer: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;pumpkin spice parfait&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Besides being tasty, it's low in fat and cholesterol. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't even have to be pregnant to crave Mexican food, so imagine how much you'll want it when pregnant. So, prepare a delicious &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;egg wrap&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for your next breakfast. It has everything you need for a much-needed boost: eggs, baby spinach, cheese and salsa!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#2: &lt;a href="https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/nutrition/prenatal-meal-plan/?slide=slide_b78174f3-486b-4978-ab08-0a729f87e15d#slide_b78174f3-486b-4978-ab08-0a729f87e15d" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Healthy Pregnancy Lunch&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we were just talking about Mexican food, you don't have to enjoy it just at breakfast. Have a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;fiesta salad&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with salad, black beans, corn, sweet potatoes and diced tomatoes. Besides being low in sugar, the taste is fantastic!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We are all carving for a tasty burger from time to time. Maybe a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;veggie burger&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will settle down your appetite. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are now realizing how delicious veggies are and how many meals you can prepare with them. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;veggie and hummus pita&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with eggs, tomatoes and cucumber will leave you wanting more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#3: &lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/7922516/quick-easy-dinner-recipes-for-healthy-pregnancy/?slide=3680c4d3-9106-47c3-abc5-f3171c11ad01#3680c4d3-9106-47c3-abc5-f3171c11ad01" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Healthy Pregnancy Dinner&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No one can stay away from lasagna. It's just impossible. For the next dinner, prepare a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/274006/skillet-ravioli-lasagna/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;skillet ravioli lasagna&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with fresh mozzarella and, if you're not in the mood for beef, swap the meat with ground turkey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you tired of preparing meals that take hours upon hours to finish? The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/270568/hearty-chickpea-spinach-stew/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;hearty chickpea and spinach stew&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is your answer. This meal, loaded with chickpeas, tomatoes and spinach, is low in sodium and rich in flavors. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you still craving Italian food? Don't shy away from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7919713/creamy-mushroom-spinach-pasta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;creamy mushroom and spinach pasta&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Simple to prepare, healthy and easy to eat! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#4: &lt;a href="https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/diet-and-fitness/10-healthy-snacks-for-pregnancy_10396237"&gt;Healthy Pregnancy Snacks&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We can't forget about snacking during pregnancy. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/264493/sweet-savory-hummus-plate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;sweet and savory hummus plate&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can keep your cravings settled for a long while—fresh veggies, delicious fruit and some crackers on the side. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preparing plates for snacking is always a wise choice, as they will keep you occupied and always satiated. Try a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/264491/prosciutto-mozzarella-melon-plate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;mozzarella and melon plate&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; next time you're preparing a snack.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you're in search of something easier to digest. Prepare a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;whole-grain cereal bowl&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with some bananas and non-dairy milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sodium, saturated fats and sugars in moderation or as little as possible;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unpasteurized dairy products;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soft, semi-soft and surface-ripened cheese (brie, ricotta, feta, blue cheese and camembert);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid eating more than two servings of oily fish a week (trout, mackerel, and herring);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Raw or partially cooked eggs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shark and swordfish;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Refrigerated and uncooked seafood;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Refrigerated pates and meat spreads; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive amount of caffeine;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Herbal tea;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alcohol.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember that you first have to visit a doctor that will tell you what you can and can not eat during your pregnancy since diets for pregnant women differ from person to person. Make your diet something you'll enjoy as you experience the incredible time of pregnancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Food-Ideas-for-a-Healthy-Pregnancy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/food-ideas-for-a-healthy-pregnancy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27792</ID> <title>The Innovation of Top Doc Clinics and Established Community Practices: An Interview With Tammy Tran</title> <publishDate>2023-04-19 23:16:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_123 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_160"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_171 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_76 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_228 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_229 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_230 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_189 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I like the thought of doing something I haven't done before," Nurse Practitioner Tammy Tran said. "The community health setting is where I feel comfortable and have experience but I’m excited to venture into something new and expand my scope of practice at Top DOC Clinics. The Anti-aging and Regenerative arena of medicine is an area I have interest in gaining more experience in.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tran is a Nurse Practitioner in the Los Angeles area. Her love of nursing developed from helping her ailing father while he battled the complications of diabetes. She would visit him in the nursing home while she was in college and take part in his care. After caring for her father who ultimately passed away from complications of diabetes and stroke, she determined that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from ailments as her father. She felt she could make an impact in the lives of others and help them prevent deterioration of their health through adequate treatment of their disease process, preventive care and education.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've been in nursing for the last 20 years, and I've worked in quite a few arenas of the profession," she shared. "After getting my registered nursing license, I worked in a post-surgical unit. It was exciting and fast-paced and a great way for me to get hands-on experience as a new nurse. But I wanted more experience, so I entered the hospital setting and I worked on the telemetry floor which helped me to gain more acute care experience.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tran ultimately wanted to be in an outpatient setting, so she earned her master's degree and started working in the CVS clinics as a nurse practitioner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Retail health in California was new at the time and we were one of the first ones to be hired. It took some effort to get patients in the store to begin using some of the services we offered. Ultimately, the convenience of retail health took off and patients began lining up for some of their basic healthcare needs,” she said. “The pandemic has likely helped the retail setting since services like COVID testing, Flu testing and vaccinations are a big part of what they offer.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's a nice place for patients to access services quickly.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This became the start of Tran's career as a Nurse Practitioner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is a Nurse Practitioner?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Compared to Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pointloma.edu/resources/nursing/what-does-nurse-practitioner-do-how-do-i-become-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nurses with additional training and expanded responsibilities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They manage patient health, treat illnesses and injuries, conduct research and mentor other nurses. They can provide both primary care and specialized services, including diagnoses, treatment, prescriptions and patient education. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many patients choose Nurse Practitioners for primary care, as they often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pointloma.edu/resources/nursing/what-does-nurse-practitioner-do-how-do-i-become-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fill the gap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between medical needs and the availability of physicians in some areas. This approach also lowers medical bills. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;From Retail to Community Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a person who thrives on learning new things, retail health started feeling limited to Tran.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They had guidelines for us to follow that were very specific about what we could do and what types of conditions we could see. Of course, they've expanded those services since then, but back in those days, it was what it was," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At that point, she applied to her current job as a Nurse Practitioner in community health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I see primarily adult patients managing chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other conditions in primary care. Community health caters to a low-income, disadvantaged population,” she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, Tran has gained a good amount of experience with patients working with patients who lack access to healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Most patients were enrolled in My Health LA for our clinic. They receive some services and medications without charge. That's how community health works," she explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, that may be changing as sliding scale pay based on income is now being considered. In addition, disadvantaged patients 50 years of age and older are moving into Medi-Cal-based programs to give them more access to care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Earlier this year, we started transitioning some of our patients from My Health LA to Medi-Cal," she shared. "We want to ensure we can retain these patients so that they can access primary care and specialists. Some health insurance companies have to bid for these Medi-Cal contracts in California. We'll see how it plays out, especially for disadvantaged communities."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Joining Top Doc Clinics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tran is now bringing her Nurse Practitioner curiosity and expertise to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doc Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a diverse collection of medical practices helmed by innovative leaders representing a variety of specialties — urgent and family care, regenerative and cosmetic medicine and more. Top Doc Clinics strives to detoxify the body and expedite recovery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Top Doc's management has a vision for what they want to accomplish. I'm on board with learning any services we may add but maintain that I will likely stay the course as primary care provider for the adult population at Top Doc Clinics in Redondo Beach,” she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tran is excited to see new services becoming available to her community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's nice that it's nearby. Being in the community makes it easier to interface with patients and form connections with them as well," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What the Future Holds&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tran talked about an exciting aspect of her career.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She has been a nurse for 20 years. In her earlier years, she always worked with the physicians and had standardized protocols to follow that were drafted with the physician. Although standardized protocols will likely remain in some settings, nurses will have  more autonomy in California with recent legislative changes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Not everybody has shared the opinion that nurse practitioners should be autonomous but the coalition of nurses and nurse practitioners in California is very strong and broad,” she concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In either case, Nurse Practitioners like Tammy Tran have much to look forward to. And working with Top Doc Clinics, she will have much more to offer the patients in her community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/An-Interview-With-Tammy-Tran.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-innovation-of-top-doc-clinics-and-established-community-practices-an-interview-with-tammy-tran/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27782</ID> <title>Seeing Medicine as More Than Just Physical Treatment: An Interview with Dr. Ramy Mitwalli, M.D.</title> <publishDate>2023-04-18 23:01:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_124 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_161"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_172 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_77 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_231 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_232 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_233 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_190 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ramy Mitwalli, M.D., M.B.A., M.Sc., M.S.P., found his passion for medicine at a very young age. At just 13 years old, Mitwalli experienced his father lying paralyzed in a hospital bed after shoulder surgery. The doctors discovered that his father suffered from a metabolic condition that resulted in a 10-hour succinylcholine-induced paralysis after his shoulder surgery. At that moment, Mitwalli knew he was called to the medical field because he wanted to help alleviate pain and not feel as helpless as he did. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout his father’s treatments, Mitwalli was drawn to his knowledge in the medical field. He could thoroughly explain his father’s conditions to the nurses and doctors who mistakenly asked if he was a doctor multiple times. As he grew in his knowledge through his father’s medical history, Mitwalli found his calling for life in the medical field. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mitwalli had watched his father practice veterinary medicine his entire life, which abruptly ended after several hospitalizations. But that exposure to medicine would also prompt young Mitwalli to seek out the medical field. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He attended the University of South Florida, completing his undergraduate studies and receiving a B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences. Then Mitwalli completed his first master’s degree from Georgetown University, earning an M.Sc. in Pharmacology (M.S.P.) with a dual concentration in Neuropharmacology &amp;amp; Research Pharmacology. Then, he received his M.B.A. in Healthcare Management from the Chapman Graduate School of Business at the Florida International University. He then completed a third master’s degree: M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies from the U.S.F. Center for Entrepreneurship at the U.S.F. Muma College of Business. Mitwalli graduated from medical school at Poznan University of Medical Sciences with his M.D. in May of 2022, with aspirations to be a physician leader. Dr. Mitwalli envisions his future in academia, healthcare governance, and private practice. In addition, he wishes to use his vast knowledge and experience in the medical field to advocate for patient education &amp;amp; financial literacy for medical professionals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“My ultimate goal is to practice interventional and vascular radiology and subspecialize in neuroradiology and interventional pain management,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But being a medical professional is not a cheap process. There is a business side to medicine that Dr. Mitwalli felt was vital to fully understanding what it meant to be in the field. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“There’s a science to business. If one can complete the study of medicine, I believe they can understand finance and basic business operations,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The medical field encompasses so much more than just physical well-being. Dr. Mitwalli feels that the focus in the medical field should be on the mind, body, and spirit, not just another pathology of a physical body. Regardless of the condition, every patient must be seen as a single, interconnected mind-body-spirit — that is, a patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“That’s one thing: whenever we say holistic care, we generally associate it with a mind-body experience. So how can we so casually neglect one-third of our patients?” Dr. Mitwalli asked. “Their spirituality is one-third of their existence - arguably may hold the greatest potential of all.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As he recalls from his study of Pharmacology at Georgetown, Dr. Mitwalli mentioned that when a patient is given a placebo effect, about 30% of the time, there will be a physiological or psychological manifestation of what they believe to be what they had received when they got the placebo. As a result, their brain actually manifests a reaction that the original drug should have induced. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It’s fascinating. This phenomenon shows you the power of the mind. Our brain is an organ, finite in its physicality. Meanwhile, a patient’s spirituality holds relatively infinite potential. So we should address ailments of the spirit if we can. And this becomes particularly important as we approach the end of life care or work to improve the quality of life for patients in hospice and palliative care. Suppose a patient feels the need to talk about their spirituality and wants to talk about it. In that case, resources should be available to attend to specific spiritual needs,” Dr. Mitwalli said. Spiritual care requires the availability of Chaplains and access to Chaplaincy Services — since your average medical provider is neither adequately trained nor qualified to address patient spiritual needs. Spiritual care must involve Chaplains as integral members of a multi-disciplinary medical care team — to adequately address patients’ spiritual needs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In medical licensing examinations, examinees are allotted approximately 15 minutes to take a complete patient history. We are primed to generate high patient volumes. This is the nature of a fee-for-service system. There has never been a more opportune time for policymakers and medical providers to discuss more qualifying value-based healthcare. How can 15 minutes render a personalized experience? Especially with providers being boggled by overzealous, rigid policies; and burnt out by ever-evolving superfluous administrative tasks. Dr. Mitwalli believes that balance is key. The medical industry must invest resources in both providers and patients alike. This will focus on personalizing care and being more personable with patients to ensure they receive the care they need. In addition to price transparency, Dr. Mitwalli advocates for patient health literacy and education. He emphasizes the critical role it plays for patients to understand the entire nature of condition(s), procedure(s), and all associated costs. Only then can a patient truly make the most educated decision regarding treatment. Otherwise, we are sentencing our patients to a vicious debt collection and litigation cycle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Currently, Dr. Mitwalli is working on becoming a licensed physician in the U.S.A., European Union, and Egypt. In addition, he volunteers his time at local medical clinics and various nonprofit organizations. As an avid medical researcher, Dr. Mitwalli works on multiple research projects globally. He has active research projects based in the U.S.A., Poland (where he graduated medical school), and Egypt (where his family migrated from in the early 1970s). Dr. Mitwalli is not your average doctor who wants only to practice medicine; he aspires to be a change agent, an empathetic leader who leads by example.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“There’s definitely a future for me in health policy, healthcare management, and education. I really want to push for patient advocacy because I feel that we are losing the essence of medicine by looking at numbers rather than the patient as a person. And today, a patient is just ID 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. So many organizations have corporatized medicine to the extent they don’t even see a patient as their name, a person, or a family member. And I would like it when a medical provider sees my family member as a person. So, patient advocacy is vital,” Dr. Mitwalli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Dr.-Ramy-Mitwalli-M.D.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/seeing-medicine-as-more-than-just-physical-treatment-an-interview-with-dr-ramy-mitwalli-m-d/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27763</ID> <title>How Chinese Medicine May Be the Solution to Your Chronic Issues: An Interview with Dr. Laura Capina</title> <publishDate>2023-04-17 22:12:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_125 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_162"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_173 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_78 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_234 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_235 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_236 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_191 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;An Unexpected Beginning &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Growing up in Lavia, Dr. Laura Capina did not see the magnitude of allergies, asthma, or obesity that she saw when she came to the U.S. at the age of 20. Instead, she had grown up in a world where natural remedies and medicinal herbs were used to treat illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I grew up with that mindset that if you don’t feel good, you don’t sleep well, or you have an upset tummy, you don’t take medication. So instead, you go to your garden for a natural remedy that works,” she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So when Dr. Capina came to the U.S., she began to wonder why people were so sick. That became her first wake-up call. Then, she took a trip to India, where her eyes were really opened. She noticed how poor people were, but even under their circumstances, they were happy. When contrasted with American culture, where many were depressed, she began to wonder how people could be in such poor circumstances and still smile. This prompted her path. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Laura Capina began studying Buddhism and Hinduism, yoga, and natural medicine, eventually leading her to Chinese medicine. She went to a Chinese Medicine school in California to earn her Master’s and then her Ph.D. in Chinese Medicine after seeing how it healed people. After graduating with her master’s, she went to China for a while to see how hospitals were run and studied under some doctors using Chinese Medicine to practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her dissertation for her Ph.D. focused on stress, where she compared Western and Eastern medicine treatments. Then she compared these things to being the best and healthiest version of oneself in optimal health. Her dissertation won the Best Dissertation Award of the year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Dr. Capina Does Now&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Laura Capina conducts her Chinese Medicine techniques on patients for different ailments. She focuses on acupuncture cupping and electro acupuncture stimulation to heal people in pain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Acupuncture is very effective for any kind of pain like inflammation, circulation, numbness, headaches, and migraines. Acupuncture is so effective that I tell people if you suffer from migraines, you know, there is no reason to suffer because acupuncture can heal it,” she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Capina also utilizes a muscle test from applied kinesiology called Quantum Reflex Analysis. This test was invented by a Japanese doctor and was tested later at UCLA and is very accurate. It essentially tests every organ and gland in the body to see what the body is missing. Quantum Reflex Analysis gives Dr. Capina a better idea of where the problem is coming from and how to fix it with either a lacking substance, a detox, or a lifestyle change. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Acupuncture is incredible, but it’s thousands of years old, and the world is very different now. The world is so much more toxic, and we are so nutritionally deficient that when our glands and organs cannot optimally function, we need minerals and treatments to fix the issue,” Dr. Capina said. The thing about Dr. Capina’s way of treating through Chinese Medicine is that her treatments have no side effects. Her way of treating is vastly different from the traditional Western medicine approach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lady came to Dr. Capina with extreme digestive issues. She had issues with everything she ate and could not figure out what was wrong with her. She had gone to four different doctors saying she may have acid reflux or issues with her liver. Dr. Capina asked her if she had a c-section scar from giving birth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While this may seem odd, Dr. Capina believes that blockages can be some of the most harmful issues patients face. These blockages involve energy passing through our bodies. So when Dr. Capina asked her patient if she had a scar from her c-section, the patient recalled that her digestive issues had begun shortly after she gave birth to her son. Her patient had also done a tummy tuck after the c-section causing another scar from hip to hip. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Capina explained to her how energy movements and blockages could occur because of the scar and suggested some mud treatments. A week after the treatments, the patient returned to Dr. Capina and said she had gained her sex drive back, which had been diminished, and her digestion began improving. In addition, she had felt things open up after her treatments. After two weeks of treatment, her digestion was 80% better. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another patient was a 19-year-old boy brought to Dr. Capina for extreme anxiety. The boy had been picture-perfect all his life, and one day, he woke up with extreme anxiety. He no longer wanted to leave the house or his mother’s side or be with his friends. He had also been experiencing higher body temperatures than normal, so he was taking cold showers constantly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“In Chinese medicine, fear and anxiety belong to the kidneys. Kidneys are foundational organs. I was like, what's wrong with his kidneys? So, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;by performing the QRA test, I identified he had a kidney infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,” Dr. Capina said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She prescribed a natural, organic fermented garlic remedy to help the infection. One week later, his anxiety was gone. He was living a normal life again. His mother had taken him to two different medical doctors who said he had depression and wanted to put him on antidepressants. It begs the question of why people in the U.S. do not try holistic approaches more often, in Dr. Capina’s opinion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The pharmaceutical industry is making a lot of money. They're making billions and they patent these drugs, so they have to make this money back, and then they have shareholders and stockholders, and it's all big business. So many drugs are just not necessary,” Dr. Capina said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Capina agrees that Western medicine has its place, as antibiotics can save lives. Without a doubt, antibiotics are an amazing discovery that cannot be discredited, according to Dr. Capina. However, she still believes that they are overprescribed, which can clear your entire intestinal tract empty with one round. This can eliminate natural immunity since antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria alike. In addition, this can take years to rebuild. Western medicine is excellent for certain illnesses, but Dr. Capina argues that natural medicine is the better treatment for chronic illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I just want to help my patients. It is my passion. It makes me so happy. When you find your passion, how can you not be happy?” she asks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Her Own Holistic Supplements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Capina wants to take the healthiest and safest approaches to treatment she can. However, she says the treatment can take time because no magic pill can cure ailments. This passion for helping all to heal holistically has pushed Dr. Capina into creating her own supplement line that can help achieve this. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most important nutrients for the human body to function optimally are Omega 3 fatty acids. It’s the healthiest and foundational fats that make up our brains, eyes, heart and all cell membranes. In today’s high demand environment, and because there are too many Omega 6 fats (which are pro-inflammatory), we need to drastically increase Omega 3 essential fats. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though there are a lot of fish oils on the market, most of them come in soft gels, which can have undesirable ingredients added, and the fats are not absorbable in a human body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is why Dr. Capina created a fully vegan (derived from algae), delicious, liquid, dessert like supplement that is liposomal micellized (which means fully capable of getting in our cells). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to amazing life supporting EPA/DHA, she added to the formula the most powerful form of Vit.E delta tocotrienols, which is the only antioxidant that can protect our sensitive phospholipid bilayer cell membranes and may be the most powerful anti-aging and longevity substance in the world.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For more information, please visit her website: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.synerchii.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;www.Synerchii.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It doesn’t matter how beautiful you are or how much money you have, if you don’t have good health and life force energy or Qi, you can’t enjoy life or achieve what you are here for on this amazing planet. I mean, the most important currency  in this life is energy, don’t you agree? It is what drives you, what keeps you going. Energy plus passion. I found mine in healing humans, that is with Chinese Medicine, and Synerchii, “ Dr. Laura Capina said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Dr.-Laura-Capina.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-chinese-medicine-may-be-the-solution-to-your-chronic-issues-an-interview-with-dr-laura-capina/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27737</ID> <title>Removing Mental Blocks to Break Through Barriers: An Interview with David Nurse, Mental Skills Specialist</title> <publishDate>2023-04-14 19:56:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_126 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_163"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_174 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_79 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_237 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_238 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_239 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_192 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;David Nurse, a mental skills specialist, works with and coaches high-profile actors, athletes, CEOs and celebrities to take their mental skills to the next level and dig deeper into mindset development. By focusing on removing barriers, Nurse helps clients reach their full potential in their careers and personal lives. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I help them learn how to dig deep into their mindset development, into their mental skills space, how to build the unshakeable habits for different sectors wherever they're struggling in. Whether it's confidence, whether it's focus, whether it's flow state- I really just put together a personalized plan for them to be able to perform at their highest capacity potential,” David Nurse said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nurse always had dreams of playing in the NBA but unfortunately, Nurse was just shorter than he needed to be to achieve this goal of his. However, he did achieve two Guinness World Records for his 3-point shooting abilities! He played professionally for a few years overseas in Australia, Greece, and Spain but never played in the U.S. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After Nurse was cut from the team in Spain, he spent time searching for what he wanted to do. After speaking with his mother, she pointed out that his passion for the NBA could be used to teach and coach others who had the abilities to play at that level. Nurse made it his mission to coach and wrote a letter to every NBA general manager with only one person getting back to him. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gary Sacks, who was the general manager of the Clippers at the time, connected David Nurse with different NBA coaches. He ran his own basketball camps until the Brooklyn Nets brought him on as their development coach. For a year, Nurse thrived in the job until a new head coach was hired who brought on his own staff as usual. Following this event, Nurse started training players individually in Los Angeles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“But then I realized even deeper about four or five years ago that it's all about the mind. The real separator is what goes on between your ears and how confident you are, how you don't play with any hesitation, how you can stay in the zone focused for as long as possible, and how you can call up your flow state,” Nurse said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nurse began developing mental tools for players to use to improve their mental skills alongside their athletic abilities. And since then, that’s what he’s been doing: writing books, speeches, and doing individual coaching for athletes, actors, and CEOs looking to improve their mental mindsets in conjunction with their abilities and skills. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“My favorite part of what I do is seeing people be able to unlock the gifts they have inside of them and be able to use them to better themselves and others. Everybody has a God-given gift and ability and skill, but most people hold themselves back for different reasons,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And that's the reason why Nurse wrote his book that's coming out in May called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It is an immersive, in-depth book about taking action with years of research surveys about what holds people back from where they are. It shows what people’s gifts are and where they could use them in their career and personal lives. The book gives nine archetypes of fear to give people a self-awareness test and check. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We have 50,000 self-talk thoughts daily and on average studies done, 40,000, or 80% of those are negative thoughts. So how do you stop those negative thoughts? How do you become aware of those, pivot those to the positive? And there's so many other tools for how to control your mind and how to ultimately become unshakeable in any kind of circumstance or thrown your way,” Nurse said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The book &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do It, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is all about understanding what one’s action archetype is. It is covered in the deep-dive into the neurological brain science behind your action archetype is and what is happening chemically in the brain as to why one is being held back. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do It &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;creates the connection between heart and brain and why one is held back by their mentality. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Session with David Nurse&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a coaching session with David Nurse, the first thing he does is ask introspective questions so that the client can figure out on their own what they need and ensure that they take ownership for it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“If I have an NBA player come to me, I know what is holding them back generally, but I want them to be able to figure it out too. Because if I just tell them how to do it, there's already going to be built-in natural resentment that they won't necessarily want to. But if you have somebody come to their own conclusion and answer themselves, they take ownership of it and you get to learn more about exactly what they need,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no cookie-cutter way to conduct sessions necessarily. It is all tailored to the individual needs and answers to Nurse’s introspective questions. The point is to identify the roadblocks in a client’s mind and move them away. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first step is having a conversation to figure out the roadblocks and then the client and Nurse create an action roadmap with daily tools, daily habits and implementation. One example Nurse uses for his clients is a tool of self-awareness which he calls “snap.” &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Anytime a negative thought or a lie that you're telling yourself comes into your mind, you snap your fingers which stands for stop notice or you stop, you pause, you notice what's going on around you, you assess, assess why this is happening, come to an understanding of it, and then pivot, you shift, and that can change your entire perspective,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nurse always begins his sessions with asking himself &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How can I serve them first?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; He plans to meet his clients where they are and work together with the client to figure out what the next steps are going to be. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Sometimes the hardest thing for people to do is take that first step because they just don't know where to go or what to do. So I help them basically hold their hand along the way, creating their specific journey,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nurse’s Career Summary&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nurse has been rated a Top 50 Keynote Speaker worldwide and has published two books with another coming out in May. This book is already presale number one with the first two books being bestselling books on Amazon. Nurse has also conducted his own TED Talk and spoken in over 52 counties with features in Forbes, magazines, and ESPN for being one of the best in mental skills speciality. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I'm all about the fact that you'll never reach an endpoint. I mean, there's never a moment where you are like ‘I reached the mountaintop, it's over.’ It's just a continued growth process. And that's, that's ultimately where the joy is at- it is in the challenge of the competition to continue to improve and continue to grow so that you can help others along the way. Not selfishly internally for only your gain, but so that you can be a light of service to others,” David Nurse said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental progress is vital for anyone, not just athletes, actors, and CEOs. Being able to understand your mind and why you are mentally blocking yourself from healthy progress can lead to life changing results. David Nurse has learned this himself and now speaks worldwide on it and coaches professionals on how to move mental blocks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Obviously as an author you want to sell books, but in a bigger picture than that, I want people to be able to unlock these gifts inside of them and break through their barriers and roadblocks,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For more information on David Nurse’s personal coaching sessions, books, and speeches, visit his &lt;a href="https://www.davidnurse.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and be sure to check out his book coming out soon, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://amzn.to/3wtl4EU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;The Life Changing Power of Taking Action &lt;/a&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/David-Nurse-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/removing-mental-blocks-to-break-through-barriers-an-interview-with-david-nurse-mental-skills-specialist/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26956</ID> <title>The Benefits of Red Light Therapy</title> <publishDate>2023-04-13 12:51:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_127 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_164"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_175 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_80 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_240 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_241 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_242 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_193 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light is precisely what it sounds like: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/red-light-therapy#_noHeaderPrefixedContent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;red-colored light typically emitted by LEDs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It was first developed by scientists to help promote the growth of plants in space, then later studied for its medical applications to humans. Researchers found that red light could help increase the cells' energy to provide numerous benefits for the body's healing process. Red light therapy comes in many forms, including red light beds in salons and more formal clinical treatment methods in medical offices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Red Light Therapy Works&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy works by shining &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/red-light-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;red light directly onto the skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This light is then absorbed into the skin, where mitochondria absorb that light and turn it into energy. In particular, red light helps to stimulate your mitochondria to make more energy without exposing your skin to high degrees of heat or damaging UV rays. Some experts believe that by doing so, red light therapy can help cells repair themselves and improve healing in skin and muscle tissue. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Is Red Light Therapy the Same As Infrared?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about infrared light? Is it the same as red light? Not exactly. Red light is near-infrared, so it is close to infrared light but technically not identical. Infrared is a form of light that emits heat but is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; visible, whereas red light also emits heat but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; visible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Difference Between Red and Blue Light&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've seen a bit about red light, but let's also look at what separates it from another form of light you may have heard of: blue light. Now, this isn't the kind of blue light you may be worried about being emitted by your phone and computer screen; it refers to the type of light sometimes used in therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In short, the most significant difference between the two light therapy forms is simply the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ledtechnologies.com/blog/red-light-vs-blue-light-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;light's wavelength&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, indicated by their color. However, the small wavelength difference can significantly impact the light's therapeutic usage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Does Red Light or Blue Light Have More Energy?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary difference between red and blue light is the respective wavelength of the light. This difference affects the energy of each type of light — blue light has shorter wavelengths than red light, which causes it to emit at a higher frequency. This higher frequency, in turn, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://scied.ucar.edu/image/wavelength-blue-and-red-light-image#:~:text=Blue%20light%20has%20shorter%20waves,more%20energy%20than%20red%20light." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leads to more energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light vs. Blue Light Therapy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But how do the usages of these two lights differ for therapeutic purposes? Due to the different wavelengths or energies, each has unique therapeutic benefits. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ledtechnologies.com/blog/red-light-vs-blue-light-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;red light therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; enhances your skin cells to make your skin firmer and healthier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blue light, on the other hand, can penetrate your pores to help purify your skin. Unlike red light, which targets your skin at the cellular level, blue light targets and destroys the bacteria in your skin. You can equate red and blue light to fertilizers and pesticides. Red light, like fertilizer, helps your skin grow better. Blue light, like pesticides, kills the harmful agents which make your skin less healthy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light vs. Blue Light for Eyes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neither type of light is particularly good for your eyes. Luckily, both forms of light generally come with the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ledtechnologies.com/blog/red-light-vs-blue-light-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;same types of guidance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For blue light, for example, you should protect your eyes by wearing goggles wherever you go through treatment. The same is true for red light therapy, which may not be as dangerous as some forms of laser therapy but still requires eye protection to ensure you don't harm yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits of Red Light Therapy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since we've examined the mechanics of red light therapy, let's look at its main benefits and uses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy for Stretch Marks&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of red light therapy's primary usages is for stretch marks. You'll often see this at salons in the form of red light therapy beds which use &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/red-light-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;red light to reduce stretch marks and wrinkles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy for Pain&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy is also able to alleviate pain. The types of pain red light therapy can help with are very diverse, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dental; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Osteoarthritis; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inflammation of muscle fibers (tendonitis); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Back, neck and wound pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy for Eczema, Acne and Psoriasis&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy also reduces skin conditions that inflame or irritate skin cells, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;psoriasis, eczema and acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, by stimulating the skin cells to be more energized and healthier. This, in turn, causes the skin cells to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ledtechnologies.com/blog/red-light-vs-blue-light-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heal and grow quicker&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, reducing the damage caused by inflammation and irritation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Is Red Light or Blue Light Better for Acne?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, while red light can help with acne, it is worth remembering that red light mainly functions to nourish cells, not to remove impurities. Instead, blue light therapy, which specializes in purifying the skin, is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/red-light-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more commonly used to treat acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Red Light Therapy Help You Lose Weight?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, while red light therapy has many well-documented uses and benefits, weight loss is not one of them. Red light has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not yet been shown to improve weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So, while it's an excellent tool for cosmetic improvement, its application is primarily focused on the skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy Usage Tips&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But how do people get these benefits from red light therapy, and how should I use it to maximize its effect? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some common examples of technologies that use red light therapy and some tips regarding the usage of red light therapy: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy Pod&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A red light therapy pod is a large bed-like structure in which you are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://prismlightpod.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exposed to red light&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Because the light touches every part of your body, your whole skin will benefit from the red light therapy benefits in a shorter time.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy vs. Infrared Sauna&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These two pieces of technology are similar but accomplish different goals. Infrared saunas are designed to help you sweat and lose weight, while red light therapy aims to energize your skin to make it healthier. Infrared saunas also emit large amounts of heat, opposite to red light therapy, which avoids causing patients to sweat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Much Red Light Therapy Is Too Much?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy shouldn't be something you jump into very quickly at the beginning. Instead, let your body get used to the treatment before adding it to your routine. To begin, you should aim for 3 to 5 times a week for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Then, as you get more used to it, you can go for closer to 20 minutes. Avoid red light therapy sessions longer than 20 minutes, as they can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://platinumtherapylights.com/blogs/news/red-light-therapy-how-often" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dangerous for your skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Red Light Therapy Hurt Your Eyes?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy can be harmful to your eyes. If your eyes are exposed directly or too much, there is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/red-light-therapy#risks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;potential for damage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Thus, it's advisable to wear eye protection while undergoing treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red Light Therapy While Pregnant&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rouge.care/blogs/rouge-red-light-therapy-blog/red-light-therapy-during-pregnancy-is-it-safe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;completely safe during pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Indeed, one of the most significant benefits of red light therapy is its &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rouge.care/blogs/rouge-red-light-therapy-blog/red-light-therapy-during-pregnancy-is-it-safe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;safety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Being pregnant &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rouge.care/blogs/rouge-red-light-therapy-blog/red-light-therapy-during-pregnancy-is-it-safe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;does not increase the risk factor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for red light therapy, nor does it affect the baby's health. So, if you're pregnant and interested in red light therapy, go for it! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light therapy is an excellent tool for energizing and revitalizing your skin while being very safe. Unlike other types of therapy, red light lacks damaging heat or rays, which can be counterproductive. Thus, it may be the future of skincare, both clinical and in the salon. So, the next time you find yourself trying to enhance your skin, maybe give red light therapy a try!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/red-light.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-benefits-of-red-light-therapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18900</ID> <title>Is Your Positivity Toxic?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-12 22:25:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_128 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_165"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_176 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_81 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_243 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_244 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_245 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_194 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Too much of anything is bad, even when it's something &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;good. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As much as we want to always stay positive and spread good vibes to everyone we meet, there are just some moments in life when &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;looking at the bright side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will not fix a situation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, where should we draw a line between genuine optimism and toxic positivity? Perhaps it's time to delve inwards to see if your overly sunny disposition may just be a defense mechanism to avoid facing the truth of a not-so-perfect reality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Toxic Positivity?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thepsychologygroup.com/toxic-positivity-the-dark-side-of-positive-vibes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Psychology Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, toxic positivity amounts to excessively overgeneralizing a happy or positive state on any given occasion that leads to denying, minimizing and invalidating an authentic human emotional experience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Part of what makes life worth living is the broad spectrum of emotions we get to feel and experience. Joy, love, sadness, pain, anger, loss, excitement, fear, disappointment—the list goes on. That's why you often hear people say that life is like a rollercoaster ride: sometimes you go up, sometimes you go down. In those down moments, it's important to lean in and accept them for what they are instead of trying to escape them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toxic positivity masks the true and unpleasant reality with a false perception that the world is full of rainbows and butterflies. Such a perception is harmful to your mind and body because you're creating a narrative that everything is great when the reality is, you're scared to face the negative emotions tied to a situation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Toxic Positivity Real?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toxic positivity is real, and you can spot the signs when you or someone you know might be guilty of toxic positivity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs of Toxic Positivity to Look Out For&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiding or disguising your true feelings;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minimizing other people's experiences and emotions by using 'feel good' statements;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feeling guilty for feeling negative emotions like sadness, anger or disappointment;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brushing off your problems with an 'it is what it is' attitude&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shaming or chastising others for expressing negative emotions or anything other than positivity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Invalidating someone's emotional experience by saying things like 'it could be worse';&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dismissing emotions or trying to sweep them under the rug.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you found yourself nodding and gasping, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that's me!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to four or more of these signs, then maybe it's time to take a step back and reflect on why you may be acting this way. Not showing your genuine emotions or invalidating others' feelings can create a wall that will prevent you from connecting with yourself and others. People might even think of you as someone who lacks empathy and will naturally steer away from you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Toxic Positivity versus Optimism&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How are you supposed to stop toxic positivity from controlling your life? Experts say that allowing yourself and others to feel a certain amount of compassion and catharsis is the best way to spread genuine positivity. So, when you're looking for a silver lining, acknowledge that the rain clouds are also there, which is what optimism essentially is!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What sets apart toxic positivity from optimism is that optimism is rooted in the sense of reality, where the person knows and accepts the dire situation in front of them but still believes the tough times won't last forever. As a result, optimistic people proactively search for a way to try and upheave the situation they're in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, toxic positivity disengages from reality and pretends everything is fine when it isn't. And while it may seem like a good idea to 'fake it til' you make it' by being positive all the time, this coping mechanism becomes limiting because you are not allowing yourself to face the negative feelings and harsh truth in front of you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Avoid Toxic Positivity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The way to overcome your toxic positivity is by allowing yourself to feel all the negative emotions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatgirl_jmarie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jasmine Marie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a breathwork coach and founder of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlsbreathing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Black Girls Breathing,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; even suggests that you don't have to look at them as 'negative' emotions at all: sadness, anger and grief aren't inherently negative. These feelings are just responses to what's happening to us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead, Jasmine encourages us to use these feelings as indicators to become more aware of ourselves. Ask yourself, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what do I need to pay attention to?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what do I need to give myself compassion on?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; whenever these 'negative' feelings arise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The sooner you learn to sit with these uncomfortable emotions and understand them for what they are, the sooner you can move forward with feeling genuine happiness and positivity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We often choose the easy route and escape, not realizing that our problems will just come back for us unless we decide to face them head-on. Sitting with our emotions and thoughts will help us become more comfortable in discomfort, making us stronger and ready to slay the next dragon that comes for us.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Positivity-Toxic.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-your-positivity-toxic/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26949</ID> <title>Everything You Need to Know about Cryotherapy</title> <publishDate>2023-04-11 12:07:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_129 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_166"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_177 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_82 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_246 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_247 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_248 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_195 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cryotherapy or cryogenic therapy uses extreme cold as a means of treatment for various ailments. Liquid nitrogen and argon gas are just a few examples of some controlled cold mediums that cryotherapy uses to apply on affected areas that call for treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In typical cases, cryotherapy treats skin conditions like dermatitis or warts. Localized applications via ice packs, ice baths, coolant sprays and cryotherapy facials are used to remove blemishes and treat these skin conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also use cryotherapy to remedy more severe cases like skin cancer because cryotherapy can remove abnormal cells through minimally invasive procedures such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cryoablation-for-cancer/about/pac-20385216" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cryoablation or cryosurgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Surgical application of&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; liquid nitrogen into affected areas can assist in the removal of cancerous cells or tumors. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Benefits of Cryotherapy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pain Alleviation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cryotherapy (in the form of local applications) can treat pain in targeted areas from migraines, muscle soreness and nerve irritations. For example, applying an ice pack is a cryotherapy form known to every athlete. Whether you might have a sore muscle, a sprain or an injury, the immediate first aid often comes in the form of an ice pack. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It has been observed that cryotherapy can also alleviate migraines. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3727573/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that putting a cold compress onto the carotid arteries on the neck decreases migraine's debilitating effects. Additionally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10832164" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;empirical evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; points out that whole body cryotherapy soothes arthritic pains. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cryotherapy is also used in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.northeastcollege.edu/webdocs/ic/IQA/IQAFiles/Protocols/Chapter4/Cryotherapy4_1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;treatment of nerve-related pains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Cryotherapy can treat pinched nerves, acute injuries and chronic pains through medically administering small incisions and using a probe to freeze the affected tissue. The process is efficient because freezing temperatures tend to numb nerves and the corresponding pain in the process. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treatment of Mood Disorders&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The use of whole-body cryotherapy may sound unusual in treating mood disorders. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2734249/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have observed that patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders have improved moods after whole-body cryotherapy sessions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The use of cryotherapy to induce a more natural release of hormones such as norepinephrine, adrenaline and endorphins is highly supplemental in treating mood disorders. The same studies posit that cryotherapy should be used as a supplemental addition to the psychiatric treatment of mood disorders and regular counseling. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treatment of Low-Risk Tumors and Growths&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As mentioned earlier, cryotherapy can be used in the treatment of tumors. It has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/other/cryotherapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that by targeting specific areas, cryosurgery or cryoablation can be used as a direct treatment for prostate, skin and cervical cancers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The abnormal cells are frozen and killed off by inserting a cryoprobe into specific target spots. Some treatments require multiple sessions of cryotherapy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treatment of Skin Conditions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cryotherapy can also eliminate benign skin lesions, blemishes and other skin conditions. These common skin problems can be fixed simply through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0515/p2365.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spray or spot freeze techniques. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cryotherapy and cryosurgery work by freezing and treating inflammation in the treatment areas. This process leads to an effective reduction in inflammation and immediate treatment of those skin-related problems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Potential Risks of Cryotherapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few significant symptoms to watch out for are extended numbness or redness in the treated area. While typical during therapy, these sensations should not exceed 24 hours. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physicians and those experienced with cryogenic therapy treatments know precisely how long one should be exposed to freezing temperatures used in the therapy. As a rule of thumb, cryotherapy sessions should not exceed four minutes in any specific area. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cryotherapy has improved the quality of life for many individuals, ranging from professional athletes to those suffering from chronic pain. And while there is enough medical and empirical data to back the effectiveness of cryotherapy, one form of therapy may not always work out for everyone. Before undergoing any cryotherapy, make sure you consult with your physician so they may recommend the best kind of treatment for you.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cryotherapy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cryotherapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18909</ID> <title>5 Teas That May Support the Immune System</title> <publishDate>2023-04-10 22:40:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_130 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_167"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_178 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_83 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_249 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_250 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_251 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_196 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea is known for being one of the healthiest and tastiest beverages (unless you're on team coffee, of course). Almost any type of tea has a positive effect on your body, but certain plants can prove vital when talking about the health of your immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does Tea Support the Immune System?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea contains polyphenols, a group of antioxidants linked to the health benefits that tea brings to the table. This beverage also contains flavonols and other chemicals proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, the antioxidants found in tea help protect your body against harmful effects caused by smoking, pollution and UV rays. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Green Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green tea has overall positive benefits for your body. This healthy source of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;catechins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and antioxidants is especially effective against &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/free-radical" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;free radicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antioxidants are produced by the human body but not in sufficient quantities. If your body cannot fight these free radicals, your body will be more prone to developing cancer, heart diseases, Parkinson's disease and respiratory diseases. Therefore, your immune system will thank you for the additional antioxidants from green tea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;long-term consumption of green tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reduces the risk of diseases such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Liver diseases;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Viral diseases;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coronary diseases;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bacterial infections;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obesity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Type II diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Black Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although many people do not enjoy the taste of black tea, they might consider giving it a second chance after finding out how it helps the immune system. Besides helping the body fight free radicals, black tea contains tannins (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, antioxidants) that cause the beverage's abnormal taste. Tannins are an excellent weapon against conditions such as influenza, hepatitis and dysentery. The antioxidants in black tea are perfect against strokes, cholesterol build-up, high blood pressure and high sugar levels. They also encourage the production of healthy gut bacteria. If you want to enjoy these amazing health benefits and kick the coffee habit, black tea is the place to start!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Ginger Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This spicy tea has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is excellent for escaping nausea. Ginger, in general, has many health benefits, and by turning it into a cup of tea, it becomes more pleasurable. Antioxidants are also present in ginger tea which improve blood circulation and help with congestion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ginger tea is ideal for a healthier immune system and faster recovery during flu season, as it is known to fight pain, fevers, coughing and infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: White Tea &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White tea is an immune system boosting beverage with a light and delicate taste. Known to have similar properties to green tea but not as powerful, the antioxidants in white tea &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/05/040526070934.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are proven&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to be effective against fungal, bacterial and viral infections. In addition, white tea protects the immune cells responsible for locating cancerous by-products. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Turmeric Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last but not least beverage on our list is turmeric tea. This amazing beverage promotes the function of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17211725/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;T and B cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are essential parts of the immune system. Moreover, turmeric tea fights inflammation, arthritis, asthma, allergies, diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your immune system healthy and enjoying yourself always go together. Drinking delicious beverages like these tea options will improve your health and help your body fight any incoming illnesses. You can enjoy a cup of hot tea while working, reading or watching your favorite series. You can always squeeze a cup of tea into your day to boost your immune system!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tea.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-teas-that-may-support-the-immune-system/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26454</ID> <title>What are the Most Common Intermittent Fasting Types?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-07 05:36:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_131 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_168"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_179 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_84 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_252 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_253 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_254 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_197 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2020/06/16/IFIC-Intermittent-fasting-replaces-clean-eating-as-most-popular-diet-presents-marketing-challenges#:~:text=According%20to%20IFIC%2C%20about%2010,it%20the%20most%20popular%20diet." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent fasting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has become a popular way to lose weight, feel better and improve overall health. It involves periods of fasting followed by periods of eating. There are many different types of intermittent fasting, each with its own set of rules and benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent fasting comes with its own vast array of benefits, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/intermittent-fasting-once-a-week-may-reduce-diabetes-and-heart-disease-risk#:~:text=A%20small%20study%20found%20that,insulin%20resistance%20and%20metabolic%20syndrome." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reducing your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Fasting also helps to boost your metabolism and burn fat more effectively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you fast, your body is forced to rely on stored energy, which means it will start to break down fat cells for fuel. This process can help you lose weight quickly and effectively. Intermittent fasting is a great way to kickstart your weight loss journey!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is Intermittent Fasting?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent fasting is a dietary pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and non-fasting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The idea behind intermittent fasting is that we should not eat for a certain period of time, usually 12-24 hours, in order to give our bodies a break from digesting food. Depending on what works best for you, you can resort to fasting daily or weekly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve blood sugar control and reduce insulin resistance, leading to weight loss. It can also help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent Fasting Intervals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common fasting protocols are 16/8, 18/6, and 20/4—all referring to fasting for a certain number of hours per day and then eating within an 8-hour window. For example, with the 16/8 protocol, you would fast for 16 hours each day and eat only during an 8-hour window.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other less common fasting protocols include the 5:2 diet, which involves fasting for two days each week and eating normally the other five days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The 16/8 Method or Leangains Protocol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The 16/8 method involves fasting for 16 hours and eating only during an 8-hour window. Also called the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.strongerbyscience.com/intermittent-fasting-study/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Leangains protocol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, this fasting method was popularized by fitness expert Martin Berkhan. It is the most popular type of intermittent fasting as it is the easiest to stick to.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, let's say you finish your last meal at 8 p.m. and don't eat again until noon the next day—you are fasting for 16 hours every day. You can drink water, black coffee, tea and other zero-calorie beverages during the fasting period.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;18/6 Interval&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;18/6 fasting is a protocol where you fast for 18 hours out of the day and eat only during a 6-hour window. This fasting protocol, having a more extended time window than the 16/8 interval, is popular among people trying to lose weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warrior Diet (20/4 Interval)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/warrior-diet#what-it-is" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Warrior Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a type of intermittent fasting that involves eating small amounts of raw fruits and vegetables during the day and then eating one large meal at night. Typically the interval is 20 hours of small amounts of food and 4 hours of eating a large meal. This diet is based on the belief that our ancestors ate this way and that it's more appropriate for food digestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, making the Warrior Diet quite dangerous to your overall health. Because you're not eating enough calories during the day, you may feel weak and dizzy, and even faint. Be sure to speak with your doctor first if you decide to try the Warrior Diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OMAD Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/is-eating-one-meal-a-day-safe#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9COne%20Meal%20a%20Day,don't%20eat%20at%20all." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OMAD diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, or "one meal a day," is a type of fasting in which you eat only one meal per day, typically for a 23-hour period. It is the most extreme form of a daily intermittent fasting protocol, as the OMAD diet's fasting period is much longer than with other fasting protocols.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some evidence suggests that the OMAD diet can help with weight loss. A small &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2645638/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that people who followed the diet for eight weeks lost more weight than those with more meals with the same caloric intake.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, there are also risks associated with this diet, as fasting for such a long period of time can lead to dehydration, dizziness and hunger pangs. Be sure to speak with your doctor first if you're considering trying the OMAD diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent Fasting Risks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're considering intermittent fasting, it's important to understand the different types of fasting and the potential health risks associated with each one. Fasting can be a great way to improve your health, but it's not for everyone. Here's what you need to know about the risks of fasting before you decide to try it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-side-effects#9.-Malnutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risks of intermittent fasting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are minimal but can include headaches, dizziness, stomach cramps or nausea, low blood sugar level, dehydration and low energy levels. However, if fasting is not done correctly, it can lead to more severe health problems such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/not-so-fast-pros-and-cons-of-the-newest-diet-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When done correctly, intermittent fasting is a safe and effective way to improve your health. However, it's important to understand the risks before you start. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about fasting or your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermittent Fasting while Breastfeeding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you are fasting, your body goes into a state of ketosis where it starts to burn fat for energy. This process can help you lose weight and improve your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, if you are breastfeeding, you must ensure that you are still getting enough calories and nutrients while fasting. Failure to consume enough nutrients may result in adverse side effects such as low energy levels, headaches and dizziness. It is also essential to drink plenty of fluids while fasting to prevent dehydration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consult with your doctor first if you're thinking about trying intermittent fasting to ensure it's right for you. Then, once you've decided to give it a try, be sure to start slowly and gradually increase the fasting intervals. For example, if you're new to fasting, you might want to start with a 16/8 fasting protocol and then move on to longer fasting intervals like 18/6 or 20/4. Remember that intermittent fasting is not for everyone, so don't let fasting slow you down! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Intermittent-Fasting.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-most-common-intermittent-fasting-types/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18527</ID> <title>Augmented Reality and Medicine</title> <publishDate>2023-04-05 22:30:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_132 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_169"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_180 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_85 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_255 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_256 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_257 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_198 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The future is now, thanks to science! As our technology advances and our digital world continues to develop, the line between the real world and the digital becomes increasingly blurred. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One example of this blurring is augmented reality (AR). Through augmented reality, we can put parts of our digital world on top of our physical one. Typically, we think about augmented reality's implications for entertainment, shopping experiences and social media. But beyond those industries, AR could completely reimagine how we experience and receive medical care. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is Augmented Reality? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Augmented reality is best understood as an interactive experience of a real-world environment. That means that through AR, you're able to interact with your real-world environment through digital technology. Often, this means using a combination of cameras and displays to project a digital image over something in the real world to allow us to interact and change it in real-time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A good example of AR technology is Google's old &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.techtarget.com/iotagenda/definition/Google-Glass" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Google Glass&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; project. Google Glass worked by projecting digital images through a pair of glasses so that you could see the digital images in the real world. It allowed users not only to see the real world but also to see it digitally enhanced. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How is Augmented Reality Used Daily?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even more than just the example of Google Glass, currently, with even more developed AR technology, we cannot only place digital things into a physical world, but we can also make those digital images interactive and reactive. You can use AR all across your daily life. You may have come across some of these common applications of AR already, but even if you haven't, AR will likely continue to be a bigger and bigger part of daily life. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Visualizing New Finishes or Furniture in Your House&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AR technology can help you remodel or decorate your home. Through AR, you can see what that couch, paint color, finish, etc., would look like in your house before you buy it and have to go through the trouble of installing it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With AR, you can simply pull up a digital image of your new sofa and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://smartteksas.com/blog/what-is-augmented-reality-ar-and-how-does-it-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;see it in your current living room.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This lets you make more informed decisions as a consumer because instead of taking a risk on a new couch, paint color or home, you know how that new product will look in your home or what your new home will look like. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bringing Labels on Wine Bottles to Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AR is also being used daily to make labels on wine bottles more interactive, which might be the future of product decoration. For example, the company &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livingwinelabels.com/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Living Wine Labels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses augmented reality to turn their labels into an interactive storytelling experience and incorporate fun experiences that add value to their wine for their customers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Translating Signs into Different Languages&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps the most exciting usage of AR in our daily lives is the ability to translate street signs and other text into different languages using our phones' cameras. One of the companies that spearheaded this technology is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wired.com/2010/12/word-lens-augmented-reality-app-translates-street-signs-instantly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Word Lens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a smartphone app that allows users to use their cameras to translate street signs and text in real-time. Apps like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/words-lens/id1489872903" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Word Lens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; work almost magically by replacing the original text with translated text in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wired.com/2010/12/word-lens-augmented-reality-app-translates-street-signs-instantly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;same font and size as the original&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, giving you a digital window into a world where all the signs and words are translated into your language of choice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_77"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/professional-scientist-wearing-virtual-reality-glasses-using-medical-inovation-lab-team-researchers-working-with-equipment-device-future-medicine-healthcare-professional-vision-simulator.jpg" alt="" title="professional-scientist-wearing-virtual-reality-glasses-using-medical-inovation-lab-team-researchers-working-with-equipment-device-future-medicine-healthcare-professional-vision-simulator" class="wp-image-18535" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_199 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Does Augmented Reality Work?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So how exactly does all of this seemingly magical technology work? Through a concept called Volumetric Video. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Volumetric Video works &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.immersivelearning.news/2022/03/16/what-is-volumetric-video-and-why-it-matters-to-the-enterprise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;by capturing a three-dimensional object or space,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; allowing that same object or space to be digitally viewed as three-dimensional. It gets its name from its ability to capture volume or the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.immersivelearning.news/2022/03/16/what-is-volumetric-video-and-why-it-matters-to-the-enterprise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three-dimensional space an object occupies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. By reproducing that volume, you can make an object digitally interactive as it would be in the real world. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Augmented reality relies on this technology to capture an object and space in 3D and overlay additional information to that image. For example, AR can use volumetric video to accurately scan a room and then put a digital image of a physical object that can be digitally interacted with as though it was actually in the room.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Can Augmented Reality Impact Medicine?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AR can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.magicleap.com/news/how-ar-is-revolutionizing-healthcare-today-magic-leap#:~:text=Using%20an%20AR%20platform%2C%20patients,doctor%20is%20doing%20and%20why" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reinvent how patients experience medical care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by helping them visualize results, make medical advice more memorable and explain how a treatment or illness will affect them.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prosthetics &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In prosthetics, AR can be used to give patients an idea of what their prosthetic might look like and how they would be able to move and interact with it. The doctor could use AR to help explain how the prosthetic would work in a way that the patient would better understand because they would be digitally interacting with it as the doctor explains it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Aesthetics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AR can also be used for aesthetic medical procedures like plastic surgery, implants or fillers. The hardest thing about these procedures for the patient is the unknown of whether they'll like the aesthetic changes from the surgery. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With AR, the patient will see the proposed aesthetic change before the surgery and be able to move around with it, interact with it and work with the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/augmented-reality-technology-may-help-guide-plastic-and-reconstructive-surgery#:~:text=A%20plastic%20surgery%20research%20group,Open%C2%AE%2C%20the%20official%20open%2D" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;doctor to tailor it to their preferences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This will lead to greater patient satisfaction and easier communication for doctors. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The same principle applies to smaller things like hair color changes. Through AR, you'll be able to see what your new hair color or style will look like on you as you interact with it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The same is true for choosing a pair or style of glasses. You won't need to have a physical pair of glasses with you anymore. Instead, you can use AR technology to try on and interact with new glasses from anywhere! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Closing Thoughts about Augmented Reality and Medicine &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Augmented reality is slowly changing many levels of our society, particularly how consumers and patients experience their products or care. In medicine, AR makes it easier to visualize and understand outcomes, removing the anxiety of undergoing prosthetic or aesthetic procedures through clearer communication.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making it easier and simpler for doctors to explain complex medical procedures and outcomes to patients and for patients to understand and give feedback on proposed outcomes. Through these innovations, AR will make medical care clearer, simpler and less stressful for all, improving the patient experience and making care provisions easier.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_170"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_2_5 et_pb_column_181 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_divider_0 et_pb_space et_pb_divider_hidden"&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_divider_internal"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_5 et_pb_column_182 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_200 et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Subscribe Now to Stay Current!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; Want to know more about how AR will impact the performance of your clinic and your relationship with your patients?&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;Join our newsletter&lt;/strong&gt; to stay up to date as we dive deeper into this emerging field of medicine.&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;div id="et_pb_contact_form_0" class="et_pb_module et_pb_contact_form_0 et_pb_recaptcha_enabled et_pb_contact_form_container clearfix" data-form_unique_num="0" data-form_unique_id="e2f61e53-816b-4684-a30e-3e9d361352e9"&gt; &lt;div class="et-pb-contact-message"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_contact"&gt; &lt;form class="et_pb_contact_form clearfix" method="post" action="https://topdoctormagazine.com/categories/"&gt; &lt;p class="et_pb_contact_field et_pb_contact_field_0 et_pb_contact_field_half" data-id="name" data-type="input"&gt; &lt;label for="et_pb_contact_name_0" class="et_pb_contact_form_label"&gt;Name&lt;/label&gt; &lt;input type="text" id="et_pb_contact_name_0" class="input" value="" name="et_pb_contact_name_0" data-required_mark="required" data-field_type="input" data-original_id="name" placeholder="Name"&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="et_pb_contact_field et_pb_contact_field_1 et_pb_contact_field_half et_pb_contact_field_last" data-id="email" data-type="email"&gt; &lt;label for="et_pb_contact_email_0" class="et_pb_contact_form_label"&gt;Email Address&lt;/label&gt; &lt;input type="text" id="et_pb_contact_email_0" class="input" value="" name="et_pb_contact_email_0" data-required_mark="required" data-field_type="email" data-original_id="email" placeholder="Email Address"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;input type="hidden" value="et_contact_proccess" name="et_pb_contactform_submit_0"/&gt; &lt;div class="et_contact_bottom_container"&gt; &lt;button type="submit" name="et_builder_submit_button" class="et_pb_contact_submit et_pb_button" data-icon="="&gt;Submit&lt;/button&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;input type="hidden" id="_wpnonce-et-pb-contact-form-submitted-0" name="_wpnonce-et-pb-contact-form-submitted-0" value="3b23b8af8a" /&gt;&lt;input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/categories/" /&gt; &lt;/form&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_171"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_183 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_blurb et_pb_blurb_0 et_clickable et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_blurb_position_top et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_blurb_content"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_main_blurb_image"&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-medical-metaverse-useful-data-and-simulations-for-medicine-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/"&gt;&lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap et_pb_only_image_mode_wrap"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/scientist-doctor-with-augmented-reality-glasses-3d-vr-2.jpg" alt="" class="et-waypoint et_pb_animation_top et_pb_animation_top_tablet et_pb_animation_top_phone wp-image-19079" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_blurb_container"&gt; &lt;h4 class="et_pb_module_header"&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-medical-metaverse-useful-data-and-simulations-for-medicine-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/"&gt;Part 2: The Medical Metaverse: Useful Data and Simulations for Medicine in the Palm of Your Hand&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_blurb_description"&gt;Augmented reality and the metaverse is no longer just for video games and social media. These two technologies are being applied to the medical field to completely revise how patients...&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/doctor-virtual-glasses-laboratory-conducts-experiment-nanotechnology-medicine.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/augmented-reality-and-medicine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26445</ID> <title>Eczema: What Is It?</title> <publishDate>2023-04-03 05:15:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_133 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_172"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_184 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_86 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_258 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_259 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_260 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_201 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most significant organ of the human body is the skin, and we have to keep it healthy and clean as it represents a massive part of us. However, as with any other body part, the skin can encounter medical issues, such as eczema. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema: What Is It? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema, also called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;atopic dermatitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, is a condition that causes your skin to blister and become itchy, dry and full of rashes. The symptoms depend on the type of eczema you are experiencing. This skin infection is widespread in children (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;infantile eczema and childhood eczema), especially those going through puberty. But this does not mean adults are safe from eczema. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An important detail of eczema is that it is chronic, meaning it can last for lengthy periods. In addition, eczema can have different stages of magnitude, named by the people with this skin condition as 'flare-ups.' Usually, flare-ups erupt in unexpected moments, but specific triggers can speed it up.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Types of Eczema &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema is very well known for the variety of types it presents. Each eczema type comes with a set of symptoms to help you identify it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atopic Dermatitis &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It is mainly seen in children and can be mild or severe. Parents can hand down atopic dermatitis to children through DNA. Children with atopic dermatitis are more likely to develop food sensitivity, hay fever or asthma. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Symptoms of atopic dermatitis include itchy and inflamed skin and redness. This type of eczema usually appears on the knees, neck, creases of the elbows, wrists and facial skin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cold weather, low humidity, detergents, soaps, perfume, animal hair or saliva, scabies, dust, wool, synthetics, food allergies and hormonal changes can trigger severe atopic dermatitis flare-ups. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contact Dermatitis &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contact dermatitis appears when your skin comes in contact with certain substances. As a result, the skin patch becomes red, dry and itchy. It can also blister very quickly and turn into a hive, a type of rash resembling small red bumps. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This type of eczema increases its chance of appearing if you already suffer from atopic dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can either be irritant or allergic. Irritant contact dermatitis appears when your skin comes in contact with substances that irritate the skin, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Solvents;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cement;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weed killers;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acids and alkalis;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hair dyes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different types of shampoo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fabric softeners and harsh detergents. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allergic contact dermatitis develops when a person's immune system considers particular substances as allergens. Usually, once the body deems a substance an allergen, you will be allergic to it. Examples of possible allergens are:  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Latex;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fabrics and clothing dyes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Glue and adhesive;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants like sumac, poison oak and poison ivy;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medications such as oral antibiotics and topical;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Makeup and different cosmetics;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nail polish.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neurodermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20375634"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neurodermatitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neurodermatitis is a more severe eczema type. It manifests itself by developing itchy patches on your skin that become itchier and itchier with each scratch. Repeatedly scratching the skin patch causes it to become thick and leathery. The scratching cycle can disrupt your sleep schedule, sexual drive and general quality of life. Neurodermatitis usually develops on the wrists, legs, neck, forearms and anal region.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dyshidrotic Eczema &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx eczema, is a skin condition that usually appears in people under 40 years old. It manifests itself by spreading small blisters all over the hands and feet, becoming incredibly itchy, filling with liquid and turning infectious. In addition, the blisters can become very painful as they swell up and ooze pus. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It has not been discovered what causes dyshidrotic eczema to develop, but it is more common in people experiencing hay fever, fungal skin infections and atopic dermatitis. In addition, it can sometimes be triggered by emotional stress and drastic weather changes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nummular Eczema &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nummular eczema, also known as discoid eczema, is easily recognized because of the circular-shaped patches of itchy, red and swollen skin that it causes. This type of eczema usually affects the lower legs, forearms and torso. Nummular eczema can be triggered by: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cold weather;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bacterial skin infections;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Insect bites;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry skin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Injuries such as burns, friction and slashes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain medication;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atopic dermatitis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352710"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seborrheic Dermatitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seborrheic dermatitis is the only type of eczema that mainly affects your scalp. It manifests itself through scaly patches, red skin and dandruff spreading on your scalp and face. It can also affect oily parts of the body such as the sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, ears and chest. The main seborrheic dermatitis triggers are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain medications;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weak immune system;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Illnesses such as (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIV, AIDS and cancer) and alcoholic pancreatitis;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going through an arduous recovery, especially from a heart attack.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/dermatitis/stasis-dermatitis"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stasis Dermatitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stasis dermatitis is the type of eczema that usually spreads around the lower legs. The main cause of stasis dermatitis is a condition called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20366493" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chronic edema&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Chronic edema is the swelling caused by excess fluid in the body tissue. Stasis dermatitis turns the skin around your lower leg red and very itchy. It can also lead to more dangerous symptoms such as hyperpigmentation, pus and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537332/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lichenification&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema Symptoms &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema varies in the types and symptoms you can experience. Usually, each type of eczema has different symptoms to help you identify it. But, even with all of these types, there are a few symptoms of eczema experienced through each of them, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Itching;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry skin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sensitive skin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swelling;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oozing;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Crusting of the skin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inflammation;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discoloration of the skin patch;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lathery or scaly skin patches.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body Areas Predisposed to Eczema &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The affected skin areas vary because so many types of eczema are different in how they manifest and the areas they affect. Most types of eczema affect the face, neck, wrists and hands, but they can also spread on your legs, feet, scalp and anal region. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Often Does Eczema Flare Up?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Three things can be said about eczema flare-ups: they are occasional, chaotic and triggered by different factors. If you think you have figured out what causes your eczema flare-ups, you can diminish them by keeping your distance from triggers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema Versus Psoriasis &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psoriasis is a skin disease that manifests itself similarly to eczema. However, there are ways to tell them apart. Eczema causes such intense itchiness that you can start bleeding if you can't avoid scratching. The skin patch turns red, inflamed, crusty and can scale and ooze. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, psoriasis also causes itchy skin, but the skin also stings and burns. Psoriasis also causes red patches of skin, but the patches are much thicker and more inflamed than eczema. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema Versus Hives &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hives, also known as urticaria, are an allergic reaction to factors your body considers allergens. A significant difference between eczema and hives is that eczema turns the patch of skin very dry and leathery, while hives only cause large bumps to appear without any fluid. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema Versus Rosacea &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rosacea is a skin condition that also causes redness, itching and bumps to appear on the skin. It's challenging to tell eczema and rosacea apart, but you will find differences if you pay close attention to the details. For example, eczema does not cause flushing of the skin or make your blood vessels more visible, such as rosacea. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema Versus Shingles &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both skin conditions cause the skin to become inflamed, itchy and somewhat painful. Shingles are considered to be herpes caused by a virus named varicella-zoster virus. Specific differences between the two conditions are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rashes caused by shingles appear on only one side of the body, while the rash caused by eczema spreads on both sides.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shingles cause burning and tingling before the rash appears;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shingles cause fatigue;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shingles usually disappear after a few weeks, while eczema is chronic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema during Pregnancy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experiencing eczema during pregnancy will not put a pregnant woman or her fetus in danger. But, because it's a chronic condition, eczema can continue even after pregnancy. So, if you would like to follow up on treatment for eczema during pregnancy, talk to your doctor first, as they can prescribe you a treatment that won't put you or the child in danger.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Eczema Cause Hair Loss?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Only seborrheic dermatitis can cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hshairclinic.co.uk/news/eczema-psoriasis-and-hair-loss" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hair loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if left untreated. This happens because the hair finds it difficult to grow through an unhealthy and inflamed scalp. Also, people with seborrheic dermatitis tend to scratch their scalp, leading to hair loss. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Facial Eczema Treatments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because eczema is persistent, you may need to try various treatments over a long period until you find something that genuinely controls the skin condition. But this does not mean that it will genuinely disappear and that the flare-ups will stop. The most common &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353279" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;treatment modalities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Topical treatments such as creams and mild soaps to stop the itching and repair the skin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prescription medications that fight the infection and control the inflammation;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therapies such as wet dressings, counseling and light therapy;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Behavior modification to stop scratching yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eczema Foods to Avoid &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since people with eczema have different triggers and allergens, it's hard to put your finger on eczema-related foods. You first have to determine which foods are causing the skin reaction and flare-ups. When you find that the eczema symptoms worsen after eating a particular type of food, it's time to remove it from your diet. The most &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320855#elimination-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;common foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that trigger eczema and eczema flare-up are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dairy;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eggs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soy;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gluten;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wealth;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citrus fruits;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spices;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tomatoes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pears.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Eczema Be Cured? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, there is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9998-eczema" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no absolute cure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for this skin condition because eczema is chronic. Some treatments can diminish the eczema symptoms and even stop them for weeks, but there is no cure.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="color: #333333; font-size: 26px;"&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you think you may suffer from eczema, it's essential to consult a doctor or dermatologist since this condition can become dangerous if left untreated. However, you can live a happy and healthy life with proper treatment modalities, even if your eczema will never truly vanish.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Eczema.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/eczema-what-is-it/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27690</ID> <title>Ashwagandha: The Newest Trending Herb for Your Health</title> <publishDate>2023-03-30 23:20:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_134 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_173"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_185 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_87 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_261 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_262 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_263 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_202 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ashwagandha is a shrub found natively in Asia and Africa and has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Recently, it has gained some popularity in teas and moon milk flavors. But the pending question is whether it has any health benefits that come along with the fancy name. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Traditional Use of Ashwagandha&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The herb is often used for rejuvenation treatments like building stamina, immunity, or endurance. It is seen as an anti-stress and brain-nourishing drug that can be used traditionally for the treatment of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or dementia. It can also combine with other treatments to treat issues with the liver and urinary system. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ashwagandha-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Forbes Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, there are seven main benefits that science has listed for Ashwagandha. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first benefit is that it can relieve stress or anxiety. A study conducted points to the fact that doses of Ashwagandha can give better sleep quality as well, which in return can aid anxiety or stress. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another benefit Forbes Health points out is that it can lower blood glucose levels and triglycerides.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study found that Ashwagandha may increase speed and strength of people consuming it. Another study found that muscle power increased along with the improvement of sleep. The study showed a significant gain in muscle strength and size with a reduction in body fat percentage as well. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a study conducted on women, Ashwagandha improved arousal, lubrication, orgasms, and overall satisfaction sexually from a self-report of participants. The distress surrounding the participants regarding sexual health was also lowered after taking Ashwagandha. Along with women, men’s sexual wellness was improved with ashwagandha as well. A study showed that administration of it to infertile men improved sperm quality and increased testosterone levels. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cognitive function improvement is yet another benefit of ashwagandha use. It’s been suggested that motor responses and memory can both be improved through the use of ashwagandha. Another study found that it improved attention spans immensely and immediate and general memory. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, ashwagandha has been shown in two studies to increase your VO2 max levels, which are the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ashwagandha-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;maximum amount of oxygen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; taken during physical movement. This all connects to your heart and lungs in delivering oxygen to muscles. These studies need more research but are pointing to the fact that ashwagandha has a lot of benefits to consider. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Side Effects or Risks &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The FDA does not regulate the manufacturers of ashwagandha, which means they are not under the same standards that pharmaceutical companies and food producers are. Be sure to keep this in mind during purchase and use. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There have not been enough long-term studies to examine a lot of long-lasting side effects of taking ashwagandha. Most people can handle smaller &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318407#side-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;doses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of ashwagandha just fine with no side effects. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, large consumption can lead to digestive issues such as nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting due to irritation of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318407#side-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intestinal mucosa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is always a good idea to discuss your health with your doctor to see if Ashwagandha could have any side effects paired with medications you are already taking or if it could weaken the medication’s use. It could also pose a risk if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have thyroid issues. It may also be a smart idea to get allergy tested for Ashwagandha if you are allergic to grass or nightshades. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ways to Incorporate Ashwagandha&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The obvious ways to incorporate ashwagandha into your diet include capsules, tablets, gummies, and powders, but you can also consume it in the form of herbal tea. Some professionals suggest implementing it through tea as a way to introduce it gently to your diet and allow it to contribute to your hydration! However, adding the raw form may be more difficult for your body to implement, especially if you add a high dosage.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Too high of a dosage of ashwagandha has the potential to completely lose its therapeutic benefits and even render carcinogenic if used improperly. Mixing the powder into your granola, overnight oats, or smoothies can be beneficial as long as you do not overdo the dosage. Talk to a professional before implementing the raw form into your diet. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do your research before purchasing any form of ashwagandha to ensure that it actually has what you are looking for in terms of benefits and ingredients. Consult a healthcare professional before introducing it to your diet!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ashwagandha.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/ashwagandha-the-newest-trending-herb-for-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27683</ID> <title>5 Strategies for a Happy, Healthy Spring!</title> <publishDate>2023-03-28 23:00:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_135 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_174"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_186 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_88 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_264 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_265 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_266 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_203 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring is a time for renewal and fresh living. It’s a time for new healthy habits to form. So as the days get longer and the sun starts to shine brighter in many parts of the world, it's time to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and take on a few new habits to ensure that you have a happy and healthy spring. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are five tips to help you do just that:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Outdoors &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spending time outdoors can help boost your mood, reduce stress, and improve your overall health and well-being. Take advantage of the gentle spring weather and get outside for a walk, jog, or bike ride. Spend time in your backyard or a nearby park. Try something new, like paddle boarding or kayaking. The fresh air and physical activity will do good for your physical health and your mental health alike. Being able to get in the sunshine can increase your overall happiness and prompt you to do physical exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eat Healthier &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring is the perfect time to start eating healthier. With the sense of renewal that comes with springtime, it could be the perfect time to try new healthy foods or start that diet you have been putting off all winter! Incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and substituting unhealthy snacks and treats with healthier alternatives can be a great lifestyle to try this spring. It could also be the perfect time to make healthier choices, such as grilling or baking instead of frying foods. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Practice mindfulness &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment without judgment and with acceptance. It is a powerful tool that can help us cultivate a greater degree of peace and calm in our lives, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. When practiced regularly, mindfulness can also help us become more in tune with our physical and emotional needs, which can be beneficial in helping us take better care of ourselves. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best ways to practice mindfulness during spring is to engage in daily mindfulness walks. Meditation and focus can improve your mental health immensely. As the warm weather starts, taking these walks and meditating outside could change your entire mindset!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Use Sun Protection &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the days get warmer and the sun begins to shine more brightly, it’s important to remember to take care of your skin. Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer weather and get outside, but it’s also important to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sun protection is essential for keeping your skin healthy and preventing skin cancer, premature aging, and other unnecessary skin damage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;UV radiation from the sun can cause a range of skin issues, from sunburns to dry and itchy skin. In addition, long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to wrinkling, age spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer. To shield your skin from the sun’s damaging rays, it’s essential to use sun protection. The best way to protect your skin is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Enough Sleep!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the days start to get longer and spring approaches, we need to take care of our bodies and get enough sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can affect our mental and physical health negatively. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough sleep can help to improve your mood and energy levels. When we’re tired, we’re more likely to be irritable and find it difficult to concentrate. This can really affect how we interact with others and our overall productivity. When we get enough sleep, we’re more likely to be in a better mood, have more energy and be able to think clearly – all of which will help us to enjoy the spring season. Not getting enough sleep can also affect your mental health. People who don’t get enough sleep can experience increased stress levels, depression, and anxiety. These can all have a negative effect on your physical health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping enough is also important for our physical health. Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect your immune system. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body isn’t able to fight off infection and illness as well as it normally would, which can make you more prone to getting sick and make it harder to recover.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lack of sleep can also have a negative effect on your heart health. Studies have shown that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to have high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Closing Thoughts &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring is a time for renewal and happiness! It is an excellent time of year to try something new and be outside while focusing on the warm weather and leaving winter behind. Focusing on these strategies can help you have a happy, healthy spring! Happy Spring!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Happy-Spring.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-strategies-for-a-happy-healthy-spring/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27675</ID> <title>Spring Into Self-Care</title> <publishDate>2023-03-27 22:28:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_136 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_175"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_187 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_89 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_267 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_268 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_269 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_204 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Springtime is the perfect time for self-care. After the cold, dark winter months, the days are finally starting to grow longer, the sun is shining brighter, and the weather is getting warmer. While the spring season can be a wonderful time of renewal, for those struggling with seasonal depression, it can also be a difficult time. Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental, physical, and emotional health. In the springtime, it can take on a delightful form. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the sun starts shining brighter and warmer days become more frequent, it can be easier to find time to take care of yourself, especially if you suffer from mental illness. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of the sunshine and warmer weather. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get outside&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be hard to motivate yourself when you’re struggling with seasonal depression, but getting outside into the sunshine and fresh air can make a big difference. Even just a few minutes in the sunlight can help to boost your mood and encourage you to be more active. Spending time outdoors has been shown to have various mental health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and aiding in the treatment of depression. Going outside is not only good for your physical health but can also benefit your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going outside can be beneficial for your mental health because it can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Exposure to sunlight, fresh air and natural beauty can help to lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and being in nature can also provide a sense of peace and tranquility, allowing one to feel more relaxed and at ease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The activities that one can do while outdoors can also help to improve mood. Exercises, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or biking, release endorphins, hormones associated with happiness and improved mood, and also distract from every day worries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is one of the best ways to combat depression. It increases endorphins, which can lift your mood and help you focus on positive things. Exercising is an essential part of self-care because it can help improve mood, reduce stress, and boost self-esteem. Physical activity has been shown to be an effective way to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In addition, regular exercise can help people improve their sleep quality and reduce fatigue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health benefits of exercise include increased resilience to stress, improved memory and concentration, and enhanced creativity. Exercise can also help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising can improve mood and boost self-esteem by reducing stress hormones, increasing endorphins, and providing physical and psychological benefits. Endorphins are chemicals released in the brain that make you feel good. Exercise can also help reduce anxiety symptoms by allowing people to direct their energy into physical activities rather than worrying or ruminating on their worries. And with springtime occurring, you can exercise outside!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Give Yourself Flowers as Self-Care &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring is all about blooming flowers, so why not pick some up for yourself? A bouquet of fresh flowers can be an inexpensive way to cheer yourself up and add a touch of beauty to your home. The best part of spring is gathering flowers outside rather than purchasing them if you want! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With all the flowers blooming outdoors, why not pick a few and put them in your home for some cheer? Flowers appeal to our sense of smell and sight and can evoke happy emotions when we see or smell them! Certain smells of flowers can even promote relaxation and calming feelings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eating Outside&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating outside is a great way to get some fresh air and get in tune with nature. It offers the perfect self-care opportunity for you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and focus on nourishing your body with a healthy meal while enjoying the warm weather. Whether you’re at a picnic in the park or having dinner on your patio, try to make it a priority to get outside and enjoy your meal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being able to combine some of life’s greatest gifts- the outdoors and food- you are sure to experience a serotonin boost and engage in some healthy self-care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Incorporate Natural Lighting&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natural lighting has a positive effect on mood, energy levels, and overall wellness. So as the days get longer and the sunlight is more abundant, make sure to take advantage of it. Unfortunately, many LED lighting is unbalanced, which is not the healthiest for your eyes and can lead to eyestrain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By opening some windows, curtains, or blinds to the sunshine outside, you can help your eyesight and improve your mental health and self-care routine!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Closing Thoughts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care looks different for everyone. There are so many varying forms of self-care available to us that it can feel overwhelming to choose one. This spring, try as many forms as you want until you select the perfect one. Spring is a time for renewal and cheerfulness. Incorporate some self-care to promote your well-being!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/self-care.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/spring-into-self-care/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27668</ID> <title>It’s That Time of Year: Seasonal Allergies!</title> <publishDate>2023-03-27 22:13:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_137 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_176"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_188 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_90 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_270 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_271 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_272 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_205 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal allergies affect many people across the U.S. every spring. Allergies are when your system reacts to something that does not bother other people’s systems. Usually, seasonal allergies in the spring are from pollen released by plants. Your typical allergy symptoms include sneezing, coughing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and itchy throat. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treating Allergies &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few approaches anyone suffering from seasonal allergies can take to help subside the allergies. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;says there are four categories science supports in treating: psychological, physical, nutritional, or combinatorial approaches.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychological approaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can include things such as meditation, hypnosis, music therapy, or relaxation therapy. When mixed with physical approaches, there can be some effective treatments. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acupuncture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found evidence in 2015 that it can be an extremely effective way to treat seasonal allergies. Research also found that rinsing your sinuses with a neti pot or another form of device to rinse sinuses can be useful in treatment for many. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nutritional approach,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a few studies have found that the herb butterbur can help ease the side effects of seasonal allergies. In addition, a few studies point to honey helping relieve pollen allergies because of the small amounts of pollen that may help people build up a tolerance to it. Honey is also suggested as an anti-inflammatory agent. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Reduce Your Exposure to Allergy Triggers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can improve your seasonal allergies this spring by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reducing exposure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to things that can trigger allergy symptoms! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay inside on dry, windy days. These kinds of days have mass amounts of pollen, so staying inside could reduce your symptoms. Your best days to go outside will be right after it rains because the rain clears up some pollen from the air. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid lawn care activities like mowing, weed pulling, or gardening if you can. These jobs stir up allergens naturally. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove your outer clothes when you come inside. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try to remove any clothes with pollen contact and shower as soon as possible to reduce the pollen in your hair and on your skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This one may be extreme to you, but wearing a face mask if you do outside chores can help reduce your intake of pollen immensely!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take Those Extra Steps to Reduce Pollen Exposure&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good thing about seasonal allergies is that because it affects millions a year, you can check your local television stations, newspapers, or the Internet to see the current pollen levels outside. When there are high levels forecasted, you can take allergy medication before exposure to reduce the allergy reactions! You can also use these pollen predictions to avoid the outdoors when needed. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It probably seems impossible to eliminate all the allergens from your home, but there are plenty of ways you can help keep the allergens reduced in your home. By using air conditioning in your house and car, you can create circulation to avoid inhaling as much pollen. You can also invest in a dehumidifier to keep your indoor air dry. Basic cleaning, like wiping down surfaces and vacuuming the floor, can also gather pollen throughout the day to reduce exposure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Over the Counter Remedies &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of course, there are always medications that you can take when your home remedies do not quite help the way you need. There are different kinds to try over the counter. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oral antihistamines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are ones like Zyrtec Allergy, Allegra Allergy, or Claritin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These help relieve itchy noses and throats, sneezing, or watery eyes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Corticosteroid nasal sprays &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are medications that aid nasal symptoms temporarily. These include Flonase Allergy Relief, Rhinocort Allergy, or Nasacort Allergy. Long-term use of these products should be discussed with your health provider. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cromolyn sodium nasal sprays are ones that ease allergies by blocking the release of immune system agents that cause allergy symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are best used before allergy exposure begins and must be used between four and six times daily to be truly effective.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oral decongestants include Sudafed, Zyrtec-D we Hour, Allegra-D 12 Hour Allergy and Congestion, or Claritin-D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They are primarily helpful for stuffy noses and can help with decongestants. These should be discussed with medical providers before use. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Prescriptions and Other Treatments for Allergies &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes over-the-counter medication or other home remedy treatments are not enough. When your allergies are far more severe, it may take prescribed medical treatment. Speaking with your doctor can help you figure out what kind of treatment you should look into to treat your seasonal allergies. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some providers will conduct skin tests or blood tests to find what triggers your symptoms, then be used to find what steps you need to take to avoid the triggers and prescribe the best treatment for your symptoms. Many people utilize allergy shots to ease seasonal allergies! These shots are known as allergen immunotherapy and can reduce the immune system reaction that causes your symptoms. Ask your doctor about this kind of treatment for your seasonal allergies.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Seasonal-Allergies.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/its-that-time-of-year-seasonal-allergies/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27661</ID> <title>Why You Shouldn’t Skip Spring Cleaning This Year</title> <publishDate>2023-03-26 22:01:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_138 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_177"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_189 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_91 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_273 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_274 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_275 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_206 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s almost that time of year where people tend to participate in spring cleaning! This dreaded time of year may actually be more beneficial to your health than you realize. It is not just mentally helpful but physically. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleaning your house, apartment, condo or living space looks different for everyone, but one thing is for sure- it has incredible benefits for everyone involved. Cleaning is important for your home and even more important for your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ways That Spring Cleaning Can Benefit Your Health &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first way that spring cleaning benefits your health is by simply improving air quality in your home. Throughout the winter season, your home acquires a build up of dust or dirt. Allergens build up the entire winter and can cause breathing or health issues in the spring. Cleaning and clearing out the dust and build up can do wonders for your breathing this spring!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This also falls into the idea that cleaning out your space can strengthen your immune system. So many things build up over winter and can irritate your allergies. While spring cleaning you should focus on a few cleaning aspects that will help eliminate these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-health-benefits-of-spring-cleaning#1.-Strengthen-your-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;allergens from your space&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vacuum any rugs, cobwebs, curtains, and spaces that you can. This will help eliminate the dust build up and smaller materials not necessarily visible to the human eye. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wash bedding, blankets and pillows. Putting pillows on high heat will help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-health-benefits-of-spring-cleaning#1.-Strengthen-your-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eliminate dust mites&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take shoes off at the door to avoid dragging dust and dirt into the home. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleaning spaces consistently and maintaining that cleanliness can eliminate bacterias and germs if done properly. This can result in less sickness in your home and better health overall for anyone who enters your home. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another way spring cleaning can benefit your health is through reducing stress. Clutter goes hand-in-hand with stress. Seeing the mess and clutter of build up from winter can cause a lot of stress until it is dealt with. Stress can harm your health in more ways than you even realize, so it is best to avoid it by doing the things to avoid it such as spring cleaning. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clearing and cleaning can also help your focus! Removing distractions and marking things off your “To Do List” can improve your focus immensely. The less distractions for your brain the better your focus will be. Focus and depression are closely related according to some research. By keeping a clean space, depression can be helped at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-health-benefits-of-spring-cleaning#1.-Strengthen-your-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a little.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A final reason you should not skip your spring cleaning this year is because the cleaning can actually reduce the risk of injury for you and anyone who enters your home. Think about how cleaning up the items everywhere can prevent accidents such as tripping and therefore, eliminate injury. Sometimes just cleaning up some space can prevent injuries which is good for everyone for obvious reasons! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Closing Thoughts &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The point is that with Spring Cleaning 2023 almost upon us, it may be time for you to plan out how you want to conduct your cleaning. It can have more benefits than just a clean home. Your health should be prioritized, and spring cleaning may just be one way to do that. By focusing on cleaner habits, your health journey could seriously improve in ways you would not have realized otherwise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/spring-cleaing.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-you-shouldnt-skip-spring-cleaning-this-year/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27654</ID> <title>Beware of Ticks This Spring</title> <publishDate>2023-03-26 21:37:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_139 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_178"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_190 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_92 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_276 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_277 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_278 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_207 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CDC&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, ticks are a year-round issue but are most active in warmer months which are April to September. Where different kinds of ticks can be found most commonly depends on where you live. The CDC has a link to which ticks are most common in your area &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/geographic_distribution.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Should Ticks Be Avoided? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ticks can carry serious diseases with them. They can cause Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever which can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/stopticks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fatal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But that’s not all. Ticks can carry an array of other diseases such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/anaplasmosis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anaplasmosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Babesiosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ehrlichiosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stari/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Southern tick-associated rash illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/relapsing-fever/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tick-borne relapsing fever&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coloradotickfever/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Colorado tick fever&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Powassan virus infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tularemia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;None of these illnesses or diseases are ideal and some are deadly. Avoiding ticks and knowing how to treat a tick bite if found on the body can be a matter of life and death in some cases. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Where Are Ticks Found? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ticks can be found in grassy areas, brush, the woods or even on other animals. Most ticks are found near homes and yards. While avoiding ticks in the outdoors is basically impossible, you can prevent tick bites through the use of tick repellents that are registered with the EPA.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CDC suggests using repellents&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/stopticks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; There is a tool on the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;EPA’s website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to find a product to best suit your needs and tell you which ones to use with children. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Check for Tick Bites &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best things you can do to avoid illness from ticks is check for bites once you are indoors. Even as you check the body it is vital to make sure that you are checking everywhere and keeping an eye out for the bites and for the ticks themselves. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can greatly reduce the risk for ticks and bites as well. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While avoiding the bites and ticks all together is obviously the best case scenario, there are times when bites happen and ticks are found. When this happens, the CDC has a list of protocols you should follow. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If a tick is found, remove it immediately. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grasp the tick with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pull it out. There is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tick removal page&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that offers tips and techniques for when a tick is found. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Watch and know the signs of sickness such as rash or fever in the days and weeks following the bite. Risks for illness depend on different factors so be sure to see a doctor if you become sick, notice a rash or develop a fever. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Closing Thoughts &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ticks can be a scary thought, but fear not! Avoiding ticks and preventing illness is still possible. When a tick bite or tick is found, knowing the proper treatment is vital in your health. Springtime marks the beginning of tick season so be sure to familiarize yourself with treatments and repellents to have a safe spring!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ticks-this-spring.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/beware-of-ticks-this-spring/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27647</ID> <title>Is Sunscreen Good for You?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-25 21:08:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_140 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_179"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_191 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_93 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_279 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_280 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_281 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_208 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The cold season is at hand, and, as always, our interest in sunscreen goes into a slump, as if the skin-damaging sun rays can't get to us through the winter sky. But this belief is nothing but true. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.skincancer.org/press/winter-sun-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have shown that sun exposure can be more dangerous during the winter season in specific circumstances. As winter is right at our doorstep, we should continue talking about sunscreen use and not just its benefits, but also our concerns surrounding it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Benefits of Sunscreen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What sun exposure does to your skin in your 20s becomes visible as you approach your 40s, although we sometimes associate its effects with the aging process. However, we're ignoring a key aspect: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;solar radiation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been piling up on your skin for decades, creating wrinkles, uneven texture or pigmentation and darkened spots. Sun exposure hastens natural aging, little by little. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The purpose of sunscreen is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-366/sunscreen-topical/details" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to absorb or reflect the sun's UV rays&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, thus protecting your skin from its harmful effects. Prolonged and frequent sun exposure has been closely linked to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/5240-sun-damage-protecting-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sunburn, premature aging and even skin cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The main health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of sunscreen are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It helps prevent sunburns, liver spots and cancer; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It ensures a proper aging process for the skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Two Types of Sunscreen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunscreen works as a shield between your skin and the sun's rays by blocking their harmful radiation. There are basically &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/beauty/is-sunscreen-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;two types of sunscreen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, each with different effects and health benefits:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chemical sunscreens: Once applied to the skin, they absorb the sun's radiation and convert it into heat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mineral sunscreens: They reflect a significant part of the sun's radiation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Do We Measure the Effectiveness of Sunscreen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effectiveness of particular sunscreen products is measured using the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/6084625/sunscreen-safety-regulations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SPF&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., sun protection factor). High SPF products are more effective at protecting your skin. A sunscreen of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/beauty/is-sunscreen-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;at least 30 SPF&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will suffice if you're going for a casual outdoor stroll. However, consider using a higher SPF sunscreen when planning a sunny beach day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunscreen should be a solid part of your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;skincare routine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when going outdoors — there's no doubt about that. Daily sunscreen usage can prevent severe conditions related to the harmful effects of sun exposure, such as various types of skin cancer.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Sunscreen Ingredients Should I Avoid?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In later years, a few research papers have cast some doubt concerning the safety of chemical sunscreen. It was discovered that active ingredients such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/beauty/is-sunscreen-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oxybenzone and octinoxate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;were absorbed into the body at a higher rate than the FDA-desired limit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have been inconclusive on whether this absorption poses a health risk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/6084625/sunscreen-safety-regulations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some have linked&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; excessive oxybenzone to hormonal changes, as well as kidney and thyroid functions. Breastfeeding mothers must be extra careful with sunscreen because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research has concluded&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that oxybenzone can make its way into their breast milk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most studies are inconclusive, but one thing is certain: look for sunscreen products with lower levels of oxybenzone. No sunscreen should contain more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/6084625/sunscreen-safety-regulations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2.2% oxybenzone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in its composition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides oxybenzone and octinoxate, there are other ingredients labeled "to be avoided or reduced" by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Homosalate;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Octisalate;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Octocrylene;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although research disputing the health benefits of chemical sunscreen is inconclusive, people tend to give it credit. For example, people who have used sunscreen regularly rush to mineral sunscreen since &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/beauty/is-sunscreen-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;there is no evidence mineral sunscreen ingredients get into the bloodstream&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. One thing to be avoided concerning mineral sunscreen spray products is inhaling them. You don't want titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in your lungs, as they can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/beauty/is-sunscreen-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;harm your respiratory system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Sunscreen Affect Marine Life?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has pointed out&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that some ingredients found in sunscreen may affect marine life. Coral reefs, dolphins, algae and fish might suffer in one way or another from sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and titanium dioxide. Therefore, swimmers are advised to search for a sea-friendly sunscreen product.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are There Any Benefits of Using Sunscreen in Winter?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unlike us, the sun doesn't take a holiday break during winter. As a result, some solar radiation penetrates the clouds and can reach your skin, as the sun's rays are reflected and intensified by snow. Sunscreen helps block harmful radiation during all seasons, so &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/skin-health/sun/sunscreen-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;don't hesitate to use it&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regardless of the season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Should We Use Sunscreen Even at Home?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consider wearing sunscreen at home, especially if you work near a window through which the sun shines. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/does-sitting-near-a-window-make-your-skin-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that people working near a window for prolonged periods have more wrinkles on the exposed side of the face. A lower SPF sunscreen should do the job!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keep Your Skin Away From The Sun's Harmful Rays, Even in Winter!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regularly applied sunscreen can be a lifesaver, as it can prevent malignant skin cancer. Research regarding its safety goes on, and we hope that in a few years, we might have the perfect sunscreen, safe beyond any doubt, both for humans and marine life alike.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sunscreen.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-sunscreen-good-for-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27635</ID> <title>What Type of Exercise Should I Do to Have the Best Results?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-25 20:36:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_141 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_180"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_192 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_94 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_282 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_283 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_284 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_209 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If your new year resolution for 2023 is to start getting physically active or incorporating exercise into your routine, you should start by identifying your body type. Many people have made the mistake of choosing grueling workouts or hitting the gym every day, only to find that it isn't making any difference. Why? Because they are not considering their bodies' natural capabilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every individual is different, and to reach your fitness goals, you need to customize your fitness and diet plan according to your body type.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Is Body Type Important?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before we delve deep into the main topic, let's discuss why your body type is important when choosing an athletic sport or exercise routine. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/24/12914" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted in 2021, morphological features play a critical role in sports' accomplishments. For example, when an athlete is being considered for a sport, their physical characteristics must fit the model somatic pattern for that specific sport. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body composition provides a foundation for improving movement technique and particular physical fitness. Body type assessment consists of a somatotype assessment based on the relationship between body fat and lean body content, reciprocal ponderal index, muscular development and skeleton robustness. Somatotypes provide complete information about the morphology and features of the body. According to this assessment, there are three main body types.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Are the Three Main Body Types?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Endomorphs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Typical characteristics include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wider body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slower metabolism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heavier bone structure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Better strength&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Endomorphs are individuals that can gain weight easily but have a harder time losing it. They have lots of muscles and body fat and a wider body structure than other types, such as wider hips, waist and shorter limbs. Although, their increased muscle mass gives them extra strength and stamina to do hardcore workouts or hold postures for longer periods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ectomorphs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Typical characteristics include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Narrow and delicate frame&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Struggles to gain muscle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Faster metabolism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Longer and leaner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ectomorphs are individuals with leaner and longer body frames. They have a faster metabolism than other body types and struggle to gain weight or muscle, which is their ultimate fitness goal. Even if they gain weight, they look thinner, especially in their limbs. Their faster metabolism ensures they stave off fat from accumulating in the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mesomorphs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Typical characteristics include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Well-defined muscles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can be lean or muscular&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Small joints, long limbs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mesomorphs are a combination of both ectomorphs and endomorphs. They can gain and lose weight without extra effort and eat whatever they want without worrying too much. They tend to have a narrow waist, broad shoulders, and round muscle bellies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from these three, there are typical combinations of body types, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ecto-endomorphs - they are pear-shaped with thin, delicate upper bodies and high-fat storage in the hips and thighs,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Endo-ectomorphs - they are apple-shaped with high-fat storage in the mid-section and thin lower bodies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Identifying your body type can give you an idea about the type of exercise or workout that will generate results within a specified timeframe. Remember, these findings are indicative and not conclusive. Individuals can also be a combination of two body types and, thus, should choose their exercise regime and diet accordingly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Choosing the Right Type of Exercise According to Your Body Type&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Endomorphs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are an endomorph, you can include the following type of exercises or workouts in your routine. Try doing two to four sets of each exercise with a minimum of 15 reps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Squats&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Squats are perfect for this body type as it helps you work various muscles. Although there are multiple variations available, and you can choose according to your preference, we have defined the method for the basic squat below:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stand upright with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing outward.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep your back flat and your core engaged as you bend your knees and sit in a squat position, pushing your hips out. It's best to go down until your thighs are parallel to the ground. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ensure you inhale in a squat and exhale when returning to the initial position.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pushups&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pushups are another beneficial compound exercise for individuals with an endomorph body type.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lie down on the floor and keep your hands under your shoulder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By aligning your head and body, ensure your body is in a plank position.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slowly lower your body towards the floor by bending your elbows. Stop a few inches above the ground. Then push yourself up while engaging your shoulders, legs and glutes and keeping your back straight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;SST (Steady State Training) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SST is a continuous and steady-effort cardio workout sustained longer than other workout types. It includes jogging, walking, swimming, biking, hiking, etc. These exercises increase aerobic fitness levels and improve heart efficiency, ensuring your muscles get adequate oxygen supply and recover easily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ectomorphs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Strength Training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ectomorphs are lean and lanky and, thus, should consider strength training to build muscles and avoid injury as they progress in their fitness regime. Strength training exercises include pushups, squats, weight training, cardio and balance exercises.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wight training is ideal for individuals that want to build muscle mass and strength. People should include heavy weights and focus on completing three to five sets of approximately eight to twelve reps for each muscle group.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIIT is a powerful aerobic cardio workout that works well with every type of exercise. HIIT can be defined as tough bouts of work interspersed with recovery periods. During work, you will push your body to the limit and, thus, can only sustain the exercise for a short period, such as 20 seconds. Moreover, you must give your body ample rest before starting the next reps.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIIT can work with cardio and strength-based workouts, such as running, kettlebell swings, squats, pushups, etc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mesomorphs &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cardio&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since mesomorphs are a combination of the two other body types, they have more leeway and options regarding types of exercises. These individuals tend to gain weight quickly and, thus, must include cardio in their workout routine. The ideal cardio session frequency should be three to five times weekly, for 30 to 45 minutes. You can reduce the number of sessions if you have less body fat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also alternate between HIIT or steady-state training sessions according to your endurance levels and how quickly you want to achieve your fitness goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Weight Training &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight training helps you build strength by using weights and providing stress to muscles to help them adapt. Limit your weight training sessions to 30 to 45 minutes, twice or thrice weekly, for best results. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Type of Exercise Based on Body Type - Will It Work? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether incorporating physical fitness into your routine to improve your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/exercise-mental-health/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or weight loss/gain, finding your body type can help you reach your goal faster and easier. It provides a framework to build your exercise routine and pushes you in the right direction. Multiple types of exercises are suitable for different body types, find one that you enjoy, don't push yourself too much, and set realistic goals. Good luck!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Exercises.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-type-of-exercise-should-i-do-to-have-the-best-results/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27628</ID> <title>Hot Springs, Dry Saunas, Steam Rooms… Everything You Need to Know!</title> <publishDate>2023-03-24 20:00:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_142 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_181"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_193 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_95 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_285 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_286 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_287 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_210 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hot Springs &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hot springs have been around since the beginning of time, and many people have been soaking in them with or without knowledge of the health benefits that they can offer. Greeks, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Egyptians all utilized hot springs for bathing communally and sometimes privately and for healing purposes and religious ceremonies. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mineral-rich waters are the most common health benefit one can expect from hot springs. The kinds and exact measurements of minerals will vary depending on the hot spring. In Oregon, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oregondiscovery.com/hot-springs-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hot springs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; mostly contain sulfur, calcium, sodium, boron, magnesium, selenium, potassium, bromine, fluorine, and iron. Absorption through the skin during a soak can have multiple health benefits. Depending on the hot spring you visit, you can absorb different minerals. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to other health benefits besides just mineral soaking, the heat from the hot springs itself can be extremely beneficial. The heat can improve blood circulation and rejuvenation, while the circulation helps relieve pains in muscles or joints. Soaking in hot springs is also linked to a good night’s sleep because they raise the body temperature and cool rapidly, allowing for a deeper sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soaking in a hot spring can also detox your skin. High amounts of silica in the water can soften rough, dry skin. The high mineral content of sulfur has been proven to help psoriasis, acne, and eczema as well. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steam Rooms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A sauna is an enclosed room with high temperatures and sometimes added humidity. Steam rooms generate humidity between 95-100%, with temperatures kept between 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit. The difference between a sauna and a steam room is the moisture levels. In a sauna, you get dry heat, whereas, in a steam room, you get high levels of humidity for a wet kind of heat. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Steam rooms can improve many things in the body, like circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, clear congestion, promote skin health, burn calories, and even remove toxins. So long as you stay hydrated, stay in for about 10-20 minute intervals, and do it about two or three times a week, you could see many benefits to a steam room. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dry Saunas &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry saunas have similar health benefits to steam rooms or wet saunas, but a particularly interesting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-sauna-benefits#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study in 2015&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that dry heat saunas reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, and general mortality. Regular use of dry saunas can help with chronic fatigue and pain, and allergic rhinitis. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies found that any athletic person who exercises often can benefit immensely from spending consistent time in the sauna. It can promote healthier detox and exercise performance when used properly. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who suffer from psoriasis can find some relief in dry saunas. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reported that some people found relief through dry saunas. Asthma also saw improvement when paired with regular sauna going. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dry Sauna or Steam Room? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, even though the health benefits of dry saunas and steam rooms can be similar in some ways, there are different reasons why you should choose your sauna or steam room wisely. Because the main difference in saunas is dry versus wet air, the health benefits of a steam room differ from a dry sauna. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Steam rooms improve circulation, loosen muscles, promote skin health, and help with congestion. Consult a healthcare professional before choosing your sauna or steam room. With the array of health benefits being offered, it’s imperative to know what health benefits would be ideal for your body and if you are choosing the right one!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hot-Springs.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/hot-springs-dry-saunas-steam-rooms-everything-you-need-to-know/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27621</ID> <title>Food Additives Banned in Europe but Not America</title> <publishDate>2023-03-24 19:45:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_143 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_182"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_194 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_96 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_288 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_289 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_290 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_211 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In August 2022, the European Commission banned titanium dioxide, a food additive. This preservative remains legal and unbanned in the U.S. With countries that many assume are similar in many aspects, what would prompt Europe to ban titanium dioxide and the U.S. to not? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/why-are-some-food-additives-that-are-banned-in-europe-still-used-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the reason that the U.S. may not ban the same things that Europe does is due to the approach each takes. Some argue that Europe considers possibilities for potential risks, whereas the U.S. focuses more on the probability that a substance will cause harm. Europe has a reviewing system for food chemicals where it reevaluates foods that use previously approved &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/why-are-some-food-additives-that-are-banned-in-europe-still-used-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chemicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With different standards and procedures, it can be interesting to see what foods or additives are banned in Europe but legal in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Foods Are Banned in Europe but Not the U.S.? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Mountain Dew.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Brominated Vegetable Oil is a food additive found in some citrus sodas, including Mountain Dew. Bromine is a key ingredient in this additive and is banned in Europe due to it having the potential to cause irritated skin and mucous membranes, headaches, memory loss, or affect balance. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Skittles&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These candies are banned in both Norway and Sweden because they contain the artificial colors yellow 5 and yellow 6. They are thought to cause allergic reactions and hyperactivity, especially in children. Skittles are not exactly banned in Europe, but they are instead altered to be made with coloring found in fruits and vegetables or spices. Anything containing yellow 5 or 6 in Europe must contain the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/american-foods-products-banned-in-other-countries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;phrase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Milk containing rBGH or rBST. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rBGH, also known as rBST, is a synthetic, man-made growth hormone in some milk that is used to increase milk production. This hormone is banned in both Europe and Canada because of the risks it poses, such as cancer. Luckily, as time continues and research is conducted, fewer and fewer dairy farms use this growth hormone. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Azodicarbonamide. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This chemical compound is not banned by the FDA but is illegal to use in Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Not to mention that azodicarbonamide is a chemical used to make &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/american-foods-products-banned-in-other-countries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yoga mats and shoe soles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It is often used as a whitening agent in bread dough and cereal flours but has been linked to respiratory issues and a few other health problems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instant Mashed Potatoes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These have been banned in the Europe Union because instant mashed potatoes often contain a preservative called Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), also used in rubber and wax food packages. The countries that have banned this preservative have reasoned it to be a potential &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/american-foods-products-banned-in-other-countries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;human carcinogen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Ractopamine in Pork. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The drug ractopamine is used in the majority of pigs in the U.S. but is banned in 160 nations, including Europe. Because ractopamine is used in pig farms, many other countries cannot buy pork from the U.S. It is linked to affecting the cardiovascular system, causing hyperactivity and increased heart rates. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Beef.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Hormone-grown beef in the U.S. is not sold to Europe due to the synthetic hormones used to promote cattle growth. Some of these hormones include Zeranol, Trenbolone Acetate, and Melengestrol Acetate. They are linked to an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer. Federal regulations prohibit hormones in both pork and poultry but do not regulate beef as much. Organic beef can provide beef without growth-promoting hormones in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you look at foods when shopping, it is good to check the ingredients and where the items come from. Just because something is labeled as “healthy” or “organic,” it is a good idea to check where and what some ingredients are. There are reasons that Europe bans some food additives and hormones compared to what the U.S. bans. Being educated in hormone use and additives in your foods can only benefit your future health! Do your research before purchasing an item with unrecognizable ingredients.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/What-Chemicals-are-banned.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/food-additives-banned-in-europe-but-not-america/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27609</ID> <title>Vitamin D: Everything You Need to Know</title> <publishDate>2023-03-24 19:23:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_144 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_183"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_195 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_97 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_291 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_292 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_293 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_212 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D is a nutrient we need to consume and a hormone the human body creates. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin known chiefly for helping absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which are vital for building strong bones. Vitamin D can also reduce inflammation and help keep infections at bay. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Few foods naturally have vitamin D, but some are fortified with it. Supplements are widely used to increase vitamin D intake but come in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, which are naturally occurring forms in the sun’s ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays. Vitamin D production in the skin can be limited depending on where someone lives. For example, if there are long winters or sunlight is limited, people have a higher chance of being deficient in vitamin D. People with darker skin or higher amounts of melanin tend to have lower vitamin D levels because melanin reduces the production of vitamin D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do You Have a Vitamin D Deficiency? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A vitamin D deficiency essentially means that you do not have enough vitamin D in your body and can cause issues with your bones and muscles. As mentioned previously, vitamin D is vital in your nervous, musculoskeletal, and immune systems. In addition, vitamin D deficiency often affects anyone over the age of 65 who has darker skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have a vitamin D deficiency, there are a few things you can do: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increase your sun exposure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat foods rich in vitamin D.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take a vitamin D supplement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anyone can experience vitamin D deficiency, but it tends to affect those with higher melanin content and cultures that cover their bodies entirely &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;from the sun, such as Middle Eastern countries. It affects about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 billion people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; worldwide, and 35% of adults in the U.S. experience vitamin D deficiency. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D deficiency symptoms in children include incorrect bone growth, muscular weakness, bone pain, or joint deformities. As for adults, the signs may be fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness, cramps, or even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mood changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Of course, it is also possible to have no symptoms. Discuss any concerns with a medical professional. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different medical conditions or causes of vitamin D deficiency, such as weight-loss surgeries or medications exist. Cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s, and celiac disease can prevent a person from absorbing enough vitamin D. Obesity can also lower vitamin D levels because fat cells keep vitamin D isolated. Kidney or liver disease can reduce the enzymes needed to change vitamin D to a useful form. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as laxatives, steroids, cholesterol-lowering drugs, seizure-preventing drugs, rifampin, and orlistat are all medications that can lower vitamin D levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating vitamin D naturally into one’s diet can be difficult as few foods naturally have vitamin D in them. Some include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatty fish (like tuna, salmon, and sardines)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rainbow Trout&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beef Liver&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mushrooms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Egg yolk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cod Liver Oil &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some vitamin D fortified foods include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cow Milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soy, almond, or oat milk &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cereals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orange juice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yogurt or dairy products &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can You Consume Too Much Vitamin D? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consuming too much vitamin D can be an issue as well. It is difficult to get too much vitamin D from the sun. However, vitamin D toxicity can lead to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14597-hypercalcemia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hypercalcemia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which is when one has too high of calcium in their blood. This is rare, but the symptoms include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nausea &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased thirst &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bad appetite&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constipation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Disorientation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weakness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Impaired balance &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Confused speech&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D is vital to our survival, but overconsumption can be bad as well. Before starting a supplement, speak with your healthcare provider. Consult them if you feel that you may have a vitamin D deficiency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vit-b.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/vitamin-d-everything-you-need-to-know/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27601</ID> <title>Unexpected Healthy Foods You Might Not Have Heard Of</title> <publishDate>2023-03-23 15:07:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_145 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_184"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_196 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_98 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_294 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_295 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_296 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_213 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diversifying the types of foods that we eat can have tangible benefits for ourselves and the environment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbd.int/agro/whatis.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Agrobiodiversity (a portmanteau of agriculture and biodiversity)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; refers to the interplay between biodiversity, food and agriculture, such as the genetic variance of animals, plants and fungi farmed for consumption.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.fao.org/3/y5609e/y5609e02.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, 75% of the world's food is sourced from merely five animal and 12 plant species, indicating worryingly low levels of agrobiodiversity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.agrirs.co.uk/blog/2021/11/the-importance-of-agrobiodiversity?source=google.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lack of agrobiodiversity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can compromise human food security by lowering the availability of sustenance and causing food shortages. The same problem arises if the soil composition required to grow one of these plants is unattainable due to changes in the atmosphere.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to mitigate these problems is to increase agrobiodiversity levels by consuming diverse types of food, thereby increasing the demand and, subsequently, the supply of more animal and plant species.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to environmental, economic and food security benefits, eating diverse, healthy foods benefits the body. Studies have found that diversifying one's diet can reduce the chances of developing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6894732/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4336534/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;metabolic syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To facilitate the diversification of diets across the globe and bolster agrobiodiversity and health levels, here are some unexpected healthy foods to add to your plate.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Amaranth Is the Grain Healthy Food You Didn't Know You Needed&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amaranths are a group of plants cultivated for their edible seeds. Officially classed as a pseudocereal, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/grain-month-calendar/amaranth-may-grain-month" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amaranth has been consumed by humans for at least thousands of years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with archaeological evidence suggesting the plant was domesticated around 6,000 years in Central and South America.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-teas-that-may-support-the-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amaranth is versatile in terms of its culinary applications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and can be used in salads or polenta. Amaranth flour can make pancakes, crackers, brownies and many other delicious treats!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Amaranth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02645.x"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a paper published in the Journal of Food Science&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, amaranth has a high protein concentration compared to other grains, ranging between 12.50-18.19%. Amaranth has immense nutritional value due to its amino acid profile, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Amino-acid-composition-for-amaranth-and-quinoa-grains_tbl1_262712954" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which supersedes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that of another highly touted health food — quinoa.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The antioxidant properties of amaranth are widely heralded, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22515252/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with some studies noting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; its potential to positively impact cholesterol levels and the immune system while improving anemia and hypertension symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Amaranth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amaranth is a notoriously sturdy crop, previously &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/06/ancient-grain-amaranth-food-trend-indigenous" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;having shown resistance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to Monsanto's infamous Roundup. Moreover, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.foodunfolded.com/article/amaranth-a-staple-of-the-past-and-a-crop-for-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amaranth has an assortment of traits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that make it easy to grow and resilient in the face of adversity, such as its ability to withstand droughts, frost and poor-quality soil due to its high photosynthetic rate.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Holy Basil Has Been a Mainstay of Ayurvedic Medicine for Thousands of Years&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ocimum tenuiflorum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, more casually referred to as holy basil, earned its name due to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/holy-basil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;its sacred status in Hinduism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The native herb to the Indian subcontinent is called Tulsi in Hindi.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/holy-basil-4766587" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holy basil leaves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are primarily used for human consumption, with some preferring it in a tea form while others extract essential oils from it. The leaves are also used in some Indian dishes to impart a bitter and spicy flavor.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Holy Basil&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/9217567/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A literature review published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; notes that holy basil can alleviate psychological stress and improve the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-most-common-intermittent-fasting-types/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that holy basil improves cognitive function.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Holy Basil&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.thespruce.com/holy-basil-plant-profile-5184884" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holy basil is relatively easy to cultivate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from seeds, seedlings or cuttings and can grow year-round in most regions in the U.S. as an indoor plant.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aronia Berries Are an Indigenous American Traditional Medicine for the Ages&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aronia berries, also known as chokeberries, have been used as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aroniaplus.de/en/aronia-berries/history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;traditional medicine by indigenous American&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; tribes for hundreds of years. Indigenous Americans included Aronia berries in pemmican mixtures, a combination of meat, tallow and dried berries that could be stored for long periods.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aronia berries can be eaten fresh but can be uncomfortably sour. As such, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aroniaberry.ca/blog/easy-ways-add-aronia-berries-into-your-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;making jams or syrups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be a great way to incorporate them into one's diet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Aronia Berries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152740/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in the Molecules journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that Aronia berries can help prevent and manage chronic diseases such as metabolic and cardiac disease through their antioxidant activity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31152545/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that Aronia berry consumption boosted vascular function and the presence of desirable gut bacteria.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Aronia Berries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/jul/423102.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Iowa State University&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Aronia berries are considered a space-friendly crop that can boost local industry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/aronia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The University of Maine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; describes the Aronia berry plant as hardy and capable of enduring harsh, cold weather.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Celeriac Adds a New Twist to a Well-Known Food&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/celery-root-in-german-cuisine-1446924" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Celeriac&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a type of celery grown to harvest a bulbous, root-like stem. Celeriac has a similar taste and flavor to the more common variants of celery but with a potato-like flesh and consistency, cementing its place as a potato replacement in low-carb recipes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Celeriac&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.asohm.com.au/the-health-benefits-of-celeriac-root/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Celeriac is known to help manage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; ailments of the nervous system and improve the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/celeriac#nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Celeriac is also high in fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and vitamins (vitamins C, K and B6 and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium and manganese).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Celeriac&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969719319758" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of 56 different vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; grown in the U.K. found that celery, cabbage and Brussels sprouts were the most environmentally sustainable vegetables.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mung Beans Are a Truly Ancient Superfood&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Mung beans are thought to have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://agritrop.cirad.fr/582490/7/ID582490_ENG.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;domesticated as far back as 1,500 B.C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They are part of the legume family and are often boiled and drained before being served.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Mung Beans&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627095" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Chinese study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that mung beans contain compounds that mitigate hypertension, some cancers and hyperglycemia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338233304_A_short_review_of_health_benefits_and_nutritional_values_of_mung_bean_in_sustainable_agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another Chinese study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that mung beans are high in easily digestible protein and vitamins.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Mung Beans&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is extensive research that attests to the agricultural and socioeconomic benefits of mung bean cultivation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40066-020-00260-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of governmental funding of mung bean research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in Myanmar found that the governmental return on investment (ROI) was at least 27%, creating financial benefits and increasing food security in the region. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=85655" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in the American Journal of Plant Sciences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; lauds mung bean crops as a solution to droughts, soil with depleted mineral content and atmospheric nitrogen levels.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nori Is a Historical Japanese Food With Significant Potential for the Future&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://marutaka-nori.co.jp/en/nori1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nori use in Japan dates back to at least 702&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as mentioned in a tax law produced in that year, but its consumption most likely predates this date considerably. Nori is a type of dried Japanese seaweed used in sushi, soups, noodles and rice dishes, often being toasted before use..&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Nori&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780123876690000028?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study in the Advances in Food and Nutrition Research journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; notes that Nori contains many beneficial compounds, such as various vitamins, minerals, amino acids and high fiber content. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7738648/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another study from the Journal of Epidemiology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found Nori can effectively prevent high blood pressure in children.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Nori&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://greenstarsproject.org/2019/11/29/seaweed-nutrition-sustainability-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nori holds many agricultural benefits over land-based crops&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It does not require land space to grow and doesn't require fertilizer, pesticides or freshwater. Additionally, seaweed is known to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby alleviating global warming.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hemp Seed Nuts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the use of hemp plants becomes increasingly destigmatized (such as in textiles and biodiesel), more research begins to shed light on the potential benefits of the non-psychoactive components of the cannabis plant.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hemp seed nuts are the seeds of the cannabis plant, but consuming them does not produce any psychoactive effects. Hemp seed nuts can be mixed with cereals, smoothies, salads and yogurts to add a crunchy texture and a delicious, nutty flavor.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Nuts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-health-benefits-of-hemp-seeds#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hemp seed nuts are exceptionally nutritious&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as they contain healthy fats (such as omega-3 and omega-6), minerals, vitamins and a high protein concentration. Consuming hemp seed nuts is known to lead to improved digestive and cardiac health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Agricultural Benefits of Hemp Seed Nuts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.gaiaca.com/what-to-do-with-hemp-biomass/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The cannabis plant has numerous uses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; outside of the consumption of hemp seed nuts. Growing cannabis crops is space efficient. Hemp fibers can be used in textiles, while hemp seed oil can be used in various types of biodiesel.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Unexpected Healthy Foods Are a Great Way to Diversify Your Plate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The aforementioned healthy foods are diverse, and everyone should find a few that they find easy to implement in their cooking and eating regimen. Doing so will not only expand your culinary palette but potentially benefit your health and the planet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Unexpected-Healthy-Foods.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/unexpected-healthy-foods-you-might-not-have-heard-of/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27592</ID> <title>Breaking Down 20th Century Diets: The Good and The Bad</title> <publishDate>2023-03-22 14:34:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_146 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_185"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_197 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_99 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_297 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_298 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_299 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_214 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The word “diet” has become a buzzword among U.S. citizens. Over the last few years, there has been an abnormally forceful push for fitness and health prioritization. But with so many diets out there to try, which ones are actually good for you? Are there diets over the years that should make a comeback, and are there diets that should never be normalized again? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before diving into some diets from over the years, it should be established that rapid weight loss is not sustainable, and quick diets are not healthy for the human body. If you succumb to these fad diets, the odds are that you will gain back that weight very quickly. Additionally, diets paired with no exercise are usually not good for the human body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Banting Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the early 1900s, an English man named William Banting used this diet to help him lose weight when he was considered obese. Once his success was shown, the Banting Diet appeared in health magazines and health manuals. The diet focused on high protein intake and low carbohydrates while particularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/history/news/articles/low-carb-no-sugar-no-fat-the-fad-diets-popular-in-the-20th-century?" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; avoiding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; pork, beer, potatoes, and bread. The Banting Diet focused on avoiding carbs as much as possible, which set the trend for low-carb diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When the 1920s feminine ideal of the “New Woman” emerged, this diet basis regained popularity. Eliminating carbs became a norm in women’s health magazines and in the diets of women in particular during that era. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The idea of eliminating carbs altogether is not a very sustainable way to lose weight, nor is it necessary to see results. Eliminating carbohydrates from your diet means losing most whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which all hold essential nutrients for the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to acknowledge that eliminating carbs can help you lose weight, but it is not a sustainable way to live and is unnecessarily difficult to do. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/no-carb-diet#weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rapid weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be seen in the first few weeks due to a drop in water weight. However, some research shows that no-carb diets are ineffective for long-term weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The F Plan Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the 70s and 80s era, fitness and aerobics became a big push along with dieting. The F Plan Diet was a popular one during this era and emphasized high fiber and low calories to achieve the beauty standard. It advised that people eat the following: muesli for breakfast, salads for lunch, and lean meats for dinner. This diet was created by Audrey Eyton, who founded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slimming Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In 1983, her book &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;F-Plan Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was in the top 10 best-selling books in America for April and May. Her book focused on leaving diets at 1,500 calories or less per day while eating more than the recommended amount of dietary fiber. The idea of eating high-fiber diets was to make one feel fuller for longer and reduce overeating. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Higher fiber diets are good for you as eating high fiber can help with weight loss, create gut bacteria, and regulate bathroom use. There are many ways to include more fiber in your diet as you plan your meals. Conduct a quick Google search to find high-fiber foods!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Calorie Deficit Diet&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calorie deficit diets are nothing new in the diet world. However, there has been a huge push for this particular form of eating over the past few years. The diet works in this way: eating fewer calories so that you burn more calories than you consume day-to-day. It does not regulate what foods you can eat and not eat, nor does it focus on anything except caloric intake. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The amount of calories that one should consume daily depends on a few factors such as activity levels, age, and weight loss goals. You can use a calorie deficit calculator to find the proper amount of calories you should strive for in this diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One issue with only focusing on caloric intake is that this diet does not focus on other nutrients needed for the body, such as fiber, protein, fats, or other macronutrients needed to function. Therefore, it is essential not to neglect other nutrients you need to survive and function when utilizing this diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Mediterranean Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors may have prescribed the Mediterranean Diet to you if you have heart disease or high blood pressure. It is often promoted to decrease the risks of these diseases and dementia. Essentially, the Mediterranean Diet is a primarily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/mediterranean-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; plant-based diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that includes a daily intake of whole grains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, herbs, and spices. Meat is eaten in small portions, with preferred proteins being fish or seafood. The diet emphasizes healthy fats such as olive oils, fish, nuts, avocados, and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news with the Mediterranean Diet is that research shows consistently that it is effective in reducing the risk of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/mediterranean-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cardiovascular disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The downside of this diet is that it risks a higher calorie intake because of the lack of portion sizes recommended and certain foods that are high in calories. Excessive calorie intake can lead to weight gain. If the Mediterranean Diet is used in proper conjunction with caloric intake, it can promote healthy living along with weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Keto Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Keto Diet forces your body to use ketone bodies for fuel instead of relying on sugar from carbohydrates. This diet forces people to consume fewer than 20-50 grams of carbs daily. It also has a high-fat requirement meaning that those using this diet must consume fat at every meal. Based on a 2,000-calorie diet, one can expect to consume 165 grams of fat a day. A few unsaturated fats are allowed, but the Keto Diet focuses most on saturated fats from oils to function. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This diet comes with an array of health risks. High saturated fats can lead to heart disease and high cholesterol. It can also lead to nutrient deficiency very quickly if you do not eat a variety of vegetables, grains, and fruits. This diet can lead to liver problems, kidney problems, and constipation. It is important to consult a medical professional before beginning the Keto Diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fad Diet Warning&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fad diets are everywhere. What works for one person may not work for another in terms of weight loss and living healthier. While it is easy to fall into the world of fad diets, it is important to remember that everyone’s body and lifestyles are different. What works well for one person may not work for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your desires for your body and health should be considered when looking for a way to reach your goals. Research the diet you are considering and consult a medical professional before beginning an extreme diet. The last thing you want to do on your wellness journey is having the opposite effect you were looking for just because you decided to copy someone else’s diet plan!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/20th-century-diets.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/breaking-down-20th-century-diets-the-good-and-the-bad/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27582</ID> <title>Healthy Pre-Workout Snacks To Help You Stay In Shape</title> <publishDate>2023-03-22 14:16:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_147 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_186"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_198 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_100 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_300 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_301 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_302 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_215 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistently exercising is the best way to improve your health and fitness while maintaining overall wellness. However, the food you consume before you start your exercise can have a major impact on your performance during the workout. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body performs at its optimal level if it gets the targeted nutrients and energy before you start an intense workout. Consuming the right food before you head to the gym can ensure you train longer and achieve your goals. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Understanding what makes a good snack before the workout and planning can allow you to get the most out of your exercise routine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Creating a Good Pre-Workout Snack&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key to eating right before you start exercising is ensuring you give your body sufficient energy to fuel the entire workout without overloading calories. Many try to avoid this by exercising on an empty stomach, which can negatively impact the workout. It can result in weakness, lightheadedness and even increase the risk of an injury. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If working out between meals, many individuals already have sufficient &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/76/4/243/4851715?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;glycogen stored to fuel a good workout&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; without eating snacks. However, you need to ensure you don't run out of this glycogen, which could interfere with your workout, causing extreme fatigue and weakness. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To avoid this, it is important to fuel your body with proper nutrition to make the most of your workout and reap the benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;12 Healthy Pre-Workout Snacks &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are multiple healthy snacks you can consume before a workout, here are some popular ones that can energize you and prepare your body for a workout:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;1.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bananas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bananas are referred to as the power bar of nature as they are backed with potassium and carbs, which helps in supporting muscle and nerve function. Carbs make up &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bananas-calories-carbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;90% of the banana calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and are a great source of fuel for your brain and body. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;2.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Oats &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oats are loaded with fiber and gradually release carbs. This slow release ensures the energy levels stay consistently up during your workout. As a result, you can exercise harder for a longer time. Oats also include vitamin B, which helps your body convert carbs into energy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;3.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hard Boiled Egg &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Snacking on hard-boil eggs is a quick, easy, and filling snack that can prepare your body for an intense workout session. This can be a go-to option when you are running low on time and need something good to consume before the workout. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;4.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Grilled Chicken, Broccoli and Sweet Potato&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If your goal is to build muscles or are planning for intense circuit training, this combination makes a great meal before the workout. Grilled chicken with sweet potato and broccoli is one of the most popular pre-workout meals for many athletes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;5.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Apples and Almond Butter &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apple slices dipped in almond butter make a savory and filling snack that is loaded with healthy fats, protein, and carbs. While this might not be as easy to digest as other snacks, it will still give you an energy boost to make your workout easier. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;6.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dried Fruit&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An easy and quick pre-workout snack is dried fruit. Make a mixture of dried pineapple, figs, apricots and berries before you hit the gym. Dried fruits are a good source of carbs and are easy to digest. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;7.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Whole Grain Bread &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A slice of toasted whole-grain bread is another excellent source of carbs that can give you an energy boost. You can also add some low-fat turkey slices or boiled eggs for additional protein. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;8.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fruit Smoothie or Smoothie Bowl&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smoothies make a great pre-workout snack as they are healthy and don't include solid food, which is ideal before the workout. You can combine multiple fruits to make a delicious pre-workout snack. Get a bunch of berries, half a banana and a handful of kale and add some protein powder. Mix them in a blender with a cup of water, and you are done. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;9.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chocolate Milk&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chocolate milk comes with the right balance of protein and carbs that help in repairing muscle damage during your workout and has been recommended by many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-018-0187-x" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nutrition experts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for athletes and makes for a simple and delicious pre-workout snack.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;10.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;Greek Yogurt with Fruits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is certainly an amazing pre-workout snack as it is full of protein and carbs. While regular yogurt is also beneficial, Greek yogurt has double the amount of protein, low sodium and fewer carbs. Adding fruits to the mix quickly breaks down the carbs that are then utilized to fuel the workout session, and the protein gets stored for a longer time and prevents muscle damage. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;11.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;Dates&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dates have a high amount of natural sugar, which is easily digested and give you a quick energy boost for your workout. You can enjoy one or two dates before your workout to increase your energy levels. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;12.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;Trail Mix&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts are loaded with fat, but they also come with high protein that is needed to build muscle mass. Snacking on trail mix is a great way to boost your workout if your goal is to increase your muscles. Make sure you skip the sugar-coated nuts and go with the natural mix. Moreover, if your goal is to lose weight, then you should probably stay away from this snack. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;When is the Right Time to Eat a Pre-Workout Snack?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body continuously builds muscle and recovers throughout the day. Therefore, timing your snacks smartly provides your body with sufficient fuel it needs to not just recover but to burn fat and build muscles. Here are some tips to determine when to eat before your workout:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having a snack at least 45 minutes before the workout is the best way to ensure your workout lasts longer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If your goal is to gain muscle, having a high-protein snack before you begin the workout can be highly effective. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When working out in the morning, have a snack 30 minutes before you start working out. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have had a big meal, it is best to avoid exercise. Make sure you give your body at least 2 to 3 hours of rest before you hit the gym.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is essential to understand that everyone has a different tolerance level for foods before and after a workout. This might take some trial and error before you find the best time that meets the needs of your body.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Things to Avoid Eating before a Workout&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While exercising on an empty stomach should be avoided, there are certain foods that you shouldn't consume before your workout. Here are some of them:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avocado&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cruciferous vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Energy Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fast Food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fizzy drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Refined sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spicy foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wrapping Up &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting in shape requires you to consistently work out while also consuming a balanced meal. What you eat before you exercise can have a major impact on your entire workout. Therefore, be sure to plan your pre-workout meals along with the other meals in the day. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fueling your body properly before the workout will prepare your body and energize you, allowing you to make the most of your exercise session. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Healthy-Pre-Workout-Snacks.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/healthy-pre-workout-snacks-to-help-you-stay-in-shape/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27576</ID> <title>Are You Eating Enough Protein?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-21 14:05:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_148 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_187"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_199 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_101 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_303 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_304 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_305 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_216 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein is a vital nutrient that your body desperately needs to function day-to-day. The word “protein” comes from the Greek word &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which translates to “first,” showing in the word itself its vitality to the human body. Prioritizing protein intake can improve so many things in your body, so understanding how much you should consume daily can only be beneficial to your future.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Much Protein Should I Aim for?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your intake of protein varies slightly depending on the lifestyle you live, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for a minimum of 10% of your calorie intake coming from protein. Some people will need up to 35% depending on how vigorous their working out is on a daily basis. On average this calculates to about 50 to 175 grams of protein a day based on a 2,000 calorie daily intake. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For those who exercise regularly, the protein intake needs to change. Anywhere between 1 and 1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight is typically recommended. Higher burn of calories and more regular exercise adjusts one’s needs for protein intake. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protein Calculator&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, technology has created what we need to calculate how much protein we each should eat daily. Different lifestyles call for different amounts of protein intake. People with a sedentary lifestyle will have a different amount of protein needed than those who are lifting weights five or six days a week. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This protein &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nal.usda.gov/human-nutrition-and-food-safety/dri-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calculator&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can tell you exactly how much protein you should consume. If you prefer to find the amount on your own, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that you can simply take your weight and multiply the pounds by .36 to find how many grams of protein you should aim for daily to reach your healthiest protein intake. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Protein? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the increase in product choices such as protein bars, shakes and supplements, it may seem like excess protein cannot be harmful. However, some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/are-you-getting-too-much-protein" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;articles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest that an extreme intake of protein could be harmful to the body. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating higher amounts of protein does not equate bigger muscles or muscle growth. This often can get confusing for those trying to maximize muscle growth. But the body has limits. Once the protein needs are met, the body stores any remaining protein as fats in the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excess protein intake has the potential to lead to elevated blood lipids and heart disease. This is due to the fact that a lot of high-protein foods consumed are high in saturated fat. Plus, too much protein intake can harm the kidneys. If you are already at risk for kidney disease, excess protein can prompt this even more. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Best Sources of Protein &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy protein options are everywhere. Things such as nuts, beans, lentils, lean meats like chicken and turkey, seafood, fish, eggs and dairy all hold healthy amounts of protein. These sources are a more natural way to incorporate protein into your diet versus protein shakes and bars as well. Supplements have their place in diets, but natural whole foods are always a better priority to have when getting sufficient protein intake. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to an article by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/are-you-getting-too-much-protein" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mayo Clinic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, these are a few things to keep in mind when looking at a protein supplement: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aim for 200 calories or less. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 grams or less of saturated fats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid trans fats and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;partially hydrogenated oils in supplements. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 grams of sugar or less!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Foods to Implement on Your Protein Intake Journey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are searching to add more foods with high protein and low calories, look no further than this list! These foods are just a few ideas of what foods you could incorporate into your diet to add that extra protein in during your week. There are plenty of good, protein-rich foods to try, but here are a few ideas to begin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For breakfast: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bananas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Greek Yogurt &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hard Boiled Eggs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Glass of milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For lunch:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beans &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lentils&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cottage Cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For dinner:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shrimp &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Legumes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chicken &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lean, grass fed beef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein sources do not have to be hard to come by and can be easier to incorporate into your diet! Talk to a nutritionist or doctor if you are struggling to increase your protein intake.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Protein-Intake.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/are-you-eating-enough-protein/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27566</ID> <title>An Interview With Dr. Michael Neret</title> <publishDate>2023-03-20 23:03:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_149 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_188"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_200 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_102 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_306 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_307 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_308 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_217 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea is known for being one of the healthiest and tastiest beverages (unless you're on team coffee, of course). Almost any type of tea has a positive effect on your body, but certain plants can prove vital when talking about the health of your immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does Tea Support the Immune System?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea contains polyphenols, a group of antioxidants linked to the health benefits that tea brings to the table. This beverage also contains flavonols and other chemicals proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, the antioxidants found in tea help protect your body against harmful effects caused by smoking, pollution and UV rays. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1: Green Tea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green tea has overall positive benefits for your body. This healthy source of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;catechins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and antioxidants is especially effective against &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/free-radical" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;free radicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antioxidants are produced by the human body but not in sufficient quantities. If your body cannot fight these free radicals, your body will be more prone to developing cancer, heart diseases, Parkinson's disease and respiratory diseases. Therefore, your immune system will thank you for the additional antioxidants from green tea.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;long-term consumption of green tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reduces the risk of diseases such as:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Liver diseases;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Viral diseases;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coronary diseases;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bacterial infections;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obesity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Type II diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2: Black Tea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although many people do not enjoy the taste of black tea, they might consider giving it a second chance after finding out how it helps the immune system. Besides helping the body fight free radicals, black tea contains tannins (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, antioxidants) that cause the beverage's abnormal taste. Tannins are an excellent weapon against conditions such as influenza, hepatitis and dysentery. The antioxidants in black tea are perfect against strokes, cholesterol build-up, high blood pressure and high sugar levels. They also encourage the production of healthy gut bacteria. If you want to enjoy these amazing health benefits and kick the coffee habit, black tea is the place to start!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3: Ginger Tea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This spicy tea has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is excellent for escaping nausea. Ginger, in general, has many health benefits, and by turning it into a cup of tea, it becomes more pleasurable. Antioxidants are also present in ginger tea which improve blood circulation and help with congestion. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ginger tea is ideal for a healthier immune system and faster recovery during flu season, as it is known to fight pain, fevers, coughing and infections.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4: White Tea &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White tea is an immune system boosting beverage with a light and delicate taste. Known to have similar properties to green tea but not as powerful, the antioxidants in white tea &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/05/040526070934.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are proven&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to be effective against fungal, bacterial and viral infections. In addition, white tea protects the immune cells responsible for locating cancerous by-products. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5: Turmeric Tea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last but not least beverage on our list is turmeric tea. This amazing beverage promotes the function of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17211725/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;T and B cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are essential parts of the immune system. Moreover, turmeric tea fights inflammation, arthritis, asthma, allergies, diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your immune system healthy and enjoying yourself always go together. Drinking delicious beverages like these tea options will improve your health and help your body fight any incoming illnesses. You can enjoy a cup of hot tea while working, reading or watching your favorite series. You can always squeeze a cup of tea into your day to boost your immune system!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dr.-Michael-Neret.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/an-interview-with-dr-michael-neret/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27505</ID> <title>High Protein Snack Recipes: Easy, Homemade, for Vegetarians, Vegans and Pregnant Women!</title> <publishDate>2023-03-15 15:13:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_150 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_189"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_201 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_103 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_309 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_310 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_311 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_218 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Craving something to snack on? Perhaps reading or watching television are truly incomplete activities when a snack is absent. The crunch of a potato chip or the fizzy taste of a soda is a welcome delight. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, ambling over to the pantry to eye something to eat can be a struggle, especially if, deep down, we know the desired snack is not the healthiest one. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There isn't a problem with eating the occasional cookie or chip. The problem with snacking on the delicious salty potato chips or sipping an orange-flavored fizzy drink is that enough is never enough! Even after basically eating the entire bag or helping yourself to another can of soda, you probably still want more. This is where high-protein snacks come in, which not only provide lots of nutrients but are also filling! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, the struggle isn't always the want for an unhealthy treat but rather the lack of desire to make a snack or the lack of options. Fear not! There are numerous high-protein snack recipes that are not only super easy to make but are perfect for vegetarians, vegans and pregnant women. Short on time? Just make these simple and delicious treats to cure your cravings! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Protein Snacks?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The word 'snack' conjures up images of greasy, salty, and super unhealthy treats, and for that, the word has plenty of negative connotations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/high-protein-snacks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, snacks are beneficial&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in many ways and can help lead to weight loss and maintenance. Snacks help keep hunger at bay, but the key to these benefits is ensuring that the snacks are high in protein. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/high-protein-snacks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High protein snacks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; satisfy cravings, perfect for pregnant women and are great ways to repair muscles! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protein Snack Recipes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you're sold on the wonders of high-protein snacks, perhaps you're asking how you can make these easy snacks yourself. Of course, there are plenty of recipes out there, but here are eight easy high-protein recipes for all kinds of snackers, including vegans, vegetarians or pregnant women!  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protein Shakes &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/protein-shakes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein shakes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are great for anyone looking to get full and energized without gaining weight. They are full of nutrients and protein and are filling enough that a protein shake could take the place of a meal! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's a simple way to make this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/protein-shakes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;delicious drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of ice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of frozen milk ice cubes; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of frozen cauliflower rice (instead of frozen banana);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Frozen zucchini;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Frozen fruit such as berries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blend all of these ingredients, and adjust ice or ingredients if needed.Add some toppings, and enjoy!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's another super quick high-protein snack!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/protein-shakes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Vegan Berry Protein Shake&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 scoop (25 g) of vanilla protein powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of frozen mixed berries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A handful of spinach (optional);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of non-dairy milk;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of cashew or almond butter;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice, if necessary.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blend the ingredients, and then add any toppings of your choice!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protein Snacks for Vegetarians &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are the ideal protein snack recipes for vegetarians. They are sweet, filling and protein-packed!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.crispyfoodidea.com/2021/05/keto-peanut-butter-balls.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Keto Peanut Butter Balls&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of peanut butter;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of protein powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅓ cup of honey;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of vanilla extract;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of peanuts (optional);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the chocolate coating;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 ounces of baking chocolate unsweetened;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of honey or confectioners swerve sweetener;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of olive oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instructions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix the peanut butter, protein powder, honey, vanilla extract and peanuts in a food processor or blender.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make 1-inch balls from that soft dough and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet or a plate. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Freeze the balls for about 20-30 minutes to make the mixture firmer and less sticky.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix chocolate, sweetener and coconut oil in a bowl to prepare the chocolate coating. Microwave the ingredients in 30-second intervals until melted and smooth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer and coat the balls in the chocolate mixture. Freeze the balls for more than one hour.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://hurrythefoodup.com/low-carb-egg-breakfast-muffins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Breakfast Egg Muffins&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 bell pepper, red;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 spring onions;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 eggs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 handful of spinach (or any green leaves);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of cheddar cheese (grated, but other cheese is fine, too);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼-½ teaspoon of salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4-5 splashes of hot sauce or 1 teaspoon of curry powder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instructions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 390 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dice and put the bell pepper and onions&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;into a bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chop the spinach and add the leaves to the bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the eggs and salt and mix well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix in the cheese to the batter.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add some hot sauce or curry powder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour the egg mixture evenly into a greased muffin tin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake the muffins for 20 minutes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protein Snacks for Pregnant Women&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://fitasamamabear.com/protein-powder-muffins/#recipe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein is crucial&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, especially during pregnancy, since it helps the baby grow, build the immune system, repair and build tissues and regulate hormones! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fitasamamabear.com/protein-powder-muffins/#recipe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foods that are full of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kale dip;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roasted chickpeas;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kale chips;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Quinoa granola bars;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dried fruit, including raisins, peaches or prunes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peanuts, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cashews or sunflower seeds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the best easy high-protein snack recipes for pregnant women usually include peanut butter and protein powder. The best part is that these are low-fat protein snack recipes! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, perhaps you're pregnant and getting cravings in the evening and looking for a healthy snack to satisfy these cravings; well, here are some delicious snacks to satisfy any craving! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/protein-peanut-butter-energy-bites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;5-Minute Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peanut butter;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rolled oats;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Honey, coconut palm syrup or date syrup;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flaxseed meal;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chia seeds;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vanilla extract;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein powder of choice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cinnamon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instructions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With a food processor:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add peanut butter, honey, vanilla, protein powder, flaxseed meal, oats, cinnamon and chia seeds. Pulse together until well combined. Add in chocolate chips and pulse a few more times. Grab the dough and roll it into 10 balls.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Without a food processor:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add wet ingredients to a medium bowl, and mix. Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined. Make dough balls.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://fitasamamabear.com/protein-powder-muffins/#recipe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Chocolate Chip Protein Powder Muffins&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of vegan protein powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of baking powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅓ cup of almond flour;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of Tapioca flour;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of dairy-free yogurt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅛ cup of maple syrup;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of mini chocolate chips;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 egg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of non-dairy milk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instructions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine the first four ingredients in a baking bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add in the wet ingredients one by one and mix well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fold in the chocolate chips.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let it sit for 2-3 minutes for the ingredients to absorb.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use a trigger ice cream scoop to portion the batter into muffin cups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for 34 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool fully in the pan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Vegan Protein Snacks &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some delicious vegan protein snacks that are sweet and salty, respectively. The first recipe is a tasty sweet treat, while the second recipe is a great small snack full of protein that's great to pack when you’re in a rush!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutriciously.com/blackout-brownies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Fudgy Blackout Brownies&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cooked black beans;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dates; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almond flour (gluten-free &amp;amp; higher fat flour); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almond butter;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark cocoa powder; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almond milk (any plant-based milk will work here);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Molasses; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hazelnuts; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark chocolate;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Espresso powder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instructions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soak the pitted dates in a bowl of hot water for about 30 minutes,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drain the dates and put them into the food processor alongside the molasses, almond butter, almond milk and vanilla extract to obtain a creamy puree.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Then add the black beans to obtain a creamy texture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix and add almond flour, espresso powder, flax seeds, cocoa powder and baking powder in the food processor on top of the black bean mixture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Process the ingredients to obtain a homogeneous, smooth mixture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fold in the hazelnuts &amp;amp; chocolate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Transfer the batter from the food processor into a large bowl and add the chopped dark chocolate and the toasted hazelnuts, folding them gently.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour the batter evenly into the baking pan and bake for 20 minutes..&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://thatveganbabe.com/lentil-chips/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Rosemary Lemon Baked Lentil Chips&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red lentils;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lemon juice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rosemary;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Instructions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soak the lentils in water for a minimum of three hours to soften them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blend the soaked lentils with one cup of water, salt and any seasonings to taste!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spread the blended lentil mixture evenly onto a lined baking tray. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 F. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove from the oven and cut the lentil flatbread into chip-shaped triangles. Bake the triangles on a rack for 30-35 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next time the craving for a snack starts to creep in, remember the importance of eating protein and the ease with which you can make high-protein snacks! You don't need to cut snacks like cookies entirely out of your diet, but eat these things in moderation. Opt for a high-protein snack when looking for something to munch on when watching television or packing a lunch bag for work. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High protein snacks provide a filling source of healthy nutrients. These snacks are also easy to make with ingredients you can use at home! So, if you're late to the office, grab some peanut butter or protein powder and make an easy snack. Now, enjoy some peanut butter bites and have fun reading that book!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/High-Protein-Snack.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/high-protein-snack-recipes-easy-homemade-for-vegetarians-vegans-and-pregnant-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27537</ID> <title>Longevity and Quality of Life Through Regenerative Health: An Interview with Dr. Desirée Cox</title> <publishDate>2023-03-15 13:41:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_151 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_190"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_202 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_104 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_312 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_313 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_314 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_219 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“In some ways, it feels as if my journey has only just begun,” Dr. Desirée Cox said.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Desirée Cox grew up in The Bahamas before the country’s independence, and not on the tropical vacationing side of Nassau - instead on the poor side, the ‘over-the-hill’ neighborhoods in a family of founders for fundamental Christian Pentecostal churches. Her mother, Ena-Mae Cox, insisted that her daughters have the best possible educational opportunities. She wanted her girls to be strong independent women with the skills and confidence to chart their own destinies and create their place in the world.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I grew up poor and with a richness of love, hope and possibility all around me,” Dr. Desirée said.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Desirée was an all-around exceptional academic student with a strong interest and aptitude in the sciences and a passion for music. With a father, James, who taught himself to play four musical instruments professionally and to speak fluent French from comic books and listening to a French-speaking station on transistor radio, Dr. Desirée had it in her blood to love music and would go on to sing and play the piano and perform. This idea that you can do anything you put your mind to, with or without money, was built into Dr. Desirée’s DNA from childhood.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Desirée started her academic journey studying quantum chemistry at McGill University. She then went on to win a Rhodes Scholarship to study medicine at Oxford University, becoming the first Bahamian to win a Rhodes Scholarship and the first woman British Caribbean Rhodes Scholar. As a medical student, she was struck by a sense – an instinct and deep intuition – that the Western approach to medicine was somehow primitive, and that there must be a better way. This idea became a significant driver for her years in clinical medicine studies.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I would wake up at around four o’clock in the morning and read philosophy, medical anthropology, and history of the sciences. I read across a wide range of disciplines in the sciences, arts, and humanities, trying to refine my question. Even back then, I knew my intuition that the medicine I was being trained to practice was primitive was just a hint at something deeper, something I was reaching for but could not quite see. It took three years of clinical medical training to refine the question I was trying to answer,” she said.    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Desirée’s intense curiosity and focus immersed her in a community of Oxford University students and Rhodes Scholars studying in a place where she could openly discuss her ideas and share them with her fellow students and professors while attending regular medical lectures. This ultimate question pressed and tugged at her continuously: How did we end up with the medicine and medical system we currently have, and could we reverse engineer this to create a more advanced, more ‘whole-person’ centered system that’s more aligned with the mind-body’s ability to heal itself?   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After completing her medical degree at Oxford University, Dr. Desirée went to Cambridge University to earn her Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Ph.D. degrees. Her advanced studies focused on the social, historical, cultural, methodological, and political issues that shaped Western medicine and the randomized control clinical trial (RCT) used for determining the efficacy of modern biomedicines. Dr. Desirée eventually specialized in psychiatry in London after completing her Ph.D. In her quest to embody the new medical paradigm she aimed to champion, she retrained her singing voice and, for a while, worked as a doctor by day and jazz singer by night. In the years to come, Dr. Desirée would become a professional visual artist and the CEO/Founder of the Biotech R&amp;amp;D company BioPep, as well as a medical doctor and musician.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many roads to regenerative health. For Dr. Desirée, navigating her path to the emerging field of regenerative medicine and activating the body’s self-healing mechanisms (while still working as a doctor) spanned close to two decades and crossed into different vistas of medicine, research, academia, arts, and humanities, and even the pharmaceutical industry. Ultimately, she concluded that the key to regenerative health and longevity is lifestyle and behavioral change, as well as repair and reversal of metabolic damage. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2014, she was invited by the prime minister of The Bahamas, who was visiting London at the time, to help the Bahamian government develop an ethical model for research on stem cell and regenerative medicines to be conducted safely and ethically. The idea was that patients with unmet needs would be able to come to The Bahamas and have access to these advanced therapies with ethical and regulatory oversight.    &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beyond the safety aspect, which is paramount, Dr. Desirée’s vision is that the data and evidence collected by US and internationally-based companies providing access to stem cells and regenerative medicine technologies in The Bahamas could be repatriated to the US and elsewhere as part of their dossier for obtaining FDA and European Medicines Association (EMA) regulatory authorization. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The organizing and operating systems we create shape our realities and our ability to realize the potential of the technologies we discover and develop,” Dr. Desirée said.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2018, Dr. Desirée received a Stem Cell Advocacy Award at the World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS) for her work in The Bahamas. That same year, she created The HEALinc (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealinc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.thehealinc.org&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) and the annual&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healincsummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HEALinc Future Health Innovation Summit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healincsummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.healincsummit.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) platform, the realization of a vision whose origins date back to her medical school days at Oxford. The mission of The HEALinc is to advance the future of healthcare through cutting-edge technologies, mentorship of future health leaders, and education on scientific breakthroughs and innovative healing products. She is particularly passionate about incorporating “young minds” into her Summit so that young adults can get a glimpse of the future of medicine and the sciences beyond their textbooks.    &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The idea was always for the 2018, 2019, and 2023 HEALinc Summits – the first five years of the Summit – to be held in The Bahamas. From 2023 onwards, the HEALinc Summit will be held biannually in The Bahamas. In the years between 2024 and 2026 we’ll be convening the Summit in different parts of the world, because my aim is to connect the dots,” Dr. Desirée said.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Summit has a clear purpose of connecting the dots between quality of life, longevity, and regenerative health to generate a newly connected narrative so people can embed their own personalized health and wellness system in this new paradigm of medicine. In a world where biotech entities, governments, and organizations are constantly competing to prove they offer the best in healthcare, it’s easy for individuals to become confused about what’s right for themselves, their families, and their communities.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“You see, when we think of operating systems, it’s important to see the human mind-body as a complex operating system. Where the mind goes, the body must follow. That’s why the aim of the HEALinc Summit is to curate a dynamic connected story of regenerative health so people are empowered to reprogram their minds and reclaim their power and self-sovereignty. ‘Your Health, Your Future, Your Decision’ is the HEALinc motto. So, every year the Summit meets, people will be part of the story as it evolves and emerges,” she said.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The main goal Dr. Desirée wants to achieve is quality of life paired with longevity through her Summit, her work, and regenerative medicine. She believes that life is not worth living if there is no incentive to pursue longevity. That’s why Dr. Desirée aims to achieve both.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In working to achieve this ideal, Dr. Desirée believes that the healthcare workforce also needs to evolve.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Desirée plans to make the materials available afterward so others can work and educate themselves on the topics covered at the Summit. The publication of the HEALinc Summit proceedings in journals, as well as recordings of the lectures, will be used to help attendees of the Summit educate themselves. Being able to attend the Summit virtually as well as in-person makes this possible.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both medical and non-medical professionals from all over the world attend and sponsor Dr. Desirée’s Summit because they believe in her goals and passion for creating a new, more inclusive paradigm of health that embraces diverse views.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I'm blown away every year and really grateful for the number of people that contribute in so many different ways to make these three days possible,” Dr. Desirée said.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Desirée Cox, MD, MPhil, Ph.D., is a medical doctor, visual artist, and CEO of the US Regenerative Medicine R&amp;amp;D Biotech company BioPep. Since 2015 she has spearheaded the ethical model and regulatory oversight system for stem cell and regenerative medicine in The Bahamas. She is based in New York and The Bahamas and is the CEO/Founder of The HEALinc. The HEALinc Future Health Innovation Summit focuses on longevity and quality of life through regenerative therapy forms. It pairs with healthcare innovators and leaders to improve the overall health of humankind while ensuring accessible and affordable ways to achieve the goal of people worldwide. To learn more about her upcoming 2023 HEALinc Summit, held from April 17&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;th&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; -19th at The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, The Bahamas, or to register for it, visit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healincsummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.healincsummit.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dr-Desiree-Cox.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/longevity-and-quality-of-life-through-regenerative-health-an-interview-with-dr-desiree-cox/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27488</ID> <title>Identity and Eating Disorders</title> <publishDate>2023-03-14 20:45:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_152 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_191"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_203 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_105 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_315 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_316 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_317 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_220 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating disorders are a truly debilitating and deadly set of mental health issues. They &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://theconversation.com/factcheck-qanda-do-eating-disorders-have-the-highest-mortality-rate-of-all-mental-illnesses-66495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have one of the highest fatality rates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; out of all mental health conditions, with someone dying&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/yes-eating-disorders-can-be-deadly-1138269" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; approximately every hour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from an eating disorder complication in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The prominence of eating disorders is on the rise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/109/5/1402/5480601" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A literature review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of 121 studies conducted between 2000-2018 found that the prevalence of eating disorders doubled during the period 2013-2018 when compared to 2000-2006.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Outside of the extensive socioeconomic detriments of eating disorders, these conditions can severely affect one's sense of identity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/basics/identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Identity is a complex psychological concept&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that refers to the facets of one's answer to the questions: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;who am I &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;who do I want to be?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We must unpack identity and its changes under the influence of eating disorders to discern it accurately and productively.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is an Eating Disorder?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, eating disorders are a group of conditions typified by disrupting eating behaviors and patterns due to psychological distress.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The causes and symptoms of eating disorders can be comprehensively examined and understood through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/medialibraries/urmcmedia/education/md/documents/biopsychosocial-model-approach.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the biopsychosocial (BPS) model&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the brainchild of American psychiatrist George Engel. Engel proposed that we should view medical conditions through three distinct lenses: biological, psychological and sociological. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The example below illustrates the benefit of using a multi-pronged approach when considering the causes and symptoms of a disorder:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A teenage boy has a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder (biological), suffers from low self-esteem (psychological) and grows up in an environment imbued with unrealistic body image expectations (sociological). As a result, he develops an eating disorder. Due to the eating disorder, the boy experiences unhealthy weight fluctuations (biological), becomes pathologically self-conscious regarding his appearance (psychological) and neglects relationships due to his obsession with his physique (sociological).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Eating Disorders Diseases?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a definitional sense&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a disease is an abnormality causing the interruption of the normal functioning of a biological organism.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://bioethics.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/education/ethics-and-medical-humanities-pathway/ethics-and-medical-humanities-pathway-student-projects/2021-tamargo.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though some medical insurance companies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; do not provide coverage for eating disorders since they do not consider them actual diseases, it is clear that eating disorders can fit the definition.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Criteria for Eating Disorders?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is considered the leading authority on the classification and definition of mental illnesses. The DSM's latest iteration, the DSM-5, recognizes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mccallumplace.com/admissions/dsm-5-diagnostic-criteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the following eating disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with their respective diagnostic criteria:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Anorexia nervosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The reduction of sustenance to the point of reaching a dangerously low body weight, an irrational fear of gaining weight and body dysmorphia.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bulimia nervosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Consuming a significant amount of food in a short period (a couple of hours) and then "purging" by throwing up, using laxatives or exercising excessively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Binge eating disorder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Eating an abnormally large amount of food quickly and feeling immense guilt after consuming it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Avoiding eating to the extent of becoming nutritionally deficient and underweight. Those afflicted with ARFID do not behave this way due to their body image issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Those afflicted with OSFED can display a combination of the symptoms of other eating disorders but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for any single one of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eating Disorder Triggers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many mental health issues are characterized by triggers describing a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/January-2022/Understanding-Mental-Illness-Triggers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stimulus that leads to an adverse emotional response&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Triggers are diverse and can be external (a place, sound or smell) or internal (experiencing a particular feeling).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is common for those with eating disorders to have triggers. However, as with other mental health disorders, triggers are often highly unique and specific to a person's life experience.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/emotional-triggers#finding-yours" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common eating disorder triggers include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Negative emotions such as anger, disappointment, fear, sadness, betrayal, rejection and frustration;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interacting with abusers;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interacting with individuals who form part of a toxic social dynamic;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reminders of traumatic events such as sounds, places, smells and other determinants of context;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feeling unsafe or being in an uncomfortable and unfamiliar situation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eating Disorder Treatments&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While eating disorders refer to a varied group of disorders, some common themes are found in their treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096990/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychological-based therapies for eating disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are both effective and popular. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/in-depth/eating-disorder-treatment/art-20046234" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common psychological treatment options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based therapy and group therapy. If these interventions are unsuccessful, more intensive forms of psychological therapy, such as admission into a specialty clinic or hospital, are available.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other treatment approaches include education around diet and nutrition supplemented by planning around one's eating behaviors.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3000192/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pharmaceutical therapies are available for eating disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They often include medications such as antidepressants and gastroenterological drugs.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Identity As a Psychological Concept?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In psychology, identity is a complex, multi-faceted term. Simply put, identity is at the heart of the answer to the question: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;who are you?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It entails aspects of one's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sense of self&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, defined as how one perceives themselves in terms of attributes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many individuals firmly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201412/basics-identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; base their identity on their values&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are often the cornerstone of one's decision-making process. Consequently, identity can be strongly tied to an individual's cultural and social upbringing and environment since these factors usually influence a person's value system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2019/07/multiple-identities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some psychologists argue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that having multiple identities is beneficial and, in some ways, necessary for everyday life. Humans fulfill multiple roles throughout their lives. For example, an individual can be a daughter, sister, mother, wife, teacher, student and professional at various points in life and even satisfy some of these roles concurrently. Each of these roles entails different privileges and responsibilities, requiring different behaviors and approaches. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is not to say that one should be chameleon-esque. However, a well-adapted and well-socialized person should be able to balance their innate personality with the demands of the environment and alter this balance as the need arises.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Problems can crop up&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;when an individual excessively identifies with a particular role or sub-personality to the detriment of others. This "over-identification" with a specific role or sub-personality is how eating disorders can negatively impact a person's identity and sense of self.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The identity that people assign to a given individual can notably impact their overall behavior and, indeed, their own self-assessment.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Do Eating Disorders Affect Identity?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating disorders can affect one's sense of self and the identity assigned by society. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://eatingdisordersreview.com/social-identity-and-its-impact-on-eating-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that the women felt stigmatized by their diagnosis and, to compensate, sought out pro-eating disorder communities online. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7926357/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Further studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have found that online pro-eating disorder communities offer those afflicted with these disorders a place to feel accepted and validated in their dysfunctional behavior. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such online environments can harm those with eating disorders, as they normalize and create a sense of pride in damaging behavior patterns. Surrounding oneself with an open-minded, understanding, caring and honest support system is a powerful way to ensure that such an outcome does not occur.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those who have battled eating disorders for long periods &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.emilyprogram.com/blog/who-am-i-without-my-eating-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can also struggle to dissociate themselves from their disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Even once someone has entered into prolonged eating disorder recovery, they might have difficulty moving past their illness, which carries the danger of relapse. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals should recognize that while an eating disorder was part of their life for a time, it does not need to be a defining factor that prevents them from growing and healing. Attending effective and professional psychological therapy can help ease the transition from intensive therapy to normalcy, thereby avoiding the downfalls of "over-identification" with one's eating disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Defeating an Eating Disorder and Regaining One's Identity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recovery from an eating disorder is possible with the right tools and a supportive environment. Once it has been achieved, take care not to let yourself be hindered by the labels and stigma associated with eating disorders. Learning to healthily transition from intensive eating disorder interventions to living a well-adjusted life within the framework of an effective support system can be the foundation of a well-balanced and fulfilled life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorder Association for support &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. (QR code for print)&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Identity-and-Eating-Disorders.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/identity-and-eating-disorders/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27496</ID> <title>What Food Helps With a Bloated Stomach?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-14 14:20:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_153 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_192"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_204 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_106 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_318 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_319 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_320 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_221 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone has put up with bloating at least once- your belly unexpectedly becomes puffed, and all you can do is caress it. If you didn’t consume a few beers that day (a case in which there’s no question concerning the source of bloating!), you might wonder what causes your bloating. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Causes Bloating?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321869#causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occurs when your gastrointestinal tract is filled in one of its sections with excessive gas or air. It can also be caused by too much water retention or by the inflammation of the digestive tract.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bloating has many diverse causes, sometimes unclear, but the most frequent &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://webmd.com/digestive-disorders/ss/slideshow-tips-to-reduce-bloating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;causes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fried foods and fatty foods;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;indigestible carbohydrates;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soda water and drinks, beer;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;menstruation;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;low potassium levels;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduced water consumption.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can a Dietary Change Relieve Bloating?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Two dietary &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-that-help-with-bloating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; might bring relief to your bloating problem:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high-fiber food and/or&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;drinking enough water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fiber-rich food is good for bloating because it makes your digestive system work at a normal pace. The same thing can be said about good hydration. Using these tips, you might find significant relief. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Foods Bring Relief from Bloating?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There’s no doubt that foods can cause bloating, but there are some foods that might debloat your stomach. Best foods for bloating are usually those providing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19997333/foods-to-help-de-bloat/?utm_source=google&amp;amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;amp;utm_campaign=arb_ga_whm_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a19997333&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw2OiaBhBSEiwAh2ZSP2CKhg0NDSxStOZsERAP-R2pRn9jaMfS_812uCXEQOblgTxf7druexoCT4AQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;good hydration, fibers and potassium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, because these three elements work together to maintain a healthy digestive system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Avocado&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to a healthy diet, avocado usually occupies a leading place. We find it by itself, in vegan recipes, sandwiches, salads and even in sushi. A favorite food for BIO diets, avocado is rich in potassium, antioxidants and healthy fibers, each essential for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-help-with-bloating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reducing bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and for a healthy digestive system. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watermelon&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19997333/foods-to-help-de-bloat/?utm_source=google&amp;amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;amp;utm_campaign=arb_ga_whm_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a19997333&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw2OiaBhBSEiwAh2ZSP2CKhg0NDSxStOZsERAP-R2pRn9jaMfS_812uCXEQOblgTxf7druexoCT4AQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Watermelon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a key food to consume if you want to both avoid gaining weight and reduce bloating. Because it is 90% water, watermelon is a low-calorie food and helps the body to reach the hydration level necessary for eliminating gas pockets.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bananas &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abundant sources of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bmhsc.org/blog/13-foods-that-reduce-bloating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bloating-reducing potassium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, bananas can be found on most dining room tables. Eating bananas can be a significant step forwards in the fight against bloating thanks to their potassium concentration, which reduces excess sodium and, thus, excessive water retention.    &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Yogurt&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yogurt contains probiotics also found in your gastrointestinal tract. Their function is to maintain a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290376/8-foods-to-help-you-debloat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;balanced digestive system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and to reduce gut inflammation. You may be lactose intolerant. There’s still a way for you to enjoy yogurt and partake of its benefits. You can try kefir, which is also rich in probiotics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Blueberries&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blueberries are a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-that-help-with-bloating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rich source of fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that combines with antioxidants to reduce bloating. Buying them frozen for smoothies won’t affect their nutritional virtues, so you can still enjoy your refreshing blueberry smoothie.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Oranges &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to being filled with water, healthy fibers and potassium, oranges may help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19997333/foods-to-help-de-bloat/?utm_source=google&amp;amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;amp;utm_campaign=arb_ga_whm_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a19997333&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw2OiaBhBSEiwAh2ZSP2CKhg0NDSxStOZsERAP-R2pRn9jaMfS_812uCXEQOblgTxf7druexoCT4AQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;alleviate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your bloating problem.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sweet potatoes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19997333/foods-to-help-de-bloat/?utm_source=google&amp;amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;amp;utm_campaign=arb_ga_whm_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a19997333&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw2OiaBhBSEiwAh2ZSP2CKhg0NDSxStOZsERAP-R2pRn9jaMfS_812uCXEQOblgTxf7druexoCT4AQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweet potatoes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have a significant advantage over regular potatoes. They contain elements that blast excessive water retention, preventing the formation of gas bubbles.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cucumbers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.bmhsc.org/blog/13-foods-that-reduce-bloating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cucumbers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; ensure good hydration for your digestive system thanks to their high water concentration. It also contains two elements providing fluidity throughout the intestinal tract.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Apples &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This common fruit, rich in potassium and natural fibers, may also help you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/318778-how-to-eliminate-gas-and-bloating-by-eating-apples/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Apples provide good hydration, ensuring that the digestive tract works at its normal pace.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Oatmeal &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oatmeal recipes are the best friend of gym-goers. They provide essential nutrients at a low-calorie intake. They also contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bmhsc.org/blog/13-foods-that-reduce-bloating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a fiber called beta-glucan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an anti-inflammatory agent that helps the digestive system work as smoothly as possible.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kiwifruit&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kiwifruit has become one of the most popular &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kiwi-benefits#Kiwi-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It supports heart health, digestive health, and it also boosts your immunity. Due to an enzyme called actinidin and its potassium content, kiwifruit is a good fruit for a bloated stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tomatoes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tomatoes are an accessible &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19997333/foods-to-help-de-bloat/?utm_source=google&amp;amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;amp;utm_campaign=arb_ga_whm_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a19997333&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw2OiaBhBSEiwAh2ZSP2CKhg0NDSxStOZsERAP-R2pRn9jaMfS_812uCXEQOblgTxf7druexoCT4AQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;source of fibers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that help you fight against bloating. Their high water concentration can also provide sufficient hydration for your digestive system. We only have one piece of advice: don’t heat them because this would reduce their fiber and water content.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Other tips to avoid bloating&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-that-help-with-bloating/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cases of bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are frequently linked to overeating, even by ordinary observers. It stretches your stomach, leading to the formation of gas or air bubbles. Eating smaller portions ensures that your stomach keeps its natural size and functionality. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If eating too much in one meal doesn’t help with your bloating, neither does gulping down food. We recommend you eat slower to avoid eating too much… air! As strange as it sounds, Aerophagia is a real thing, and we should try avoiding it because it sure doesn’t help with our bloating problem. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An exercise routine or a walk in the park can also be great tips to avoid bloating that we recommend you incorporate into your lifestyle. When you feel bloated, try to take a walk! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding relief from bloating may sometimes seem difficult, given that it requires a change in our lifestyle and diet. But delicious food can make everything easier. When shopping at a grocery store in the future, bloating-fighting foods will attract you with more than just their smell and taste. By remembering our medical and dietary tips for bloating, your problem could fade away little by little.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bloated-Stomach.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-food-helps-with-a-bloated-stomach/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27481</ID> <title>How To Cope With An Anxiety Disorder – 10 Ways To Prevent A Panic Attack</title> <publishDate>2023-03-13 20:32:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_154 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_193"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_205 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_107 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_321 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_322 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_323 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_222 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A sudden sense of fear, dizziness, sweating, breathing problems and a racing heart – panic attacks are overwhelming and mentally draining. They can leave you powerless for a few minutes before your body returns to its normal state. Struggling with an anxiety disorder is hard enough, but experiencing panic attacks can make things worse. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are ways to cope with your anxiety and strategies to help you prevent panic attacks. They can at least help decrease the intensity and frequency of panic attacks. It is crucial, however, to consult an experienced mental health professional to create an effective plan to manage your anxiety disorder and panic attacks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;Here are some valuable ways to prevent a panic attack:&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;1.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Identifying Signs of Panic Attack&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A panic attack can feel scary but acknowledging it and realizing that it won't last long may help calm your body. While this can take time and effort to practice, identifying the signs of having a panic attack can help you manage the attack. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the common signs that you might be having a panic attack:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choking sensation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dizziness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Racing or irregular heartbeat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nausea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shortness of breath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trembling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Panic attacks are usually intense for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder-agoraphobia/symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and then the symptoms start subsiding. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;2.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Deep Breathing Exercises&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deep breathing exercises can help you manage the hyperventilating that may occur during a panic attack. Frantic breaths escalate the feeling of fear, which you can manage with deep breathing.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deep breathing helps lower stress levels and can help you cope with your anxiety and prevent panic attacks. Slow breathing is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137615/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to enhance the sensation of alertness, comfort and relaxation while reducing confusion, anger, depression and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try breathing in through the nose slowly and feel the air filling your stomach and chest. Hold your breath for a few seconds. Next, exhale the air through your mouth. Repeat this exercise a few times. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;3.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Keep Lavender Oil Handy &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soothing scents help reduce stress and anxiety as they tap into your senses and assist in keeping you grounded. They allow you to focus on one thing and stay in the moment. Lavender has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711319303411?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to enhance the feeling of relaxation and calm, which helps reduce anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can keep lavender oil with you and gently inhale or dab it on your wrist when you feel a panic attack looming near. You can also try other essential oils to determine what works best in calming your body. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;4.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Identify your Triggers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most effective ways to prevent a panic attack and manage your anxiety is to learn to identify what triggers your panic attacks. For instance, issues with money, confrontation, big crowds or enclosed spaces are usually common triggers for many people. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Identifying triggers gives you more control in managing the situations or avoiding them to decrease the chances, intensity and frequency of panic attacks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;5.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make Lifestyle Changes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your lifestyle can also have a significant impact on your anxiety and panic attacks. It is important to identify the areas that increase your anxiety and stress and find ways to change them or avoid them. For instance, consuming a balanced diet, reducing your intake of caffeine or alcohol, staying hydrated and getting sufficient sleep can enhance your overall health and help prevent panic attacks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;6.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Practice Muscle Relaxation Exercises&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle tension is another primary symptom of panic attacks and anxiety. Therefore, practicing muscle relaxation methods may decrease this tension and enhance relaxation. Regular practice helps in releasing the stress from group muscles, allowing you to relax your body. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel a panic attack coming, practicing muscle relaxation techniques can allow you to control the response of your body better. A muscle relaxation technique usually includes the following methods:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Learning ways to tense your muscles before relaxing them &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxing the muscles without first tensing them&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxing a group of muscles, like legs or shoulders &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rapid relaxation by identifying areas of the body that are tensed and then releasing the tension&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can start practicing by focusing on one small muscle, like your finger, to tense and relax your muscles. Once you get a better idea, you can move on to other muscles in your body. This trick is helpful if you have been regularly practicing and can identify a panic attack coming. This allows you to start using this technique to prevent a panic attack. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;7.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Move More&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going out in nature for a run or a walk, or finding other ways to move your body, like dancing, can be an effective way of relaxing your body and clearing your head to prevent a panic attack. Heading outside also allows you to absorb vitamin D, which can enhance satisfaction and revitalization while reducing depression and anger. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;8.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get Professional Counseling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to prevent panic attacks and cope with your anxiety is to consult a professional and certified therapist and get the right counseling you need. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02679-w" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to be an effective way of treating and preventing panic attacks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;9.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Practice Mindfulness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness is a practice that can help individuals ground themselves. Panic attacks create a feeling of separation or detachment from reality. Therefore, mindfulness practice can help you combat the symptoms if you feel a panic attack approaching. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness helps you to focus on the present, identify your mental and emotional state, and decrease stress through meditation. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can practice mindfulness by focusing on different physical sensations around you, like feeling the texture of your hand or clothes or your bare feet on the cool floor or sand. These sensations can help you stay in the present and cope with symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness therapy has also been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pcn.12960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recommended&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for individuals with anxiety disorders receiving medical treatment but hasn't found the right treatment that helps. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;10.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;Take Prescription Medication&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your therapist or doctor can give you prescription medications to help you prevent and manage your panic attacks if they are severe. These medications work by calming your nervous system and reducing the intensity of the panic attack or preventing them altogether. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is essential to understand that medication can be potentially addicting since they are controlled substances. Therefore, always use them after consulting your doctor, and in the dosage, they recommend to prevent further issues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wrapping Up &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While dealing with an anxiety order and managing panic attacks can be draining, being mindful and practicing these useful tips and help you in lowering the intensity. However, if these tips are not working for you and the panic attacks are frequent, it is important that you consult a mental healthcare professional immediately. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting the right help can ensure you find better ways to deal with your anxiety symptoms without your anxiety or panic attacks interfering with your routine. A professional can guide you in identifying your triggers, prescribing medications and establishing the right therapy to help you manage your mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety might stay in your life, but it shouldn't overtake everyday activities. There are multiple ways to manage the symptoms and the anxiety. However, a professional therapist can recommend the best treatment after conducting an assessment. It is important to seek help to improve your life and overall wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Panic-Attacks.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-cope-with-an-anxiety-disorder-10-ways-to-prevent-a-panic-attack/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27474</ID> <title>The Connection Between Insomnia and Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2023-03-13 20:18:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_155 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_194"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_206 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_108 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_324 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_325 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_326 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_223 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most people will agree that a good night's sleep makes them feel more awake. You probably have heard the saying &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;waking up on the wrong side of the bed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It refers to a person's bad mood and has some truth to it. If a person didn't get a good night's sleep, this might be the reason behind their grumpiness today! Even though many factors affect both insomnia and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31071719/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, there is good reason to believe that healthy sleep can improve mental health and treat many psychiatric illnesses.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So far, the evidence points to a two-way link between insomnia and mental health. More research is needed to learn more about this phenomenon.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nearly 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep disorders, or they struggle to get the recommended amount of sleep each night. If you're suffering from insomnia, that might mean you're having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or not getting enough sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupts a person's breathing while they sleep. It is sometimes the root cause of insomnia and other sleep issues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A physician or sleep specialist can help treat your sleep apnea with various treatments. Factors like stress, travel or other life events can bring it on. Simple therapies like baths, exercise, warm milk or having a peaceful bedroom can help treat the symptoms. If insomnia episodes last for over three weeks, your doctor may recommend seeing a sleep disorder specialist.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Insomnia and Mental Health – The Connection &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How often do you find yourself losing sleep when you're worried about something? Half of all occurrences of insomnia can be traced back to some emotional or mental strain. Sleep specialists look at the signs of insomnia to see if a mental disorder is causing the person not to sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/bright-and-early-how-your-sleep-schedule-can-help-you-fight-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can cause people to wake up early, feel tired, have trouble concentrating, feel sad and alter their appetite or weight. A sudden, drastic reduction in sleep with increased activity or a lack of desire for sleep is a sign of mania.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lot of evidence shows a direct link between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and sleep problems. In the same way, panic attacks that happen during sleep may be a sign of a panic disorder. A sign of posttraumatic stress disorder could be the inability to sleep well because of recurring nightmares (PTSD).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep problems are another common sign of a problem with drugs or alcohol. Small amounts of alcohol can help you sleep, but drinking too much can disrupt your sleep schedule. Illegal drugs like LSD and ecstasy are also known causes of sleep problems. Sedatives can make you sleepy if you take a lot of them, but their misuse or withdrawal can make it hard to sleep and cause severe sleep problems.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Insomnia &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32790576/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;worsens symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;of various mental health conditions. Therapy may be less effective if you have severe sleep disorders. There is a clear correlation between insomnia and mental health. The best scientific data suggests that adequate sleep is essential to treating or preventing both.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleep and Memory Function&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the night's sleep, the brain's activity goes up and down at certain times. During NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, brain activity goes down as a whole, but there are brief times when it goes up. Because the brain works rapidly during REM sleep, dreams during this sleep phase tend to be more vivid and easy to remember.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each phase helps the brain work well by changing how certain brain parts perform. This, in turn, helps us with things like learning and remembering. Brain activity during sleep significantly affects emotional and mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough sleep, especially REM sleep, helps the brain process emotional information. While we sleep, our brains process and store new information. Thus, not getting enough sleep makes it harder to remember good feelings. This directly relates to the presence and severity of mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal ideation or conduct.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, the conventional belief that sleep disturbances indicate psychological pathology is being challenged. Instead, there is evidence of a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6879507/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bidirectional relationship&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between sleep and mental health, with sleep problems being both a cause and a result of mental health problems.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also connected to mental health disorders. People with OSA experience repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Evidence suggests a complex association between insomnia and mental health that can be affected by numerous factors.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Treatment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatment of Insomnia and mental health comes second to establishing healthy sleep routines. Try the following treatments to help get better sleep:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Good Sleeping Habits.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; As the first defense against insomnia, try to adopt these measures. Start by sticking to a regular sleep schedule, eliminate stimulating activities in the hours leading up to bedtime, and create a relaxing bedroom atmosphere.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Unwinding Techniques. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice mindfulness, gradual muscle relaxation and deep breathing to relax before bed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Medication.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Although you might have access to a wide variety of psychiatric drugs, it's essential to exercise caution while combining some of them because of the potential for "over-sedation." Some drugs have been licensed for long-term use, but doctors typically advise against using them for longer than a few weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Herbal Remedies.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; You can find herbal medicines like valerian root and melatonin at most pharmacies and department stores. Remember, neither medication has approval from the FDA, and there is little evidence that they are effective for most patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleep Limitation.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The term "sleep efficiency" refers to how much time a person spends asleep instead of awake in bed, and this therapy aims to improve that. It entails a progressive rise in the amount of time one can spend in bed each night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Manage and eliminate anxious and negative thoughts with the help of this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000578942200137X" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Light Therapy.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Light therapy or Phototherapy is a treatment option for people with delayed sleep phase syndrome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exercise. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The quality of your sleep may increase if you start working out. Consult your doctor about the best form of physical activity for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleep and Overall Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough sleep every night is linked to better overall health and quality of life. Current research on sleep shows that sleep may be linked to emotional regulation and memory consolidation and that not getting enough sleep may hurt these things. Getting more sleep can improve performance and memory and even help control appetite and weight.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping less than seven hours a night increases the risk of obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lack of sleep (less than seven hours) and oversleeping (more than nine hours) raise the risk of diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping less than six hours every night increases the risk of hypertension by 20% to 32%.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding tired driving, driving after less than 5 hours of sleep, and driving between 2 and 5 a.m. can minimize automobile accidents by 19%. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both chronic sleep deprivation and lengthy sleep durations increase mortality risk, although longer sleep durations increase mortality risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Happy Sleeping!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Connection-Between-Insomnia-and-Mental-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-connection-between-insomnia-and-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27466</ID> <title>How To Engage In Sexual Self-Care</title> <publishDate>2023-03-10 20:01:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_156 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_195"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_207 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_109 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_327 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_328 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_329 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_224 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we talk about health and self-care, it generally covers emotions, mind and body. Our self-care routines revolve around meditation, eating healthy, exercise and skincare, but one crucial category gets neglected often is sexual health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your sexual self is a major part of your overall wellness and deserves time to be pampered. Indulging in healthy sexual self-care activities can help reduce stress and support psychological and sexual health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care is undoubtedly one of the best forms of self-love. Including your sexual well-being with your emotional, mental and physical self-care routine can drastically enhance your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Know yourself Better&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before you expect someone else to satisfy your sexual well-being, you need to understand yourself better. This is true not just to explore the things you enjoy when it comes to your sexuality but goes beyond that as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take yourself out on a date, understand your emotions, learn new things, and do things you enjoy. Understand that sex is experienced with intention and presence as it is a bodily experience. Connect with your body to learn what works for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The self-date can be anything you want, from exploring your body to stretching, taking yourself out for dinner, or dancing around in your pajamas. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Enjoy an Oil Self-Massage &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An oil massage can be a sensual experience when done right. Giving yourself an oil massage can be an even more intimate experience since you are aware of what is working for you. Use a good quality organic oil, like coconut, jojoba and sesame, as these oils can help release internal toxins, soften your skin and calm your nerves. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by warming the oil and gently massaging your skin from the top of your head before gradually working your way to your feet. Use longer strokes on all the limbs and circular motions on the joints. Once you are done, soak in a warm bath or take a warm shower. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Discover your Sexuality &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexuality is wide and deep. It will take practice and time, but you can discover great creativity, pleasure and power within yourself. When you decide to show up for sexual self-care consistently, it will result in sexual growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can begin this by setting a reminder every few days a week to check in. Discovering your sexuality can include sexual education, breathing exercises, self-pleasure, meditation, journaling, enjoying intimacy with your partner or anything that enhances your sexual growth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Add Sexual Intimacy to your Schedule &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That can't be fun!" is something that might have crossed your mind. Scheduling sexual time might not seem romantic or fun but knowing that there is an exciting night on the calendar can be thrilling. We are made to believe that spontaneous sex is how sexual intimacy should be for everyone, but it is far from the truth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just like everything important in love, you should also prioritize your sex life by adding it to the calendar. It can either be with your partner or a solo play. Scheduling sexual intimacy prepares you physically, spiritually, and emotionally to be in the right mindset and get the most out of this experience. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mix Things up &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While muscle memory can serve you positively in many ways but in some cases, it can restrict you to the selected sexual likes and desires. One of the major elements of sexual self-care is to enjoy some curious sexual exploration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Change things up with your partner or when you indulge in self-pleasuring. Explore your body with different types of pressure, texture and touch; slow down or speed up, play music or introduce sex toys in the mix. The more you explore, the better your sexual health will be. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Understand the Birth Control Options Available &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best tips to improve your sexual self-care is to ensure you are being safe. Make sure that you are aware of all the birth control options available for you to find the one that works best for you. While it can be overwhelming to decide with so many options, you can consult your healthcare specialist to narrow down the choices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common and flexible birth control is hormonal birth control, which may include an intrauterine device, patch, shot or pill. These birth control options can be stopped easily and are short-term. Some other options include copper IUDs without hormones, barrier methods like condoms, and spermicidal birth control. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Condoms are effective and are always a good idea in all situations since they can also provide protection against STIs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get Tested &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being sexually active means you are always at risk of STIs and HIV. Since STIs occur with little to no symptoms, the risk is higher. Therefore, it is important to get tested since it is the only way to ensure you don't have STI or HIV. Moreover, you can also decrease your risk of HIV or STIs by having protected sex. Avoid using any syringes or needs to protect yourself from HIV. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Discuss Safe Sex with your Partner &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking birth control measures and getting tested is the best way to protect yourself and enjoy sexual intimacy, but you must also make sure that your partner is doing the same. It is important to talk openly with your partner about safe sex. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make sure you and your partner are on the same page and share the same values so you can continue enjoying sexual intimacy with one another. A few things you should discuss include the following:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Things you enjoy and things you don’t want to try &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ways to lower the chances of an unintended pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using protective measures to lower the STIs risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether or not you wish to start a family&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The number of children you want&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are some of the crucial things you should discuss with your partner so that there are no unpleasant surprises for either of you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don’t be Afraid to Share your Experiences &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With so much knowledge at the tip of our fingers, sexual education is still lacking. A large population is unaware of aspects safe sex, sexual intimacy, and ways to improve it. Therefore, talk about your experiences and your findings with others to spread awareness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Normalizing discussions on sexual intimacy and care can greatly help not just others but you as well. You might learn things you weren’t aware of that could enhance your sexual self-care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wrapping Up&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual self-care is certainly an important factor in maintaining your overall wellness. These tips can help you explore yourself more and give you a chance to try out new things. It is important, however, to understand that sexual self-care isn’t a one-time thing. In order to enhance your sexual health, be sure to be consistent with sexual self-care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start small instead of trying to make big changes in your routine. Reward yourself when you make some progress. As you start your sexual self-care journey, you will find out what works for you and ways you can further improve. You will eventually have the right sexual self-care routine to follow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sexual-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-engage-in-sexual-self-care/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27459</ID> <title>Morinaga - Recent Trend In Functional Food Science</title> <publishDate>2023-03-09 19:44:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_157 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_196"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_208 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_110 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_330 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_331 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_332 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_225 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Until recently, good health was described as the absence of any diseases for centuries. It evolved to include physical, psychological and mental well-being. One significant factor in this new definition of health is food. You need nutritious food for the body's growth, development and maintenance. It also helps enhance the overall quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Functional food science has recently emerged as a popular concept in Europe and the U.S. However, it originated decades ago in Japan. Functional food science indicates that foods and their components can significantly benefit the functions of the body. They also improve health and well-being while reducing the chances of diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The latest trend in functional food science is Morinaga Milk. It is a dairy product company with a long history of researching and benefiting from the nutritional properties of functional ingredients.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Understanding Functional Foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Functional foods are considered as those ingredients offering multiple health benefits that include more than the nutritional value. Some ingredients contain additional ingredients or supplements that enhance overall health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The concept of functional food started during the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221345301930031X" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1980s in Japan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It was a time multiple government agencies began approving foods that had proven health benefits to enhance the population's health and wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The major examples of functional foods include any food that has been fortified with fiber, probiotics, minerals or vitamins. Ingredients that are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthful-habits/functional-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rich in nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, like grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables and fruits, are also referred to as functional foods. For example, oats include beta-glucan, which is a type of fiber that has been proven to decrease inflammation, enhance heart health and improve immune function. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Morinaga: Pioneering in Functional Foods with Bifidobacterial Research&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Morinaga Milk is one of the leading probiotic ingredient manufacturers for functional food, dietary supplements and infant formula products. With over 50 years of research experience in the benefits of functional health, safety and mechanisms of Human-Residential Bifidobacteria (HRB), Morinaga Milk creates and supplies probiotics bifidobacteria strains that have higher human compatibility. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The company excels in researching and establishing innovative technology to develop functional and probiotic ingredients worldwide. They offer probiotic solutions that are proven to be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.just-food.com/contractors/food-drinks-ingredients/morinaga-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;clinically effective&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; They also meet the health needs of humans, including healthy aging, mental health, weight management, infant well-being and health, immunity and gut health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is essential to understand that all probiotics are not the same. Not all of them comprise of same microbial competitiveness and fitness in the human gut. The residential origin and strain specificity determine the way probiotic bacterium interacts and contributes to human health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Morinaga Milk has established a premium line of functional ingredients and probiotic strain products that are safe, high-quality, clinically effective and stable to consume. These strains are the ones that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.foodprocessing-technology.com/contractors/ingredients/morinaga-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reside naturally in the human gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and are referred to as Human-Residential Bifidobacteria (HRB). Every HRB stain includes a range of health benefits to improve overall health and wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Latest Morinaga Milk Development in Functional Food Science &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Morinaga Milk has become the only company in Japan to earn the probiotic strains registration for the New Food Ingredient category. The second strain developed by the company, B. longum BB536, has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220517005112/en/Morinaga-Milk-Obtains-the-Registration-of-New-Food-Ingredient-in-China-for-Use-of-Its-Probiotic-Bifidobacterium-longum-BB536-in-Infant-and-Toddler-Foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;granted approval recently&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by China’s National Health Commission (NHC). This strain has been approved as a new food ingredient to be used for toddler and infant foods. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new food ingredient is one of the regulatory systems needed for food ingredients to be allowed to be used in toddler and infant foods and general foods in China. The registered ingredient undergoes a strict evaluation process to meet the safety, health and nutritional requirements and comply with China's regulatory standards. Only 13 probiotic strains have been granted approval since 2011. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The registration process is challenging since the ingredient can have a major impact on the entire population. China continues to update its regulatory framework and safety requirements to ensure and maintain the safety of the population, including young children and infants. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits of Functional Foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While research on functional foods and their advantages is still ongoing, many research studies have shown the following promising benefits of functional foods:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prevents Nutrient Deficiencies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Functional foods are high in multiple nutrients, including fiber, healthy fats, minerals and vitamins. Including a range of functional foods in your diet, both fortified and conventional, can ensure that you are consuming sufficient nutrients to enhance your protection against nutrient deficiencies. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The higher consumption of fortified foods has been found to reduce nutrient deficiency around the world. After the introduction of wheat flour fortified with iron in Jordon, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26434612/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the iron deficiency anemia rates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; among children were drastically reduced. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The process of fortification has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://foodinsight.org/fortification-ftw-for-the-win/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to reduce the chances of other conditions caused due to nutrient deficiencies, including birth defects, goiter and rickets.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Protect against Diseases&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Functional foods offer key nutrients required to protect humans against multiple diseases. Numerous of these foods comprise antioxidants, which help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-antioxidants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neutralize free radicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and harmful compounds to prevent damage to cells and other chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some functional ingredients have a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proven&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to enhance heart health, improve brain function and decrease inflammation. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other foods are loaded with fiber, which &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/role-of-fiber.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;enhances&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; blood sugar control and prevents conditions like stroke, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Fiber might also play a role in preventing digestive disorders like acid reflux, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers and diverticulitis. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Enhances Growth and Development&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are specific nutrients that are integral for the growth and development of children and infants. Having a variety of functional foods as a part of your normal healthy diet ensures all the nutritional requirements are met. Additionally, include fortified functional foods in the diet as they can also play a significant role in the growth and development of children. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low folic acid levels can enhance the potential of neural tube defects that may impact the spine, spinal cord or brain. Increasing folic acid intake can decrease the chances of neural tube defects by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4933077/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;50 to 70%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other healthy nutrients in functional foods also play a role in the development and growth of an individual, including vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, iron and omega-3 fatty acids.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wrapping Up&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Functional foods have been associated with multiple significant health benefits that can enhance the overall health of humans. These foods have been found to reduce nutrient deficiencies, enhance proper development and growth, and offer protection against disease. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, functional foods provide a variety of healthy and nutritious fortified foods. Include them in your diet with whole foods to enhance your health and fill any nutritional gaps to maintain your wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is ideal for including fortified functional foods in your diet. However, consult your health care professional before changing your diet, particularly if you are battling a health condition.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Morinaga-Milk.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/morinaga-recent-trend-in-functional-food-science/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27519</ID> <title>What Does "Eat the Rainbow" Mean?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-08 16:29:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_158 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_197"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_209 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_111 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_333 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_334 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_335 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_226 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fruits and vegetables are the stepping stone of nutrition. Scores of studies and common knowledge agree upon the importance of eating enough fruits and vegetables, so we shouldn't be surprised that we are encouraged to indulge in them more often. In discussions regarding how to include fruits and vegetables in our diets, we sometimes encounter a peculiar phrase: "eat the rainbow!" Simply put, diversity is the key to a nourishing and healthy diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Does "Eat the Rainbow" Mean?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Eat the rainbow" is a memorable call to eat fruits and vegetables of various colors. The color of a fruit or vegetable is a sign of the abundance of specific nutrients (i.e., phytonutrients) and how they can benefit your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;"Eat the Rainbow" Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Including solely a particular fruit or vegetable in your meal plan will only benefit a narrow part of your body. To ensure a more holistic approach, take full advantage of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://foodrevolution.org/blog/eating-the-rainbow-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;all the colors of the rainbow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by regularly eating a variety of fruits and vegetables that provide a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/assets/documents/better-bites-eat-a-rainbow.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;wide range&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of health benefits:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved heart health (red, dark red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, white);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved brain function and memory (red, green, blue, purple);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved eyesight (green, yellow, orange);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lower cancer risk (red, dark red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, white);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved immunity (yellow, orange);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regulated cholesterol levels (white);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved oral health (green);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved skin health (red, blue, purple).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;"Eat the Rainbow" Foods and Colors&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red fruits and vegetables are widely known for their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eat-the-rainbow" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cancer-fighting nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They contain antioxidants, lycopene, vitamin C, flavonoids, etc., which will benefit your skin and heart health. The most popular red fruits and vegetables are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apples;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cherries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red onions;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red peppers;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strawberries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tomatoes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Watermelon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To get a boost of red nutrients and vitamins: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut 2 red peppers and 1 red onion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put them in a frying pan with olive oil at high heat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add some salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let them roast until they are softened. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add a little bit of wine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add some fresh basil (green comes in!) and olive oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoy your meal full of red!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Orange and Yellow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orange and yellow nutrients can improve poor blood circulation due to their rich chemical composition in hesperidin, a unique phytonutrient. Their high levels of vitamin A also support eye health. The most popular &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk/community/dietary-needs/the-rainbow-diet-meal-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;orange or yellow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fruits and vegetables are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bananas;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carrots;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Corn;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lemons;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mango;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oranges;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pineapple;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweet potatoes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can whip up and enjoy a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://marshasbakingaddiction.com/mango-banana-smoothie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;banana-mango smoothie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;or some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/278853/roasted-carrots-and-potatoes/https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/278853/roasted-carrots-and-potatoes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;baked carrots with sweet potatoes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;while benefiting from a strong immunity boost!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Green&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green vegetables often contain lutein, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eat-the-rainbow#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;omega-3 fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and vitamin K, among other vital nutrients. Together, they take good care of your eyesight and bone health. In addition, leafy green vegetables help maintain cognitive functions throughout the years. Our favorite greens are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Asparagus;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avocado;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Basil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Broccoli;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cucumbers;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green cabbage;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green herbs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spinach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Covering the green side of the rainbow is as easy as enjoying a slice of avocado toast in the morning, some broccoli as a fantastic side dish for pork chops and cucumbers in your cream cheese sandwich! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Blue and Purple &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blue and purple fruits are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://foodrevolution.org/blog/eating-the-rainbow-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anti-inflammatory and antioxidant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, aiding cellular and tissue recovery. A significant nutritional enhancement is brought by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/anthocyanins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anthocyanins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., water-soluble pigments), which can lower blood pressure, prevent brain dysfunctions and slow down cancer growth. Some tasty blue and purple fruits and vegetables are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blackberries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blueberries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eggplant;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plums. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;White&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White might not be so colorful, but it is undoubtedly nutritious. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know#health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White vegetables contain flavonoids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that help manage high blood pressure by regulating cholesterol levels. In addition, they can decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. Some healthy white vegetables to consider are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cauliflower;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Garlic;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mushrooms;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Onions;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Potatoes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our favorite white recipe is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cookitrealgood.com/mushroom-tomato-pasta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pasta with mushrooms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roast some mushrooms with onions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add tomato sauce to the pan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add sugar and pepper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let everything cook for five minutes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the pasta in the pan after boiling it and mix it with the sauce.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Three "Eat the Rainbow" Recipes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rich, single-colored meals provide numerous health benefits, and you can vary the chosen color as you prepare your next meal. But you can also mix multiple rainbow colors in the same dish, as colorful plates provide more nutritional benefits. Our bodies like diversity, so you can't go wrong with a mix of nourishing foods!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.twospoons.ca/rainbow-buddha-bowls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rainbow Buddha Bowl &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Main Ingredients &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of uncooked quinoa;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of water;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of turmeric powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pinch of sea salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of edamame beans;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 zucchini, spiralized;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of carrot, grated;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of cooked beetroot, chopped;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 avocado, chopped;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ of a thinly sliced cucumber ;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of hummus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients for the Garlic-Tahini Dressing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of tahini;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 limes juice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cloves of finely chopped garlic; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pinch salt and pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of water to thin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cook the quinoa. Add 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water in a saucepan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After it starts to boil, add turmeric and a pinch of sea salt and simmer until cooked (12-15 minutes). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grate the zucchini and the carrots, chop the beetroot and slice the avocado and cucumber. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Divide the quinoa, edamame, zucchini, carrots, beetroot, avocado and cucumber between bowls. Divide the hummus between bowls. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Prepare the Dressing &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add ¼ cup of tahini, the juice of 2 limes, finely chopped garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix by whisking. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add splashes of water for thinning (about 2 tablespoons). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drizzle over the buddha bowls. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Serve and enjoy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lastingredient.com/mushroom-corn-penne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pasta With Mushrooms and Corn&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This dish will give you a boost of red, white, yellow and green nutrients every time, as well as a healthy carbohydrate intake!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8 ounces of penne pasta;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 corn ears with their kernels sliced off;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 thinly sliced scallions;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 minced garlic cloves;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of kosher salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of black pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of olive oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let the pasta boil until well cooked. As it boils, save a half cup of water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the corn and mushrooms to a heated pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let them cook until the mushrooms turn brown and caramelized and the corn is bright yellow. It should take at most 5 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir in the thinly sliced scallions, garlic, salt and pepper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the pasta in the pan with ½ cup of boiled water. Let it evaporate. Mix them gently. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir in the scallion greens, Parmesan cheese and parsley. Add more salt and pepper, according to your taste.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoy your meal!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/82575/roasted-sweet-potatoes-onions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As simple as it sounds, this recipe provides a variety of white and orange nutrients! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 sweet onions cut into 1-inch chunks;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of toasted sliced almonds;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of Amaretto liqueur;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of dried thyme;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salt and pepper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the onions, sweet potatoes and dried thyme with olive oil, salt, pepper and Amaretto liqueur in an oven preheated at 425 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover the oven tray and let it in the oven for 30 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Uncover the oven tray and let the food bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with almonds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoy your meal!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can You Eat Meat On the Rainbow Diet?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating the Rainbow isn't necessarily a vegan diet since all it brings to the table is more various, colorful fruits and vegetables, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/rainbow-diet-food-lists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;without excluding meat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or other animal-source foods. Instead, we recommend combining the Rainbow diet with protein-rich foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our bodies need a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to function. "Eating the rainbow" can be a path to healthier, smarter eating that can provide you with the plethora of nutrients your body needs! Having variety in what you choose to eat will benefit your health in many ways.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Eat-the-Rainbow.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-does-eat-the-rainbow-mean/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27452</ID> <title>The Positive and Negative Effects of Plastic Surgery</title> <publishDate>2023-03-07 15:57:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_159 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_198"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_210 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_112 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_336 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_337 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_338 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_227 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plastic surgery has experienced an explosion in popularity over the past two decades. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23226036_Influence_of_television_on_demand_for_cosmetic_surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; attribute the increase in demand for plastic surgery in the 2000s to the proliferation and popularity of plastic surgery reality TV shows. In comparison, the increase in the 2010s is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7028372/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;partly ascribed to the influence of social media&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/08/31/2507760/0/en/Cosmetic-Surgery-Market-Size-to-Worth-Around-USD-205-1-Bn-by-2030.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a Precedence Research report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the American cosmetic surgery industry will be worth $205.1 billion by 2030, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 12.42% between 2022-2030. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2020 statistics report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 15.6 million cosmetic procedures in the U.S. alone.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With plastic surgery occupying such a prominent role in the 21st century, it begs the question: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;does plastic surgery have a net positive impact on society?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Supporters affirm that plastic surgery can improve one's self-image and boost self-esteem. In contrast, detractors argue that plastic surgery contributes to the root of body image issues and bears unnecessary risks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To objectively and reasonably conclude the costs and benefits of plastic surgery, we must thoroughly analyze the arguments of both sides of the aisle.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Benefits of Plastic Surgery?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary reason for someone to seek plastic surgery is to alter their appearance, therefore feeling more comfortable and confident in their skin. In theory, a successful cosmetic procedure causes increased self-esteem and self-confidence.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Plastic Surgery Benefits Vary Across Population Segments&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2004/04010/A_Review_of_Psychosocial_Outcomes_for_Patients.17.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A review of 37 studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the psychosocial outcomes of plastic surgery published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal found that most patients were satisfied with the results of their procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The review notes, however, that patients should be screened for their suitability for these types of procedures and that certain groups are more prone to adverse psychosocial outcomes than others. For example, individuals afflicted by body dysmorphia (a condition whereby one obsessively focuses on a perceived physical flaw) and other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, had an increased chance of a negative outcome. Moreover, males going for surgery to resolve relationship issues and those with a history of unsatisfactory plastic surgeries were also at an increased risk for poor psychosocial outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Plastic Surgery Benefits Are Broad&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A substantial amount of research attests to the positive outcomes of plastic surgery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2167702612471660" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in the Clinical Psychological Science journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; compared 554 patients who underwent plastic surgery against a control group of 264 individuals who were interested in these procedures but decided against going under the knife. The group that underwent surgery experienced numerous positive outcomes, including self-esteem, overall well-being, mental health, physical health, anxiety, depression and social phobia.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11994621/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A two-year study of 360 women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who had gone for breast augmentation found that 75-85% of the participants felt that the benefits of their surgeries outweighed the costs and associated risks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While plastic surgery benefits seem vast and accessible to most, certain population groups need to be cautious before undergoing plastic surgery. The best starting point is to consult a medical professional to determine if you can and, if so, how to avoid adverse plastic surgery effects.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are The Negative Effects of Plastic Surgery?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People predisposed to mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders, can be at an increased risk of experiencing a negative outcome from cosmetic procedures.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Negative Effects of Plastic Surgery Can Impact Mental Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/217788" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Danish study of 2,761 women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who underwent breast surgery found that they were at a notably greater risk of suicide and admission into a psychiatric institution. The study also concluded that these women were more likely to pass away from breast cancer and lung disease. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthering these findings, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17606650/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a review of studies of women following cosmetic breast augmentation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found that the suicide rate among women who have undergone these procedures is between two and three times higher than the average population.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5010319/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some scholars have suggested&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that plastic surgeons must use new and improved screening methods before agreeing to take on a patient for cosmetic procedures.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Negative Effects of Plastic Surgery Can Impact Physical Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Invasive cosmetic procedures are no different from other surgeries risk-wise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-plastic-surgery-risks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the most common complications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of plastic surgery include scarring, damaged nerves, the occurrence of a seroma (fluid build-up under the skin), infection and adverse reactions to anesthesia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23060707/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even minimally invasive cosmetic procedures can result in complications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as facial paralysis from BOTOX, inflammation and scarring.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The reported complication rate of plastic surgery varies considerably across sources and according to the type of procedure performed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728899/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A review published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; notes that the complication rate can exceed 40% for some treatments. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrastingly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/study-supports-safety-of-outpatient-plastic-surgery-procedures" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that across 26,302 procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons between 1995-2017, the complication rate within a 48-hour period was less than 1%. Meanwhile, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2292550319880921" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a review of 108,303 plastic surgery patients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between 2012-2016 found that 5.78% experienced at least one postoperative complication.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;There Are Ways to Mitigate The Risks of Plastic Surgery's Negative Effects&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People considering cosmetic surgery can take tangible steps to significantly reduce their risk of complications. Due to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/asps-member-qualifications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the extensive testing and training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; involved, using a board-certified plastic surgeon can increase the safety of one's cosmetic procedure. In addition, opting to go for plastic surgery in a single-specialty setting, such as a plastic surgery outpatient center, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3861674/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces the risk of surgical site infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; compared to procedures performed in a multi-specialty center (e.g., a hospital).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can You Be Body Positive and Get Plastic Surgery?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body positivity is intrinsically linked to body image, which describes an individual's subjective view of their physical appearance. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-body-positivity-4773402" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body positivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the idea that anyone deserves a positive and encouraging body image regardless of their physical characteristics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrary to popular belief, being body positive and seeking out plastic surgery are not mutually exclusive. Undergoing cosmetic procedures does not nullify the idea that everyone is entitled to view themselves positively regarding their body image.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfairly expecting an individual to accept aspects of themselves that they could change and consequently make themselves feel more comfortable in their skin — the essence of body image acceptance — goes against the premise of body positivity. An individual who goes for plastic surgery is not inherently opposed to accepting diverse body types, skin tones and other physical characteristics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Balancing Plastic Surgery Pros and Cons&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits and risks of plastic surgery are often distinct. Deciding whether the gains of the former outweigh the costs of the latter requires a careful examination of one's circumstances.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can make a sound decision by taking the time to research how a given procedure may affect your overall health and provide you with a range of benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Positive-and-Negative-Effects-of-Plastic-Surgery.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-positive-and-negative-effects-of-plastic-surgery/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27439</ID> <title>Does a Lack of Serotonin Really Affect Depression?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-07 15:17:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_160 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_199"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_211 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_113 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_339 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_340 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_341 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_228 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the U.S., nearly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430847/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;17 million&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the population is affected by depression, mostly adults, and even this figure is underestimated as many cases are not even brought to medical attention. Depression is a mood disorder that results in sadness, loss of interest, irritable mood and cognitive changes that affect an individual's ability to function. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many environmental and genetic factors lead to depression, but the exact cause is unknown. One common and persistent idea since the 1960s is that abnormalities in the brain chemicals, specifically serotonin, result in depression. But there isn't much evidence to support this theory. So, it begs the question, does a lack of serotonin really affect depression?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Serotonin?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before diving into the relationship between serotonin and depression, let's learn what serotonin is and how it helps the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental physiological role in the human body. Neurotransmitters are nerve cells that carry chemical signals that travel through cells and encourage the body to react in a certain manner. They regulate multiple physiological functions, such as appetite, flight or fight response, or emotions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are more than 100 neurotransmitters in the human body, including serotonin. Serotonin regulates multiple activities, such as stabilizing mood, sexual desire, behavior, digestion, etc. Because of these capabilities, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545168/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serotonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the primary treatment target for multiple psychological and neurological disorders, such as depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Relationship Between Serotonin and Depression - How It All Started&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The link between serotonin and depression was first established in the early 1960s. As a result, SSRI antidepressants were developed that are still widely used today and backed by leading researchers. But there is no concrete evidence available that can support this relationship.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The relationship between serotonin and depression was critical in the past because of how serotonin levels affect the body. For instance, high serotonin levels create the "serotonin syndrome" effect. Its symptoms include agitation, confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, shivering and rapid heart rate. It happens when an individual accidentally mixes two or more medications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In contrast, low serotonin levels lead to serotonin deficiency and affect an individual's mood and ability to function properly. Multiple factors can cause low serotonin levels, such as nutritional and vitamin deficiency, low tryptophan levels, etc. Researchers also believe that low serotonin levels are associated with anxiety, insomnia, weight gain and irritable bowel syndrome. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of this, it is one of the most investigated neurotransmitters. According to a study conducted in 2017, convergent data from studies on cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, tryptophan depletion, peripheral models of presynaptic serotonergic neurons, like platelets, neuroendocrine challenges and autopsy seemed to support the presence of decreased functioning of the serotonin system in depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; However, if these findings are analyzed, you will also find negative results, but most were neglected. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thus, all these studies led to the advent of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), which are the first line of medication for severe anxiety, depression and neuropsychiatric disorders and are still widely used today.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Treatment for Depression&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SSRIs are used as the first line of pharmacotherapy for depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders due to their efficiency, safety and tolerability.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;[3]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Common antidepressants include Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine and Citalopram. SSRIs work by holding back the reuptake of serotonin, causing serotonin activity to increase. They have fewer effects on other neurotransmitters, unlike other classes of antidepressants, such as dopamine or norepinephrine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SSRIs also have relatively fewer side effects, such as:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Headache&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Agitation or mild irritability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dyssomnia or sleepiness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nausea or constipation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dizziness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To prevent these side effects, the initial dose is sub-therapeutic and is prescribed for 1 to 2 weeks, which then gradually leads to the therapeutic dose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to recent research, there is no clear relationship between serotonin and depression, then why do SSRIs work? There must be an explanation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One thing is clear, SSRIs do work for individuals with depression but just not because of the reasons we thought.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Do SSRIs Work?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's discuss their mechanism in more detail. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is released by a neuron and binds to another neuron. After traveling through cells and transmitting the signals, serotonin is taken back up to await when it is needed. SSRIs work by hindering this reuptake, causing the serotonin to stay afloat between the cells and relay its message multiple times before being taken up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; If that's the case, SSRIs simply increase serotonin levels. However, the authors of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Serotonin Theory of Depression: A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest that in the long term, SSRIs might reduce serotonin levels in the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, how do they work? Many researchers believe that antidepressants work by changing other aspects of the brain chemistry aside from serotonin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since imipramine's introduction in 1957, numerous antidepressants have been developed with increasing specificity for the monoamine systems, including selective serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine agents. While these agents lead to an immediate change in monoaminergic neurotransmission, they typically require at least four weeks of treatment before leading to beneficial effects. Moreover, they are only effective around 30%-40% of the time. These observations have led to the conclusion that rather than treating a "serotonin deficit," antidepressants may work by promoting some form of neuroplasticity in brain circuits that are relevant to depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Simply put, antidepressants work by increasing neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change neural networks after growth and reorganization or causing stress to have less harmful effects on neuroplasticity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Serotonin Theory of Depression: A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2022, an umbrella review was conducted on the serotonin system. An umbrella review surveys existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses relevant to a research question and represent one of the highest levels of evidence synthesis available.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The researchers first conducted a scoping review to identify areas of research consistently held to support the serotonin hypothesis of depression. The research identified six areas, and conclusions were made on serotonin and 5-HIAA, receptors, serotonin transporter (SERT), depletion studies and SERT gene and gene-stress interactions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Areas of research that provided moderate or high certainty of the evidence, such as the studies of plasma serotonin and metabolites and the genetic and gene-stress interaction studies, all showed no association between markers of serotonin activity and depression. Some other areas suggested findings consistent with increased serotonin activity, but the evidence was of very low certainty, mainly due to small sample sizes and possible residual confounding by current or past antidepressant use.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To conclude, a review of the major areas of serotonin research shows that there is no link between depression and serotonin or if depression is caused by low serotonin activity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Note &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers have widely put forward the serotonin hypothesis and chemical imbalance theory for depression over the past few decades. This has led the general public to believe that depression is caused by serotonin and also influenced their decision whether to continue antidepressant medication or not, leading to a lifelong dependency on these drugs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low serotonin levels might affect your body in some ways, but it has shown no strong link with depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/lack-of-serotonin.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/does-a-lack-of-serotonin-really-affect-depression/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27512</ID> <title>Health at Every Size</title> <publishDate>2023-03-06 16:08:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_161 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_200"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_212 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_114 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_342 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_343 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_344 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_229 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stepping on scales, eating in public and buying clothes are often trigger points for those who are conscious of their weight. A 2014&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study found that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25049164/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;21% of patients felt judged by their doctors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and, as a result, were less likely to attend follow-up consultations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, over the past few years, more people have realized that basing someone's worth on their size holds no weight. Movements like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health at Every Size&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (HAES) provide an inclusive and holistic approach to health and wellness, and they're here to stay.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Health at Every Size?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HAES is a unique approach to fitness, health and wellness. It promotes healthy behaviors rather than severe weight loss, diet culture and over-exertion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The HAES approach is rooted in the belief that everyone has the potential to live a healthy, long life, dispelling the old notion that weight is the only determinant of overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of placing value on dieting, HAES implements healthy behaviors such as keeping active, prioritizing self-care and eating wholesome foods. HAES keeps in mind that the societal and cultural pressures to conform to specific aesthetics can be harmful, as all bodies are created equally and beautifully.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eradicating stigma and judgment are at the core of HAES.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Principles of Health at Every Size&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HAES has been popularized by associate nutritionist and weight science researcher &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://lindobacon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lindo Bacon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, who wrote the book &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The fundamental principles shared in this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://lindobacon.com/HAESbook/HAES_manifesto.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"new peace movement"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are accepting and respecting the diversity of different body shapes and sizes without judgment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach makes one aware of the multi-dimensional nature of health, where weight is not the only constant. Instead, it focuses on all people's physical, emotional and intellectual well-being, regardless of body type.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HAES also emphasizes the value of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/quick-guide-intuitive-eating" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating intuitively&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, balancing the needs of the self, hunger and pleasure. This approach translates to movement, too. Physical activity should be enjoyable, not inherently punitive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of HAES is to provide an all-encompassing approach to health and wellness, focused on supporting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;six positive behaviors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Respecting and accepting body diversity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The knowledge that health is multidimensional (physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, occupational and emotional);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Realizing that people with different bodies can be healthy, too;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Balancing meal times with nutritional needs, hunger, pleasure and satiety;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoying physical activity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Separating the self from the social and cultural standards surrounding weight, body image and beauty.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Weight Inclusivity&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All bodies, regardless of shape or size, are worthy of acceptance, respect and love. HAES promotes body equality — people of all sizes should pursue their health journeys without judgment, discrimination or stigma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Health Enhancement&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy enhancement is the continuous endeavor to improve one's health and well-being. It encompasses numerous factors, such as eating well, exercising, considering one's mental health and engaging in regular self-care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making small, actionable lifestyle changes is the best way to enhance one's well-being. It is not all about things one can add to their life, but also focusing on what can be removed, such as reducing alcohol consumption or quitting smoking. Each step in the right direction can help prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eating for Well-Being&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating with well-being in mind ensures that intentional choices during meal times are maintained. Eating a variety of foods will give the body the vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One should pay close attention to hunger, fullness levels and pleasure when choosing what to eat and when to stop. Being in tune with the body's cues is integral to eating for well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Respectful Care&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing care and support to oneself and others respectfully creates a positive community. Incorporating&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;this mode of thought as a core part of one's ethos makes&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;individuals feel valued, motivated and empowered to persist in their unique health and wellness journeys.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Life-Enhancing Movement&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It would be remiss to think everyone loves the same physical activity. Whether it is walking, dancing, yoga, weight training, running or calisthenics, there is a form of exercise that works for everyone's preference. Engaging in some life-enhancing movement is essential because it complements eating for well-being to improve one's quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Benefits of Practicing Health At Every Size&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of practicing HAES are plentiful, but one of the primary boons of this approach is that it facilitates the development of a positive, healthier relationship between individuals, food and their bodies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The HAES philosophy underlines the utility of eating in a balanced manner so that one can enjoy their meals while feeling satisfied in knowing that they are nourishing their bodies appropriately. HAES offers its adherents an alternative to the extremes of stringent dietary restrictions while supporting them in their quest for health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HAES also encourages individuals to participate in exercise they find enjoyable instead of urging them toward physical activity on a merit-only basis. The advantage of pursuing a physical activity one enjoys is that they are more likely to participate without feeling resentful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By adopting these practices, followers of HAES learn how to trust their bodies and foster intrinsic motivation, strengthening their resolve to adopt a lifestyle conducive to health, wellness and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prioritizing Self-Care and Self-Acceptance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practicing HAES aids individuals in feeling more accepting of and comfortable in their own bodies. By recognizing the diversity of body types, HAES promotes body positivity. This mindset allows people to freely seek out positive lifestyle choices for their health instead of being pressured to conform to external standards for arbitrary reasons. Adherents of HAES enjoy the benefits of following an intuitively healthy lifestyle and enjoy the fruits of self-care, self-acceptance and self-love.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Incorporating Health at Every Size Into Your Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HAES aims to equip its followers with a holistic approach to health and wellness, encouraging healthy behaviors, promoting overall well-being and supporting people of all shapes and sizes. This approach seeks to create a future where society collectively accepts that health is possible at every size, free from stigma and judgment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Health-at-Every-Size.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/health-at-every-size/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27433</ID> <title>What Is Intuitive Eating? Learning To Trust Our Bodies</title> <publishDate>2023-03-05 15:01:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_162 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_201"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_213 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_115 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_345 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_346 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_347 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_230 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the early 20th century, the link between obesity, poor health and untimely death &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/shm/article/29/4/757/2660184?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;started to be understood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Since then, society has accepted a comprehensive spate of diets, ultimately dumped in favor of newer fads. We have been on a mission to find the best diet to imbue us with health, help us lose weight and drive optimal performance. Every couple of years, a new diet is purported by experts to be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the one&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. From a ketogenic diet to veganism, we have been through the wringer in settling on the ideal diet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is not a stretch to say that there might be a problem with dieting — or at least diet culture. Following a rigid set of food-related rules creates an environment primed for disappointment, frustration and self-imposed punitive measures. Anyone who has attempted a diet and transgressed from it even slightly can relate to this torrent of negative emotions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Academic literature points to worrying consequences related to dieting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(199806)54:4%3C427::AID-JCLP4%3E3.0.CO;2-K" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that individuals following restrictive diets are prone to adverse cognitive effects.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is no surprise that intuitive eating (i.e., an eating and food philosophy) is being touted as a sustainable alternative to dieting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since its inception in 1995&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by registered dietician Evelyn Tribole and nutrition therapist Elyse Resch, intuitive eating has grown in popularity and merit. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://foodinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IFIC-Foundation-2019-Food-and-Health-Report-FINAL.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a 2019 survey and report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by the International Food Information Council, nearly 60% of respondents wanted to learn more about intuitive eating. The survey also found that almost 50% of American respondents aged 18-34 are familiar with the concept.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating is centered on listening to and trusting our bodies to regulate our appetite and eating habits. For anyone struggling with their relationship with food, self-image and weight, or for those looking to optimize their overall performance through a healthy eating philosophy, intuitive eating is a concept worth exploring.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Intuitive Eating?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating is a non-diet eating and food philosophy that focuses on tuning into one's body's needs and wants. Intuitive eating guides adherents to listen to internal cues instead of external ones. Individuals practicing intuitive eating trust their bodies to tell them when they are satiated and stop eating once they have perceived this signal. Conversely, someone following a diet would stop eating once they have reached a predetermined caloric threshold or eaten a planned meal.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating requires individuals to learn their body's messages and trust that their body will regulate their appetite and eating patterns, as it is designed to do.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does Intuitive Eating Work Differently From Diets?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By nature, diets work through restriction. Whether it is restricting eating periods, portion size or food groups, diets require that adherents explicitly forego something.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrastingly, intuitive eating does not explicitly dictate when someone can eat, how much they can eat and what they can eat. It avoids the detrimental cycle associated with dieting — deviating from a diet, binging due to the restriction, feeling immense shame and guilt and then punishing themselves by implementing an even more austere dieting regimen. Subsequently, the individual will likely lapse again, fuelling the cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating is more complex than eating when you want and eating until you feel full.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Intuitive Eating Principles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tribole and Resch, the founders of intuitive eating, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;outlined 10 principles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for those who wish to implement their eating philosophy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Reject the diet mentality&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. People must abandon the diet culture of deprivation and guilt to live totally free.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Honor your hunger&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You can avoid overeating by indulging in food when your body tells you it needs sustenance (i.e., the true hunger signals).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make peace with food&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You can mitigate insatiable cravings and feelings of guilt by avoiding a list of no-go foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Challenge the food police&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. To break the cycle of diet-related negativity, refrain from categorizing food groups as good or bad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Discover the satisfaction factor&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. By creating an environment for yourself to enjoy food, you can better tap into your body's natural signals and determine when you are truly hungry or satiated. Stop associating meals with weight gain and guilt.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Feel your fullness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Pay attention to your body's signals about how full you are.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cope with your emotions and kindness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Emotional eating won't dissipate your troubles. Make a concerted effort to identify your emotional triggers and distinguish them from genuine feelings of hunger.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Respect your body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. A crucial component of intuitive eating is accepting your physical and genetic makeup.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Movement — Feel the difference&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Get your blood flowing and your body moving without putting yourself under pressure to stick to strict workout schedules.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Honor your health — Gentle nutrition&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Your body will thank and reward you if you fuel it with real sustenance. Do not punish yourself over one food-related indulgence. Be patient. Actual progress happens over time — a single setback isn't decisive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can succinctly break down these 10 principles into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2018posts/intuitive-eating.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;four overarching themes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Permit yourself to eat when hungry and eat what your body needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat to nourish your physical body, not to alleviate emotional adversity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Filter out the noise and attune yourself to your internal signals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritize your health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Benefits of Intuitive Eating?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The well-documented benefits of intuitive eating impact physical, mental and emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23962472/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A literature review of 26 studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (including nine clinical trials) by Australian-based researchers found that intuitive eating boosts psychological well-being, improves eating patterns and ameliorates blood pressure and cholesterol markers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40519-020-00852-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a longitudinal study of over 1,400 participants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between 2010-2018 found that intuitive eating reduces the probability of low self-esteem, body image issues, binge eating, depressive symptoms and abnormal weight-controlling behavior.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating has also been beneficial for specific population groups. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29986603/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Canadian study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of women in the Québec province who struggle with weight control and body image issues found that intuitive eating improved psychological well-being and eating patterns. Moreover, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31161219/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a study of women who implemented intuitive eating following bariatric surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that they were able to decrease their BMI.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Implementing Intuitive Eating In Your Life&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive eating does not mean you must subject yourself to restrictive and punitive diets. You can enjoy a healthy relationship with eating, food and weight without enduring strict and rigid diets. Learn to listen to and trust your body, and you will understand when you are truly hungry and satiated.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorder Association for support &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. (QR code for print)&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Intuitive-Eating.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-intuitive-eating-learning-to-trust-our-bodies/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27426</ID> <title>Are Eating Disorders Considered Mental Illnesses?</title> <publishDate>2023-03-03 14:18:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_163 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_202"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_214 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_116 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_348 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_349 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_350 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_231 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a plethora of changes that have changed the landscape of our lives forever. However, some have been beneficial and much-needed, such as the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1379/rr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reduction of mental health stigma&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; caused partly by the highly publicized mental health issues that plagued many during the pandemic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mainstream acceptance and discussion of mental health concerns have led to an increased overall understanding that certain behavioral patterns are mental illnesses, not simply "a lack of willpower" or a "cry for attention." Chief amongst these behavioral patterns are eating disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating disorders are an increasing problem. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/109/5/1402/5480601" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A literature review&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of 121 studies on eating disorders published between 2000-2018 found that the prevalence rate of eating disorders has been steadily increasing. It noted a 3.5% prevalence rate between 2000-2006 and a 7.8% prevalence rate between 2013-2018, a doubling in prevalence. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792687/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have suggested that the mass influence of media in the lives of adolescents may be causing body image dissatisfaction, thereby increasing the risk of eating disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Irrespective of their causes, eating disorders are a spectrum of mental illnesses worthy of proper medical attention. The prevalence of eating disorders warrants a thorough exploration and a clear understanding of their causes, impact and treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Eating Disorders?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, eating disorders refer to a range of mental health conditions whereby eating behaviors and patterns are disrupted by negative thoughts and emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The APA's latest iteration of its &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the world's preeminent guide in diagnosing mental disorders, lists diagnostic criteria for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/assets/dsm-5%20criteria.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;numerous eating disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Many of them are also characterized by mental health symptoms such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and social withdrawal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Anorexia Nervosa (AN)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals dealing with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anorexia nervosa (AN)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; severely restrict their caloric intake to avoid gaining weight at all costs. Symptoms include a warped self-image and the adverse effects of malnourishment, such as dehydration, fatigue, thin hair and brittle nails.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bulimia Nervosa (BN)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When dealing with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bulimia nervosa (BN)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, individuals binge eat uncontrolled before vomiting or using laxatives to expel or "purge" the recently consumed food. Symptoms include the inability to stop the binge-purge cycle, lethargy and dental problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Binge Eating Disorder (BED)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Binge eating disorder (BED)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occurs when an individual engages in uncontrolled food consumption regardless of hunger levels. Unlike BN, people with BED do not purge after their binging episode. Many BED patients suffer from weight gain and feelings of discomfort and guilt after a binge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pica&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pica&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a condition whereby an individual compulsively swallows a range of non-food items such as chalk, soap, hair and dirt. The symptoms of pica include intestinal blockage, constipation, poisoning and infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rumination Disorder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rumination-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377330" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rumination disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occurs when someone unintentionally regurgitates food to chew on it again and either swallows it or spits it out. Symptoms include nausea and halitosis (i.e., bad breath).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a condition typified by an individual avoiding food and eating to the extent of being adversely affected by an insufficient caloric intake. Symptoms include severe weight loss and malnourishment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals afflicted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/osfed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may exhibit a combination of the symptoms and characteristics of other eating disorders without meeting the complete diagnostic criterion for a single disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for the above disorders but still experience disrupted eating behaviors due to emotional difficulties may be diagnosed with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/unspecified-feeding-or-eating-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This can be a temporary diagnosis in cases where insufficient information is available and further clinical investigation is required.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Are Eating Disorders Classified as Mental Illnesses?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/blog/resource/Eating-Disorders-Are-Mental-Illnesses-Heres-Why" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Brittany Peters&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a clinical psychologist and Ph.D. candidate, eating disorders are classified as mental health disorders because they meet the two broad criteria for mental illnesses:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having thoughts and feelings associated with unhappiness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having a reduced quality of life as a result of your ongoing issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is the Difference Between Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating disorders are medically diagnosable conditions, while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/difference-between-disordered-eating-and-eating-disorders-5184548" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disordered eating describes unhealthy behaviors and patterns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; surrounding eating and food. Certain types of disordered eating, such as restricting one's caloric intake or altering one's feeding behavior due to emotional issues, can be diagnostic markers of eating disorders if they meet the frequency criteria for these conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key difference is that individuals may go through bouts of disordered eating without ever fulfilling the necessary clinical diagnostic criteria for any of the aforementioned eating disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes Eating Disorders?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating disorders have many of the same causes and risk factors as other mental health disorders. One of the leading models of the causes of mental illness is the biopsychosocial (BPS) model. Conceived in 1977 by the American psychiatrist George Engel, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6875848/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the BPS model segments the causes and development of mental health disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; into three domains of human life: biological, psychological and social.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4785136/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An article published in the Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; categorizes the potential causes of eating disorders according to the BPS model as follows:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Biological factors&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Patients with eating disorders can be biologically predisposed through dopaminergic circuitry and the presence of other mental symptoms such as anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Psychological factors&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Low self-esteem, poor self-image and body image issues are potential contributing factors to eating disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Social factors&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Social pressures (e.g., social media and peer pressure) and certain family environments can exacerbate the development of eating disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Eating Disorders Genetic?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contemporary research backs the idea that eating disorders have a prominent genetic component. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010958/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some research estimates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that over 50% of the population variance in eating disorders is due to genetic factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Do Eating Disorders Affect One's Life?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People living with eating disorders are severely impacted by their effects. Depending on the nature of the eating disorder, an individual's physical health is affected in various ways. For example, those with eating disorders leading to malnourishment can struggle with fatigue, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6912362/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a compromised immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and dehydration. Conversely, those with eating disorders that lead to being overweight can experience poor physical fitness and cardiac health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychologically, eating disorders can detrimentally impact self-esteem, self-image and body image perception.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Eating Disorders Cause Depression?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has revealed a notable connection between eating disorders and other mental health problems, including depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://toledocenter.com/anorexia/whats-the-connection-between-eating-disorders-and-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies estimate that over 30% of individuals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with AN, BN and BED are also diagnosed with major depressive disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are established links and associations between eating disorders and depression, it is unknown whether the causation is uni- or bidirectional.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Eating Disorders Cause Infertility?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2220927/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of 66 patients at an infertility clinic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that over 16% of them were diagnosed with an eating disorder. Promisingly,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7768504/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a review of long-term studies on the effects of AN on fertility and reproductive health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found a negligible association in patients who had regained weight and were recovering from AN.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Are Eating Disorders Treated?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4152-eating-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A variety of tried-and-tested treatment options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are available to those with eating disorders: psychotherapy, nutritional therapy (with a dietician or nutritionist) and pharmaceutical treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative approaches, such as 12-step-based treatment, have also shown some treatment efficacy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20664141/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study estimates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that the long-term success rate (3-5 years) of these models can be as high as 50%.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eating Disorder Prevention&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many experts believe prevention is critical in battling the prevalence of eating disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/prevention" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prevention measures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; aim to mitigate environmental factors that can lead to the development of eating disorders, such as those described by the BPS model. Some of these measures include public policy measures, public education and selective measures aimed at at-risk groups (e.g., prophylactic counseling).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Breaking the Stigma Around Eating Disorders&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By acknowledging eating disorders as mental health conditions, we can avoid blaming those affected and take a step in the right direction, creating awareness on how to prevent and treat them and improving countless lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorder Association for support &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. (QR code for print)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Eating-Disorders.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/are-eating-disorders-considered-mental-illnesses/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27419</ID> <title>How to Start a Garden for the First Time</title> <publishDate>2023-03-01 14:12:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_164 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_203"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_215 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_117 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_351 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_352 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_353 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_232 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Planning to start your first garden? Here are a few things to keep in mind!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When ready to immerse yourself in gardening, begin by choosing the ideal spot. Ideally, you want a location with plenty of sunlight and good drainage. If you have a large yard, you're in luck, as various spots can meet these criteria. But if you have a smaller yard or live in an apartment, it's time to get more creative. Maybe a sunny porch or your cluttered balcony cannot wait to become your future green haven!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you've chosen your location, it's time to head back to the planning board! Flowers, vegetables and herbs are all great options for first-time gardeners. No splendid ideas have grown roots in your mind? You can always talk to your local nursery or gardening store for advice on what plants will do well!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And, of course, do some research on which plants will do well in your climate and soil type. All set to go green? Time to get started!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Soil&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But first, let's lay the groundwork by testing your soil. This step will help determine what tools and plants are best suited for your garden.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To test your soil, you'll need a soil testing kit. These can be purchased at most garden centers or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.epicgardening.com/best-soil-test-kit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;online&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Once you have your kit, follow the instructions to collect a soil sample from your garden. Then, send the sample off to a laboratory for testing. The results will tell you the pH level of your soil and what nutrients it contains.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Based on the results of your soil test, you can then choose the tools and plants your future garden needs. For example, if you have acidic soil, you'll need to be careful about what plants you choose, as some plants prefer alkaline soils.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be Strategic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You've learned all about your soil and equipped yourself with the right tools. Time to get all strategic! With a little planning, you can grow a beautiful and bountiful garden that will provide you with fresh flowers and vegetables all season long!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Flowers:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; If you want to grow flowers, consider a space that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. You'll also need to ensure you have enough room to accommodate the type of flowers you want to grow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vegetables&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A vegetable garden is a great way to get fresh produce and cut your trips to the produce aisle down. For starters, you'll need a space that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day and is large enough to accommodate&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the type of vegetables you want to grow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Herbs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Interested in growing herbs? Six hours of sunlight per day and adequate space are all these aromatic superfoods need!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you have chosen what kind of garden you want, you'll need some seeds or seedlings. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://archive.curbed.com/2016/6/1/11822860/nursery-garden-center-101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your local nursery or gardening center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help you choose the right ones for your climate and space. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pots and Containers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you've chosen your plants, it's time to get some pots or containers for them. The type of pot or container you choose will depend on the plant you're growing.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Growing flowers? You'll probably want to use decorative pots or planters. You can find these at most garden stores or online. Just make sure they have drainage holes, so your plants don't get too wet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focused on vegetables? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/recycled/5-recycled-planter-crafts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can use just about any type of pot or container&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Old food or coffee cans make great planters for small plants. Just be sure to punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage. You can also repurpose plastic containers like milk jugs or laundry detergent bottles. Cut some holes in the bottom, and you're good to go!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No matter what type of pots you choose, make sure they're big enough for your plants. You don't want your plants to get too crowded. They'll need room to grow!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Basic Gardening Tools&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening may seem like a daunting task when it comes to the tools needed to begin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/garden-tools-buying-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are so many different tools and supplies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and it's hard to know where to start! But not to worry; it's all about baby steps. Don't try to go pro from the start. You can easily shoot for the stars with simple, day-to-day tools you might already own!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A watering can is one of the essential garden tools. It's perfect for giving your plants a quick drink and easy to transport around the garden. Look for a watering can with a long spout so that you can reach all of your plants easily.!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next on the essential garden tool list is a hoe. A hoe is a tool that helps you loosen up the soil, remove weeds and keep your garden beds in good shape. If unsure which hoe to choose, look for one with a comfortable grip and a sharp blade.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shovels are another vital garden tool. You'll need a shovel to help you dig holes for planting and move soil and mulch around your garden. Look for a shovel that's the right size for you — if it's too big or too small, it won't be easy to use.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening gloves are part of any gardener's toolkit. All that hard work can be tough on your hands, so protecting them is important. Look for comfortable and breathable gloves, so you can wear them for long periods without feeling uncomfortable.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pruning shears are also an important garden tool, especially if you're growing flowering plants. They help you trim dead or overgrown branches to keep your plants healthy and looking their best.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, a garden hose will help you water your plants, wash off garden tools and keep your garden looking all neat. Look for a garden hose that's durable and easy to use.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So there you have it: some basic garden tools every new gardener needs! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With these basic garden tools in your arsenal, you'll be ready to get started on your gardening journey. Happy planting!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Let's Get Started&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You have all you need to start your first garden! You have the space, the garden tools and the soil. You have chosen the plants you want to grow. The last thing you need to do is get started!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To start, you will need to till the soil, either with a garden hoe or a tiller. Remember to loosen the soil so that the roots of your plants can easily take hold. Once the soil is loose, you can begin planting your seeds or seedlings. Be sure to plant them at the correct depth and spacing according to the instructions on the seed packet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water your plants regularly, especially when they are first getting established. When they mature, you can cut back on watering. Fertilize your plants according to the directions on the fertilizer packaging.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also, you will want to remove any weeds that are competing with your plants for soil and water.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That's it! With a little care and dedication and lots of patience and attention, you will soon have a beautiful garden that you can enjoy for years to come!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Start-a-Garden.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-start-a-garden-for-the-first-time/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27397</ID> <title>How Your Mental Health Affects Your Heart Health</title> <publishDate>2023-01-28 10:47:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_165 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_204"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_216 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_118 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_354 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_355 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_356 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_233 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When people suffer from heartache — whether due to a breakup or the loss of a loved one — it's commonplace to eat copious amounts of ice cream, snuggle under a blanket and lean on friends and family for moral support. This trope was reenacted in countless movies and appeared in various popular culture references. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, why do people engage in all sorts of unhealthy behaviors when they are struggling emotionally? There are multiple reasons for this, such as&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/depression-food-traps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;attempting to increase serotonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, these choices affect many other parts of the body, including the heart. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Mental Health Affect Physical Health?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People often forget that our minds and bodies are intrinsically linked.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That is why it is essential to address both mental and physical health in order to maintain overall well-being. However, there is a notable effect when one or the other suffers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One way mental health can affect physical health is by linking stress and physical illness. Chronic stress can negatively affect the body through the release of hormones such as cortisol, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and also contribute to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-does-mental-health-affect-physical-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dermatological conditions such as psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. A person at risk of dying from cancer is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/how-mental-health-affects-physical-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;50% more likely to pass away&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if they also suffer from depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and anxiety, also affect physical health. People with these conditions may be more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking. Studies report that more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-smoking-the-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of people with schizophrenia smoke, compared to only 12% of adults in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as of 2020. Other manifestations, such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease, are also linked to mental health disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is essential to take the connection between mental and physical health seriously and seek treatment if necessary. Various options, such as therapy, medication and lifestyle changes (e.g., exercising and eating a healthy diet), are available.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Are Mental Health and Heart Disease Related?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/positive-emotions-cardiovascular-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Psychological Bulletin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, 1 in every 18 deaths in the U.S. is stroke related&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Heart health is not something to be taken lightly. Now that it has been established that mental health does affect physical health, we can explore how it affects heart health and, subsequently, how it may lead to heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Evidence suggests that mental health can affect heart health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/mentalhealth.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have shown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that people with mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, may be at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Different Mental Health Disorders Affect Heart Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the effects of mental health disorders are not completely understood in relation to heart disease, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;there are notable links&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between various mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and depression, to heart health. This is partly because mental disorders and heart disease share a similar etiology.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Depression&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with depression have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. The link between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/lethargy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lethargy and physical illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the fact that people with depression may be more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as eating unhealthy foods and a lack of physical activity, are the potential reasons behind this risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Anxiety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic stress, often a symptom of anxiety, can adversely affect the body. People with anxiety experience an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high blood pressure and heart palpitations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Schizophrenia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with schizophrenia are at risk of various heart health issues owing to the erratic mood changes that cause the body's nervous system to panic and the heart to go into shock. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk of heart disease is exacerbated by the poor lifestyle choices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; people with schizophrenia make, such as increased alcohol and drug consumption.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The relationship between mental health disorders and heart health is complex, and more research is needed to fully understand the connections between these conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Poor Mental Health Lead To Heart Failure?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In severe cases, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/how-does-depression-affect-the-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;poor mental health can lead to heart failure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Chronic stress negatively affects the body by increasing blood pressure and heart rate and contributing to inflammation, a known risk factor for many physical health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with poor mental health may also be more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity. These behaviors can increase the risk of developing physical health conditions like heart disease, obesity and diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart failure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Various factors, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, can cause it. Poor mental health may contribute to the development of these conditions, thus increasing the risk of heart failure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Is Mental Health Awareness Important?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the main benefits of mental health awareness is that it helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. When people are more aware of mental health issues, they are less likely to view them as taboo, making it easier for them to seek help and support and feel more comfortable discussing their mental health with others.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If there were a great understanding and acceptance of mental health, the positive effects would also be perceivable in the physical body. The healthier the mind, the healthier the body — the mantra of various cases, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unaids.org/en/20180718_GR2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as reported in the UN AIDS Update in 2018&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with a direct correlation between the mental well-being of a group and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Manage Mental Health and Boost Heart Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is an essential aspect of overall health and well-being. It is crucial in how we think, feel and behave. When people's mental health is not optimal, it harms their physical health. So, prioritize your mental health and take care of it just like your physical health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mental-Health-Affects-Your-Heart-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-your-mental-health-affects-your-heart-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27391</ID> <title>What Do Minerals Do in Your Body?</title> <publishDate>2023-01-27 09:59:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_166 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_205"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_217 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_119 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_357 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_358 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_359 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_234 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A person sits on the couch after a long day at work, drinking some mineral water. Everyone at work has gotten sick, except for them. They think of all the possible ways they've managed to avoid getting sick but can't quite put their finger on how, except … maybe it's because they've had mineral-rich foods the whole week. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This scenario, although fictional, exemplifies how vital minerals are to the human body in fighting illnesses, promoting digestive health and strengthening muscles and bones.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Minerals? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minerals are essential substances that aid the body's development, growth and function. Central to these functions is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minerals' help&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in resisting infections and gathering energy from foods. Minerals are found in all sorts of food and beverages. They can even be found in water!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://vitagene.com/blog/difference-between-vitamins-and-minerals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamins and minerals can get confused with one another&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but they aren't the same thing. Vitamins are necessary for bodily function, whereas minerals are essential to building bones, regulating the heartbeat and flow of blood, as well as strengthening muscles, brain function and hormones. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Minerals Organic?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://nbmg.unr.edu/_docs/ScienceEducation/Activities/WhatIsAMineral.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are naturally occurring, inorganic compounds with a definite chemical composition and atomic structure. While &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals-older-adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minerals are inorganic compounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, they are often bonded to carbon atoms in their purest forms, which makes them easily digestible. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Minerals Are Found in Water?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aquariuswaterconditioning.com/blog/should-drinking-water-contain-minerals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contains a ton of minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as zinc, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and bicarbonate, each with its specific properties. When a person is dehydrated, the body lacks electrolytes comprising &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sodium, potassium and magnesium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Electrolytes help regulate normal body functions, such as regulating body temperature, production of cells and aiding in digestion.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Important Are Minerals to Us? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to these properties, learning about minerals is essential simply because they are omnipresent in our daily foods. Certain foods have certain minerals, which can serve different purposes throughout the body!&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minerals are crucial to healthy development, especially during pregnancy and infancy. They can repair bones, support healthy immunity and facilitate hair growth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minerals have a variety of functions,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as the mineral calcium, which strengthens bones, teeth, muscles and blood vessels. In addition to its strengthening properties, calcium also helps release hormones and enzymes to regulate &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many minerals are found throughout the body. For example, calcium is generally located in the bones and the teeth. Calcium is obtained through foods such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/nutrition/get-enough-calcium" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;milk, collard greens and yogurt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So now, Mom reminding everyone at the breakfast table to drink milk makes more sense!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Different Types of Minerals for the Body&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iodine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an essential mineral for hormonal function. It controls metabolism, aids in making thyroid hormones and is crucial for bone and brain development. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iron&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; aids in cell growth and development and regulates bodily functions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Phosphorus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; maintains healthy bones, blood cells and muscles. It is typically found in protein-rich foods such as meat or nuts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Potassium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is vital to helping cells, nerves and muscles function, regulating blood pressure and aiding in digestion. It can be found in bananas. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Selenium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is vital to maintain a healthy reproductive system and endocrine system and aids in DNA production. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; aids the body in the fight against infection and assists in digestion and DNA production.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Most Important Minerals for the Body&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;essential minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the body include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calcium, for bone health;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/#:~:text=The%20human%20body%20requires%20a,daily%20for%20these%20vital%20functions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sodium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, for muscle contractions;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/nutrition/chloride-in-diet#:~:text=Function,of%20digestive%20(stomach)%20juices." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chloride&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; maintains the balance of bodily fluids;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Magnesium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; maintains heart health and brain functions; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002419.htm#:~:text=Function,-Expand%20Section&amp;amp;text=Copper%20works%20with%20iron%20to,also%20aids%20in%20iron%20absorption." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Copper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; forms red blood cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These minerals all promote organ function, healthy growth and vital organ protection against diseases. Make sure to eat a varied diet to get these minerals in your body!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Minerals Do I Need for Hair Growth?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you're worried about your hair falling out, or you stare at the mirror every day wondering why it looks so dull. The issue may be a lack of minerals, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goldielocks.com/blogs/news/vitamins-b-hair-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;iron, zinc and iodine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These compounds help lengthen, strengthen and produce healthier and fuller hair. Take care to eat foods rich in these minerals. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Many Minerals Do We Need a Day?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you should eat some minerals in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals-older-adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;large quantities,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, other minerals, such as iodine and fluoride, work best in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals-older-adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;smaller quantities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some examples of minerals and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/vitamins-minerals-how-much-should-you-take" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;suggested intake&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; each day: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Calcium:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; At least 1000 milligrams daily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fluoride:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; At least 3 milligrams for women and 4 milligrams for men daily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Iron:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; At least 18 milligrams for women and 8 milligrams for men daily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Magnesium:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; At least 310 milligrams for women and 400 milligrams for men daily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sodium:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; At least 1500 milligrams each day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's essential to ensure you are taking only the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/vitamins-minerals-how-much-should-you-take" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;required amount of minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because while they are healthy, they aren't healthful in excess.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minerals are essential when factoring in how to keep the body healthy. They help the body in many ways, including maintaining healthy hair and even helping grow hair, fight infections or prevent illnesses. Therefore, it's vital to know how many minerals are necessary to consume each day, as well as which minerals to consume for a healthy, balanced intake. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minerals are found everywhere, and it's important to understand where they are, how they work and what they do. Spend time reading labels to learn more about what minerals certain foods contain and how much intake is appropriate. Talk with your doctor to understand what's best for you. Now, enjoy a glass of milk and get that calcium!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Minerals.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-do-minerals-do-in-your-body/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27384</ID> <title>Eye Exercises To Improve Your Vision</title> <publishDate>2023-01-26 09:45:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_167 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_206"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_218 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_120 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_360 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_361 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_362 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_235 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vision problems can impact our ability to function, whether at work or in our everyday lives, and they can be a pain to fix. They can be even more frustrating if your job involves activities that cause eyestrain (such as looking at screens). However, glasses and surgery aren't the only tools available for improving vision. In many cases, exercises for poor vision can be a valuable part of treatment. So, how can vision exercises improve your eyesight?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Weak Eyesight Be Improved?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some cases, exercises for vision problems can help improve weak eyesight. Eye exercises don't help in every case, though. Their efficacy depends on the vision problem you intend to treat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eye exercises strengthen the muscles that control your eyes' movement. As a result, they can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://kraffeye.com/blog/8-easy-eye-exercises-to-improve-vision-techniques-and-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help with various vision issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focusing;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eye alignment;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eyestrain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eye doctors might recommend eye exercises for vision problems such as amblyopia (i.e., lazy eye) or crossed eyes. Eye exercises are also a way to combat digital eye strain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous vision problems need more than eye exercises to be corrected, such as conditions affecting the eye tissue or how the brain processes visual information. Astigmatism and near-sightedness, for instance, involve the eyeball's shape, which is why &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eye-exercises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eye exercises do not ameliorate them&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition, macular degeneration, glaucoma and other common conditions &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eye-exercises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can't be treated with eye exercises&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If eye exercises might help your vision problems, it's best to consult a medical professional who can guide you. It's never a positive idea to let serious eye problems go untreated. Eye exercises can be helpful in many cases, but they won't cure all underlying medical conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Benefits of Eye Exercises&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eye exercises can provide a variety of benefits when used to treat a specific set of vision problems, such as digital eye strain or lazy eye. Understanding how these conditions develop can help explain why eye exercises work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The eyes are controlled by a series of muscles. Just like any other muscle, they can be strengthened by exercise. Since eye exercises strengthen the muscles that control your eyes, they can help achieve better eye alignment. If your eyes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-exercises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aren't properly aligned&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you might experience blurred vision, increased light sensitivity or eye strain. Similarly, eye exercises can improve your ability to focus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, people experience vision problems due to their occupation or habits rather than specific eye disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-exercises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Digital eye strain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; isn't inherent to the structure of the eyes, but it can still cause various symptoms, including blurred vision, dry eyes and headaches. It typically affects people who work with computers. It might not be feasible to take time away from computers if your job requires you to use them, but eye exercises can help. For example, taking time to blink regularly can alleviate the pain associated with dry, sore eyes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eye exercises have several clear benefits. Although they have limitations, they can help strengthen eye muscles and alleviate dry eyes and eyestrain. So, what eye exercises provide the most benefit for specific conditions, and how are eye exercises performed?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Best Exercises for Improving Eyesight&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The following exercises are commonly prescribed for patients who experience vision problems involving eyestrain, focusing issues or improper eye alignment: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://kraffeye.com/blog/8-easy-eye-exercises-to-improve-vision-techniques-and-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Figure eight&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The figure eight exercise is best performed from a seated position. Pick a spot on the floor approximately 10 feet away from you. Once you've found a spot, imagine the shape of an eight-figure and follow it with your eyes. After about 30 seconds, switch directions. This exercise will help you track objects with your eyes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-exercises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Near and far focus&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The near and far focus exercise is designed to improve focus for people who wear glasses. Alternate your focus between your thumb and an object approximately 10 feet away. Focus on each object for 15-second intervals, and ensure that you hold your thumb only about 10 inches away. This exercise is easiest to perform while seated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eye-exercises#vision-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Focus change&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Focus change exercises are easy to perform and can help you improve your eyes' ability to focus. Start by focusing on your finger while holding it within a few inches of your face. Then remain focused on your finger as you move it away from your eyes. Once you've moved it as far away as possible, look away briefly and return your focus to your finger.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-exercises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Blink break&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A blink break is a fantastic way to ease eye irritation. People blink less frequently when focused on a digital screen, so taking a few moments to blink at a regular rate is a great way to ensure that your eyes are adequately lubricated. Try a blink break if you suffer from headaches or dry eyes while watching screens. This exercise is particularly valuable for people experiencing digital eye strain at work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eye-exercises#vision-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;20-20-20 rule&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The 20-20-20 rule is an excellent way to practice vision exercises at work. Every 20 minutes, stop what you're doing and spend 20 seconds focusing on an object 20 feet away. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eye exercises can positively affect vision problems such as lazy eyes, focus or alignment issues and eyestrain. They're also easy to perform. If you spend your workdays staring intently at a computer screen, exercises such as the 20-20-20 rule can help you reduce eye strain and improve your eye health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you struggle with lazy eyes or experience problems with focus or alignment, some form of vision therapy might be exactly what you need to improve your eyesight. Exercises for vision problems aren't always a substitute for professional medical treatment, but they can be a valuable supplement for other kinds of treatment. Talk to your doctor if you believe that eye exercises might improve your vision.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Eye-Exercises.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/eye-exercises-to-improve-your-vision/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27377</ID> <title>How Environmental Factors Affect Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2023-01-25 09:25:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_168 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_207"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_219 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_121 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_363 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_364 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_365 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_236 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You often hear that surrounding yourself with positive people &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-surround-yourself-positive-people-kamini-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rewards you with positive outcomes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Surprisingly, the same can be said for the places and spaces you occupy. From somewhere as personal as your bedroom to somewhere as public as the state you live in, the spaces you interact with often significantly impact your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6210156/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strong link between the environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and a host of mental health issues. Reading on will provide you with all the ins and outs of the connection between mental health and the environment, plus some tips on improving your relationship with the environment.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is the Relationship Between Mental Health and the Environment?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the World Health Organization, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 8 people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; worldwide are currently living with a mental illness. While there is still much debate around mental health, one thing is for sure — these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;conditions are multi-causal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Genetics and environmental factors are primarily responsible for the onset of mental health disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The relationship between the environment and mental health is far-reaching. Experts in the mental illness field refer to the environment as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.alliant.edu/blog/how-environmental-factors-impact-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;everything around you that is not inherited genetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Environmental factors can be split up into physical and social environmental factors.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you may be more familiar with the social environmental factors, the physical factors can become entangled in your life, causing a vicious cycle that contributes to poor mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Social Environmental Factors?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychosocial" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychosocial&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; environmental factors are commonly associated with mental health disorders. They are often related to the relationships between people. Social environmental factors can include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lack of emotional support;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abuse, be it physical, sexual or emotional;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stigma, such as sexism, racism, homophobia, etc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toxic relationships, either romantic, familial or platonic;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lack of meaning or purpose in spiritual, work or personal life;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Poverty;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Poor self-esteem and lack of self-care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lack of safety and security, physically or emotionally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effects of social factors on mental health are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6181118/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;well-known and widely studied&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but often go hand in hand with physical factors in negatively affecting your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Physical Environmental Factors?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From cluttered desks to lousy weather, physical environmental factors are the 'hard' factors affecting mental health. They often occur alongside social factors but can also arise independently. Some physical environmental factors affecting mental health are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme weather conditions, i.e., perpetually raining or sweltering heat;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Substance abuse, smoking and drinking;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep deprivation;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chaotic surroundings, such as noise pollution or large crowds;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hazardous spaces, including messy rooms, lack of ventilation or inaccessible architecture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The things you smell, see, hear, ingest and breathe can affect your mood and have lasting consequences on your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does the Environment Affect Your Mental Health?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your parents may have been onto something when they told you to open the curtains in your bedroom during the holidays. Your everyday surroundings can have a significant impact on your mental health — be it how much light enters the room, how cluttered your hallway is or even how many times a day you visit the smoker's corner.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The environmental effects on mental health can have lasting, tangible consequences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/17043718_View_Through_a_Window_May_Influence_Recovery_from_Surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through his studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Roger Ulrich, a Chalmers University of Technology researcher, found that patients recovering from surgery healed faster in a room with a view of trees than those with a view of a brick wall. The variance in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cortisol production&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between patients led to this discrepancy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Various studies are unpacking how the environment affects mental health. Just as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456225/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Urban Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests, high-rise living negatively affects the mental well-being of women and children.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientists have shown that certain environmental factors affect the body's hormone production, circadian rhythm, neurotransmission and executive functioning. Unfortunately, these changes often go unnoticed — you may not even realize how your environment affects you.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Changing the Impact of the Environment on Your Mental Health Possible?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways of controlling how the physical environment influences and shapes your well-being for the better.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by connecting your mental and emotional state and what environmental factors are triggering those feelings. If you work from home, you may find that a messy desk leads you to procrastinate more, increasing feelings of anxiety. Whatever it is, you need to work on identifying the cause and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-locus-of-control-2795434" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;figuring out whether you have enough control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to change it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can start as small as you like. You would be surprised at how little change makes such a massive difference to your mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get outside and breathe the fresh air (harsh pollutants can affect sleep).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Change your space, whether painting your walls bright or decorating a bookshelf.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Organize and clear out your space in a way that works for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporate more light or plants into your home or office.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut down on your drinking and smoking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another great way of improving the relationship between the environment and your mental health is to care for the environment around you. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/caring-environment-helps-care-your-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;United Nations Environment Program&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; urges people to give back to their communities and the environment in small ways. By focusing your attention, care and empathy on others, you can cultivate gratitude for your own circumstances.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While changing certain things, such as your job or neighborhood, may not be possible at the moment, even the smallest changes could boost your mental health and may even prevent the onset of mental disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What To Remember About Environmental Factors and Mental Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almost all people have struggled with varying degrees of mental health issues, but it is essential to keep in mind that your situation can get better. Whether you are struggling with depression or just in a slump, environmental factors will always shape your mental health. Fortunately for you and everyone else, you can harness these factors to improve your overall mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Environmental-Affect-Your-Mental-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-environmental-factors-affect-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26966</ID> <title>How PRP Healing Changed One Man’s Life and Now Will Change Many: William Heskett and His Non-Profit</title> <publishDate>2023-01-24 07:16:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_169 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_208"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_220 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_122 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_366 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_367 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_368 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_237 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Meet William Heskett&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout middle and high school, William Heskett worked hard at setting records in several sports in his surrounding districts, some of which he still holds today, 25 years later. Heskett fell in love with several sports but was particularly dedicated and passionate about powerlifting and track and field. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along his sports journey, though, he suffered injuries to his shoulders, pectoral muscle and knees, which cost him qualified opportunities such as the Junior Olympics, a scholarship, and ultimately, his powerlifting competitions. His sports dreams abruptly ended.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But young Heskett was unaware that years later, these injuries, with some hard work and dedication, would lead him to a path he never imagined.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In late 2020, Heskett discovered a motivational speaker on the Internet. Soon, he had three motivational speakers added to his nightly routine who inspired him so much that he decided it was time to try and ignore the pain and suffering once and for all. So, he took a leap of faith and built his first pro-like gym with the goal of living a longer, healthier life as a family man. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It became a drive like no other, like a force had his back pushing him forward and past the fears of further injury. Undenounced to him, this action, along with hard work, would ultimately lead to the creation of his future vision.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, those old injuries started to flare up again and he began re-injuring himself every few months, which became quite the burden to recondition over and over, trying to build around these old injuries. Heskett thought to himself that something had to be done, so he went back into researching updates on the advancements of stem cells and discovered an extraordinary option that also has been proven to work called platelet-rich plasma therapy.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And that’s when an idea was born. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heskett is now the President and founder of a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit named Pivotal Reach and Paramount Foundation. This public charity focuses on the public citizens at large who qualify physically and financially as an option to receive PRP or any kind of regenerative medicine, including stem cells, that can be helpful to treat the musculoskeletal system, such as bone and or soft tissue injuries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It also seeks to bring public awareness and education regarding regenerative medicine treatments. Heskett has experienced firsthand the healing effects of his treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mission of Pivotal Reach and Paramount Foundation is simple: to create treatment plans and solutions for those who suffer from injuries and chronic pain for a healthier quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He has recently grown new tissues and rejuvenated old injuries all at once and has testimonial pictures proving this on his &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pivotalreach.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Heskett's chronic pain is now gone, and he is back at his gym.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_78"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_4705.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_4705" class="wp-image-26969" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_238 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;​&lt;b&gt;FINDING THE SOLUTIONS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Origin in Philanthropy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Philanthropy is in my genes,” Heskett said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His grandfather is just one example of philanthropy in his family tree. When he was a child, Heskett's grandfather and dad built a dirt track on a piece of property in town for the local kids to have fun on and compete in races. An article from their hometown newspaper from December 1954 explained how his grandfather had handmade a handful of “mini racer” karts, so that groups could race together. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One night when Heskett was 7-years-old, his grandmother told him when you see the first star come out just before dark, it is the best time to make a wish. At the time, Heskett wished for health, wealth and happiness. He admits now that he was confused because he didn’t understand the wealth part.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I realize now, wealth to me doesn’t mean riches; it's the doors and windows that appear and open as opportunities through determination and manifestation. It was like me calling out to my adult self for later in life as a reminder of where visions come from and how they can create new realities. Looking back, it's like I see that 7-year-old boy not as me, but as a message from him to my present self,” Heskett said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These doors and windows are opening for Heskett now, enabling him to help others open doors to new opportunities through acts of philanthropy and charity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“This can happen for anyone, and many know it; it's good mojo. And it feels good, too, that's why I do what I do!” Heskett stated. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;THE SOLUTION&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heskett reflected on how the PRP treatments he received would have been a game changer for him in sports if they had been available earlier in his life. But life would have almost certainly taken a slightly different path if injuries never occurred. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“This discovery of Pivotal Reach and Paramount Foundation may not have been if that all hadn’t happened,” he stated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But regenerative medicine, specifically Platelet Rich Plasma, had been the chosen solution that Heskett was destined to find one day while researching. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I was fascinated by what I learned, and that inspired me to act. I deciphered this vision and saw an opportunity to create an action of greatness,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;WHAT IS PLATELET RICH PLASMA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, is an element of blood containing growth factors that cleans first and helps to clots wounds and plays a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://swspineandsports.com/orthopedic-blog/how-does-platelet-rich-plasma-prp-aid-in-injury-recovery#:~:text=PRP%20also%20has%20the%20ability,%2C%20fascia%20irritation%2C%20and%20more" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;crucial role in healing the body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Damage to the body from injuries as well as the natural aging process reduce functionality negatively affecting the quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you age, it takes longer to heal. PRP also promotes healing by reducing inflammation and generating the growth of new healthy tissue. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;HOW PRP THERAPY WORKS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; A small amount of your blood is extracted from your vein. This blood is placed in a centrifuge, and it spins at thousands of r.p.m.’s separating the Plasma from your blood. The enriched layer of plasma is extracted and injected directly into the injury under the guidance of ultrasound for precise targeting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These growth factors/immune cells have been shown to work well for spinal injuries, nerve damage, damaged ligaments, tendons, cartilage, arthritis, tendinosis, tendinosis, carpal tunnel, growth of new blood vessels, muscle tears, bone fractures, and more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heskett supports stem cell treatment as well as PRP, which adds to the list such as bone fractures. But what it ultimately comes down to is what the doctor recommends most for the patient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;MOTIVATION TO HELP OTHERS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heskett realized that the disappointment he experienced because of his injuries was not unique to him. Others, too, had to abandon their dreams, and millions of people each year suffer from injuries and chronic pain needing relief. So, his penchant for philanthropy kicked in, and he started formulating Pivotal Reach and Paramount Foundation into a reality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; “I was always taught to have boldness, courage, and to believe in myself. In order to implement anything, you must have the belief and the will. If you believe in yourself, you can circumvent anything,” he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This mindset gives William Heskett the courage to step out of his comfort zone and do things like talk to groups of doctors and people who are curious to know what Pivotal Reach and Paramount Foundation are all about. He is always looking to share his story to inspire others. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He believes if someone is always in their comfort zone, they may not be taking risks towards any great ideas they may have and could miss out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People think of great ideas all the time, but most will not capitalize on them. Heskett believes others have to take a chance, and when they take action, they will know it's the right thing to do. If they never act on it, nothing will become of their visions, dreams or passions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Work on your paradigm because you become who and what you are around. If you have to be that person who is mostly alone, then that means you have more time to write down your notes and stay on track. Bring those wishes and dreams into realities, and remember to believe,” Heskett said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The core of Heskett’s motivation is simple: “No one wants to go through life in pain.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/william-heskett.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-prp-healing-changed-one-mans-life-and-now-will-change-many-william-heskett-and-his-non-profit/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27371</ID> <title>Tips for Eating Healthier On a Budget</title> <publishDate>2023-01-23 09:06:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_170 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_209"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_221 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_123 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_369 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_370 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_371 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_239 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/06/15/in-the-u-s-and-around-the-world-inflation-is-high-and-getting-higher/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the cost of living continues to rise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, eating healthy can become a financial challenge. But a healthy diet doesn't have to break the bank. With just a bit of planning and creativity, you can whip up a nourishing, delicious meal without splashing out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Eat Healthy On a Budget&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Meal Planning and Prepping&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/meal-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meal planning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a fantastic way to save money on groceries. You can save money by taking advantage of sales and discounts and avoid wasting food by purchasing only the necessary ingredients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meal planning doesn't have to be complicated. Start by taking inventory of the food you already have, then make a list of meals you can make with those ingredients. If you need to buy any additional ingredients, make sure to check for coupons and sales. Once you have a plan, cook your meals in bulk and freeze any leftovers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With a little planning, you can save money and reduce food waste. So get ahead and start meal planning!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shop at Farmers' Markets&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best things about living in a big city is the abundance of fresh, affordable produce. There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cuesa.org/learn/10-reasons-support-farmers-markets" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;farmers' markets and local grocers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on almost every corner, and the selection of fruits and vegetables is incredible. Not to mention, the prices are more affordable than what you'll find at the supermarket.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, next time you're looking for fresh, delicious produce, check out your local farmers market or grocers. You'll be glad you did!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Buying In Bulk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to food, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/what-foods-to-buy-in-bulk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;buying in bulk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be a great way to save money and eat healthily. With a bit of planning, you can buy wholesome ingredients in bulk and cook delicious meals that are good for your wallet and your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Warehouse Clubs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warehouse clubs like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.costco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Costco&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.samsclub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sam's Club&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; offer great deals on bulk items. You can often find organic and natural foods at a fraction of the cost of buying them at a regular grocery store.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seasonal Produce&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can save money and get the freshest possible ingredients by buying fruits and vegetables that are in season. Canning seasonal produce is also a great way to capture fresh ingredients' flavor while preserving them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Buying Spices in Bulk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You love the taste of freshly ground spices, but those little bottles can be so expensive! Instead of shelling out for pre-ground spices, buy them in bulk and store them in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/g32389325/spice-jars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;airtight containers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This way, you'll always have fresh spices on hand and save money in the long run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another benefit of buying spices in bulk is the ability to create your own mixes. Some supermarket spice mixes can be expensive and contain artificial ingredients. Mixing your own spice mixes will not only save you money, but it's also the best way to ensure that your spices are fresh and haven't been sitting on store shelves for months.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Substitute, Substitute, Substitute &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best things about cooking is that there are usually &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/recipe-ingredient-substitutions-that-save-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cheaper ingredients you can use instead of more expensive ones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is especially true when it comes to spices and herbs. You can use dried herbs instead of fresh ones or a cheaper spice instead of a more expensive one.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Portion Size &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When eating healthy on a budget, it is essential to be mindful of portion size. Just because a food is healthy does not mean you can eat as much as you want. Just like with any other food, you need to watch how much healthy food you consume in order to maintain a healthy diet. Being mindful of portion sizes allows you to enjoy your favorite foods while decreasing expenses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Use Your Leftovers in a Creative Way&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to eating healthy on a budget, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ivaluefood.com/resources/cooking-eating/creative-ways-to-use-leftovers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leftovers can be your best friend&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you cook a healthy meal for dinner, you will often have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. Repurposing leftovers can save you both money and time, as you won't have to worry about cooking another meal or packing a lunch to take with you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are a few tips to ensure your leftovers are healthy and delicious: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make sure you store them properly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge and eaten within 3-4 days. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mix up your leftovers to avoid eating the same thing every day&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don't be afraid to get creative with your leftovers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoiding Junk Food &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While processed and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/if-fast-food-is-your-only-option-choose-these-menu-items/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;junk foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may be easy and affordable, they are often high in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/empty-calories" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;empty calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a result, they provide little to no nutritional value and can harm your health if consumed in excess.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of reaching for unhealthy snacks, opt for nutritious foods that will fill you up. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-high-protein-foods-should-i-add-to-my-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lean protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are all excellent choices. And if you're on a budget, there are plenty of affordable healthy foods to choose from. With a little planning, you can eat well without breaking the bank!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It's Time To Start Eating Healthy On a Budget!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/healthy-food-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating healthier foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on a budget is worth the effort. To make the most of your budget, follow these tips and experiment until you find what works for you. With a little planning and effort, you can relish a healthy, delicious, affordable diet!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tips.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/tips-for-eating-healthier-on-a-budget/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27363</ID> <title>The Dos and Don'ts of a Sedentary Lifestyle</title> <publishDate>2023-01-21 08:46:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_171 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_210"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_222 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_124 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_372 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_373 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_374 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_240 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With society's progress, it has become easier to acquire food and shelter with less physical exertion. People still work to provide for themselves and others, but the focus has shifted from physical to office work. Most jobs in the U.S. are office jobs where workers spend most of their day sitting down. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/couch-potatoes-beware-sedentary-lifestyle-accounts-for-8-of-global-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sedentary lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can negatively impact your life, which is why we need to counteract its adverse effects on our health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is a Sedentary Lifestyle?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The phrase "sedentary lifestyle" refers to your activity level throughout your average day and how much of your day is spent in a sedentary state. From a scientific perspective, sedentary behavior involves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sitting, reclining or lying down with low-energy expenditure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It considers how much time you spend sitting down instead of standing, walking or being otherwise active.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An inactive lifestyle can have a substantial impact on your overall health. Since the 1950s, the percentage of jobs leading to a sedentary lifestyle has increased to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sitting-disease-how-a-sedentary-lifestyle-affects-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;83%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. Millions of Americans lead sedentary lifestyles, even if they try to work out regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising at least 30 minutes per day does not change the sedentary character of your lifestyle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sitting-disease-how-a-sedentary-lifestyle-affects-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that if you regularly sit down for 10 or more hours a day, your health is still at risk despite getting regular exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're sitting for long periods of time, you may start seeing the effects of sitting disease regardless of how much exercise you regularly enjoy. "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sitting-disease-how-a-sedentary-lifestyle-affects-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sitting disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" is what some people have begun calling a sedentary lifestyle because of how harmful it can be. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sedentary Lifestyle Side Effects&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sitting-disease-how-a-sedentary-lifestyle-affects-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sedentary lifestyle is associated with&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Type 2 diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased cancer risk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle loss and weakness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Loss in bone health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High blood pressure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High cholesterol. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Osteoporosis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthrisksofaninactivelifestyle.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety and depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How a Sedentary Lifestyle Affects Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having little to no exercise can have major repercussions for your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies consistently show&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and premature death. One particular &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; noted that regardless of activity level, people who sat for long periods of the day were at a higher risk for early death. That is why it is so important to regularly get up from a seated position and move around, as well as have a regular exercise routine. It is not sufficient to meet the recommended 30 minutes of exercise per day if you spend most of your day in a sedentary state. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A sedentary lifestyle can also harm your mental health and well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recent studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that there is a link between a sedentary lifestyle and increased reports of depression. Another study has shown that people who lead inactive lifestyles are at a higher risk of developing other types of mental disorders. People who exercise regularly report that they experience fewer mental health disorders and episodes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercises for a Sedentary Lifestyle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One way to counteract a sedentary lifestyle is getting up and moving regularly throughout your day. Investing in a standing desk is a great way to ensure that you're not sitting through the entire day while also not detracting from your work day. Standing while working moves a person from the "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182813/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sedentary lifestyle" to the "low-active lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" classification. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182813/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have noticed improvements when employees regularly change position from sitting to standing. This movement increases heart rate and could effectively prevent the adverse effects of sitting disease. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting up to stretch and take a brief walk every hour is a great place to start. Set a timer to remind yourself to stand up every 30 minutes while working at a desk. Start small and do not overly tax your body as you become more active. Going for a leisurely walk during your lunch break and doing some gentle yoga are excellent ways to get started without putting undue stress on your body. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is important to gradually increase your activity levels if you've been living an inactive lifestyle. Going from a completely sedentary lifestyle to a highly active one can stress and harm your body. Remember to begin slowly and work your way up to your activity goals.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding bits of daily movement to your routine can be as quick and easy as a 20-minute walk or doing some yoga while watching your favorite TV show. You can also put on some music or a podcast and walk around your neighborhood after dinner, on your lunch break or before work. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It's Time To Let Go Of Your Sedentary Lifestyle!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although most jobs in the U.S. contribute to people having sedentary lifestyles, it is important to try and remain active to avoid some sitting disease symptoms. Getting up to stretch and go for a quick stroll regularly throughout the day can be a great way to add more activity to your daily schedule. If you're currently living a completely sedentary lifestyle, consider discussing an increase in activity levels with your doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Sedentary-Lifestyle.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-dos-and-donts-of-a-sedentary-lifestyle/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27355</ID> <title>What Should You Eat After Working Out?</title> <publishDate>2023-01-20 08:23:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_172 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_211"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_223 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_125 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_375 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_376 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_377 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_241 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After your workout, there is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/training/the-30-minute-recovery-window-why-the-post-workout-snack-is-so-important/#:~:text=Consuming%20a%20carbohydrate%2Drich%20snack,tiny%20tears%20to%20your%20muscles." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;window of opportunity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help your body recover and rebuild. What you eat during this time can make a significant difference in your results.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What you should eat depends on your workout goals. To help your body repair and gain muscle, you should eat a meal that's high in protein and calories after finishing your workout. On the other hand, if you are trying to stay fit, you can eat a healthy snack or meal that is lower in calories. Either way, eating something after working out is essential for your body to receive the energy it needs to recover.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of Macronutrient Balance&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-macronutrients" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Macronutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the nutrients that provide calories or energy. They include carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Your body needs all three macronutrients — carbohydrates to replenish its glycogen stores, protein to repair and rebuild muscles and fat for recovery — to function properly.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Protein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; helps repair and rebuild muscle tissue. It also supports other functions in your body, including cell growth and repair. Good protein sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes and soy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fat&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; provides energy and helps absorb some vitamins and minerals. It's also essential for building your body's cell membranes. Healthy fat sources include avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil and coconut oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Carbohydrates&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; replenish your energy stores and help repair muscle tissue. They also promote healthy blood sugar levels. Good sources of carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating a balanced meal or snack with the right mix of macronutrients will help you recover from your workout and reach your fitness goals.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Proper Muscle Repair With Electrolytes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Working out is great for your health, but it can take a toll on your body. That's why it's essential to replenish your electrolytes after a workout. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002350.htm#:~:text=Electrolytes%20are%20minerals%20in%20your,Your%20muscle%20function" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electrolytes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; help repair muscles and keep them functioning properly. Nerve cells and muscles communicate through electricity generated by the ions in electrolytes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many foods, such as bananas, avocados and coconut water, are rich in electrolytes. You can also find electrolytes in sports drinks. However, it's important to read the labels carefully, as some of these drinks can be high in sugar.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bananas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are a great source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps repair muscles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Coconut water&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; contains sodium and potassium, which help keep muscles hydrated and functioning properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chocolate milk&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a great post-workout drink because it contains both carbohydrates and protein. It also has electrolytes such as potassium and sodium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Oats&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are a good source of carbohydrates, which help replenish energy levels after a workout. They also contain magnesium, an electrolyte that preserves proper muscle function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Yogurt&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a good source of protein and calcium, another electrolyte that helps keep muscles healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating electrolyte-rich foods is a great way to replenish your body after a workout. However, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to replenish electrolytes, you can also try taking supplements. Supplements like electrolyte drinks or tablets can help replace the electrolytes lost during a workout.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Post-Workout Meal Ideas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Protein Shake or Smoothie &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein shakes are an excellent option for post-workout nutrition. They're quick, easy to make and customizable to meet your needs. Add your favorite protein powder to milk or water and some fruit or vegetables for extra nutrients.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Greek Yogurt With Berries &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Greek yogurt is a fantastic source of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/full-fat-yogurt-is-the-only-yogurt-worth-buying" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protein and good fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and berries are a good source of carbohydrates. This combo makes for a delicious and satisfying post-workout snack.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Whole-Grain Wrap With Chicken and Avocado &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole-grain wraps are packed with complex carbohydrates, and adding chicken and avocado provides a good balance of protein and healthy fats.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Bowl of Oatmeal With Fruit and Nuts &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oatmeal is a great source of complex carbohydrates, and adding fruit and nuts will give you a boost of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Salad With Grilled Chicken or Fish &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salad isn't usually considered a post-workout meal, but it can be a great option if you're looking for something light and nutritious. Adding grilled chicken or fish will help increase the protein content, making it more satisfying.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No matter what you choose to eat, ensure that you listen to your body and give it what it needs. Everyone is different, so there's no one-size-fits-all approach to post-workout nutrition. Experiment with different meals and snacks to find what works best for you.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What's the Ideal Post-Workout Portion Size?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The portion size for your post-workout meal depends on your goals, such as strength, muscle growth or weight loss. If you're looking to repair and grow muscles, you'll need a larger portion than if you're trying to stay fit.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to grow muscle, you need about a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/clean-bulk#:~:text=Data%20suggests%20that%20a%20conservative,the%20conservative%20side%20(%203%20)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;caloric surplus of 350 to 500 calories per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. A good rule of thumb is to eat around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-per-day#muscles-strength" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 gram of protein per pound of body weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should be eating about 150 grams of protein daily. In addition to protein, you need to consume plenty of carbohydrates and healthy fats. To lose weight, you need to be in a caloric deficit — you need to burn more calories than you consume in a day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eating After a Workout Is Essential to Hitting Your Goals&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What you should eat after a workout largely depends on your goals. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your body is to listen to it. Pay attention to how &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/eat-this-to-maximize-your-workouts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;different foods make you feel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and eat accordingly. Your body knows best.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/After-Working-Out.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-should-you-eat-after-working-out/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27348</ID> <title>Which Facials Are Best for Your Skin?</title> <publishDate>2023-01-19 07:45:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_173 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_212"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_224 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_126 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_378 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_379 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_380 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_242 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Few things in this world are as relaxing as laying back in a soft armchair, listening to the gentle background sound of a waterfall, letting all the tension in your body slowly dissipate, closing your eyes to the dimly-lit environment … and enjoying a facial. When young, most women likely go for the experience more than anything — the novelty of it all, the calming atmosphere and the wonder of newly-rejuvenated skin. But plenty of other women claim to go for the results: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Less acne. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fewer wrinkles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Youthful skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are such treatments capable of significantly improving your facial skin health? Or are their calming benefits the extent of their worth?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Best Facials for Skin Rejuvenation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not all facials are created equal. Some are non-invasive; others are. Some are perfect for delicate skin; others might be too harsh. It is prudent to investigate the options offered at your local spa and talk to the employees to find the best fit.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;The Classic/European&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: steaming, facial massage, masks, soothing serums, moisturizers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: declogging of pores by extraction and exfoliation; cleans the face; evens skin tone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: those with dry or sensitive skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Basic Cleanup Facial&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: steaming, exfoliation and moisturizer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: opens pores to release oil and toxins, allowing the aesthetician to remove acne, blackheads and dead skin cells.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: anyone wary of harsher chemical treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Lymphatic Massage Facial&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: a lymphatic massage (can also be combined with other treatments).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: relaxes the facial muscles and encourages drainage of blocked lymph nodes; improves blood circulation; eliminates water retention; removes toxins. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: anyone with tension in the face and neck.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Aromatherapy Facial&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: facial scrub and mask.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: removes impurities; relaxing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: anyone who wants a simple yet soothing facial or enjoys essential oils.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Collagen Facial&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: a massage with collagen cream.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: restores the skin's elasticity and texture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: those looking for a facial with a face-lifting effect. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Antioxidant Facial&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: creams and masks;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: replenishes vitamins A, C and E for soft and smooth skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: older patients who want a gentler facial. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;LED Light Therapy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involves&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: different wavelengths of LED light (i.e., red or blue) to treat skin imperfections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Red&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: encourages collagen growth for faster healing; reduces wrinkles and fine lines.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="3"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Blue&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: remove acne-causing bacteria and prevent further breakouts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perfect for&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: anyone looking for a stronger yet non-invasive treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Spa vs. The Dermatologist: How Do They Differ? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effectiveness of facials is short-term rather than long-term. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joel Cohen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Colorado and director of AboutSkin Dermatology and DermSurgery near Denver, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;emphasizes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that topicals and serums aren't likely to do anything long-lasting for your skin since they only penetrate at the surface level. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Adam Friedman&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an associate professor of dermatology and director of translational research at George Washington University, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;says&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that most facials offered at spas are meant to improve the face in the "here and now."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Longer-lasting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; procedures go below the skin's surface, ensuring that topicals, moisturizers and serums are hidden from the sun's UV rays and their harmful effects on facial treatments. However, such options are usually offered at dermatologists' offices rather than spas, at least in their highest-quality form. Friedman and Cohen &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;suggest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that patients looking for enduring results look at their local dermatologist rather than their local spa. Dermatologists can medically assess the entire situation and offer the appropriate treatment. Though effective, some of their effective treatments are a bit more invasive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Microneedling Facial&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: it uses tiny needles to puncture the skin in an effort to increase collagen (i.e., the protein that boosts skin elasticity). A microneedling facial can help minimize scars and wrinkles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://weheartthis.com/types-of-facials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Microdermabrasion Facial&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: removes the top, dead layer of the dermis, thereby increasing skin turnover for faster-healing, younger-looking skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Facial Rejuvenation Recommendations by Age&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Basic facial or aromatherapy, the spa or the dermatologist — these options are influenced by preference and age. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/whats-best-facial-your-age/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Your 20s&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Focus on&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: creating consistent and healthy skincare habits with cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers and sunscreen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spa recommendations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Focus on facials that clean skin and draw out impurities, such as deep-cleansing facials with masks of clay or kaolin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/whats-best-facial-your-age/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Your 30s&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Focus on&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: fighting adult hormonal acne by opting for lighter moisturizers and avoiding petroleum-based products and anything with synthetic fragrances. Look for products that are "non-occlusive" — they will not clog your pores.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spa recommendations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: opt for purifying facials that help unclog pores and calm existing acne.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/whats-best-facial-your-age/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Your 40s&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Focus on&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: slowing the signs of aging by reducing spots and wrinkles. Exfoliate often, moisturize well and opt for serums with vitamin A to reverse any existing sun damage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spa recommendations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Facial peels can help cell regeneration by removing the top layer of dead skin. Some facials are crafted to minimize hyperpigmentation — look for the ones that include glycyrrhizinate (i.e., licorice extract), soy proteins or Indian gooseberry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/whats-best-facial-your-age/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Your 50s&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Focus on&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: strengthening your skin by increasing collagen production. Buy moisturizing serums containing evening primrose, sea buckthorn, carrot seed, borage and geranium to replenish vitamins A and C.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spa recommendations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Choose firming and hydrating facials, particularly the ones containing seaweed and algae, which help hydrate the skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Word of the Day: Consistency &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pampering yourself with a spa treatment is wonderful, and dermatologists can make excellent recommendations to improve the health and appearance of your face. Much like dental hygiene, nothing beats &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5047587/facial-spa-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diligent consistency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Taking good care of your skin by doing things such as taking your makeup off before sleep, cleansing and moisturizing twice a day and wearing sunscreen to prevent sun damage, will do more than any line of spa facials. So, the next time you're tempted to skip an aspect of your skincare regimen, don't! Your future self and skin will thank you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Facials.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/which-facials-are-best-for-your-skin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27342</ID> <title>Heart-Healthy Recipes To Try This Month!</title> <publishDate>2023-01-18 07:32:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_174 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_213"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_225 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_127 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_381 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_382 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_383 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_243 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People often forget to connect their everyday behaviors to their bodies. Overeating, a lack of exercise, increased stress levels and poor sleeping patterns weigh heavy — quite literally — on our hearts. Heart health is not only affected by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/genetics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but also by poor lifestyle choices.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart disease is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leading cause of death in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but luckily, there are small yet practical steps to minimize risk and improve your overall heart health! Eating healthily and cultivating a heart-healthy diet will decrease your chances of heart disease and other medical conditions, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity#tab=tab_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, that impact overall heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Should We Look After Our Hearts?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our hearts are responsible for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21704-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pumping oxygen-full, nutrient-rich blood to every living cell and removing toxins and waste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Having a healthy heart is imperative to your overall health. You are always young enough to change your ways and adopt a healthier way of life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the reasons why you should maintain a healthy heart:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preserve&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cholesterol levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lower risk of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dementia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alzheimer's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regulate blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Can We Take Care of Our Hearts?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways to ensure that you keep your heart healthy. Regular exercise strengthens the muscles of the heart. Limiting or stopping smoking altogether places less stress on the heart and lungs.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most straightforward place to start is in the kitchen. Changing the ingredients in your fridge and pantry can improve blood pressure, maintain cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are some tips to keep in mind when following a heart-healthy diet:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Control portion size;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce sodium intake;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choose whole grains;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat more fruit and vegetables;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Limit unhealthy fats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't let this overwhelm you. Several delicious heart-healthy recipes to choose from have considered all these factors for you!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Easy Heart-Healthy Recipes to Make&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making the change to a heart-healthy diet has never been easier. These heart-healthy recipes are perfect for simple, flavorful and, most importantly, healthy meal ideas!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Heart Healthy Oatmeal Recipe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perfect for this time of year, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/apple-cinnamon-overnight-oats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;apple cinnamon overnight oats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be eaten as a quick breakfast option or a healthy afternoon snack.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of oats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of apple, chopped&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of nonfat milk or milk alternative&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup plain, non-fat yogurt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of honey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of chia seeds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour the oats into a Mason jar or container of your choice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour in the milk and yogurt. Add a layer of chopped apples and chia seeds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top off with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place in the fridge overnight and enjoy the next day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You'll be pleasantly surprised in the morning when the oats and chia seeds have puffed up, resulting in a creamy, easy-to-eat delight of a meal!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Heart-Healthy Hummus Recipe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dips don't have to be jam-packed with preservatives, flavorings and saturated fats. You, too, can enjoy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://veeg.co/heart-healthy-5-minute-oil-free-hummus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hummus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the heart-healthy way!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15 ounces of can of low-sodium chickpeas, undrained&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of tahini&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ tablespoon of ground cumin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cloves of garlic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of lemon juice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of low-sodium miso&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Freshly ground black pepper to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water to thin the hummus, if desired&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sesame seeds for topping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taste and adjust any seasonings to your preference.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You'll feel transported to the islands of Greece and the dunes of Morocco with this hummus recipe, all without the guilt!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Heart-Healthy Zucchini Bread Recipe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart-healthy does not mean no bread! This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-zucchini-bread-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;zucchini bread recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the perfect alternative to processed bread.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅓ cup of melted coconut oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of honey or maple syrup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 room temperature eggs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of low-fat milk of choice or water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of baking soda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of vanilla extract&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of fine-grain sea salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ½ cups of grated zucchini, with the moisture squeezed out&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ¾ cups of whole wheat flour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¾ cup of roughly chopped raw walnuts or pecans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 325 F and grease a loaf pan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toast the nuts in a pan. Once cooled, chop the nuts and set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine the coconut oil and honey in a large mixing bowl. Add in the eggs and beat well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whisk in the milk, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, salt and nutmeg until well blended. Add the zucchini and fold it in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the flour and nuts. Stir just until combined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour the batter into the greased loaf tin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place in the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let the bread cool on a wire rack. Cut and serve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you dress it up with wholesome toppings or dress it down and serve it as is, this bread is a delightful addition to any meal!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Heart Healthy Meatball Recipe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you looking for an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://warren.cce.cornell.edu/food-nutrition/recipes/main-dishes/italian-style-meatball-recipe-heart-healthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Italian-style meatball&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; without putting a strain on your heart? Look no further than this heart-healthy meatball recipe!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For the Topping&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of seeded and diced tomato&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of finely chopped sweet onion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of chopped garlic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of black pepper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For the Meatball&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;16 ounces of extra-lean ground beef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of wholewheat breadcrumbs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of egg whites&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of chopped garlic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of onion powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of salt and black pepper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add all topping ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Mix until all combined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, egg whites, garlic, onion powder, black pepper and cheeses in a large bowl. Roll out 12 meatballs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lay meatballs in a tray and cover the tray with foil and bake for 20 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Serve with the topping.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe works well as an easy weeknight dinner, with leftovers for lunch the next day!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Heart-Healthy Juice Recipe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Juices are an effective way to get all-important vitamins and minerals into your diet. This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/how-to-make-detox-heart-beet-juice-video-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;beet juice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a quick and easy heart-healthy option for when you're on the go.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 large beetroots, washed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 medium-sized apples washed and cut into squares&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 large carrots washed, stem removed, cut into pieces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 large orange, peeled&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Juice from half a lemon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put all the ingredients into the juicer and juice. Set the lemon juice aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the lemon juice and stir well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour into serving glasses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The beetroot and lemon improve blood flow by reducing blood vessel inflammation — a great option to add to any heart-healthy diet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take Care of Your Heart, And It Will Take Care of You!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lowering cholesterol and managing blood pressure to prevent heart disease and minimize the risk of a heart attack can often be daunting. These recipes will take you from not knowing where to start to a happy, healthy heart!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Heart-Healthy-Recipes.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/heart-healthy-recipes-to-try-this-month/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27332</ID> <title>5 Health Benefits of Tea Everyone Should Know About</title> <publishDate>2023-01-17 07:04:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_175 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_214"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_226 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_128 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_384 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_385 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_386 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_244 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After fresh water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/over-3-billion-cups-of-tea-served-each-day-official-114041000641_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over 3 billion cups consumed daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The earliest archaeological evidence of tea consumption was found in China, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.tea.co.uk/history-of-tea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dating back to around 200 B.C.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with tea playing a pivotal role in economic and political development throughout human history.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As its popularity spread west towards Europe, tea became highly popular amongst the British middle and upper classes, leading to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://trueteacompany.co.uk/history-of-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heavy taxation being introduced in 1689&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. British tea taxation would infamously be imposed on British colonies, leading to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Boston Tea Party in 1773&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and setting a strong impetus for American independence in motion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea plays a crucial economic role globally. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fao.org/3/cc0238en/cc0238en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;annual tea production to be around $17 billion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While tea has undoubtedly shaped the world we live in and continues to play a role in the lives of billions globally, we must ask ourselves whether tea is conducive to human health. Thankfully, a plethora of evidence attests to the safety of tea and its health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health Benefits of Drinking Tea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ancient Chinese civilizations were amongst the first to claim that tea had healing and medicinal properties. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/discussion/just-your-cup-of-tea-the-history-and-health-claims-of-the-nations-favourite-brew" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Until the sixth century B.C.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, tea was primarily considered a medicinal concoction in China. Modern medicine is continually attesting to the broad health benefits of tea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tea Is Full of Antioxidants&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chemicals found in green and black tea, known as catechins and theaflavins, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429329/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;give tea its antioxidant properties&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Black, green, oolong and white tea, sometimes called the "true teas," are all derivatives of the same plant, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Camellia sinensis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but have been processed differently. Green tea has the highest content of catechins and, for antioxidant purposes, is the most effective tea. This is partly the reason for green tea's primary association with health benefits when compared to the other true teas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11518612/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A comparative study published in the Toxicology journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that one to two servings of black, green or oolong tea contained as many antioxidants as five servings of fruit and vegetables.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/benefits-of-antioxidants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of antioxidants are diverse and vast&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with research associating antioxidant consumption with: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protection from oxidative stress; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced rates of certain diseases; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved mental health; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inflammation reduction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tea Consumption Can Reduce the Risk of Stroke&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stroke&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a severe medical condition typified by an obstruction of blood flow to the brain, causing eventual cell death and neurological damage. Strokes are the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.utmbhealth.com/services/neurology/procedures-conditions/stroke/stroke-facts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fifth highest cause of death in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and many stroke survivors face a greatly reduced quality of life and a generally poor prognosis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hs0901.094253" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Danish study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of all stroke patients aged over 25 between 1982-1991 found that survivors had a 60% increased chance of death five years after their initial stroke. Additionally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 3 American adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has at least one of the leading risk factors for strokes — obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and a smoking habit.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overwhelming medical literature supports the efficacy of tea in reducing the risk of stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411099/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A meta-analysis of studies published between 1966-2012&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, cumulatively involving over 500,000 participants, found a statistically significant association between tea consumption and a reduced risk of stroke. Drinking 3 cups of tea daily was associated with a 13% lower risk of stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19228856/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another meta-analysis involving nearly 200,000 participants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that consuming at least 3 cups of tea per day decreased the risk of stroke by 21%.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tea Can Mitigate the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates it causes nearly 18 million fatalities annually, approximately &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;32% of all global deaths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/healthtopics/heartdisease/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that heart disease costs the U.S. roughly $219 billion annually.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease is one of the many health benefits of tea. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23493733/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of more than 82,000 Japanese men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; over the period 1995-2007 found that green tea consumption of 2 cups and upwards per day reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19996359/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;another Japanese study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of over 76,000 men and women found that consuming black, green and oolong tea reduced cardiovascular disease mortality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;There Is Increasing Evidence That Tea Can Assist In Cancer Prevention&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, cancer was the second leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020, with just over 600,00 fatalities. Cancer is a particularly scary disease since it is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4024849/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;notoriously difficult to treat sustainably&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea has shown some efficacy in prophylaxis (i.e., prevention) and in slowing down the progression of some cancers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829848/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies on animals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that tea can mitigate tumor transformation and the overall progression of the disease. A journal article published in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/98/6/1667S/4577480" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that tea might have similar effects on humans as it does on animals regarding cancer. Moreover, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the U.S. National Cancer Institute&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; website suggests that tea may inhibit angiogenesis (i.e., the growth of new blood vessels required for the growth and spread of tumor cells).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While human-specific studies of the effects of tea in combating cancer are in their early stages, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5824026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some have shown positive results&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As modern medicine continues to search for an effective cancer cure, there is almost no harm in preventive tea consumption.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tea Can Help You With Weight Loss&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green tea has long been touted as a weight loss supplement, and the evidence from research supports this belief.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research conducted at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/research-suggests-green-tea-exercise-boost-weight-loss-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that green tea increased metabolism in mice and achieved an average body mass reduction of 27.1%.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6099746/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Chinese study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that consuming different types of true teas daily, as opposed to one single type of true tea, may augment their weight loss benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequently Asked Questions About Tea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea has been consumed by humans long before the advent of modern medicine and the scientific method. As such, it is important to separate fact from fiction when considering narratives surrounding tea and its uses, safety and benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Much Tea Can You Drink per Day?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consuming more than 4 cups of tea per day &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/side-effects-of-tea#7.-Headaches" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can lead to adverse side effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as sleep problems, nausea, dizziness and impaired iron absorption.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Much Tea Is Safe During Pregnancy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to their caffeine content, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-tea-safe-during-pregnancy#bottom-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the consumption of true teas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; should be monitored carefully during pregnancy. Pregnant women looking to get their fix of tea should consider switching to caffeine-free herbal teas until after giving birth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Which Type of Tea Has the Most Caffeine and Which Has the Least?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People looking to regulate or limit their caffeine intake might be interested to know which of the true teas have the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/which-tea-has-the-most-caffeine#most-caffeinated-teas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;highest and lowest caffeine content, respectively&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Black tea has the highest caffeine content, with approximately 64-112 milligrams per serving. Contrastingly, white tea has the lowest caffeine content, with 32-37 milligrams of caffeine per serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For reference, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-caffeine-in-coffee#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a cup of brewed coffee has between 70-140 milligrams of caffeine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while a double espresso contains 125 milligrams.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Tea Expire?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://now.tufts.edu/2015/11/09/how-long-can-you-store-tea-it-starts-lose-its-taste-and-nutritional-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to an assistant professor at TUFTS University in Massachusetts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, dried tea leaves can last up to two years before losing their flavor. Outside of losing flavor and changing in aroma, there is little to no danger in consuming expired tea, whether brewed with dry leaves or a teabag.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Tea Bags Good for Plants?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea leaves contain many of the same minerals as plant fertilizers, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.homesandgardens.com/advice/using-tea-leaves-in-the-garden" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;such as nitrogen and potassium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and can be used around your garden. It is best advised to remove the leaves from a used teabag before gardening. Using tea leaves will increase the acidity of the soil it is added to, so be sure to only use them for plants that thrive in acidic environments.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tea Is an Ancient Medicine Fit for the Modern Age&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diverse cultures worldwide have fully embraced tea, and it seems that its popularity isn't going to die down any time soon. Luckily, tea has a broad range of benefits that keep us healthy and prevent disease. Consider these benefits the next time you consider making yourself a cup of the world's favorite beverage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Health-Benefits-of-Tea.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-health-benefits-of-tea-everyone-should-know-about/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27322</ID> <title>How To Figure Out Your Attachment Style</title> <publishDate>2023-01-16 05:26:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_176 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_215"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_227 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_129 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_387 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_388 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_389 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_245 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every relationship is unique. Each one presents distinct challenges, requires unique inputs and supplies various advantages. For example, a mother-daughter bond will invariably differ from that with a sibling, and a romantic relationship from that with a friend. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, some consistent patterns and requirements hold between all types of connections. All require sacrifice, communication and introspection. And tendencies developing in one relationship, particularly an early and formative one, often continue to appear in relationships further down the road.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some psychologists use a framework called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;attachment theory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help contextualize and explain how we relate to significant figures in our lives as adults and where those tendencies may have originated.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Attachment Theory?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Attachment theory was proposed by psychoanalyst &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fatherly.com/health/attachment-theory-wrong-attachment-styles-dont-matter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;John Bowlby&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in 1958. His theory attempted to explain how one's emotional connection to parental figures in early childhood, particularly between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.attachmentproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 to 20 months&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, is formative for patterns carried into later relationships. Bowlby first hypothesized his theory after analyzing a body of research indicating that animals with an absentee mother experienced resulting distress later in life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After working as a child psychiatrist with emotionally disturbed patients at the Child Guidance Clinic in London, Bowlby &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;suggested&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that children developed attachment behaviors (e.g., crying and clinging) as an evolutionary safety mechanism. When experiencing fear or stress, a young child instinctually seeks security through propinquity to their parents. Further research on Bowlby's theory indicated that, when separated from caregivers and placed in an unfamiliar situation, children tended to react in one of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://positivepsychology.com/attachment-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three ways&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;1. Secure&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Although initially distraught, these infants desired comfort and were quickly reassured when their parents returned.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;2. Anxious-Resistant&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Children in this category were more distressed. When parents came back, they sought comfort but simultaneously seemed to 'punish' their parents for leaving.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;3. Avoidant&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Unlike the first two groups, these children showed little concern when separated from their caregivers. When reunited, the children largely disregarded or even actively avoided their parents&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Later in the development of attachment theory, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://positivepsychology.com/attachment-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fourth category&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was added — Disorganized-Disoriented — to describe babies exhibiting unpredictable attachment patterns.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Bowlby, the attachment style developed when young results in a mental model of how relationships function. The person then (consciously or subconsciously) applies this framework to future relationships, whether with romantic partners or friends. This is known as the '&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;continuity hypothesis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Four Attachment Styles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though developed very early in childhood, the four attachment styles manifest themselves differently in adult relationships. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Secure Attachment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;a. Summary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Appearing in roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/secure-attachment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;66%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of adults in the U.S., the Secure attachment style is one in which the person easily trusts, feels safe in relationships, is easy to bond with and can identify and express how they are feeling. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/secure-attachment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Attachment Project&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, five conditions must be met in someone's childhood to develop a secure attachment style. They must feel safe, seen, and known, and receive comfort, reassurance, appreciation and support to explore. The other three attachment styles technically fall into an "insecure attachment" category.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;b.&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Childhood Characteristics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; Positive emotions are displayed toward parents.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child is capable of being independent while still connecting with caregivers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child is stable, even when separated from their parents.&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;c. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Adult Characteristics&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual assumes a two-way trust and love in relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual participates in healthy and open communication.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual has high respect for themselves. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iv.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual can trust others.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;v.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual knows how to balance autonomy and intimacy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Avoidant Attachment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;a. Summary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Adults prone to form anxious-avoidant attachments generally keep their distance from forming deep relationships. Despite having many friends and seeming self-confident, they shy away from meaningful connection and vulnerability. They are fiercely independent, refusing to rely on others. Because of this distance, they quickly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://positivepsychology.com/attachment-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shut down&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in seemingly threatening scenarios, such as during conflict. When they do engage in relationships, they sometimes self-sabotage or look for a reason to terminate the relationship, afraid of being hurt if they allow it to continue.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;b. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Childhood Characteristics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; The child seems disinterested in their parents.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child shows no signs of being upset if separated from their parents.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child doesn't fear strangers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;c. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Adult Characteristics&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i. &lt;/strong&gt; The individual avoids cultivating close relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual protects independence at the cost of engaging with others.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual conceals true feelings.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iv.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual feels that relationships requiring emotional intimacy are 'needy.'&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Anxious Attachment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;a. Summary&lt;/strong&gt;: Those with an anxious attachment style often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://positivepsychology.com/attachment-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;crave&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affection and attention to an abnormal extent, idolizing their significant other while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/anxious-attachment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;demeaning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; themselves. They may believe that a relationship or person will make them whole. They require constant reassurance, often blaming themselves for events outside their control. Occasionally, this fear of being left by their significant other will make them unnaturally suspicious and jealous.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;b. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Childhood Characteristics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; The child is needy or clingy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child exhibits extreme distress when left by their parents.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child occasionally partakes in aggressive behavior.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;c. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Adult Characteristics&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual consistently fears being abandoned.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual may be jealous.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual frets over the state and future of their relationship.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iv.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual is highly aware of others' needs.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;v.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual displays low self-esteem.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;vi.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual asks for reassurance from their partner.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Disorganized Attachment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;a. Summary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Adults with this attachment style are often hard to characterize, owing to their irregular and unpredictable patterns. They may have drastic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://positivepsychology.com/attachment-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mood swings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, expressing a desire for intimacy and closeness one day while isolating themselves the next. While strongly desiring love, they are afraid to pursue it. Those with a disorganized attachment may struggle to comprehend that their partner loves them unconditionally. This often leads to a highly negative view of themselves and others. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;b. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Childhood Characteristics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; The child struggles with confusion concerning their parents.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The child displays inconsistent responses when left by and approached by caregivers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;c. &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-are-the-attachment-styles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Adult Characteristics&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;i.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual desires intimacy but is afraid of vulnerability.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual may sabotage relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iii.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual is often distrustful.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;iv.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual is unpredictable in relationships and with emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;v.&lt;/strong&gt; The individual struggles to control their emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Critiques of Attachment Theory&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite being used by psychologists, therapists and the everyday self-searcher for years, attachment theory has more recently been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fatherly.com/health/attachment-theory-wrong-attachment-styles-dont-matter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;criticized&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for being overused and lacking a solid foundation. Some have attributed Bowlby's theory development to a conglomeration of "personal and cultural confirmation biases." They point to Bowlby's youth, where he was distant from his mother and close to a governess, who then proceeded to leave when he was only four years old. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some psychologists &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fatherly.com/health/attachment-theory-wrong-attachment-styles-dont-matter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;believe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that social class and environment are far more influential than one's connection with parents as a young child. Others &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/lee.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;assert&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that peer relationships, rather than parental relationships, have the greatest impact on a person's attachment patterns. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While Bowlby's theory is still widely used and undeniably contains some material of value, it is important to constantly analyze older theories through modern developments and critiques. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Discerning Your Attachment Style &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If this article has sparked an interest in attachment theory and you're looking for more information, there are plenty of sources out there! The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.attachmentproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Attachment Project&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has a blog with dozens of detailed articles, as well as a short 5-minute quiz where you can discover your attachment style. Diane Poole Heller's Attachment Styles Test, which you can find &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://dianepooleheller.com/attachment-test/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, lists 45 different statements, asking the participant to rate themselves from "Rarely/Never" to "Usually/Often." If you're curious, do some digging; there are an incredible number of resources out there just waiting to be explored! &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Attachment-Style.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-figure-out-your-attachment-style/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27315</ID> <title>What Does ACTUAL Self-Care Look Like?</title> <publishDate>2023-01-13 05:05:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_177 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_216"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_228 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_130 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_390 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_391 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_392 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_246 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since the mental health fallout of COVID-19, the concept of self-care has been all the craze. Many people experienced a notable downturn in their overall mental health after being deprived of their usual routine of work, leisure time and socialization. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the World Health Organization (WHO)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the anxiety and depression prevalence rate rose by 25% due to the mental health detriments of the pandemic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In response to the widespread emotional distress, self-care emerged as an accessible, affordable and actionable way for individuals to improve their mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/site/newsdetails/searches-for-self-care-soar-during-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; estimate that searches around self-care rose by as much as 250% during the pandemic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The jury was and still is out on self-care, with its advocates praising its ability to mitigate mental health symptoms, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.the-standard.org/leisure/nicewaner-matlock-pros-and-cons-of-self-care-culture/article_8e4276c2-90d2-11eb-a6cf-3f8882b20a42.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;while critics claim&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that self-administered efforts to improve one's mental well-being are often insufficient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To fully appreciate self-care's benefits, one first needs to consider what actual-self care is and in what contexts it is useful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does Self-Care Mean?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; refers to any actions or attempts an individual performs toward improving their physical, mental and emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One usually considers active measures such as regular exercise or a thought-out hygiene regimen when discussing self-care. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.selfcarefederation.org/what-is-self-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;self-care also includes passive measures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as avoiding harmful behaviors, paying attention to well-being indicators and monitoring one's conduct, ensuring that it does not become detrimental and toxic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/202001/5-things-people-get-wrong-about-self-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care does not refer to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; an over-indulgence in leisure activities, unreasonable prioritization of oneself over others and the neglect of social activities that lead to counterproductive isolation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/202205/if-self-care-isnt-fixing-your-mental-health-its-not-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Actual self-care is also not a replacement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for mental health treatment administered by professionals in an appropriate setting. For those with severe mental health disorders or those who do not experience symptom amelioration after trying self-care, seeking professional help is essential to preserving well-being and safety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Is Self-Care Important?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modern society is hyper-focused on material and career-based success, with these pursuits often usurping everything else in terms of importance. The result of this phenomenon is that after factoring in familial and social responsibilities, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neglecting one's well-being becomes increasingly likely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care is an effort to return focus and energy to one's physical, mental and emotional health. Doing so is vital because an individual may become incapacitated in some way if they neglect their welfare. Consequently, the individual in question will no longer be able to effectively fulfill their work and home responsibilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Types of Self-Care?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depending on one's circumstances and context, various types of self-care can effectively improve their quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Self-Care Activities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Various activities constitute self-care. For many, exercise is a self-care pursuit of choice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4061837/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being active can produce "a natural high"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; caused by the release of the neurotransmitters (i.e., nervous system communication molecules) dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is involved in regulating motivation, while serotonin regulates mood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/health-safety-wellness/counseling/self_care/exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise can also help relieve stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, improve blood flow, increase sleep quality and boost energy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga is a prevalent self-care exercise &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/yoga-for-self-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;due to its dual benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of practicing and improving physical and mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shyness-is-nice/201403/seven-types-self-care-activities-coping-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other forms of active self-care include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stimulating one's creative side through art.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sharpening cognitive abilities with problem-solving games.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making time to clean and pamper oneself thoroughly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adorning the space which one inhabits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Passive Self-Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also achieve self-care by avoiding harmful behaviors and upholding commitments to improve well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/dont-be-fooled-by-social-media-trends-self-care-is-hard-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sticking to a plan or checklist through prioritization is a form of self-care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also honor these kinds of commitments by not overspending on luxuries, not indulging in unhealthy foods, reducing alcohol consumption and avoiding the company of members of toxic social dynamics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Honoring boundaries set with colleagues, superiors at work, family and friends is also a form of self-care since it entails putting yourself first.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Self-Care Is Not&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care is not a philosophy of abundance and indulgence but one to mitigate burnout and improve longevity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Self-Care Is Not Over-Indulgence&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creating time for recharging and fulfilling activities and pursuits is starkly different from eating your favorite chocolate until you feel ill. Giving into the whims of instant gratification and craving temporary but sustainably ineffective solutions is not self-care. Self-care is a crucial part of maintaining and nourishing one's overall well-being, not a reward for meeting the responsibilities of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Self-Care Is Not Selfishness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While setting and maintaining reasonable boundaries is a fundamental facet of self-care, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethink-your-way-the-good-life/201910/self-care-isn-t-selfish-or-superficial" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;being selfish and neglecting one's responsibilities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is not.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care is preserving your energy and well-being so you can be the best possible version of yourself. It means holding a productive role in your community, family and other social settings. For those with dependents, the protection and hardiness cultured by self-care allow them to care and provide to their fullest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Self-Care Does Not Require Anything Grand&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of oneself does not inherently require grand measures. An individual does not need to book a weekend away at a five-star spa to enter the following week healthy, well-rested and focused. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Small and actionable initiatives such as reading a book, going for a walk in the park or getting extra sleep are adequate weekend self-care endeavors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anything that sustainably improves your overall well-being without being detrimental to your life can be considered self-care, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reconnecting with a relative or friend &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the plunge on a pet project&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditating for just five minutes per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Transform Yourself With Effective, Intentional Self-Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When used in the correct context, self-care is a powerful tool that can rejuvenate you from the point of burnout and build up your resilience and well-being to endure future hardships. Recognizing that self-care has its place and is not a magic bullet for all the disorders of the mind, ensures that one does not fall into complacency, remains safe and seeks professional help when necessary. Cultivating a true and accurate understanding of self-care can maximize its usefulness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/selfcare.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-does-actual-self-care-look-like/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27271</ID> <title>A Heart for VIP Service: An Interview With Dr. Francisco Cabal</title> <publishDate>2023-01-03 15:12:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_178 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_217"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_229 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_131 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_393 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_394 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_395 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_247 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My dream is to deliver the best care to the international community in the areas covered by our project," Dr. Francisco Cabal said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_79"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/health-in-society.png" alt="" title="health in society" class="wp-image-27279" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_248 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;About Dr. Cabal&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Even as a little kid, I was always attracted to health services. No one in my family was a doctor, so my interest originated with my regular checkups and athletic injuries necessitated several visits that helped spark my interest in medicine. During my school years, I tried to be strong in all the academic subjects that were important to reach that goal," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He completed medical school in Colombia in 1988 and embarked on a challenging practice encompassing several government-run hospitals, where he treated impoverished people experiencing trauma. After completing additional training in trauma and orthopedics, both in Colombia and the U.S., he opened several clinical departments and led most of the growth and academic development of these groups in the best clinics in Colombia. From there, they invited him to be part of the board of directors of some of these clinics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Someone reading this might question how a doctor can open so many businesses. It comes from my father. He was one of the most important businessmen in Colombia in the 60s and 70s. It's in my blood," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Francisco Cabal, MD, believes in a team-based concierge medical services model in which all parties involved coordinate their roles to get the best results (doctors, pharmacists, insurance companies, hospitals, other medical providers and even patients and their families).  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cabal has found a way to achieve his goal. For almost 11 years, he has been co-owner and CEO of Icare Web and Icare Medical Services, based in Miami, Florida. He has over 30 years of experience and a strong influence in Latin America's private and public healthcare. Dr. Cabal is also the founder of Mi Doctor, the first web-based telehealth system in Latin America.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To further his goals, Dr. Cabal has teamed up with TopDoc Clinics International and Thor Clinics System Structuring which hold great potential and opportunities in the partnership and tremendous benefits for patients in the Business of International Medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started private companies, including Icare Medical Services and Mi Doctor, and ran them for several years. It was the first platform to care for patients remotely, even before the pandemic. So, when the pandemic came along, we were ready," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meanwhile, since he began his career in 1988, Dr. Cabal has been working with open-care medical services that treated patients from many countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Commonwealth countries, the European Union and the Middle East, as well as VIP visitors, including several U.S. presidents. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Probably the most exciting experience was the visit of U.S. presidents, such as George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. That was an incredible learning process," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the excitement came realizations about how to structure international concierge medical services.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That led us to structure the platform to export medical services worldwide. We have treated and sent patients to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Patients from all continents have come to Colombia to be treated here," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cabal and his medical business have brought to Colombia doctors, technology and insurance companies that have patients there or want to grow a presence all around Latin America. They recently opened their first facility in England. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's easy to get good health resources, and we also have so many good doctors all around the U.S. and Ibero-America. What is not easy is putting it all together in a concierge service model," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;Special Patients&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients have additional worries when they become sick or injured while traveling abroad. Therefore, they deserve special, personal care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Being sick in a foreign country is a completely different challenge because of barriers in procedures, language and customs in the way of understanding what is going on, being part of the solution and getting better. But because I have a team of professionals that work around our alliance, we are always focused on the little details that will make our patients, their families and their lives easier," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To get the best results possible for the patients, Dr. Cabal must coach everyone with any role on the team — doctors, nurses, the people in general services, the driver, the people from the cafeteria — everyone!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What we want is a platform that gives the best care and complete concierge services to our visitors. And with the money coming in, we can train more health personnel, build more infrastructure and be better up-to-date in technology. The financial resources from this model will strengthen us," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;Collaborating With TopDoc Clinics&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By joining forces with TopDoc Clinics, Dr. Cabal's clinics are growing faster than expected. He points out that his model works especially well because doctors are looking for a partner, not an advisor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We share our knowledge, opportunities and our market with them. That's what they're looking for. They know we're not trying to get an advantage from them; we want to team up with them," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cabal's staff includes a large spectrum of specialties and always seeks the best to join them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Plastic surgeons and dermatologists will be the center of our aesthetic, functional medicine and sport medicine clinics. Then there are the ‘excellence centers,’ which include internists and specialized surgeons. Finally, other walk-in clinics and urgent care with our family doctors, paramedic specialties or health professionals," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clinics like Miami Brickell will focus on hair transplants, noninvasive procedures and invasive treatments in aesthetics, sport, sexual performance and preventive medicine.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This combination of abilities makes TopDoc Clinics the best option for many of the communities we are going to," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;A Career of Service&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have always been obsessed with providing people with a service that makes their lives easier," said Dr. Cabal. "When companies deal with health risk incidents, we can be part of the solution. It has always been my goal to give the best results possible to anyone who wants my help."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cabal and his team have developed a unique healthcare model that provides the best patient care possible. By collaborating with all the players in the patient's medical journey, he gives patients consistent information and care, bettering their health and lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/A-Heart-for-VIP-Service.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-heart-for-vip-service-an-interview-with-dr-francisco-cabal/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27253</ID> <title>Is Grounding Good for You?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-31 09:45:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_179 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_218"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_230 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_132 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_396 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_397 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_398 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_249 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you've ever walked outside barefoot, you may have felt a connection to the earth and nature around you. That feeling was not imaginary. By aligning or connecting your natural electrical energy with the earth's in a process called grounding, you can revitalize your mind and body!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Grounding? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#the-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, also called earthing, is the name given to a category of techniques designed to ground or electrically connect you to the earth. You can think about a lightning rod, which absorbs the electrical charge of the surrounding air and channels it into the earth. Grounding is similar but works in the opposite direction. During grounding, you absorb the energy from the surrounding earth, not divert charge into it. This process can help you feel more connected to the world, with many health benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most often, grounding is done by physically connecting you to the earth. However, you don't have to touch the earth to become grounded. You can also electrically connect yourself to the earth through indirect methods such as submerging yourself in water or using equipment designed to enhance your exposure to the earth's electrical fields. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Are the Different Types of Grounding? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Any &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#types" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;skin-to-earth contact&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can directly connect you to the earth's electricity. Whether running through a field on a warm summer day or simply lying in the grass and soaking up the sun, physical contact with the earth through your skin can help ground and reconnect you to the earth around you.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Similar logic applies to water, which can convey the electrical patterns of the earth into your body. To become grounded through water, all you need to do is submerge part of yourself into water. You can swim or wade into the water if you feel comfortable doing so. So long as part of yourself is submerged in water, you can experience the positive effects of grounding. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If neither is a good option for you, certain equipment can cause a similar grounding effect. You can purchase &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;grounding mats, socks, blankets or patches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to increase your conductivity to the earth. You can also make your own grounding equipment by placing a metal rod into the ground outside and then connecting your body to the rod by holding a wire. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Is Grounding Scientifically Proven? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding has been supported by multiple studies which show the worth of its health benefits. Current research affirms that grounding techniques affect the electrical conductivity in your immune system, helping your body stay healthier. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several studies on individuals performing grounding techniques at rest and after exercise showed that grounding reduced muscle damage, pain, blood cell clumping, stress, depression and fatigue. Study participants who used grounding techniques were shown to improve their body's natural healing and cardiovascular and mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Health Benefits of Grounding&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding has a lot of health benefits related to supporting your body's response to pain and stress. It can successfully &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://themovementparadigm.com/benefits-of-grounding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce inflammation and stress while improving heart health and wound healing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, these are just some of the big-picture health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Anxiety&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/#:~:text=Grounding%20appears%20to%20improve%20sleep,healing%2C%20and%20reduce%20blood%20viscosity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Library of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; study, grounding or earthing can help improve anxiety, depression and irritability. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key to reducing anxiety through grounding is to focus your mind using what therapists call the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unh.edu/pacs/what-grounding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5-4-3-2-1 game&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Name five things you can see in the room, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two you can smell and one you can taste. By following these steps, you can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress by grounding yourself in the surrounding environment. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleeping Disorders&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding has also helped people struggling with sleeping. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/#:~:text=Grounding%20appears%20to%20improve%20sleep,healing%2C%20and%20reduce%20blood%20viscosity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of people struggling to sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that grounding the body can improve their sleep. It also showed that grounding helped &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/#:~:text=Grounding%20appears%20to%20improve%20sleep,healing%2C%20and%20reduce%20blood%20viscosity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;normalize the stress patterns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; obstructing their sleep in the first place. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pain and Immune Response&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/#:~:text=Grounding%20appears%20to%20improve%20sleep,healing%2C%20and%20reduce%20blood%20viscosity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Library of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; study also showed that grounding could benefit people struggling with pain and delayed immune response to injury-related muscle soreness. People suffering from this condition typically experience pain and stiffness for hours or days after strenuous exercise. Researchers found that the grounding techniques drew more mobile electrons from the earth's surface into the patients' bodies, altering the body's inflammatory response. This response caused the patients to experience less swelling, pain and inflammation. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Start Grounding &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding is easy to start. You don't need specialized equipment or scheduled therapy sessions, although they can help you see even better results. Instead, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodnet.org/articles/5-healing-benefits-grounding-techniques" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;go outside with your shoes off&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Spend 20 minutes outside to ground yourself directly with the earth or in water. If you decide that grounding is working for you and you'd like to invest in some equipment, consider purchasing patches or a conductive sheet for your bed to help ground you in your sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you build grounding into your life, you'll notice the health benefits as your body and mind are revitalized and energized through a stronger connection with your surroundings!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Grounding.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-grounding-good-for-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27246</ID> <title>Can a Lack of Caffeine Cause Headaches?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-31 09:22:57</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_180 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_219"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_231 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_133 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_399 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_400 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_401 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_250 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the U.S. and the world. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691513007175?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on caffeine intake in the U.S. found that roughly 85% of Americans consume caffeine. The same study found that 96% of caffeine consumed via beverages is from drinking coffee. Globally, around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462044/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee has become an indispensable part of modern culture and living. Workplaces and productivity rituals are centered on the dark brew, while coffee shops are a nexus for socializing and connecting.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For all of its overarching popularity and adoration, coffee, like any other psychoactive substance, comes with its fair share of downsides and adverse effects. Certain segments of the population have an increased sensitivity to the adverse effects of caffeine, while other individuals might have genetic-based vulnerabilities to caffeine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4668773/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that caffeine increases anxiety in younger populations, especially those with panic disorders. Infamously, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6230475/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;caffeine also affects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; sleeping patterns and sleep quality.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When caffeine intake is suddenly reduced or ceased after consistent consumption, caffeine withdrawals can also cause a range of detrimental effects. One of the most common symptoms is headaches. The link between caffeine and headaches is still being investigated, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6901704" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with some studies reflecting that it assists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in alleviating headaches and migraines, while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468766/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;others claim that it causes them&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting a clear view of the relationship between caffeine, headaches and caffeine withdrawals requires an in-depth examination of caffeine's mechanisms of action and the current scientific literature findings.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Caffeine's Mechanisms of Action&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine works, in part, by influencing the neuromodulator adenosine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826818/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adenosine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regulates how neurons respond to the excitatory or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters, i.e., chemicals that facilitate brain and nerve communication.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In particular, adenosine inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters that produce sensations of alertness and wakefulness. As per &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/does-caffeine-actually-give-us-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Matthew Johnson&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins, adenosine concentrations increase in our bodies throughout the day to ensure that we are not too stimulated to sleep at night. Caffeine attaches to adenosine receptors on our nerve cells, reducing their effects and making us feel less sleepy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;causes other biological changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as lung bronchial dilatation and increased coronary blood flow around the heart.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can You Get Headaches From Caffeine Withdrawal?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine withdrawal is a recognized diagnosis as per the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostics and Statistical Manual's (DSM) latest edition, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DSM-5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The DSM is recognized as the leading authoritative scientific text on mental disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4115451/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The DSM-5 acknowledges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that headaches from caffeine withdrawal are genuine symptoms. Other symptoms include irritability, decreased focus and fatigue. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738587/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study in the peer-reviewed Psychopharmacology journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that caffeine withdrawals affect cerebral blood flow and electrical activity in the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is clear that headaches from caffeine withdrawal or a lack of caffeine relative to one's regular consumption are genuine physiological phenomena.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Does a Lack of Caffeine Cause Headaches?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.umassmed.edu/news/news-archives/2013/06/examining-the-neurobiology-of-caffeine-withdrawal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;José Lemos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Professor of Microbiology and Physiological Systems at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, states that headaches from caffeine withdrawal are caused by the sudden increase in the effects of adenosine after caffeine stops inhibiting the neuromodulator.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The brain and nervous system are suddenly flooded with more adenosine; as such, feelings of drowsiness and fatigue, which adenosine causes naturally, take hold.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine withdrawal can impact blood flow in the brain, which is why, according to Professor Lemos, headaches from caffeine withdrawal can mimic migraine-like symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The unwelcome effects of caffeine withdrawal can even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777290/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;be part of a cycle that leads to Caffeine Use Disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a condition recognized by the DSM-5 as a problematic and concerning consumption pattern of caffeine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Long Do Caffeine Withdrawal Headaches Last?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Headaches from caffeine withdrawal, alongside other caffeine withdrawal symptoms, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychdb.com/addictions/caffeine/withdrawal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;generally appear 24 hours after caffeine consumption has stopped&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some symptoms last up to a week — peaking in a couple of days — but headaches from a relative lack of caffeine can endure for three weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If someone experiencing headaches from caffeine withdrawal consumes caffeine, they can achieve symptom relief in as little as two hours.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Manage Caffeine Withdrawal Headaches&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going cold turkey is not the most effective and pleasant way of cutting caffeine out of one's life. To avoid falling into a cycle of caffeine dependence and bypass the dreaded headaches from caffeine withdrawal, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430790/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a gradual decrease in caffeine consumption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is wise.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To taper off your coffee intake, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/quitting-caffeine-the-headache-free-way/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;swap out your regular brew for decaf&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and choose a drink with less caffeine than regular coffee, such as black tea.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can also be helpful to restrict your consumption of these beverages to certain times of the day. For example, one can commit to not drinking caffeinated beverages after the early afternoon. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-caffeine-withdrawal-headaches-3554936/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking enough water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also assist in lessening headaches from caffeine withdrawal.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does a Lack of Caffeine Cause Headaches?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While a lack of caffeine in and of itself does not cause headaches, caffeine withdrawals are a common cause of headaches and migraines.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those who deal with regular or contextual headaches and migraines should also be wary of their caffeine consumption, especially in the hopes that caffeine will alleviate their symptoms. While &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5655397/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a study in The Journal of Headache and Pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that caffeine improved the efficacy of common analgesic medication (such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1007/s10194-009-0114-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;an enormous Norwegian study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the same journal found that a high-caffeine diet increases the prevalence of headaches.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of over 50,000 individuals from&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/hunt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; observed that subjects with high caffeine consumption were more likely to experience frequent headaches of more than 14 days per month.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If work stress and other personal circumstances have had you reaching for a coffee more often of late, and you are suffering from headaches, perhaps the cup of Joe is to blame.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/caffeine.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/can-a-lack-of-caffeine-cause-headaches/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27237</ID> <title>What Does the "Organic" Label Mean?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-30 08:42:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_181 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_220"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_232 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_134 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_402 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_403 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_404 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_251 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decision paralysis often strikes when we are confronted with long lists of nutrition facts and declarations, like organic labeling, on the packaging. This is because there is some uncertainty about what the organic labels entail. What makes a product "organic," and how does this differ from other labels, like non-GMO or natural? An increasing number of products on the shelves carry the organic label, so what does this mean for us as consumers? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does Organic Mean? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Organic" is a widely used term in both scientific and agricultural circles. Scientifically, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/organic-compound" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;organic compounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are considered to be fundamental to life on Earth. Agriculturally, for products to use the organic label or certified organic seal, producers must comply with rigorous measures that regulate ingredients in their products. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Organic food focuses on following agronomic and animal husbandry practices. U.S. sales reached &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ota.com/organic-market-overview/organic-industry-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$63 billion in organic produce in 2020&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with many consumers feeling that it is a safer, healthier choice than conventionally grown food.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does "Organic" Mean in Science? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The chemistry definition of "organic" is unequivocal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/chemical-compound" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Compounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are substances composed of many identical molecules. Organic compounds typically contain carbon-carbon bonds or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Chemical compounds are fundamentally carbon-based atoms covalently linked to other elements. Hydrocarbon bonds&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are studied primarily in a scientific discipline called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences/areas/organic-chemistry.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;organic chemistry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Organic compounds are of particular importance as they are known to be present in almost all known life on Earth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does "Organic" Mean in Food?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The agricultural use of the term "organic" is wholly different from the scientific meaning — it refers explicitly to farming practices. Most countries have specific parameters for products to be considered organic. For an agricultural product or by-product to be labeled as "organic," the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has outlined a strict set of practices and principles that producers must follow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/What%20is%20Organic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the USDA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, animal products like meat, dairy, poultry and eggs must come from animals not treated with growth hormones or antibiotics. For food such as fruit and vegetables to be certified organic, they must be produced without synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, conventional pesticides, ionizing radiation or bioengineering. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Agricultural products and by-products that subscribe to these requirements qualify for the USDA organic label. Organic labels do not indicate how healthy or nutritious the product is; instead, they refer to the agricultural practices followed. A comprehensive list of allowed and prohibited substances can be found in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/part-205/subpart-g" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Code of Federal Regulations Archive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Are Food Labels So Important? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Organic," "gluten-free" and "natural" are just a taste of the many labels products can have. So, it can be unclear which labels are underpinned by industry or federal bodies and which are merely slick marketing terms. As consumers, it is intimidating to traverse the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.farmaid.org/food-labels-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gray areas of food labeling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; without guidance. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A common misconception is that the labels reflecting natural, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and organic are interchangeable. The USDA provides a clear distinction between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutrition.org/interpreting-food-labels-natural-versus-organic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;GMO, natural and organic labeling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food possessing the "natural" label has no added colorants or artificial ingredients, although they can still contain GMOs. Natural food products can be processed as long as the process does not fundamentally change the product. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetically modified crops are altered and modified in laboratories to be robust. Currently, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/be/faq/general" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;USDA does not certify non-GMO crops&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These seemingly subtle nuances in regulation impact the final products being sold. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are the Requirements for the Organic Label?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Organic Program (NOP)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; sets the presiding federal regulatory framework, which is upheld, enforced and accredited by the USDA. This framework governs all organic livestock and crops produced in the U.S. or imported for sale and distribution in the country. The USDA also regulates the organic labels present on produce. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The &lt;a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/whats-behind-organic-seal-organic-labels-explained"&gt;Requirements&lt;/a&gt; for a 100% Organic Label &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;100% certified organic ingredients and processing aids;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No GMOs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;100% compliance with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;USDA certification;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Organic seal and label allowed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The &lt;a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/whats-behind-organic-seal-organic-labels-explained"&gt;Requirements&lt;/a&gt; for an Organic Label&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;95% certified organic ingredients;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No GMOs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Non-organic ingredients comply with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;USDA certification; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Organic seal and label allowed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These regulations apply to all ingredients except water and salt. If the products meet either of the organic labeling categories, they can display the USDA organic label and any related phrases on their products or advertising. Organic labels assure us that no bioengineering, irradiation, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or chemicals have been used. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Products with less than 95% organic ingredients do not qualify for a USDA organic label. However, there are still allowances made by the USDA to use the term "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2014/05/16/organic-101-understanding-made-organic-label" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;made with organic ***&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," such as: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At least 70% certified organic ingredients; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No GMOs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Non-organic ingredients comply with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certification required.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These products may state "made with organic ***" — up to three ingredients or food groups — on the packaging, labels or advertising. Products with less than 70% of organic ingredients may only use the term "organic ingredients." They cannot use the term "organic" anywhere on their packaging, labels or advertising. They are allowed to stipulate that certain items are organically produced on the ingredients statement's information panel. This ensures that, as consumers, we can rely on the USDA's regulation of organic produce. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While these regulations are stringent, producers should not be dismayed; they can apply for their USDA organic certifications and organic labels if &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/10/10/organic-101-five-steps-organic-certification" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;specific criteria are met&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These criteria include: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not using synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, irradiation or pesticides to the crop or soil for three years before harvest. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ensuring that animals are raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviors and are not given antibiotics or hormones. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Many Organic Farms Are in the U.S.?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While organic farms are not currently the majority in the U.S., they are steadily rising. From 2011 to 2016, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/10/organic-farming-is-on-the-rise-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pew Research Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;indicated a 56% increase in organic farms in the U.S. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Organic_Production/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;USDA Statistics Service&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, over 14,000 certified organic farms were operating in 2016. Fast forward to 2019, roughly 16,500 organic farms are situated on 5.5 million acres. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.globaltrademag.com/u-s-states-with-the-most-organic-farms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;top states contributing to organic farming and production&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are Vermont, California, New York and Maine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Labels should guide, not confuse. Knowing what to look for and what labels mean gives consumers the ability to choose products that resonate with them. Products with the green seal of approval are often a safer, cleaner choice for you and the environment. The organic label is not merely a marketing ploy but a solemn assurance from the producer that they align and comply with the requirements the USDA sets. Taking steps to be a more conscious consumer can continue from here.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Organic.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-does-the-organic-label-mean/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27230</ID> <title>Does Hygiene Affect Mental Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-29 08:03:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_182 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_221"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_233 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_135 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_405 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_406 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_407 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_252 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you're having a bad mental health day, decluttering your house or washing the dishes must be the last thing on your mind. But what if taking 10 minutes to clean or declutter could alleviate stress and some of your mental health symptoms?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mental Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is complex and affects &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness#:~:text=Mental%20illnesses%20are%20common%20in,mild%20to%20moderate%20to%20severe." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;millions of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout their lifetime. Several mental health illnesses affect the general population yearly, some of the most common being depression and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health can stem from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968#:~:text=Stressful%20life%20situations%2C%20such%20as,as%20military%20combat%20or%20assault" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various causes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chemical imbalances; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetic predispositions; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Childhood trauma; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Environmental factors; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic diseases; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stressful circumstances. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's essential to be evaluated by a mental health professional or doctor to rule out certain causes and start treatment or make lifestyle changes to improve your quality of life. One of those lifestyle changes could include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thecleaningcollective.co.uk/news/cleaning-tips/how-cleanliness-can-affect-your-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keeping your work and home spaces tidy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help alleviate stress and ensure you have a calming environment to live in. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Mental Health Matters&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health as a problem is becoming much more talked about in society, especially among younger generations. Connecting with others is a vital part of caring for yourself when dealing with mental health concerns, so the increased awareness surrounding this issue is beneficial. Although mental health problems can be harder to identify and treat than physical injuries or problems, they are equally important and need to be addressed. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're struggling with mental health concerns and feel isolated, remember that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness#:~:text=Nearly%20one%20in%20five%20U.S.,mild%20to%20moderate%20to%20severe." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;millions of other people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the country and the world are also dealing with similar thoughts and feelings. Because mental health affects so many people, it is important to have compassion when interacting with others. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Cleanliness Is Related to Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests that the amount of clutter in your home or workspace directly affects mood and self-esteem. In &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psycom.net/anxiety/mental-health-benefits-cleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, people who considered their homes cluttered and unclean also had higher levels of cortisol (i.e., the stress hormone) and depression. However, the other subjects who reported that their home environments were restful did not report the same levels of stress and depression. This link suggests that taking time to declutter space may be one of the best and simplest things you can do to alleviate stress and create a more restful environment. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is the Importance of Cleanliness?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Good personal hygiene and overall cleanliness have been associated with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/personal-hygiene#:~:text=Good%20personal%20hygiene%20is%20one,spreading%20diseases%20to%20other%20people." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Keeping clean helps reduce the risks of certain diseases and viral infections. For example, washing hands properly and regularly is a major factor in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/personal-hygiene#:~:text=Good%20personal%20hygiene%20is%20one,spreading%20diseases%20to%20other%20people." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;avoiding infectious diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like COVID-19, the common cold and the flu. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dust and mold can build up quickly in damp and unclean spaces, which can trigger allergies and even lead to respiratory complications. Regularly vacuuming and dusting will help to cut down on dust bunnies while cleaning up any drips and damp areas will help prevent mold.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Hygiene Affect Mental Health?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improper hygiene can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-5097496" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have a major effect on mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in a variety of ways. Numerous mental health challenges are impacted by various circumstances, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The environment; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chemical imbalances; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trauma responses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making sure that you are promoting the healthiest lifestyle you can, which includes having a good hygiene routine, may contribute to lessening symptoms of certain mental health afflictions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lack of personal hygiene can be one of the first signs that someone is experiencing poor mental health. With mental illnesses like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.namikenosha.org/hygiene-and-mental-illness.html#:~:text=Poor%20hygiene%20often%20accompanies%20certain,person%20has%20a%20mental%20illness." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;depression and some psychotic disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, everyday hygiene tasks like brushing your teeth and showering can become incredibly difficult. Unfortunately, this lack of hygiene can often be stigmatized and associated with poverty or laziness. Therefore, people suffering from mental illnesses may need extra support and help to improve and protect their health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The feeling that daily activities have become mentally draining and difficult to accomplish calls for a consultation with a mental health expert or your primary care doctor. Many people feel ashamed of having an unclean space while also unable to tackle the problem and make changes. Reaching out to your support system, as well as your primary doctor, will help give you options and empower you to regain control of your mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're feeling up to it, taking time out of your day to declutter your space and do some quick cleaning could improve your mental health symptoms and overall health. Hygiene and mental health are intricately connected, and a bad episode of either can affect the other. Simple hygiene habits like cleaning your space, regularly brushing your teeth and showering are valuable steps in improving your mental health and examples of a healthy lifestyle as preventative healthcare!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hygiene.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/does-hygiene-affect-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27222</ID> <title>How To Have Better Posture</title> <publishDate>2022-12-28 07:28:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_183 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_222"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_234 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_136 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_408 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_409 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_410 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_253 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fixing your poor posture is not as easy as sitting up straighter. Because we spend so much time in a bad posture, implementing posture exercises and mindfulness into our lives is the real solution. Much like bad posture becomes a habit, we must also build good posture over time with the cumulative effect of small life changes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Good Posture Is Important&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Posture is about much more than simply trying to make yourself look better while sitting at your desk at work. In the short term, bad posture can cause a host of aches and pains in the operative areas of your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-effects-of-poor-posture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neck, shoulders and back&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Shifting into poor posture unnaturally places more weight on your operative areas, which aren't made to hold. These aches and pains can cause significant discomfort and are signs of muscle tension and soreness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These symptoms can become severe in the long run. If you continually practice bad posture, your immune system's efforts to heal it will cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-effects-of-poor-posture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;irritation and inflammation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your neck muscles. This irritation and inflammation can lead to arthritis in your joints if it occurs frequently. Bad posture may not be all that significant in the short term, but if practiced regularly over years and years, it can create permanent damage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is the Fastest Way to Improve My Posture?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The fastest way to improve your posture is to make better posture a habit. Posture isn't something you can change instantly but a habit you must cultivate. It would likely take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-effects-of-poor-posture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 to 6 weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to see a significant change for the better in your posture. It may take some time to notice a significant positive change in your posture, but by being very mindful of your habits, you will soon notice the benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Can I Improve My Posture in General?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/guidetogoodposture.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helpful tips&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for improving your posture include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being mindful of your posture; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your surfaces at a comfortable working height; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wearing comfortable and low-heeled shoes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These actions can make you more aware of your posture. They might not be grand, sweeping changes, but even these small things can directly improve your posture. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also help your posture by staying active and maintaining a healthy weight. Inactivity and being overweight can harm your posture by making your muscles work harder to stay in a healthy position. By working on these general principles, you can form the foundation of a healthy posture habit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helpful Tips for a Better Posture&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better Posture While Sitting at Your Desk&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can improve your posture &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/ss/slideshow-posture-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;while at your desk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by sitting back in your chair and cushioning your mid to lower back with a rolled towel or cushion while placing your feet squarely on the floor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better Posture While Texting&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might place stress on your neck while you text by&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-you-need-to-know-about-doomscrolling-and-your-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; tilting your head downwards&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you find yourself doing this regularly, give your neck a break by bringing your phone up to your eyes or stretching your neck out.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better Posture While Driving&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do not recline too far while you drive. It may be comfy, but it can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/ss/slideshow-posture-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;detrimental to your posture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; over long drives. Cushion your lower to mid back and bend your knees while keeping them roughly at hip level to improve your posture.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Better Posture While Sleeping &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Achieving &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/ss/slideshow-posture-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better posture while sleeping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; depends on whether you sleep on your side or back. If you sleep on your side, slightly bend your knees and use a pillow to align your head and neck with your spine. If you sleep on your back, avoid overly thick pillows.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Have Better Posture &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercises are one of the best ways to better your posture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Child's Pose&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This yoga pose helps the neck and back deal with the pressures of bad posture by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/posture-exercises#childs-pose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;releasing any accumulated tension&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Kneel on the ground, sit back on your ankles, bend so your forehead approaches the floor and reach past your head with your shoulders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;High and Side Plank&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These two plank exercises &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/posture-exercises#childs-pose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your core muscles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to strengthen your back and better your posture. For a high plank, get into a push-up position with straight arms and legs. For side planks, position yourself on your side with straight legs, using one bent arm to support your weight on your elbow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thoracic Spine Rotation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This twisting exercise helps relieve tension while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/posture-exercises#thoracic-spine-rotation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improving your mobility and stability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for better posture. To perform, lie on your side with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle in front of you. Extend your arms in front of you and stretch your top arm to the other side of your body while keeping your legs and upper body as stable as possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Often Should I Do Posture Exercises?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should perform some of the exercises listed above &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/fitness/how-to-fix-posture#:~:text=%22The%20longer%20we%20maintain%20a,them%2C%20you%20can%20increase%20reps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;at least once a day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Posture is a habit, and the only real way to create one is to practice it every day to the best of your ability. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Improve Posture While Gaming and Reading&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid sitting in one place as much as possible while gaming or reading. It would help if you switched positions as often as possible, took walks to give yourself a break, touched the floor with your feet and stretched your muscles from time to time. You'll be in a much healthier place when you finish your gaming or reading session than you would have been otherwise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Get Used To Good Posture&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The only way to get used to having good posture is to develop it. Like any habit, it may seem daunting now, but with practice and dedication, it will become a natural part of your life. So give it a chance and trust the process. If you do, you will notice significant changes for the better, not only in how you look at your desk but also in your health. You'll be doing your muscles and joints a huge favor by literally taking a heavy load off them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/posture.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-have-better-posture/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27215</ID> <title>Calculating Your Maintenance Calories, Your Calorie Deficit and Calorie Surplus</title> <publishDate>2022-12-27 07:04:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_184 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_223"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_235 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_137 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_411 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_412 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_413 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_254 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you staring at the fridge and trying to decide what would be the best and healthiest option for a meal? Welcome to the club. People desire a healthy lifestyle and want to ensure the body's needs are met, but it's vital to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tailor &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;these needs — this includes managing different nutritional intakes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One important thing to monitor is calorie intake with its three facets: maintenance calories, calorie deficits and calorie surplus. Understanding how each affects the body will lead to healthy body weight and a happier, more fulfilling life! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are Maintenance Calories?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://jcdfitness.com/2017/09/maintenance-calories/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintenance calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the daily calories required to maintain your body weight with no gains or losses in fat and/or muscle tissue. The human body requires a certain calorie intake for energy to carry out bodily processes and maintain body weight. A varied diet provides the body with the necessary nutrients to carry out these functions, which the body stores in different ways, such as fat or carbohydrates. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintenance calorie intake refers to gaining or not gaining weight at the current calorie intake. Maintaining these calories involves constantly replacing energy with more energy from food, a continuous process throughout life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Determine Maintenance Calories?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientists have developed &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jcdfitness.com/2017/09/maintenance-calories/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;maintenance calorie calculators&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are incredible tools for tracking how many calories a person should eat daily to maintain healthy body weight. Some of these calculators, turned into apps or resources, can be found online. Most of them require inputting basic information such as weight, age and height. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These calculators are derived from different formulas. Regarding maintenance calories, the main equation starts with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jcdfitness.com/2017/09/maintenance-calories/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;BMR&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., the Basal Metabolic Rate). Some popular BMR equations include the Harris-Benedict Equation, the Mifflin-St. Jeor Equation and the Katch-McArdle Equation. Scientists use these equations to develop maintenance calculators with the highest accuracy levels. For example, one easy way to calculate maintenance calories is to multiply your body weight by 10.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does It Mean to Have a Calorie Deficit?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-creatine-good-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calorie deficit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occurs when a person consumes few calories, increases physical activity levels or does both. It's much easier to attain a calorie deficit through diet than exercise due to insufficient time or energy for daily exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several ways to reduce calorie intake. First, limiting the consumption of beverages high in calories, such as alcohol, sodas, fruit juices and coffee, can help create a calorie deficit. These drinks do not provide fullness but lead to weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/calorie-deficit#eating-fewer-calories" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the sugar, fat and salt found in highly processed foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as fast food, desserts and breakfast cereals encourage excess consumption. Alternatively, eating a diet rich in vi&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tamins, minerals and fiber &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes can prevent overeating and supply the body with the nutrients it needs. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Third, eating primarily &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/calorie-deficit#eating-fewer-calories" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;home-cooked meals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; not only saves money but helps with portion and ingredient control as well. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/calorie-deficit#eating-fewer-calories" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicate that people who ate at home six to seven meals a week ended up consuming about 137 fewer calories per day than&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;those who cooked dinner at home at least one time per week.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to weight loss, dividing the total number of calories consumed over 10 days by the number 10, with the number then subtracted by 500 calories, determines the new daily intake goal necessary for weight loss. Weight loss, by extension, causes maintenance calories to decrease over time, thus requiring a calorie intake adjustment. Doctors recommend that women consume no less than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/calorie-deficit#calorie-needs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1,200 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and men consume no less than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/calorie-deficit#calorie-needs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1,500 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; per day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is a Calorie Surplus?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.pcyc.org.au/blog/nutrition-tip-what-is-a-caloric-surplus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calorie surpluses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occur when the number of calories consumed is higher than the number of calories burned. In a caloric surplus, body mass increases as the body is provided with more energy than it needs, with the excess energy being used to build tissue such as muscle. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In order to create a calorie surplus, it is necessary to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;correctly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calculate the caloric intake, eat healthy foods, especially high quantities of protein and carbohydrates, and time meals according to workout times.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For someone to calculate calorie surplus, it's essential to know how many calories they typically burn, i.e., the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bodybuildingmealplan.com/calorie-surplus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;total daily energy expenditure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (TDEE). This is a combination of calories burned through BMR or basal metabolic rate, which can include any exercise like walking, lifting, etc. Once the TDEE has been defined, the next step is calculating the calorie surplus based on fitness goals. A 15 to 25% surplus is recommended to maximize muscle gain.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calorie maintenance, calorie deficit and calorie surplus are all essential to understand when it comes to managing calorie intake and healthy body weight. A healthy lifestyle is important, but something that tends to be forgotten is the aspect of tailoring food intake according to what the body needs. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several resources are available to help calculate any deficits or surpluses in calorie intake and maintenance calories the body needs. Most resources are simple to use and can be found all over the web or in your App Store. To maintain a healthy body, remember to try cutting down on unhealthy foods high in calories and managing your calorie intake. Happy eating!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Calories.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/calculating-your-maintenance-calories-your-calorie-deficit-and-calorie-surplus/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27208</ID> <title>How Does Walking Benefit Your Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-26 06:43:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_185 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_224"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_236 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_138 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_414 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_415 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_416 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_255 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With recent workout trends popping up on social media, it's often easy to find yourself in a rabbit hole of 30-minute weight loss programs, trendy diets and viral infographics on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Lose Body Fat in Just 10 Days&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While this is a great way to get people to go out and work out, the simplest exercise is often highly overlooked — walking! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking provides the human body with numerous benefits, despite it being the most basic form of body movement. It is easy to do, isn't hard on the joints and can serve as a meditation technique! So yes, all these high-intensity exercises are great, but going out even for a quick walk can do wonders for your body without the physical demand of intense workouts! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Walking is a Great Way to Improve Circulation &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3098122/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking at any pace&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can do wonders to your body's circulation. Just 10 minutes of brisk or moderate walking three times a day can help people struggling with high blood pressure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improving your body's circulation through walking is a great way to reduce the stiffening of blood vessels, which in turn encourages blood to flow easily throughout your body. Contracting and relaxing your muscles while walking stimulates the large veins in the legs, thus promoting healthy circulation, especially in areas where blood flow is stagnant. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy blood circulation creates a domino effect of health benefits! It helps keep your heart healthy and reduces the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3098122/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk of diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as stroke and heart attack. It also helps improve your joint health and can even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4146701/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce the pain of arthritis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Walking Can Help Strengthen Your Muscles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is a great way to get in shape and improve your overall health, but it can also help to strengthen your muscles. When we think of strengthening muscles, we often think about weightlifting or resistance training. These are also great ways to develop strong muscles over time, but they may not be for everyone! Walking is easily accessible and an effective low-impact workout that doesn't require much to get started. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's easy to dismiss walking as an exercise that exclusively targets the legs, but we tend to overlook that walking targets a lot of our muscles, especially in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.byrdie.com/what-muscles-does-walking-work-5101488" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the upper body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as the abs, hip flexors and back, that help keep you upright as you are walking. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are walking routines recommendable for pregnant women? By all means! Walking strengthens the exact group of muscles that, when unattended, leads to unwanted &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.annandaleobgyn.com/news/the-benefits-of-walking-during-pregnancy/#:~:text=Walking%20can%20help%20keep%20your%20back%20muscles%20strong%20and%20warm%20up%20so%20that%20they%20can%20support%20your%20growing%20belly%20and%20not%20become%20stiff." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;back pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The more you walk during pregnancy, the more you develop strong back muscles that will help pregnant women support their growing bellies. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It Also Strengthens Your Bones&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is a great way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8304358/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;build and maintain strong bones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Since it is a weight-bearing exercise, walking increases your muscle strength, balance and coordination, contributing to preventing falls and fractures while improving your overall health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By putting stress on bones, walking helps to stimulate the production of new bone cells, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8304358/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leading to increased bone density&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It can also help improve balance and coordination, both of which are important for preventing injuries caused by falls. For people with osteoporosis or other conditions that affect bone density, walking can be an effective way to slow the progression of the condition and improve quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just like muscles, bones become stronger with exercise. Because they are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/exercise-and-bone-health/#:~:text=Because%20bone%20is%20living%20tissue%2C%20it%20changes%20over%20time%20in%20response%20to%20the%20forces%20placed%20upon%20it.%20When%20you%20exercise%20regularly%2C%20your%20bone%20adapts%20by%20building%20more%20bone%20and%20becoming%20denser." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;living tissues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, bones can change and adapt over time in response to the exertion of force placed upon them. So, when you exercise regularly, your bones adapt by growing more tissue and developing density. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Walking Helps Boost Immunity&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is a great way to boost immunity and improve health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15632669/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that walking can help improve immune system function, increase white blood cell count and even reduce inflammation. Walking also helps promote healthy gut bacteria, further strengthening the immune system. In addition to boosting immunity, walking has also been shown to improve heart health, lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Issues with digestion and nutrient absorption? Walking will help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3119587/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;speed up food movement through your digestive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; system, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. In addition, healthier blood circulation will help deliver nutrients and oxygen to all of your cells, including your immune cells. So, next time you're feeling under the weather, take a brisk walk and give your immune system a boost!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Walking Helps Alleviate Joint Pain&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is a low-impact form of exercise that can have significant health benefits, especially for people who suffer from joint pain. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Joints are protected by a cartilage layer that allows them to move smoothly. However, this cartilage can break down over time, causing pain and inflammation. Walking helps to alleviate joint pain by strengthening the muscles around the joints and improving flexibility. In addition, it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.physio-pedia.com/Synovium_%26_Synovial_Fluid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increases the production of synovial fluid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which lubricates the joints and helps to reduce friction.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking also helps to reduce inflammation and improve the range of motion of your legs. The more miles you get in, the more weight you'll lose, putting less and less stress on your joints. If you are struggling with knee pain, joint pain or arthritis, walking is a great way to get moving and improve your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Walking Better Than Running?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking and running are both excellent forms of exercise, but walking has several distinct advantages. This is not to say that running doesn't have its benefits — it is a great cardio workout and can help you to burn more calories than walking, build strong bones and improve your overall fitness level. Walking, however, is much easier on the joints than running, and it is, therefore, a good option for people with arthritis or other joint problems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking can be done virtually anywhere and anytime, without any special equipment or training. All you have to do is put your shoes on, leave your home and enjoy the fresh air while clearing your mind of negative thoughts and quotidian cares!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/walking.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-does-walking-benefit-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27200</ID> <title>What You Need To Know About Doomscrolling and Your Health</title> <publishDate>2022-12-23 06:00:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_186 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_225"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_237 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_139 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_417 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_418 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_419 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_256 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The work day has ended, and off to home it is. Food has been eaten, teeth have been brushed and now to bed you go. You suddenly get a Twitter notification … the world is being shut down due to a deadly disease! You panic and scroll, reading article after article about the situation, wondering whether it will affect you, and then you mass text everyone you know. You can't sleep, so you check your phone constantly for updates. The next day, you hardly do any of your tasks, and you can't stop checking the news. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This phenomenon is known as "doomscrolling." If you or someone you know struggles with doomscrolling, acknowledging what it is and the fact that you struggle with it can pull you out of this endless, addictive spiral. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is "Doomscrolling?"&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;simple definition of doomscrolling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the tendency toward or continual consumption of bad or negative news without showing signs of stopping. Some people can receive news updates and react calmly, but other media consumers will read the news and obsess over reading article after article. These readers spiral into a world of endless information where they feel the need to read everything. They grow depressed while becoming addicted to reading the media. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although the term "doomscrolling" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;was coined on Twitter around 2018&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, doomscrolling made its way to center stage at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. People scrolled through social media, combed articles, read graphs and looked at statistics to see the COVID-19 numbers grow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kate Mannell&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a media studies researcher at Deakin University, said COVID-19 pushed the public toward doomscrolling because of the plethora of articles and information, as well as the lack of an escape from this information.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does Doomscrolling Mean?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doomscrolling is highly detrimental to physical, mental and emotional health. Excessive media consumption, particularly this negative media that doomscrolling is associated with, can lead to both addictions and depression. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For people who have pre-existing mental health conditions, excessive media consumption makes matters worse. Likewise, people with no underlying mental health conditions report feelings of negativity. It makes it hard to see any good in the world where it seems like everything is going wrong.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several studies suggest that doomscrolling can worsen mental and emotional health. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-study-finds-doomscrolling-leads-to-bad-physical-mental-health-2022-9?international=true&amp;amp;r=US&amp;amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health Communication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; journal suggested that doomscrolling is often associated with poorer physical and mental health and higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression compared to consumers who do not take in as much negative media. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that approximately 16.5% of the participants showed signs of doomscrolling with increased levels of mental and physical health issues. Other &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-m" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicate that among those with severe media consumption levels, 74% reported experiencing mental health problems, and 61% reported physical problems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although some people use it as an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-doomscrolling-psychology-social-media-fomo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;avoidance technique&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to cope with anxiety, doomscrolling keeps people from getting good sleep, connecting with others and completing tasks. While doomscrolling is a horrible habit, many people who doomscroll report an addiction to it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.endocrineweb.com/news/what-is-doomscrolling-and-how-to-stop" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as well as a tendency to catastrophize more&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, doomscrolling activates fight-or-flight emotions. The constant consumption of negative news &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;creates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stress and anxiety in an environment where the world is perceived as dangerous. As these flight-or-flight emotions increase, a cycle develops in which people obsess over the news and often check it in order to control &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;their emotional distress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This fight-or-flight response can physically impact people since it's linked to digestive issues, headaches, heart disease, weight gain and high blood pressure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Avoid Doomscrolling&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doomscrolling is addictive; there's no question about it. Once you fall into the habit, it becomes easier to spiral into the never-ending void of disheartening news. So, if you think you're prone to doomscrolling or know someone who is, try to take these steps to avoid spending time in the endless tunnel of information. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people found that what &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;worked best for them&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was limiting the amount of news they read each day, such as reading one long piece of reputable news rather than many, or going straight to the source. For example, in the case of COVID-19, many people went straight to the CDC website for information. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts say switching the media off entirely isn't the key to stopping doomscrolling. Instead, we should encourage people to admit when their news consumption is detrimental and addictive so they can take steps to limit their media consumption. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other experts recommend &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.endocrineweb.com/news/what-is-doomscrolling-and-how-to-stop"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;setting a time limit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on social media apps so that the timer can provide a stopping point during a doomscrolling session. Either set limits on how much time you spend on apps like Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, etc., or delete them from your phone and access them from your browser. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creating &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-doomscrolling-psychology-social-media-fomo/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physical boundaries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is another great way to prevent excessive media consumption. For example, leave your phone and computer outside your bedroom before going to sleep and make it a screen-free zone, or keep the phone in your purse when you're working, so you aren't tempted to look at it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Asking friends and family for help can be some of the best ways to stop doomscrolling and manage the feelings it causes. Your friends and family can be some of the best forms of support while you struggle with this harmful habit.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps you or someone you know struggles with doomscrolling. Maybe it doesn't seem like a huge issue, especially when there's a lot of information out there that you feel the need to relay or read. The problem is that doomscrolling can affect your health in many ways. It heightens mental and emotional health issues but with detrimental physical effects. If you want to stop this cycle, set limits on your media consumption, practice gratitude and reach out to friends and family who can support you when it feels like the world is falling apart.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Doomscrolling.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-you-need-to-know-about-doomscrolling-and-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27158</ID> <title>5 Christmas Recipes To Try This Year!</title> <publishDate>2022-12-14 20:21:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_187 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_226"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_238 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_140 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_420 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_421 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_422 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_257 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nothing connects people over the festive season quite like a holiday meal. The nostalgic scents, comforting flavors and nuanced textures&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are intertwined with various traditions and celebrations, creating the perfect Christmas experience.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you spend hours preparing your Christmas feast or you prefer to whip your meal together in minutes, these&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recipes will help you capture the essence of Christmas and can be worked into any form of celebration.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pork-recipes/glazed-mulled-wine-ham/"&gt;Mulled Wine Glazed Ham&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many would argue that ham for Christmas is a non-negotiable — a Christmas feast staple. So, what better way to start off the list than with a unique take on the traditional Christmas ham, with all the warm spices and umami flavor? This recipe is perfect for a dinner centerpiece while also providing enough for a midnight snack or leftovers the next day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients for the Ham&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 medium to large unsmoked middle-cut gammon with the knuckle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few sprigs of festive herbs, such as rosemary and thyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 fresh bay leaves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 carrots&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 sticks of celery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 white onion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2-3 large cloves of garlic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ a fresh red chili&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of whole black peppercorns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Good-quality olive oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients for the Glaze&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;16 ounces of orange marmalade without the peel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ or 1 cup of full-bodied red wine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 star anise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few cloves, some extra for decoration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 fresh bay leaf&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 clementine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8-10 canned pineapple rings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the meat out of the fridge and bring it up to room temperature before cooking it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the gammon in a large pot.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strip the forest&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;herbs, roughly chop the celery and carrots, peel and quarter the onion and the garlic cloves, then add it to a pot with the chili, bay and peppercorns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover with water and bring to a boil. Put the lid on and simmer gently for two hours or until the meat is tender. Turn it halfway, topping up with water if necessary and skimming away any excess fat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F. Transfer the gammon to a roasting tray, keeping some stock for later. Carefully remove the skin, but keep the fat on the meat. Take a sharp knife, score the fat in a criss-cross fashion and brush with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Roast the ham for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden and crisp.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the ham is cooking, spoon the marmalade into a non-stick saucepan on medium heat, pour in the red wine and bring to a simmer, stirring every so often.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the spices and the zest of a clementine and pour in the canned pineapple juice, saving the fruit for later. Allow the sauce to simmer, reduce it by half and switch it off. By then, the sauce should be thick and syrupy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the ham out of the oven and arrange the pineapple rings over the meat, securing them with the cloves. Pour some glaze over the meat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before placing the gammon back in the oven, spoon half a ladleful of the gammon stock into the tray. Roast for 20 minutes or until shiny, basting with the remaining glaze for 5 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once glazed and polished, the gammon is ready to serve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beetroot-red-onion-tarte-tatin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Beetroot and Onion Tarte Tatin&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no need to have your vegan guests survive on sides at Christmas dinner. The whole troupe can enjoy this show-stopping vegan tart. The deep coloring of the beetroot and flaky pastry is perfect for a cozy Christmas Eve party.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients for the Tarte Tatin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;14 ounces beetroot, cut into wedges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 red onion, cut into wedges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of olive oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of soft brown sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A couple of star anises&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flour for dusting and rolling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;17 ounces prepared puff pastry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zest of 1 orange&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Arugula salad to serve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F. Mix the beetroot and onion in 2 tablespoons of oil, vinegar and sugar and the star anise in a bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in an ovenproof frying pan. Layer the base of the pan with the beetroot and onion. Cover the pan with foil and roast in the oven for 45 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roll the pastry thinner than an inch on a well-floured surface.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the pan out of the oven and remove the foil. Place the rolled pastry on the vegetables, tucking in the edges. Score the pastry with an X to allow for ventilation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the pan back in the oven and bake for a further 35 minutes or until the pastry is puffy and golden.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Loosen the pastry with a knife, then flip the pan over to turn the tart onto the serving plate. Once the tart is pastry side down onto the plate, top with orange zest and serve with a peppery salad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/christmas-day-chicken/"&gt;Crispy, Coated Chicken Breast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a quick, simple idea for a last-minute addition to any festive function, look no further than this Christmas chicken recipe — perfectly tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of sour cream&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A dash of lemon juice to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of butter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of celery salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of pepper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of garlic salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of crushed croutons or panko bread crumbs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the chicken in a large shallow dish. In another bowl, combine the sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Mix well, pour over and coat the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare a baking tray using half the oil and butter. Place the chicken breasts and cover them with the crumbs. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Halfway through, drizzle the remaining butter and oil on the chicken. Once golden and crispy, remove and serve with salad and potatoes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/spiced-blood-orange-shrub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Spiced Blood Orange Shrub&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An accompanying drink takes your festive meal to new heights. You won't even miss the alcohol with this spicy, non-alcoholic Christmas drink recipe. Of course, you can add alcohol if you wish to. Vodka or whiskey works well with warm spices and wintery citrus.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 medium blood oranges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 small piece of ginger, peeled and chopped&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 medium cinnamon stick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 cloves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of soft, brown sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of apple cider vinegar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Club soda for serving&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zest the blood oranges in broad stripes. Set half the zest aside for decoration. Juice the oranges and run the juice through a fine sieve to produce 1 cup of liquid. Set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring the ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, sugar, zest and 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cook and occasionally stir until sugar is dissolved and the mixture has reduced by half. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Once cool, strain the syrup through a sieve into a measuring glass.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine the vinegar, blood orange juice and syrup. Taste the shrub — it should be a well-balanced sweet-and-sour flavor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To serve, pour 3 tablespoons of shrub into an ice-filled glass. Top off with 4-5 ounces of club soda and stir gently. Garnish with the remaining zest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/chocolate-swirl-pavlova-spiced-maple-pears/xwezXq5g?r=recipes/collections/lpfkii6f" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Chocolate Pavlova With Spiced Pears&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A sleek spin on a timeless classic is a beautiful way to end an evening. The dessert is perfect for Christmas, not too heavy and not too sweet, especially after the rich meals that usually precede dessert. This Christmas recipe is too good not to share. If you are looking for more child-friendly desserts, Christmas Rice Krispie Treats or Jell-O recipes are also great options.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 small pears, peeled&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of maple syrup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 medium piece ginger, sliced&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 bay leaves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ½ cups of caster sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 egg whites&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of white vinegar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of cornflour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 ½ tablespoons of cocoa powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;17 ounces of sour cream&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of sifted icing sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Prepare&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place pears, maple syrup, ginger, bay leaves and 3 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the saucepan, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 45 minutes or until tender.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove the pears. Discard half of the liquid, keeping the bay leaves and ginger. Boil the remaining liquid, bay leaves and ginger until thick and syrupy. Cool completely and set aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 320 F and line a baking tray with baking paper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place egg whites and caster sugar into a bowl. Using an electric mixer, whisk on medium speed for 10 minutes until thick and glossy. Take some mixture between your fingers to check if the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, fold through vinegar, cornflour and 2 teaspoons of cocoa until well mixed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spread the meringue mixture on the prepared tray.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the pavlova into the oven and reduce the heat to 250 F. Bake for 1 hour or until crisp and dry. Once baked, turn the oven off and cool the meringue in the oven with the door ajar until completely cooled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine sour cream, icing sugar and the remaining cocoa in a bowl and spread over the pavlova. Halve and arrange the pears over the top. Drizzle the maple syrup mixture over the top to finish it off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your Christmas Recipes Covered&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is something for everyone with these five Christmas recipes. The meals are colorful, delicious and varied. What's more, the recipes are simple to follow — the perfect combination for any Christmas recipe!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/christmas-recipes.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-christmas-recipes-to-try-this-year/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27151</ID> <title>Taking Care Of Your Mental Health During the Holidays</title> <publishDate>2022-12-13 20:18:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_188 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_227"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_239 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_141 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_423 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_424 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_425 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_258 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Andy Williams calls it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the most wonderful time of year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and for many, it truly is. As the year draws to a close, your mind gets flooded with childhood memories of playing with your siblings and cousins, receiving that gift that you've been longing for all year and enjoying a spate of feasts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, these memories may sometimes betray the truth about the holiday season. It can be all too easy to push unpleasant memories to the back of your mind, but for those of us who remember the unsavory aspects of the festive seasons, we tend to dread its arrival. The holidays and mental health don't always go hand in hand.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You're not wrong for holding enmity toward this period, and you're certainly not alone in feeling this way. You do not always have to feel this way. There are ways that you can prioritize your mental health care during the holiday season and not enter the new year feeling stressed, drained or demoralized.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Do the Holidays Affect Your Mental Health?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many who initially explore this topic are surprised to find a negative correlation between holidays and mental health. But conversely, many are not surprised and can relate to the holiday angst. There are many ways in which the holidays can impair your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reuniting with your immediate or extended family can resurface childhood trauma. After growing up in a toxic environment, many people develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and mask portions of their true selves to avoid conflict and abuse. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once we become adults, we can generally avoid the people and situations that caused us to create these masks. However, we tend to forego our mental health during the holidays because we feel obligated to attend family gatherings for longer than we would like and entertain interactions that we otherwise would not. Visiting places we frequented as children, such as a relative's house or your childhood home, and engaging with toxic family members can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medium.com/change-your-mind/holidays-and-revisiting-trauma-homes-60c86038ff46" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uncover past traumas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For sufferers of physical and sexual abuse, these interactions at family gatherings can severely affect their mental health during the holiday season. Being expected to keep the peace or feeling obligated to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healinghonestly.com/family/home-holidays-trauma-our-lives" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;greet one's abuser physically&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (through a hug or handshake) can be enormously distressing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feeling pressured to spend money on extravagant gifts can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/worried-about-money-this-holiday-season-heres-what-financial-psychologists-want-you-to-know/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;create anxiety and stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while attending uncomfortable family gatherings for extended periods can drain energy and be an impetus for negative emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Holiday Mental Health Statistics&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Concrete evidence highlights the negative correlation between holidays and mental health. Below are some of the most telling holiday mental health statistics:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2014/Mental-health-and-the-holiday-blues" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, 64% of individuals with mental illness report worsening mental health during the holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257984/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A literature search&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the Innovations of Clinical Neuroscience journal found a broad trend of a downturn in mood and mental health during the holidays. The same article notes a trend of the underutilization of psychiatric services during this period, exacerbating this issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/201712/what-we-know-about-the-holiday-blues" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A survey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that people commonly experience fatigue, irritability, sadness and stress during the holidays. Only 56% of participants stated that work stressed them more than the festive season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holidays and mental health are only sometimes a match made in heaven.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How To Manage Your Mental Health During the Holidays&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is entirely possible to protect your mental health during the holiday season. In fact, by taking pragmatic and decisive steps, you can enter the new year feeling rested, refreshed and rejuvenated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should prioritize your mental health care this holiday season. You might not want to disappoint your family and loved ones, but more often than not, you deal with the fallout of having unpleasant holiday experiences alone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To take control of your mental health during the holidays, set clear and actionable boundaries with your family and yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid financial stress by creating a realistic budget for your holiday expenses and sticking to it. These uncomfortable feelings last for around a week, but poor financial decisions can have a lasting impact on your overall well-being. By the time January rolls around, you will be thanking yourself for not spending beyond your means. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be assertive and set physical boundaries with whomever you please. If you do not want to hug or sit next to a certain family member, vocalize this in a mature but decisive way. If you do not want to attend a certain meal or event because of the presence of an abusive or triggering individual, communicate your decision to the organizer. If you need to sleep early for your health or have other commitments, voice these needs beforehand and predetermine how long you will stay at holiday gatherings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't have to come off as belligerent when prioritizing your mental health. You can communicate your boundaries, feelings and wishes politely. If a loved one or family member truly has your best interests at heart, they will be more than willing to compromise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Coping With Mental Illness During the Holidays&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For those with mental illness, compromising on mental health during the holidays is out of the question. Strong boundaries are required here to protect your well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) must take the necessary steps to safeguard their sobriety by avoiding alcohol. If you feel unsafe, bring an accountability friend from your SUD support system or refuse to attend the event altogether. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those with food and eating disorders must also be mindful of these issues during the holiday season. Whether it's over-eating or under-eating, the holidays can be a trying time. Using an accountability friend or notifying your family members about these concerns can keep you safe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mental Health Awareness During the Holidays&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can be part of a much-needed change by reducing the stigma around mental health during the holiday season. Acknowledging the potential negative link between holidays and mental health can offer others hope and allow loved ones to understand your struggles and empathize with you. Implementing these tools will have you forming new feelings about the festive season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mental-health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-during-the-holidays/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27144</ID> <title>Are Menstrual Cramps Normal?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-12 19:44:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_189 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_228"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_240 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_142 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_426 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_427 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_428 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_259 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roughly 50% of the human race are no strangers to several days of cramping a month. For many — but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not all&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; — women, cramping is a sign of unpleasant things to come: an upcoming period. It tends to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;begin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the few days preceding the period and extend into the first few days of bleeding, slowly easing up over time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, the pain is manageable. At other times, however, it seems unbearable. Which begs the question: is there a point at which menstrual cramping becomes abnormal? And if so, what are the telltale signs? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Causes of Menstrual Cramps&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Part of distinguishing normal period cramps from abnormal ones lies in understanding the origin of the cramping itself. During a period, a woman's body expels the uterus' lining (i.e., the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;endometrium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) by engaging in a series of contractions. These contractions are prompted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/symptoms-causes/syc-20374938#:~:text=During%20your%20menstrual%20period%2C%20your,with%20more%2Dsevere%20menstrual%20cramps." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;​​prostaglandins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, hormone-like chemicals associated with increased pain and inflammation.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from the pain caused by the contractions themselves, some especially strong contractions can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/menstrual-cramps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;flatten surrounding blood vessels,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; cutting off oxygen and resulting in additional discomfort. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Uterine contractions and oxygen deficits have a whole array of associated symptoms, ranging from non-existent to severe depending on the person and even differing from one period to the next. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/menstrual-cramps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Direct symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aching or sharp pain in the lower abdomen; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feeling pressure on the belly;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hip pain;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lower back pain;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Upper thigh pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/menstrual-cramps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indirect symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nausea and vomiting;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Headaches;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Loose stools.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Normal vs. Abnormal Menstrual Cramps&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All of these symptoms are typical effects of menstrual cramping. Occasionally, however, accompanying signs indicate that something more than regular uterine contractions is at work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Possible red flags&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Timing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Menstrual cramps don't generally occur other than within the few days before and then during your period. Cramping outside of this general timeframe may indicate an underlying health concern.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Unusually heavy bleeding&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Period flows vary from woman to woman; some have very light periods, while others are conditioned to relatively heavy bleeding. However, abnormally heavy bleeding can signify something atypical and worrisome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No relief from medications&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin fail to take the edge off the pain, doctors may conduct an evaluation to see if there is something else behind it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anybody experiencing one or more of those three conditions should consult their doctor as soon as possible. Only a trained medical professional can accurately identify any underlying issues and recommend the best course of treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/symptoms-causes/syc-20374938" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are often to blame for abnormal cramping:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Endometriosis&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A condition where tissue that should only occur within the uterine walls also grows on the exterior, generally on fallopian tubes, ovaries or the inside lining of the pelvis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Uterine fibroids&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Non-malignant growths in the uterine wall that induce pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Adenomyosis&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Similar to endometriosis, adenomyosis occurs when uterine tissue grows outside of its normal range. With adenomyosis, however, the tissue grows into the uterine wall.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: An uterine infection, generally contracted as a sexually transmitted disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cervical stenosis&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If the cervix's opening is unusually small, the path of the menstrual flow becomes hampered, resulting in a backlog of blood and the endometrium. This excess buildup causes increased pressure inside the uterus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treatment Options&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, pain, pressure and discomfort are commonplace with periods, even when not experiencing any of the above conditions. So what varieties of treatment options are available for pain management? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Natural Remedies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before taking medicine or attempting to revamp your diet, many women prefer to try smaller-scale natural remedies. Below are just some of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/menstrual-cramp-remedies#heat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most common options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Heat&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6214933/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;review of some studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted in 2018, applying heat to the right areas can be just as effective as some types of medication. Women use various application methods, ranging from electric heat pads to hot water bottles or rice-filled packs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stay hydrated&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Ensuring that you're well-hydrated helps deter water retention, preventing bloating that can exacerbate already-painful cramps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exercise&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Though jumping on the treadmill may not be the first solution that comes to mind when bedridden with cramps, exercise releases endorphins, a type of hormone that helps relieve pain. Even low-intensity exercise, such as walking, can help decrease pain from menstrual cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Yoga&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Much like other forms of exercise, yoga also releases endorphins. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6852652/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; even found it more effective than most aerobic activities! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dietary Options&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along the same lines as natural remedies are dietary changes. They may include cutting things out of meals and attempting to include others. In general, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/menstrual-cramp-remedies#avoiding-certain-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foods to avoid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are any that commonly cause bloating or water retention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/menstrual-cramp-remedies#avoiding-certain-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Foods to avoid&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatty foods;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alcohol;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carbonated beverages;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salty foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Foods to include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/menstrual-cramp-remedies#herbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Herbs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Many herbs, such as chamomile tea, fennel seeds, cinnamon, ginger, dill and French maritime pine bark extract, help calm muscle contractions and decrease swelling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-muscle-cramps-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Beans and lentils&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Beans and lentils have been shown to relieve menstrual cramps.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;a href="https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/cramps/foods-for-cramps-relief" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bananas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Like beans, bananas are high in fiber. They also contain magnesium, another substance believed to help ease period cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-muscle-cramps-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dark, leafy greens&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Much like foods containing fiber, those that contain calcium, such as leafy greens, have been shown to help ease period pain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/foods-to-eat-when-you-have-cramps-2018-5#2-eat-some-salmon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Salmon&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Salmon contains vitamin D, a nutrient that helps the body to absorb more calcium. They also contain a fatty acid called Omega-3sm, which fights inflammation and reduces the severity of period cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medication &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most over-the-counter medications that help relieve pain and pressure from period cramping are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-period-cramps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NSAIDs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin and Motrin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Menstrual Cramps Are Normal but Treatable&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are menstrual cramps normal?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; question is an affirmative one, most of the time. Except for a few rare but intense cases (such as endometriosis) that only a medical expert can diagnose, cramping is a routine part of a woman's period, naturally resulting from uterine contractions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, surrendering to the constant pain of such cramps does not have to be the norm. Thanks to a variety of options, period pain can be significantly mitigated. Bookmark this article so that the next time your period rolls around, you have an arsenal of capabilities to combat those cramps!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cramps.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/are-menstrual-cramps-normal/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27137</ID> <title>ADHD Myths and What Is Actually Going On Inside Your Brain</title> <publishDate>2022-12-12 19:27:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_190 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_229"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_241 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_143 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_429 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_430 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_431 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_260 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our understanding of the most common mental disorders of the 21st century varies from one individual to another. The thought of ADHD, for example, brings back images of a hyperactive young boy who can't sit still in class, has difficulty focusing and, perhaps, is 'different' from his fellow students. However, research has shown that ADHD is far from these beliefs. Instead, they belong more to the realm of myth than reality, thus often hampering treatment and recovery rather than helping us understand what children with ADHD go through.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is ADHD? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADHD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most common neurological development disorders in children, often associated with hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors and a lack of attention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, defining ADHD is more complex than one might think since it can manifest itself through various symptoms summarized by researchers in three primary forms:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Predominantly Inattentive&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It describes a person whose ADHD manifests primarily as difficulty finishing a task, paying attention to details or following instructions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Predominantly Hyperactive&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This form of ADHD focuses on the individual's hyperactivity leading to difficulties with fidgeting, impulsive behavior and waiting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mixed&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This form of ADHD presents both inattentive and hyperactive traits equally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all condition. One person with ADHD is very likely to behave very differently from another. The same goes for its &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which vary significantly between individuals — daydreaming, being forgetful, frequent fidgeting, having a hard time resisting impulses, struggling with waiting to do something, etc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are ADHD and ADD the Same Thing?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although related, ADD and ADHD are not the same condition. Going back to the types of ADHD mentioned earlier, ADD is missing the H (i.e., the hyperactivity part of ADHD). Thus, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-myths-about-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is often characterized by difficulty maintaining attention but not necessarily by hyperactivity. For clarity, ADD is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-myths-about-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;another name for the first type of ADHD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; — Predominantly Inattentive. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;ADHD Myths and Facts&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Is ADHD a Thought Disorder?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not exactly, since ADHD is not created by a particular thinking pattern. Unlike a thought disorder, which reflects an issue in an individual's way of thinking, ADHD affects the brain's functioning. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Does ADHD Make You Dumb?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Absolutely not. ADHD does not affect a person's intelligence and certainly is not a mark of stupidity or a lack of intelligence. On the contrary, nothing prevents a child with ADHD from becoming quite intelligent — names such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-myths-and-facts-learn-the-truth-about-attention-deficit/#Myth8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mozart, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stand as solid proof! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are ADHD People Lazy?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADHD does not make people lazy. What we misunderstand as laziness is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Myths-and-Misconceptions.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a child's struggle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to stay focused. Such children strive toward succeeding but may have a harder time finding motivation than others due to the challenges of maintaining focus. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are ADHD People Smart?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with ADHD can be as brilliant as Benjamin Franklin or Abraham Lincoln, although it does not necessarily make someone more intelligent by default. However, ADHD can allow people to excel exceptionally at things that pique their interest. This phenomenon, often called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-myths-about-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hyperfocus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, occurs when a person with ADHD works on something they are very interested in, causing them to enter a state of extreme and completely undivided focus. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Is ADHD a Disability?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yes and no. ADHD is not a learning disability — while it can make learning harder, it doesn't hamper &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-myths-about-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;learning skills&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like reading, writing or math. This myth is mainly based on the fact that ADHD often coexists with other conditions behind learning disabilities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That is not to say that ADHD children may need additional assistance or help to learn. Indeed, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-myths-about-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;assisting children with ADHD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be a great way to help them overcome any difficulty they may be experiencing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can ADHD Cause Insomnia or Make You Tired?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The relationship between ADHD and insomnia or fatigue is a bit unclear, although there is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/adhd-and-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;correlation between the two&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Children with ADHD are more likely to develop sleep disorders, experience nightmares and have shorter sleep times in puberty. People with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/project/issue-160/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;predominantly hyperactive ADHD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are more likely to suffer from insomnia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Myths About ADHD Medication&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Myths and misconceptions don't just float around an ADHD diagnosis; they often surround ADHD medicine as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;ADHD Meds Are Unnecessary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many people with ADHD, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/myths-about-adhd-debunked/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medicine is a crucial way&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help them manage their symptoms. This medicine primarily comes in two forms:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stimulants, which improve focus; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nonstimulants, which help with impulse control and concentration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each person will need a different type or combination of medications to treat their symptoms, but that is not to say that medication is unnecessary. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;ADHD Meds Are Addictive&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The foundation of this myth is that people with ADHD who do not receive proper treatment are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-myths-and-facts-learn-the-truth-about-attention-deficit/#Myth8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more likely to abuse drugs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, the driving factor for this abuse is the presence of poorly treated ADHD, not any ADHD medication. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADHD medication is a completely safe and effective form of treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-myths-and-facts-learn-the-truth-about-attention-deficit/#Myth8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of children who take ADHD medication have found no increased chance of drug abuse corresponding with ADHD medication use. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is possible to misuse ADHD medication like any medicine. But if you're a parent considering whether ADHD medication is something you're comfortable with, take encouragement that ADHD medication won't increase the likelihood that your child will delve into substance abuse someday.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADHD is a condition we may all be familiar with but often understand less than we think. Numerous myths and misconceptions circulate on the news and the Internet around ADHD, how it's treated and how it affects people — this was by no means an exhaustive list. But hopefully, it illuminated ADHD a little more and dispelled some myths you may have heard or believed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/adhd.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/adhd-myths-and-what-is-actually-going-on-inside-your-brain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27130</ID> <title>Is Creatine Good for You?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-10 19:12:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_191 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_230"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_242 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_144 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_432 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_433 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_434 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_261 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine made its way to the top of the list of supplements athletes use. Not only does it enhance muscle mass, but it also helps achieve great strength. But is creatine a healthy option for athletes, and are all body types suited for it? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Creatine, and Why is It So Popular among Athletes?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-creatine/art-20347591" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an amino acid found in muscles and the brain. Different body organs, such as the liver, pancreas and kidneys, produce it in unnoticeable amounts.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine can also be supplied through food such as seafood and red meat. But, once again, although these foods provide us with creatine, the levels are pretty low. That is why many athletes turn to creatine supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This amino acid is beneficial not only to the body but to the mind as well. Some people take creatine supplements orally, in pills, energy bars or powders to treat or decrease the chances of experiencing brain disorders, neuromuscular disorders and other conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But why is creatine so popular among athletes? First, creatine supplements are easily purchasable; the fact that you can find creatine powders, pills or power bars so quickly aided in its rise to the top. Not only is it accessible, but you do not need a doctor's prescription to buy it. Also, they are easily accessible — drug stores, nutrition stores, supermarkets and the internet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine has been on the market for more than 30 years, becoming a popular sports supplement over time. Since then, creatine has been primarily used by athletes, such as wrestlers, gymnasts, football players and gym enthusiasts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does Creatine Do?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Athletes use creatine to enhance their strength and muscle mass while aiding post-training recovery. These supplements give the user bursts of energy during high-intensity training or activities such as weight lifting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Opinions regarding the effects creatine have on the body have been mixed through time. Some professionals think that creatine helps improve performance, while others affirm that there is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/men/creatine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to support that creatine aids with durability sports. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep in mind that everyone is different. You may find that your muscles do not respond to creatine, but that does not mean it has no effects on other athletes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Creatine Safe Overall?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Only because our body creates creatine does not mean it's safe. That is why it's crucial to inform yourself as much as you can before buying creatine supplements. Because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/men/creatine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the FDA does not label creatine supplements as medication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you may not learn enough about the number of ingredients in some supplements. So, take the time to inform yourself before buying any type of creatine supplement. Consult a professional and learn what quantity is recommended for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with any medication or supplement, adverse effects can occur. With creatine, these cases are pretty rare but not impossible, often occurring when supplements are taken in excess. Possible &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/men/creatine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;side effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rashes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Digestive issues; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nausea;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fever;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diarrhea;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight management issues;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breathing difficulties.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ideal Candidates for Creatine Supplements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain factors must be considered before putting yourself on a creatine supplement plan: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine intake can increase the risk of creatine over supplementation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with diabetes and kidney and liver diseases should not interact with creatine supplements. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Children under 18 and pregnant women should stay away from creatine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medications or treatments you may use can interfere with creatine, creating side effects such as blood sugar problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creatine Benefits &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#1: Muscle Mass Improvement&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine makes way for new muscle improvement by altering numerous cellular pathways. Also, it encourages protein development, which, in turn, creates new muscle fibers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, this is not the only way in which creatine improves muscle mass. Creatine can raise different hormone levels, promoting muscle mass growth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20026378/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also shows that creatine is responsible for diminishing myostatin levels. Myostatin is a molecule at fault for impairing muscle growth. And so, by reducing myostatin levels in your body, you may build up muscle faster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine can also aid with the speed at which you build muscle — no wonder it was named the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2048496/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;world's most effective&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; supplement for building mass!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#2: Creatine Improves High-intensity Training Performance&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many athletes use creatine to significantly improve their durability, performance and strength during high-intensity exercises. Creatine helps athletes improve strength and durability, ballistic power, sprint ability, endurance during training, muscle mass and recovery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These positive effects are not limited only to high-performance athletes. Everyone wishing to improve their bodies through exercise can benefit from creatine supplements! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#3: Aid in Brain Function &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It has been shown that creatine can help the brain produce different chemicals, such as dopamine. Because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-creatine#TOC_TITLE_HDR_10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we get our necessary dopamine from red meats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, vegetarians find themselves experiencing low levels of it. Therefore, vegetarians should take creatine supplements for better brain health. In the long term, creatine can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17828627/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve memory and recall&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; while protecting you from neurological diseases!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Questions about Creatine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is only natural to have questions about this supplement before taking it — you are not the only one. Over the years, many myths, misunderstandings and questions have loomed over creatine, which, fortunately, can easily be debunked, solved and answered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Creatine a Steroid?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people wrongly think that creatine supplements are steroids, which is false. Creatine has no link to steroids; it's completely legal to use and is entirely natural. After all, you can even find the substance in your own body! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Which is Better? Creatine or Whey?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine and whey are both supplements that promote weight and muscle gain, but they differ in how they work. While creatine increases strength and muscle mass by enhancing your exercise capacity, whey protein increases your strength and muscle mass by boosting muscle protein synthesis. You can choose in which way you wish to improve your body, but there isn't necessarily one better than the other.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Creatine Vegan?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain types of vegan creatine supplements can be found on the market. Usually, powdered versions of synthetic creatine are more vegan-friendly because capsulated versions of creatine supplements &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutrifix.co/fitness-blog/should-vegans-supplement-creatine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may contain bovine gelatine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Look for the V-Label before purchasing any creatine supplement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine is a safe supplement that can benefit anyone, especially athletes and professionals. Not only does it help with your muscle mass and the speed with which you build them, but it can also boost brain function and keep you away from neurological disorders. However, remember that before taking creatine supplements, you should consult a specialist and learn if you are healthy enough to do it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/creatine.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-creatine-good-for-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27124</ID> <title>Is Drinking Bone Broth Good for You?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-09 22:36:07</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_192 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_231"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_243 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_145 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_435 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_436 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_437 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_262 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you've heard of people drinking bone broth for its nutritional benefits or think that it's the newest dietary fad for people looking to improve their health. But rest assured, it is much more than a fad. Bone broth has a whole host of positive benefits, which can be nutritionally beneficial even if you're not looking to lose weight!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can You Drink Bone Broth?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yes! Bone broth is very safe to drink. In fact, it's very much possible that you've already had bone broth which was added into a soup, gravy or broth as an ingredient. For hundreds of years, people have made bone broth by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#what-bone-broth-is" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;simmering the bones and connective tissues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of almost any animal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The resulting broth is incredibly nutritious, with high amounts of calcium and other minerals needed for your bones. These nutrients can help strengthen and nourish your bones to make them strong and stable. Bone broth also has nutrients to support your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#vitamins-and-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;joint health, vitamins and amino acids.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Best of all, the process of simmering the bones makes it very easy for your body to absorb all the nutrients, making bone broth a nutrient-rich and easily accessible way to get more vitamins and minerals into your diet!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Bone Broth Be Frozen?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yes, it can! Bone broth is something that can very easily be stored because of how well it freezes. Normally, you can store bone broth in your fridge for up to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;five days&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For longer periods, you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;freeze it into containers &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and then heat it up as necessary. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can You Drink Bone Broth Every Day?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone broth is very safe to drink every day. There's no real answer as to how much to drink everyday other than however much or little as you like. However, some recommend drinking &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one cup of bone broth each day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to make sure you receive its health benefits, while others have noticed some particular advantages if you drink it in the morning or the evening.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking Bone Broth in the Morning&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking bone broth in the morning can be very beneficial for women going through pregnancy. Bone broth can be a great way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.australianbonebrothco.com.au/blogs/from-the-blog/pregnancy-broth-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;receive nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; without offending the stomach or risking vomiting a lot of solid food. Some expectant mothers have even reported that drinking bone broth in the morning helped soothe them and maintain their energy levels throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But even if you're not pregnant, a very easily digested and nutrient-rich cup of bone broth in the morning is a great way to eat a small breakfast while still getting plenty of nutrients. Plus, it may even help soothe your stomach, too! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking Bone Broth Before Bed&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps one of the most surprising benefits of bone broth is its ability to contribute to good sleep. One of the amino acids in bone broth has been shown to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-of-bone-broth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;positively impact sleep for those suffering from insomnia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and help regulate the body's internal clock. Since this nutrient is very prevalent in bone broth, it's thought that bone broth might similarly help your sleep. Admittedly, the research on bone broth and sleep is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-of-bone-broth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;still limited&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but there exists good reason to suggest that it could very likely have a positive effect!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking Bone Broth While Pregnant&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beyond what we've already mentioned about morning sickness, bone broth can be a great support for pregnant mothers looking to maximize their nutrient intake. The nutrients mentioned earlier are absolutely integral during pregnancy to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.australianbonebrothco.com.au/blogs/from-the-blog/pregnancy-broth-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;support the growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the embryo's eventual body. The magnesium in bone broth also helps pregnant women by relaxing the uterus muscles to prevent early contractions and make it easier to sleep at night. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone broth also supports pregnant women by making the post-pregnancy period easier. Specifically, the high collagen levels in bone broth help make &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.australianbonebrothco.com.au/blogs/from-the-blog/pregnancy-broth-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the skin more elastic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, speeding up the recovery for new mothers and reducing the likelihood of stretch marks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking Bone Broth While Fasting&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strictly speaking, drinking bone broth will break your fast since it is not devoid of calories and contains nutrients like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/nutrition/does-bone-broth-break-fast/#:~:text=If%20you%20want%20to%20strictly,of%20insulin%20and%20ends%20ketosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proteins and fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So, if you're on a strict fast where you should only be drinking water, bone broth is off the table. But, if you are adhering to a more lenient fast like intermittent fasting, you can use bone broth as a supplement to support your significantly reduced calorie intake, as long as you are okay with taking in a few calories.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Often Should You Drink Bone Broth On Keto&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, bone broth is not particularly helpful for some forms of the keto diet, depending on how much fasting you are implementing into your plan. It's important to note that the calories, fats and proteins in bone broth release insulin, which can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/nutrition/does-bone-broth-break-fast/#:~:text=If%20you%20want%20to%20strictly,of%20insulin%20and%20ends%20ketosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;end ketosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, if you are on longer forms of the keto diet that are more oriented toward 24-hour fasts, the small amounts of calories and fats in bone broth might make it okay for you to consume, as long as you carefully watch your intake. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Does Drinking Bone Broth Help You Lose Weight?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone broth is a great way to help support a weight loss journey. This is because bone broth is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#weight-loss-friendly" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;very high in protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can help regulate appetite, increase weight loss and maintain muscles while still being very low in calories. This makes bone broth a great tool to help satisfy hunger cravings with low calories while maintaining your vital nutrient levels at a calorie deficit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking Bone Broth for Fertility&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone broth can also help support fertility through the provision of key nutrients. Because it is so nutrient-dense with lots of proteins and good fats, bone broth can help regulate your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.australianbonebrothco.com.au/blogs/from-the-blog/pregnancy-broth-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;body's hormones and boost your fertility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is true for both men and women!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Does Drinking Bone Broth Improve Skin Health?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone broth provides the key components of healthy skin. Your skin, or dermis, is largely made of collagen. This protein helps improve skin quality by helping it to maintain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cdhf.ca/health-lifestyle/is-bone-broth-healthy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;moisture and elasticity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is where bone broth comes in. The high amounts of collagen in bone broth can give your skin the building blocks it needs to construct itself as healthy as possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why You Should Drink More Bone Broth&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regardless of whether you're a pregnant mother, a person looking for a more balanced diet or even someone looking for healthier skin and bones, bone broth is a diet supplement that you can benefit from. Bone broth is an extremely efficient delivery method for some of your body's most important building blocks. By giving your body more of these building blocks, you're supporting healthy skin, bones, joints and tissues to create the healthiest version of you possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone broth is so much more than a fad. It's a traditional diet component that humans have been using for hundreds of years but, for some reason, we've largely forgotten about. However, the benefits of bone broth are too great to ignore any further. Bone broth is an enormous opportunity to help balance your body's diet. Don't miss out on enjoying a healthier you; instead, start incorporating more bone broth into your diet! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/bone.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-drinking-bone-broth-good-for-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27118</ID> <title>Are Candles Bad for Your Lungs?</title> <publishDate>2022-12-08 22:14:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_193 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_232"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_244 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_146 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_438 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_439 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_440 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_263 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Candles are commonly pictured as a relaxing or scenic decoration in any house. But what if you were told that they were actually toxic? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As concerning as this would be, toxicity is a fear often raised by many people, pointing to how candles burn and release toxic chemicals into the air. But how much truth is there in this concern? It turns out not much. Candles only release tiny amounts of dangerous chemicals, amounts far too small to affect your health in any way. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are Candles Harmful to Your Health?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To understand whether or not candles are toxic, it's essential to understand what candles are made of. Most modern candles are made of paraffin wax, a byproduct of the petroleum-making process, which might sound scary. A 2009 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you#what-the-science-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; argued that the paraffin in candles could be toxic and harm people who use them. However, this study has not been peer-reviewed, and its findings are disputed by another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you#what-the-science-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that examined every major form of wax for 300 toxins but found none. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are Candles Bad for Your Lungs?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Candles, like anything you light on fire, release smoke, and, like any kind of smoke, breathing in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;too much candle smoke&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will be bad for you and your lungs. But that doesn't mean candles themselves are bad for your lungs. Instead, the danger that candles pose to your lungs is only really experienced at fairly extreme levels. So, unless you're surrounded by candles in a very small room without ventilation, you'll probably never notice any adverse effects from candle smoke on your lungs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Candle Soot Harm You?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As they burn, candles release certain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you#what-the-science-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;compounds and particles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in minimal amounts, called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://parade.com/1310643/shameikarhymes/are-candles-bad-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soot&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can't really harm a person. Candle soot, in particular, is released from the burning of paraffin, in turn releasing carbon particles into the air. However, the amount of carbon particles released from candles is comparable to a kitchen toaster. This means that while candles release certain particles, these particles are not in high enough concentrations to harm you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Candles Cause Lung Cancer?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some evidence indicates that candles could be a risk factor for some forms of cancer. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/candles-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from 2009 claimed that toluene and benzene are released by burning candles, both of which are known to cause cancer. Another study found that burning candles in poorly ventilated areas increased the risk of cancer. However, the results of these studies have been questioned as neither of them published the data they used to come to their conclusions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other studies have also contested the overall conclusion that candles can cause cancer. A 2014 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/candles-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that candles don't emit enough chemicals to cause cancer in the amounts that we burn in regular use. This means that while candles do release some chemicals, the amount released from burning a couple of candles in your house won't cause cancer. Naturally, burning an excessive number of candles would be entirely different and could be more dangerous. But you won't accidentally create cancer risk by burning a few candles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Candles Are Toxic?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/well/scented-candles-health.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;considerable buzz&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; around paraffin wax candles and their potential toxicity. However, in a study of paraffin candles in rooms of various sizes, at no room size was the number of chemicals released considered dangerous. But paraffin wax is still made as a byproduct of gasoline production, and some concerns have been raised about it, which could make some uncomfortable. For such people, explore paraffin candle alternatives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Scented Candles Harm Your Health?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But what about scented candles? We've talked about candles at large but are the emissions released by scented candles in particular harmful? Scented candles fall into a similar category as unscented candles. Burning scented candles can release other volatile compounds like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you#scented-candles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;formaldehyde&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can increase the risk of cancer in humans, but the amount that these candles release in everyday use has not been shown to be harmful to humans. So, whether you're using scented or unscented candles, the odds are that while they have toxic elements, they aren't dangerous for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Citronella Candles Harm Dogs?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But what about your dog? Can our citronella candles be harmful to your pets? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-safety-tips/is-citronella-safe-for-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citronella&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a commonly used natural method of insect and mosquito repellant. Often, it is burned from a candle, but it can also be used as a spray. For many, citronella is a natural replacement for harsher synthetic forms of chemical insect repellent. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, while natural, citronella may not be the best thing to burn around your pets, especially dogs. For dogs, citronella can be toxic if eaten and will produce common symptoms of poisoning if done so, such as vomiting, convulsions and shock. But even without eating it, your dog can still be harmed if they inhale the smoke from citronella candles. If you're going to rely on citronella, use it in spaces where your dog is unlikely to be exposed to it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Which Candles Are Safe for Your Health?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've seen that many forms of candles can release dangerous chemicals and compounds for our health. Even if these amounts aren't enough to harm us, they may cause alarm for us. If you're looking for a safer alternative, consider using natural-wax paraffin candles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, you could use candles made of waxes like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;beeswax, soy wax, coconut wax and palm wax&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, to name a few. These waxes are naturally occurring and aren't the result of synthetic processes like the ones that create paraffin from gasoline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, these waxes have been shown to produce fewer emissions. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you#healthiest-candles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, palm-based wax releases half as much soot as paraffin waxes. They also found that natural candles, in general, release fewer emissions than paraffin wax. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Small Emissions and Little Concern&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've looked at a lot of candles and a lot of concerns. When examining the body of research surrounding candle emissions, it's easy to get confused by the competing studies and conclusions. But when you boil all the information down, perhaps it isn't that confusing after all! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The bottom line is that all candles, either made of natural or synthetic wax, release chemicals into the air as they burn. The question lies in whether the amount of chemicals released is or could be dangerous to your health. The answer is that unless you go out of your way to use candles unsafely (i.e., using lots of candles in a small space without ventilation), you will probably never notice any health effects. Much like anything else, exposure to too much candle soot can be harmful, but the likelihood of this happening is minimal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are worried about these emissions or the usage of synthetic products, many natural alternatives produce fewer emissions. The question of what candle to use ultimately comes down to your comfort, not what is safe. Any candle you use will be fine, but if you find yourself more comfortable using natural wax, then you should; if you don't mind synthetic wax, that's fine, too, because, at the end of the day, candles aren't bad for your lungs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/candles.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/are-candles-bad-for-your-lungs/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27112</ID> <title>What Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Is and How To Combat It</title> <publishDate>2022-12-07 22:00:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_194 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_233"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_245 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_147 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_441 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_442 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_443 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_264 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the leaves turn red and the wind grows colder, many of us look forward to the holiday season. But for some of us, the colder weather turns the end-of-year festivities into a time of isolation or depression. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, where the change in season causes a change in mood for the worse. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder does not have to ruin every holiday season. Making lifestyle changes to combat the causes of seasonal affective disorder could help you improve your mood and rediscover your holiday cheer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also called seasonal depression, is similar to other forms of depression in that it affects your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daily life and negatively impacts your mood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; What makes it different from other forms of depression is that Seasonal Affective Disorder is triggered by the change in weather between seasons, especially at the start of fall.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder Causes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As summer transitions to fall, the sun starts setting earlier and the weather gets colder, causing people to stay indoors more. These factors reduce exposure to daylight, disrupting the body's natural systems for controlling mood and causing seasonal depression. Less daylight interferes with your circadian rhythm and your body's production of serotonin and melatonin, worsening your sleep schedule and mood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder has a lot of overlap with the symptoms of depression. Common &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mood symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of seasonal depression include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sadness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feelings of worthlessness or irritation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thoughts of death or suicide. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical symptoms of seasonal depression include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme fatigue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heavy limbs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet changes such as carbohydrate cravings. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Who Is Most Likely To Get Seasonal Affective Disorder? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk factors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; increase your likelihood of experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder. A family history of seasonal depression, having preexisting symptoms of depression, living far from the equator and having low vitamin D levels increase your risk of SAD. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you do experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, you are far from alone. SAD affects &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-to-know-about-seasonal-affective-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 million Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The condition most commonly starts in the age range of 18 to 35 and is four times more common in women than men. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Do I Know if I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ruling out alternative causes of depression is the most straightforward way to tell if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;essential questions to ask yourself to determine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if you have SAD are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you have the symptoms of major depression or not. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether the symptoms have occurred during a particular season for at least two consecutive years or not. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If the answers to those questions are yes, you may be dealing with SAD. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Do You Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't necessarily need to go to a doctor or start an exhaustive medication regime to treat your SAD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vitamin D for Seasonal Depression&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D is a common over-the-counter treatment method for Seasonal Affective Disorder. There is some evidence from patients who tested low in vitamin D that supplements helped alleviate their symptoms. However, the effectiveness of vitamin D in treating seasonal depression is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/treatment/ways-to-ease-seasonal-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not proven by experts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Light therapy treats seasonal depression by providing more light to the patient, usually with a box emitting light that mimics the light in the sky shortly after sunrise. By emitting this light, the box exposes you to the light you would normally experience during warmer months, all while eliminating any risks of skin cancer or sunburns from the harsh UV light emitted by the sun. This form of treatment is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-to-know-about-seasonal-affective-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the most effective and studied treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for seasonal affective disorder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exercise for Seasonal Affective Disorder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is an effective way to boost your mood and combat any form of depression, seasonal or otherwise. While exercising, your body releases endorphins, improving your body's mood and reducing pain. Exercise can also help boost your metabolism, raise self-esteem, reduce anxiety and improve your sleep to make you feel healthier overall. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Keep a Healthy Sleep Schedule&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping a regular sleep schedule is a critical part of fighting seasonal depression. Sleeping too much can compound any symptoms of depression. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time to establish a regular schedule. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;When Should You See a Specialist? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain instances of Seasonal Affective Disorder call for a visit to a specialist. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;complications of SAD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social withdrawal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Work or school problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Substance abuse. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Suicidal thoughts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another reason to see your doctor is if one of the above mentioned treatments does not work for you. In that case, it may be worth talking to your doctor about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/treatment/ways-to-ease-seasonal-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;using antidepressants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Be sure to clear antidepressant usage with a specialist beforehand.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder Is a Real and Serious Condition&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just because the weather gets colder doesn't mean your mood has to get darker! Seasonal Affective Disorder is a serious condition that can dampen even the brightest holiday spirits. You can treat SAD by addressing the underlying causes and developing healthy habits. Expose yourself to as much light as possible, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy sleep schedule to limit the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and reclaim your holiday joy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sad.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad-is-and-how-to-combat-it/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27105</ID> <title>How To Change Your Circadian Rhythm</title> <publishDate>2022-12-06 21:41:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_195 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_234"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_246 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_148 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_444 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_445 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_446 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_265 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever flown outside your time zone and felt groggy? Or maybe you've had a day where your body felt sluggish? That's not your imagination, but your body's clock, the circadian rhythm, out of sync with your schedule or surroundings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is the Circadian Rhythm?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The circadian rhythm is your body's clock that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/can-you-change-your-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;controls various processes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the body, ranging from sleep to appetite and even hormone release. It is the result of a cluster of 20,000 nerves in the hypothalamus of your brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These neurons trigger the release of various hormones, such as melatonin, to keep your body energized during the day and help it sleep at night. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This release and regulation of hormones creates your body's daily cycles, some of which you've probably noticed yourself. You might find that you have more energy during a particular time in the day or generally get hungry at the same time each day. The consistency of such feelings is thanks to your body's internal regulation of its circadian rhythm. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why the Circadian Rhythm Is Important&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your circadian rhythm is important because it controls almost every part of your day regarding your body's energy and regulatory functions. When that rhythm gets disrupted, it affects your body's delicate balance. For example, if you have a hard time sleeping regularly, then your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-reset-circadian-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hunger&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be adversely affected, either through a disruption of your appetite or of the times when you are hungry. Besides your hunger, these disruptions can also increase the risk of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/find-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;severe conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as diabetes, obesity and depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Disruptions to your rhythm can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-reset-circadian-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;unbalance your energy cycles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up. In addition, your energy levels will be disrupted during the day; therefore, focusing on tasks and maintaining energy in the middle of the day will become challenging. This lack of energy will only worsen as the day continues, and you can experience problems staying awake in the evening as your body tries to adjust its disrupted rhythm.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Your Circadian Rhythm Can Be Disrupted &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The circadian rhythm can be disrupted in various ways. One disruption you're likely familiar with is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.risescience.com/blog/reset-circadian-rhythm#reset" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;jet lag&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The change in time zones can confuse your circadian rhythm by giving it light and schedule signals different from expectations. Likewise, daylight savings has a similar effect on your rhythm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your rhythm is also easily affected by forcibly changing your sleep schedule. Whether changing from a day to a night shift, disrupting your sleep schedule through medications or alcohol or even just not having a consistent bedtime, keeping your body from sleeping and rising at consistent times can be very disruptive. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can You Reset Your Circadian Rhythm?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can reset or alter your circadian rhythm by adjusting your habits. If you're not a morning person, but your job requires you to get up early, you can alter your circadian rhythm to help you become an early bird. But to achieve that, you first have to compare your natural rhythm with the desired patterns, like having more energy in the morning or being able to work at night. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Do You Change Your Circadian Rhythm?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Supplements&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can use certain supplements to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/can-you-change-your-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your body's melatonin production&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep schedule. These melatonin supplements could help you fall asleep faster and facilitate your circadian rhythm transition. Speak to your doctor before taking such supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Caffeine &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine is another method you can use to alter your circadian rhythms. It can effectively give your body an extra push when it feels low on energy, causing an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/can-you-change-your-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;influx of energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that ignores your body's natural circadian energy rhythm. Caffeine can be very effective in the short term, but it often takes a long time for your body to fully remove it from the system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Naturally Reset Your Circadian Rhythm&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Light Exposure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Light exposure is the most effective way to modify your circadian rhythm. You can utilize this fact in two ways. First, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepcycle.com/circadian-rhythm/how-to-use-light-to-reboot-your-circadian-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spend time outside&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when you want to be awake. Exposing yourself to natural light can kick your circadian rhythm into its alert setting. Second, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepcycle.com/circadian-rhythm/how-to-use-light-to-reboot-your-circadian-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;create a very dark environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when you want to sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exercise&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/can-you-change-your-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is another excellent way to reset your circadian rhythm by improving your sleep schedule and making it easier to fall asleep. However, it is worth noting that exercising within two hours of going to bed could harm your sleep, so make sure to exercise an adequate number of hours before your usual sleep time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Meal Times &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/can-you-change-your-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moving around your meal times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will adjust the periods in the day when you feel the most or least energized. Try altering your meal times and see if you can find an energy schedule that works best for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Long Does It Take To Fix Your Circadian Rhythm?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How long these methods will take to change your circadian rhythm depends mainly on how dedicated you are to pursuing them. Much like any new habit, it can take time for your body to adjust to its new schedule. Depending on how significant a schedule change you are making, you can anticipate it to take somewhere between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.risescience.com/blog/reset-circadian-rhythm#how" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a few days to a few weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to fully change your rhythm. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Closing Remarks On Altering Circadian Rhythms &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body likes patterns and routines that it can anticipate. To feel the healthiest and most energized you can, you either have to support that rhythm with a regular sleep schedule and patterns or adjust it to fit your lifestyle. What you cannot do is ignore your natural rhythms. Doing so risks several serious health effects and will leave you feeling sluggish and exhausted. So the next time you feel groggy, maybe check to see how well your internal clock is ticking and think about giving it a tune-up!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/change.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-change-your-circadian-rhythm/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27098</ID> <title>Vision and Innovation: An Interview With Dr. Peter Michael, MD-MBA</title> <publishDate>2022-12-05 21:23:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_196 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_235"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_247 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_149 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_447 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_448 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_449 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_266 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Who wants to be basic when you can be better?" says Dr. Peter Michael.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics has gained a member who brings his unique vision to the team. Dr. Peter Michael, MD-MBA, is excited to improve his patients' lives as he adds his significant contributions to an extraordinary group of medical innovators. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"With TopDoc, I want to combine regenerative medicine, anti-aging, oral and IV vitamin supplementation and procedures that prevent injuries. We can combine all that with the physical therapy program and add ozone therapy, cryotherapy, hyperbaric chamber and anti-aging protocols, which I design. People can get medications delivered straight to the house," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is just a glimpse into his vision. Dr. Michael clearly sees the vast potential of TopDoc Clinics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Straightforward Career Path&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Inspiration&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Miami has always been Dr. Michael's home, and he's wanted to be a doctor since childhood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My mom was an internal medicine physician, and I loved how her patients absolutely adored her," Dr. Michael recalled. "My dad was a veterinarian. When I was about three, I saw them getting so many Christmas presents. So I thought that if you become a doctor, you'd get way more presents!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beyond all those presents, his interest was solidified as he saw firsthand the love his parents had for their professions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It gave them so much joy, which led me down this path," he shared.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;All in Miami&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Michael grew up, went to college, attended medical school and completed his residency all in Miami. In fact, he had only applied to the University of Miami. He'd received letters from other schools, including Ivy League schools, but Miami remained the place for him.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I knew where I wanted to go. I love this city so much that I consider it my own! I know so many people here, and I've developed a large network with many connections that I use to help other people," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It was a fellowship with one of the world's leading experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound, Dr. Marco Bodor, that temporarily pried Dr. Michael from Miami and landed him in Napa Valley, California. It was an opportunity he could not ignore.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The MD-MBA Program&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In medical school, Dr. Michael helped create an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://premedplug.com/md-mba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MD-MBA program&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. He and one other student became the first to enroll in it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We helped formulate the idea of a dual program. They called us Adam and Eve," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This dual-degree program adds management, operations, finance and economics knowledge in a medical setting. Typically, a student first gets admitted to medical school and then applies to the MBA program. The program usually takes five years to complete.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It was a phenomenal experience. I love networking, so I met a lot of people," Dr. Michael said. "I did a two-year MBA in one year. You're with the regular students Monday through Friday, then once a month, you're with the execs 8:00 to 5:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I was there with my bosses and the hospital CEOs."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; offers a wide range of medical services, from urgent and family care to restorative and cosmetic treatments. Member providers are among the best in their specialties and are known for their innovation and forward-thinking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Michael first connected with TopDoc about four years ago and later met them again at a conference.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I had a table there. I created an abdominal waist belt that develops your abs and helps regenerate healing and pain. We visited each others' booths and found a lot of synergy between us. They invited me to join them," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;An Ambitious Vision&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"TopDoc has amazing engagement and relationships with products and development," Dr. Michael observed. "I would love to lead them into the future of regenerative medicine, which includes stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, for injuries to shoulders, knees and hips. In addition, I want to do preventative medicine, which includes anti-aging medicine."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are things that people don't usually get, because other doctors often don't know about them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If doctors don't know, they can't teach their patients about it. I want to do a lot of anti-aging with them. And that includes processes and treatments to extend people's lives and make them more fruitful," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Michael points out that it's not just a physical issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Nobody wants to feel tired, sad or lazy. It really can lead to depression," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Michael's vision goes even further. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've created a plan to look closely at a person's whole body. It's a starting point, taking a step back, looking at the person as a whole and getting a complete lab analysis — sugar level, blood pressure, lipids, hormones and more. Then, we'll know what to treat. We can teach people to live at the optimal level," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Michael envisions TopDoc connecting its diverse, high-quality services to ensure the best for each patient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everything is connected. I want all providers to know what the others are offering. I want the left hand to know what the right hand is doing. I want all the doctors to communicate and understand what that patient is getting and doing," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Including Technology&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I also want to integrate technology, like wearable devices for monitoring and actionable data," Dr. Michael added. "They give us a plethora of data, way more than a patient can. We can have the data before the patient's appointment."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, the data can be stored in a cloud and presented in graphs that patients can place in a digital folder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Great Partnership&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Michael sees a wide range of opportunities for partnering up with TopDoc Clinics. And he can make it happen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I want to create the Avengers of TopDoc! I want to have the best doctors in their specialties come together to bring something amazing. And then I want to replicate that," he concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dr.-Peter-Michael.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/vision-and-innovation-an-interview-with-dr-peter-michael-md-mba/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27092</ID> <title>How Pets Lower Chances of Allergies for Kids</title> <publishDate>2022-12-02 21:02:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_197 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_236"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_248 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_150 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_450 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_451 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_452 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_267 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allergies are one of the worst things about spring, especially for parents trying to help their kids stay sane amidst the constant sniffling, sneezing, itching and coughing. They have the potential to ruin the advent of spring and cause children to avoid furry friends for fear of getting a stuffy nose or itchy eyes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, as strange as it may sound, recent research indicates that pets could be an effective way to prevent children from developing allergies!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Causes Allergies?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Children's allergies &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No, it's not your imagination; allergies are becoming increasingly common and have been on the rise since the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2188610-the-more-pets-you-meet-as-a-baby-the-lower-your-risk-of-allergies/#:~:text=Pets%20really%20do%20seem%20to,from%20allergies%20later%20in%20childhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;20th century&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In children, they are often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions---pediatrics/a/allergies-in-children.html#:~:text=Key%20points%20about%20allergies%20in%20children&amp;amp;text=Allergic%20reactions%20are%20often%20caused,blood%20tests%2C%20or%20challenge%20tests" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;caused by&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; various forms of tree and grass pollen, molds, dust mites, animal dander, foods, medicines and bee stings. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just as various as the allergy causes are the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions---pediatrics/a/allergies-in-children.html#:~:text=Key%20points%20about%20allergies%20in%20children&amp;amp;text=Allergic%20reactions%20are%20often%20caused,blood%20tests%2C%20or%20challenge%20tests" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; they produce, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sneezing; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stuffy noses; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red and itchy skin around the eyes; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Asthma symptoms like coughs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most significantly, allergies can cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions---pediatrics/a/allergies-in-children.html#:~:text=Key%20points%20about%20allergies%20in%20children&amp;amp;text=Allergic%20reactions%20are%20often%20caused,blood%20tests%2C%20or%20challenge%20tests" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anaphylaxis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when children are exposed to an allergen they are severely allergic to. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Difficulty breathing; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vomiting; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fainting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anaphylaxis is much more than a mere allergic reaction; it is a life-threatening condition that must be treated in kind. So, while most children's allergies result in coughs, they can, in some instances, be life-threatening. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For most, however, children's allergies aren't severe, and home remedies often are an easy, cost-efficient and effective way to provide relief. Regarding chronic or severe allergies, doctors will often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-remedies-childrens-allergies#natural-remedies-for-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prescribe medication and over-the-counter antihistamine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; creams and lotions as the first line of defense.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At home, you can apply cool, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/ragweed#treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;wet cloths or add oatmeal or baking soda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to your child's bath to treat skin conditions. For sinus irritation and congestion from pollen, breathing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-remedies-childrens-allergies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;steam from a bowl of warm water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help relax and relieve the sinuses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, for an upset stomach, the first step is adjusting the diet to give your stomach a break. When feeling sick, try a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-remedies-childrens-allergies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bland diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of foods like rice, bananas and applesauce. Then, ensure you're drinking lots of water and minimizing strong scents contributing to a nauseous stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, these remedies are only so effective. Instead, the best home remedy is early prevention. That is where the power of pets to prevent allergies comes in. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Do Pets Reduce Allergies in Kids? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strangely enough, the fact that pets cause allergies in adults is why they can help prevent allergies in kids. Pets often carry things that can spark an allergic reaction, like their dander. But in addition to their dander, pets also commonly carry &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2188610-the-more-pets-you-meet-as-a-baby-the-lower-your-risk-of-allergies/#:~:text=Pets%20really%20do%20seem%20to,from%20allergies%20later%20in%20childhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;microbes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that stimulate our immune systems to learn how to better prepare for allergen exposure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is why having a friendly pet at home is about more than just having a playmate for your kid. Pets have been found to help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2188610-the-more-pets-you-meet-as-a-baby-the-lower-your-risk-of-allergies/#:~:text=Pets%20really%20do%20seem%20to,from%20allergies%20later%20in%20childhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prevent children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from developing allergies, asthma or even eczema as they get older. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several studies have backed this assertion. For example, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2188610-the-more-pets-you-meet-as-a-baby-the-lower-your-risk-of-allergies/#:~:text=Pets%20really%20do%20seem%20to,from%20allergies%20later%20in%20childhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study of 1029 children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that 49% of those without pets in the home during early childhood had allergies, while 43% of those with one pet had allergies and only 24% of those with three pets had allergies. This study indicates a positive relationship between having pets at home and reducing the chance of your child developing allergies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, this study indicates what the researchers term a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2188610-the-more-pets-you-meet-as-a-baby-the-lower-your-risk-of-allergies/#:~:text=Pets%20really%20do%20seem%20to,from%20allergies%20later%20in%20childhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dose-dependent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; relationship, meaning that the more a child is exposed to pets, the more likely they are not to develop allergies. That's why having more pets at home significantly reduces the likelihood of allergies. One pet in a home has some effect, but depending on the pet's personality, the child &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2188610-the-more-pets-you-meet-as-a-baby-the-lower-your-risk-of-allergies/#:~:text=Pets%20really%20do%20seem%20to,from%20allergies%20later%20in%20childhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may or may not be exposed to them often&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But with more than one pet, the chance of your child interacting with it significantly increases. This is why a child in a home with three pets is nearly 20% less likely to develop allergies than a child in a home with only one. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Can I Use a Pet to Keep My Kid from Having Allergies?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you've seen the evidence for how pets can effectively prevent allergies, you might be wondering how you can use this information to help your kids or future kids. The answer is early exposure. The earlier your children are exposed to pets, the more effective those pets will be at preventing allergy development. For example, newborns exposed to a pet were only &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/infants-exposed-to-dogs-less-likely-to-develop-allergic-diseases/#:~:text=Research%20at%20the%20Department%20of,Dad%2C%20brother%2C%20or%20sister" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12% likely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to develop a form of eczema and 19% to develop wheezing by their third birthday. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, researchers are increasingly asserting that pet exposure is critical to your child's development of a robust immune system. In particular, researchers are focusing on how dogs impact the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/infants-exposed-to-dogs-less-likely-to-develop-allergic-diseases/#:~:text=Research%20at%20the%20Department%20of,Dad%2C%20brother%2C%20or%20sister" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;early development of children's immune systems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shortly after birth. Their results could shed light on how important having a pet is for strengthening your child's immune system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dogs, cats and other pets might not be the allergy magnets some people think they are. In fact, our furry friends might be the key to developing healthy immune systems that minimize allergies as kids grow up! So, if you're looking to keep your child strong, healthy and allergy-free as they grow up, consider adding an animal friend or two to your home. Not only will they keep your kid company and provide a great playmate, but they might also keep the sniffles, itches and sneezes at bay!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Allergies.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-pets-lower-chances-of-allergies-for-kids/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27059</ID> <title>Restoring Vitality With Regenerative Medicine: An Interview With Dr. Hassan Bennani, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-11-29 10:50:07</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_198 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_237"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_249 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_151 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_453 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_454 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_455 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_268 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Aging is just a process. The cells in our body are not programmed to age and die. Aging happens when the cells malfunction. We can prevent all this," said Dr. Hassan Bennani, MD.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bennani is currently the Founder, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lbl-holding.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CEO and Board Member of LBL&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an organization that conducts clinical research and provides protocols for regenerative therapy. For the past 9 years, he has studied and researched the human body's ability to regenerate and repair itself. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The first year, I traveled all around the world to conferences. I wanted to meet face-to-face with every scientist talking about the topic. I went to Asia because they are advanced in all regenerative medicine. There are societies around the world for this. People are really getting into it. It's the future of medicine," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Regeneration?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regeneration is the ability to regrow damaged or missing body parts — a hand, leg, nose, ear," Dr. Bennani explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some species, like salamanders or starfish, can regrow major body parts. Humans, however, are more limited in their ability to regenerate. Our skin, the body's largest organ, does regenerate to some extent, as we've all seen after a cut or a scraped knee. You can donate part of your liver, and it will regrow. Your foot? Not so much.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The areas of our bodies capable of regrowth contain substantial amounts of stem cells. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are born with approximately 80 million stem cells. Their principal function is to signal to the other cells to auto-repair," Dr. Bennani shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, the auto-repair process doesn't occur in body parts without or with too few stem cells. Also, as we grow older, the body faces slower regeneration capabilities and degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, paving the way for the aging process to take over.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"When we are young, we look younger because the cells are able to auto-repair quickly. We don't have much damage to repair, so the demand is not as high," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Preparing for Stem Cells&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've heard people say that they got stem cell injections, but nothing happened," Dr. Bennani shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Their treatment failed because a critical step was skipped: preparation. There is more to stem cell treatments than simply going to the doctor and getting an injection. Stem cell treatments work by triggering the body's cells to auto-repair. But those cells must be prepared before the treatment to respond the right way. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blood testing will be conducted prior to the stem cell treatment to ensure the stem cells will work properly. Your doctor will thoroughly assess your current condition — hormones, inflammation, insulin markers and heart, kidney and liver function. The results will help identify what needs to be addressed before the stem cell procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If you want a successful treatment, you must prepare your body at the cellular level," Dr. Bennani said. "Preparation will dictate the success of the treatment." &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That preparation may even include other regenerative treatments. Depending on what needs repair, a patient may receive one or more of the following therapies:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red light.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hyperbaric oxygen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ozone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin IV.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electromagnetic Field Therapy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bennani explained that senescent cells — i.e., involved in the aging process — need to be removed, and the cells need to be detoxified before the procedure. It's similar to cleaning a wound before adding medication and bandages so the wound will heal properly. The preparation phase can take a month or two, so the process should not be sold as a quick fix.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This is not just about injections. This is a protocol–testing, preparation, then stem cells," Dr. Bennani explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_80"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_1567.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_1567.jpeg" class="wp-image-27062" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_269 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Stem Cells&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stem cells are the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.oasis-therapeutics.com/stem-cell-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;precursors of every kind of cell in the body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They make it possible for the body to continuously replace aging and dying cells, which is why they are central to the practice of regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Stem cells," Dr. Bennani explained, "do their job by communicating to other cells. We call them signaling cells. They hover in the blood and look for an organ in distress. They go there and signal the cells to auto-repair."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stem cells for regenerative medicine can come from several sources, although, in the past, they have faced public scrutiny over the belief that they originated from fetal tissue. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We don't touch embryos," Dr. Bennani assured.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best source of stem cells is blood from the umbilical cord and placenta. They are harvested after the cord and placenta have already been removed, without affecting the mother or child, therefore preventing the tissue from being wasted.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"These cells can be given to any other human, and there is no rejection. They are the most potent cells," Dr. Bennani explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's also possible to use the patient's own stem cells, although they cannot be shared with another patient. The cells reflect the condition of the body they came from.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If you are 75 years old, the cells will reflect your age," Dr. Bennani said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some cases, therefore, cord or placenta blood cells may be the best alternative for research and treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Regenerative Medicine and Degenerative Disease&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The difference between traditional and regenerative medicine lies in their approach to recovery. Traditional medicine treats degenerative diseases with medications and surgery. Regenerative medicine, however, does not address the disease directly. Instead, it gives the body the ability to auto-repair. That is why degenerative diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis show a better response to regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"All those conditions will benefit from stem cells. This is well documented in supporting publications. For diabetes, the cells we repair help the body regain its ability to secrete insulin," Dr. Bennani explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Regenerative Medicine and Anti-Aging&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anti-aging is more about how you feel on the inside than how you look on the outside. It's about regaining your body's ability to function normally and repair itself.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's important to note, however, that anti-aging treatment is not a quick, one-time thing. Instead, it starts with extensive testing and then continues with a minimum six-month protocol. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If you have a younger heart," Dr. Bennani explained, "it (i.e., regenerative medicine) will work much better. If you have everything in better condition, you are going to feel younger because you have more energy. You can sleep, fight diseases and heal much better."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Working With Traditional Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of the effectiveness of the regenerative treatment, the patient may find that they need less medication. But that is left to the primary care doctor to determine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We never ask patients to stop or change their medical treatments. Never," Dr. Bennani assured. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More doctors are becoming educated about regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We learn by going to conferences and searching online for publications. At conferences, you meet colleagues who tell you about the experience. And maybe you try either on yourself or one patient," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Future of Regeneration&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While still not taught in medical schools, regenerative medicine sparks the interest of a growing number of physicians. As evidence of positive results adds up, they understand what regenerative medicine can potentially do for their patients. Its benefits are not here to replace but to work in harmony with traditional medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More education is still needed, however. Many doctors do not know about the preparation needed to ensure successful stem cell treatments. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Most just give patients the injections,” Dr. Bennani said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If that were all that was needed, it would be great to market this as a quick fix that would keep patients coming back. But injections alone will not work, and patients will have no reason to return. These doctors need to understand the longer-term preparation required. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I was once at a conference with about 500 doctors, and all they cared about was giving injections. I took the microphone and gave a talk about how to do it the right way. Some were concerned about patients returning when the protocol was stretched to a longer time period. But patients will return in six months because they will see that they are improving” Dr. Bennani explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is becoming one of the most published areas in medicine. Big institutions are conducting studies, and the FDA  is pushing for clinical trials. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So what should people do if they are considering regenerative medicine?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They need to learn and research the doctors that are doing it. For how long? What is their experience? What do other patients say? Look at their websites. There are centers all over the country," Dr. Bennani recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This field is the future of medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If we can prevent disease and heal our bodies from the inside," Dr. Bennani said, "we can aspire to live a much better life." &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Dr.-Hassan-Bennani.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/restoring-vitality-with-regenerative-medicine-an-interview-with-dr-hassan-bennani-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27052</ID> <title>7 Healthy Living Tips for the Holidays</title> <publishDate>2022-11-28 10:45:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_199 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_238"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_250 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_152 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_456 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_457 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_458 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_270 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The crunch of the leaves under your feet and the smell of pumpkin spice wafting out from your nearest coffee shop is a sure sign that the holidays are near! Each holiday season, traditions, nostalgia and excitement fill the air, and temptation often gets the upper hand. Looking after your mind, body and soul can be daunting when you're up against rich Thanksgiving meals, boozy end-of-year parties and all the series you still need to catch up on. Poor choices and impulsive decisions do not have to put a damper on your holiday. So what if you could "have your cake and eat it too" using a few healthy holiday tips this coming festive season?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Set Clear Work-Life Boundaries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/180335/taking-regular-vacations-may-help-boost-americans.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; score states that Americans who take regular trips have better well-being than those who do not across all most income groups. A pro mental health tip for the holidays is to take time off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach goes hand in hand with setting clear boundaries for yourself and your boss. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ustravel.org/press/study-record-768-million-us-vacation-days-went-unused-18-opportunity-cost-billions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;U.S. Travel Association study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that a staggering 768 million vacation days went unused in 2018. Setting boundaries allows you to distinguish where your work life starts and ends.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Remember your first month at a new job? Do you recall the energy and go-getting mentality you had? You can have that back by giving yourself the space to return to the center. Allow yourself the time to find purpose and meaning amid all the chaos life brings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronically overworking yourself leads to a foray of different physical and mental issues. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021002208" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The World Health Organization&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (WHO) published a study stating that overworking was linked to 745,000 deaths yearly from stroke and heart disease. Boundaries are healthy and an excellent tool for prioritizing your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Reinvent Holiday Meals&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It often feels as though nothing beats those old family recipes passed down from one generation to the next. Whether your favorite is sticky, sweet pecan pie or thick, flavourful gravy, these meals can often be high in sugar, salt and calories. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://caloriecontrol.org/stuff-the-bird-not-yourself-how-to-deal-with-the-3000-calorie-thanksgiving-meal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calorie Council's research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reveals that 3,000 calories are consumed at holiday dinners. At the same time, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/2015-2020_Dietary_Guidelines.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; dietary guidelines stipulate that daily calorie intake should be between 1,600 and 3,000 calories. Not every meal can be perfectly healthy, but there are many ways to tweak and tinker with your favorite dishes to have a healthier holiday.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sticking to homemade recipes means ensuring each ingredient that goes into your dish. You can regulate salt and sugar. You can do away with trans fats. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/7/1955#cite" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nutrients Journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, these foods increase the risks of: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart disease; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obesity; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Type 2 diabetes; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain types of cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swapping out processed sugar for Medjool dates or fruit in desserts or thickening sauces with gluten-free or whole wheat flour without adding extra unhealthy fats are simple, healthy holiday tips that significantly impact.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Holiday Meals Are About Being Satisfied, not Stuffed&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of having a healthy holiday season is not to remove enjoyment but to savor it — overeating and ignoring your body's signals that it's full lead to feeling sick and fatigued. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/What-happens-when-you-overeat.h23Z1592202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The University of Texas Cancer Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; explains that overindulging causes the stomach to expand, displacing and putting pressure on other organs. The body has to increase heart rate and enzyme and acid production to cope with excess food digestion, causing exhaustion and heartburn, among other adverse effects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lunches and dinners often run late, so unhealthy snacking is an easy fix to grumbling stomachs. A great way to ensure a healthy holiday is by grabbing a healthy snack before leaving the house. Whether you're on your way to a party or going gift shopping with the family, fueling yourself with satiating food keeps your spirits and energy levels high. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-49714239" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Benjamin Vincent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of Dundee University stated that decision-making is compromised when you are hungry, meaning you're more likely to forgo healthier choices at the holiday dinner table.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing portion size allows you to try a bit of everything on the menu while keeping healthy living at the core of your outlook and actions. Skipping foods you can have at any other time of the year makes space for you to enjoy the treats that are specially prepared for this time of year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Alternative Holiday Meal Ideas &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Who doesn't love leftovers the next day? Whether it's Halloween treats or Christmas lunch, there are healthy ways of extending the joy of the holidays without poorly impacting your health. Skip the ultra-processed Halloween candy and opt to have homemade treats in moderation. Have the turkey without the bread rolls and include colorful vegetables instead. Add the roasted potatoes to a salad or into a soup. This healthy holiday tip helps avoid food burnout and reduce waste.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy living is not always focused on what you can cut out. Pack your meals with wholesome add-ins to diversify the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gut microbiome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Numerous healthy food alternatives and additions are accessible and pack a punch in boosting overall wellness. Foods like flax seeds and collagen powder increase nutritional value without drastically altering taste or texture. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutrition.org/real-scoop-chia-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Society for Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Chia seeds are a rich source of fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Adding Chia seeds or avocado to desserts will enrich the texture and provide sources of healthy fats to beef up your list of healthy holiday tips.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Put Down the Bottle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holiday season boasts many a drink: mulled wine, Baileys and eggnog, to name a few. With as many alcoholic drink options as meals, the temptation to overconsume is high. Alcohol units can add up without even noticing, so keeping tabs on how much you drink could be a good practice this holiday season. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;CDC&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, one drink or less per day is what you should consume to lead a healthy lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are prone to reckless decision-making, ensure that you have an accountability buddy. It is also wise to keep yourself in safe spaces, says &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://recoverycentersofamerica.com/team-members/david-dorschu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;David Dorschu&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, who heads an addiction treatment program in New Jersey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A great way to minimize drinking is by finding delicious non-alcoholic alternatives. The market for non-alcoholic drinks has grown, so everyone has options. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nielseniq.com/global/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NielsenIQ&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stated that the non-alcoholic and low alcohol&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;market&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased by 4% in 2021. So get creative with your drink choices this holiday!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6. Fit in Healthy Holiday Activities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy holiday activities are a fun way of keeping things interesting, keeping you fit, and keeping your spirits up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/hormone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are chemicals responsible for emotional regulation and other bodily processes. They travel through the bloodstream from various glands all over the body, promoting positive emotions. There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/four-happy-hormones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;four primary "happy hormones:"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dopamine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: a vital component of the brain's reward system linked to experiencing pleasure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Serotonin&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: a mood stabilizer that reduces anxiety and is responsible for regulating appetite, sleep and digestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Oxytocin&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: colloquially referred to as the "love hormone." It elicits feelings of trust, empathy and care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Endorphins&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: a natural pain reliever. They release feelings of euphoria and satisfaction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy activities can boost the production of these hormones to make the most of the holiday season. Completing a 10-day yoga challenge or walking every morning can increase dopamine levels. Going outside and experiencing nature while hiking or swimming reduces anxiety and increases serotonin. Knowing that you don't have to put these healthy holiday tips into practice alone is a considerable comfort. Having a buddy to join in raises oxytocin levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever heard of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/runners-high" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;runner's high&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;? You can achieve it in part through the production of endorphins. If running a marathon on your holiday is too far of a stretch, other less intense workouts will achieve similar results. The holidays are a perfect time to start the kickboxing classes you've been meaning to go to or spend time exploring your neighborhood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;7. Care for Those Around You&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consumerism sweeps people up during the holiday season. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1012/how-much-americans-spend-on-halloween.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Investopedia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Americans spent $10.14 billion on Halloween in 2021. They say that charity starts at home. You can enrich your holiday season by doing more for the elderly in your family. Among seniors' holiday health tips is confirming they stay hydrated and access food that suits their dietary requirements. Ensuring&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that your home is accessible and has space for the elderly to rest after long travels is essential.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are some great tools available online to assist you in discovering charities and foundations. Cooking food or donating old clothes is so appreciated by those in need. The significance of caring and giving to others during the holiday season is evident in how it affects others, but what about how it affects you?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ever question if holidays are good for you? Well, they can be if you swap in these healthy living tips. Whether you implement one or all of these healthy holiday tips, your efforts will be noticed. Your body will be thanking you and those around you will surely see it, too! So take these healthy holiday tips and implement them into your daily life. Who says you have to wait for the New Year to create resolutions?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/7-healthy-living-tips.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/7-healthy-living-tips-for-the-holidays/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27044</ID> <title>Blocking Noise, Blocking Mold, Protecting Health: An Interview with Natalia Chudy</title> <publishDate>2022-11-28 10:31:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_200 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_239"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_251 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_153 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_459 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_460 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_461 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_271 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You're sitting in a quiet room enjoying a good book, when suddenly … RRRROOOOOAAAAARRRR!! The guy next door decides to let the neighborhood know he has a motorcycle!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unwanted noise can be a nuisance; it can disrupt your plans for sleep or relaxation. Some noise is loud, grating and lasts long enough to affect your physical and mental health. Loud noise is especially a problem in workplaces such as manufacturing plants and machine shops with loud equipment constantly running, buildings near an airport or busy highways.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natalia Chudy is an Acoustical Consultant at Florida-based &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://acoustiblok.com/acoustiblok-soundproofing-product-lines/acoustiblok-soundproofing-material/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNbPz8nx-QIVTDizAB3FOAuUEAAYASAAEgJwMvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acoustiblok®, Inc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which sells noise-abatement materials for businesses, schools and other organizations with loud, disruptive noises generated from the inside or the outside. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I deal with many different types of clients and educate them on how noise affects your mental health and damages your hearing," Chudy said. "Insomnia, depression, stress, anxiety, cognitive impairment, memory loss and more."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A significant benefit of Acoustiblok products is that they do not develop mold, as other construction products can. Mold can severely affect some people with allergies and other health conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have mold-free, sound-blocking material to reduce room-to-room noise, as well as patented mold-free ceiling tiles," she explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Natalia Chudy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chudy has an MS (Summa Cum Laude) in Mental Health Counseling, certifications in medical sales and OSHA, and training in acoustics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Before this industry, I was in the medical field, working with surgeons in the ER. We were inventing new products that could be incorporated into minimally invasive surgery so patients could recover much quicker," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She learned about mold the hard way.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Mold was something that I stumbled upon accidentally by living in hot, humid Florida in two moldy houses. I always knew that mold was a problem, but I never understood the complexity of it and how much it really affects people until then," Chudy explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It turned out that the products her employer, Acoustiblok, sells are mold-free, with a rating of 10, 10 being the highest achievable.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always explain that to customers. You get a lot of hurricane seasons, so there's a lot of rain and water damage, and basically, mold is a huge problem here in Florida," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Noise Problem&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm passionate about acoustics because I know how much noise affects people. I have a sensitivity to noises disrupting sleep, for example. Loud noises wake me up, and I can't go back to sleep," Chudy explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain noises can affect us either physically, mentally or both. Just imagine a mosquito buzzing around your ear while trying to fall asleep. It won't damage your hearing, but if you can't find it, you might lose a night of sleep and end up grumpy the next day. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constant high-decibel noise in the workplace can damage your hearing and affect your health in other ways. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hms.harvard.edu/magazine/viral-world/effects-noise-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research shows&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that noise pollution can be linked to cardiovascular disease, sleep problems, stress levels, diabetes and memory problems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helping Multiple Industries&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We work with a lot of companies that have to meet OSHA regulations," Chudy said. "We work with industrial facilities, SCIF rooms, education centers, medical facilities that need to adhere to HIPPA compliance standards, emergency rooms,  ICU units, labor rooms, and more."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acoustiblok sells to customers in commercial, industrial, residential, marine and transportation settings, each with its unique noise issues.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We even do veterinary offices, dog hotels and dog boarding places," Chudy shared. "Dogs are very sensitive to noise. Loud noise can stress dogs out, cause anxiety, aggression, make them lose weight and shed fur. Soundproofing these places creates a safer and more peaceful environment for them."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Welcome Solution for Children with Autism&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acoustiblok recently offered its sound-abatement abilities to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/04/prweb15381814.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help a family whose children have autism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by creating a 'sensory room.' Their contribution provided the child with a room designed for significant noise reduction. As a result, the family reported fewer and less severe meltdowns. The room clearly provided relief for the child. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have created sensory rooms for children with autism who are very sensitive to noise and have a lot of side effects from loud spaces," Chudy explained. "Some of these sensory rooms can also be a safe timeout area in places such as airports, busy parks or schools, where the children may become overwhelmed."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Mold Problem&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you've ever had the misfortune of experiencing a flood or roof leak in your home, you probably know how quickly mold can grow and spread if you don't take care of the affected parts of the house right away. And if mold does set in, you or someone in your home may be subjected to an array of health issues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;building materials are conducive to mold growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when wet —drywall, ceiling tiles, paper and wood products, insulation, carpet fabrics and even paint. Acoustiblok's products; however, will not grow mold. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I realized how important it is, especially in hospitals, education centers, children's homes and nursing homes, to have mold-free products in the building materials because they can cause so many health problems," Chudy explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Health Problems Can Mold Cause?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Almost 25% of the worldwide population has a predisposed gene that makes them susceptible to mold toxicity," Chudy shared. "Meaning, if they're in contact with mold for a prolonged period of time, they will become sick with symptoms similar to COVID-19."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with a sensitivity to mold &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;typically exhibit symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as congestion, itchy eyes, skin rashes and breathing issues. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies suggest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that it may even lead to asthma in children. For people with conditions such as immunosuppression or respiratory disease, more severe reactions, like fungal infection, breathing problems, rashes, hives and even vision problems, are possible.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Mold is even more detrimental to developing children. It can cause permanent asthma and learning disabilities," Chudy explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Acoustiblok Provides Health Solutions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our products don't just block sound like other sound-blocking products. Instead, they transform low-frequency sound waves into mechanical movement and internal friction energy. As a result, we reduce noise from construction, roads, machinery, the room next door and more," Chudy shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acoustiblok products help protect from noise pollution's harmful physical and psychological effects.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our mold-free, sound-blocking products help protect from health problems linked to exposure to mold," she concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acoustiblok products can be incorporated into almost any industry. Chudy hopes that its sound-blocking and mold-free properties will be mandatory in all building materials in the future. Our health will undoubtedly benefit from them.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Natalia-Chudy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/blocking-noise-blocking-mold-protecting-health-an-interview-with-natalia-chudy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27037</ID> <title>Hormone Replacement Therapy</title> <publishDate>2022-11-26 10:12:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_201 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_240"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_252 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_154 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_462 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_463 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_464 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_272 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The inevitable aging process comes with significant changes in how your body produces hormones, especially sex hormones. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can ease the burden of the natural decline in the production of sex hormones as your age, as it can help balance estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels in your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HRT has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rejuva-med.com/benefits-of-hormone-therapy#:~:text=They%20find%20they%20have%20increased,their%20body%20back%20in%20shape!" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;several health benefits for women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Hot flashes, nocturnal sweats and vaginal dryness and pain are just a few menopausal symptoms that hormone replacement therapy can alleviate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men are not exempt from the symptoms of sex hormone decrease. After the age of 30, a man's testosterone levels begin to fall by about 1% every year. Hormone replacement therapy benefits in treating &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rejuva-med.com/benefits-of-hormone-therapy#:~:text=They%20find%20they%20have%20increased,their%20body%20back%20in%20shape!" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;andropause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the male equivalent of menopause.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormone replacement therapy gives men and women more energy, restores or boosts libido, stabilizes their moods, reduces anxiety and depression, improves mental clarity and attention and helps them get back in shape. Aside, hormone replacement therapy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://premierwellnessthewoodlands.com/does-hormone-replacement-therapy-make-you-look-younger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can help restore your youthful look&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy Pros and Cons&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for both men and women are improved energy, balanced mood, increased libido and improved sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/women's-health-update/consider-pros-and-cons-of-hormone-replacement-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for women include an increased risk of breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder, heart attack, stroke and uterine lining growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/hormone-therapy/side-effects-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disadvantages of HRT for men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are an increased risk of fatigue, impotence, hot flushes and sweating, gynecomastia, memory problems, mood swings, depression, bone changes and cardiovascular problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Where Can I Get Hormone Replacement Therapy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to get hormone replacement therapy, find a reliable General Practitioner (GP) or physician in your area. You can commence hormone replacement therapy as soon as you start experiencing menopausal symptoms, and no tests are usually required. A physician can explain the many types of HRT and assist you in selecting one that is right for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You'll most likely start with a low dose and gradually increase it. The treatment may take a few weeks to kick in, and there may be some side effects at the start. Your doctor will advise you to attempt treatment for three months to see if it helps. If it doesn't, they may recommend adjusting your dose or switching to a different type of HRT.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/hormone-replacement-therapy-for-men#uses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men with unnaturally low levels of testosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can benefit from hormone replacement therapy. However, whether hormone replacement therapy can benefit healthy men whose testosterone decline is simply caused by aging is less certain. Therefore, talking to your physician about safer alternatives is essential to make up for your natural decrease in testosterone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Women&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Menopausal hormone therapy uses female hormones, especially estrogen, to treat the menopause symptoms of sex hormone decrease, such as hot flashes and vaginal soreness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy Types&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and natural or traditional hormone replacement therapy are the two &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cwhwichita.com/blog/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy-vs-traditional-hrt#:~:text=The%20major%20difference%20between%20BHRT,horses%20and%20other%20synthetic%20hormones." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;types of hormone replacement therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (HRT). Both hormone replacement therapies are made up of varying amounts and combinations of hormones and exist in various forms, including pills, creams, gels and patches.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/natural-hormone-replacements#:~:text=Hormone%20replacement%20therapy%20(HRT)%20is,plants%20to%20treat%20hormonal%20conditions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natural hormone replacement therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses hormones collected from plants to correct hormonal imbalances. The treatment entails ingesting plants or supplements with components that can help correct hormonal imbalances. Patients choose this approach to treat hormonal imbalances and perimenopause and menopause symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy uses synthetic hormones derived from plant estrogens to address hormonal imbalances and depletion. This form of treatment implies inserting small, rice-sized pellets under the skin, which gradually release certain amounts of hormones over a determined period of time. Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy is ideal for patients requiring long-term hormone replacement treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/thyroid-hormone-replacement-therapy#:~:text=Thyroid%20hormone%20therapy%20is%20the,little%20or%20no%20thyroid%20hormones." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thyroid hormone therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; becomes imperative when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone on its own, causing hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is commonly administered as a tablet to treat an underactive thyroid gland that produces little or no thyroid hormones. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Progesterone for Hormone Replacement Therapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Laboratory-made &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-760/progesterone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;progesterone for hormone replacement therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is widely used to help patients restart menstrual periods that have abruptly halted (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amenorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20369299#:~:text=Amenorrhea%20(uh%2Dmen%2Do,a%20period%20by%20age%2015." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amenorrhea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;), cure abnormal uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance and treat severe premenstrual syndrome symptoms (PMS).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy for Weight Loss&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your hormonal imbalance is what makes you struggle to lose weight. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy and weight loss can go hand in hand. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10515671/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that hormone replacement therapy effectively prevents weight gain and encourages weight loss by encouraging lipid oxidation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Questions regarding the cost of hormone replacement therapy sit on the minds of numerous patients. Hormone replacement therapy might cost anywhere from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medicaltransformationcenter.com/how-much-does-it-cost-for-hormone-replacement-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$30 to $90 per month&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The cost of your therapy will be determined by several factors, including the chosen form of treatment and the number of hormones required in each dose. However, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is more expensive, costing between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://liverevital.com/how-much-does-bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy-cost/#:~:text=BHRT%20is%20a%20relatively%20affordable,%24200%2D%24500%20per%20month." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$200 and $500 per month&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Covered by Insurance?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nch.org/news/is-hormone-replacement-therapy-right-for-you/#:~:text=Are%20they%20covered%20by%20insurance,hormones%20are%20covered%20by%20insurance." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;majority of hormone replacement therapies approved by the FDA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are covered by insurance. However, the level of coverage for each product is determined by your insurance plan. For example, most insurances do not cover compounded bioidentical hormones. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.balancehormonecenter.com/blog/is-hormone-replacement-therapy-covered-by-insurance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your therapy and insurance plan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will impact the coverage of your treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physicians have been hesitant to recommend hormone replacement therapy in the past, especially for those with specific risk concerns. However, most doctors now agree that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181726#safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone replacement therapy is safe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for women up to the age of 59 who are experiencing moderate-to-severe hot flashes and vaginal dryness and are within 10 years of menopause. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormone replacement therapy is a splendid treatment option for both andropause and menopause symptoms. Your physician will recommend the correct hormone therapy for your case after a thorough consultation. You deserve to live life to the fullest even at your menopausal and andropause stage!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Hormone.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/hormone-replacement-therapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27030</ID> <title>Everything You Need To Know About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)</title> <publishDate>2022-11-26 09:55:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_202 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_241"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_253 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_155 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_465 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_466 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_467 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_273 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;September is PCOS awareness month, yet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/polycystic-ovary-disease#what-is-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research suggests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that up to 70% of women who struggle with the condition are unaware that they have it and have not been diagnosed. These numbers are staggering, considering PCOS is a common disorder affecting up to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of women. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what exactly is PCOS, and how can it affect the body? More importantly, how can women manage its symptoms? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is a common condition that causes ovaries to produce excessive levels of male hormones (or androgens). Small, fluid-filled sacs or cysts form around follicles in the ovaries, producing abnormally high levels of androgens. These cysts can hinder ovulation, resulting in decreased fertility and irregular periods. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Occurs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While researchers do not know precisely why polycystic ovary syndrome occurs, women with family members who suffer from PCOS are at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/polycystic-ovary-disease#causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;higher risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for developing this condition. Though it is classified as an endocrine disorder, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4871972/#:~:text=In%20PCOS%20low%20level%20of,an%20autoimmune%20disorder%20%5B61%5D." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that PCOS may be an autoimmune disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PCOS Types&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Polycystic ovary syndrome is often grouped into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/4-types-of-pcos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;four primary types&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; based on the syndrome's most common contributing factors. However, only three of these types are technically examples of PCOS; other temporary conditions can cause PCOS-like symptoms but will naturally resolve over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Firstly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;insulin resistance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a condition correlated with PCOS. Insulin resistance prevents the body from reacting appropriately to insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more of the hormone to regulate blood glucose. In turn, high insulin levels stimulate the ovaries to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;produce androgens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If untreated, this variety of PCOS can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. It is also the most common type of PCOS, affecting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/4-types-of-pcos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;up to 70%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Secondly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;chronic low-grade inflammation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can cause ovaries to produce excess androgens. Doctors can test for this condition by performing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blood tests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thirdly, PCOS is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-illness/pcos-and-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;triggered by stress&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which may be referred to as adrenal PCOS. Elevated stress levels can lead to the production of higher levels of hormones such as cortisol. The presence of these hormones can lead to irregular periods, weight gain and other PCOS symptoms. In some cases, managing stress can help reduce PCOS symptoms. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/q-and-a-is-hypothalamic-amenorrhea-to-blame-for-your-missed-periods/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hypothalamic amenorrhea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; — caused solely by stress — is a separate condition, not a type of PCOS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;post-pill PCOS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the common name for a condition that often appears in women who have recently stopped taking hormonal birth control pills. In this situation, the ovaries naturally produce androgens, leading to many of the same symptoms seen in PCOS. However, this condition is not permanent and is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/pill-induced-pcos#research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not technically a type of PCOS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Does Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Affect the Body?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Polycystic ovary syndrome can have a wide range of effects on the body. It can cause weight gain — obesity and weight loss difficulties are present in approximately &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of PCOS patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of its effect on ovulation and hormones, the condition can also lead to periods that do not occur regularly, are very heavy or are very light.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other physical symptoms are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;caused by increased levels of androgens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excess hair growth (or hirsutism); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acne;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hair loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals with PCOS may also notice patches of darkened skin around the armpits, neck and breasts and skin tags around the armpits and neck.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Dangerous?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though not deadly, PCOS &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can become dangerous&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if left untreated. It often contributes to high blood pressure and puts patients at an increased risk of heart disease or stroke. It can also contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Finally, it can increase the risk of endometrial cancer and complicate pregnancy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A diagnosis of PCOS typically involves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/do-i-have-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three criteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including irregular periods, increased levels of male hormones and ovarian cysts. Patients who meet at least two of the three criteria can be diagnosed with PCOS. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How PCOS Affects Pregnancy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because it causes infrequent ovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome can reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. In fact, for women of childbearing age, PCOS is a common cause of infertility. The condition &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increases the risk of complications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as gestational diabetes and the likelihood of premature birth or even miscarriage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Be Cured?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While researchers have not found a cure for PCOS, medications and lifestyle changes can be used to treat symptoms. The exact treatment used for an individual patient may vary based on their symptoms and whether the patient wants to get pregnant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Spironolactone and Metformin for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some patients may use &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antiandrogens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., drugs that mitigate the effects of androgens) like spironolactone to treat PCOS symptoms such as excess hair growth. Others may take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;metformin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for PCOS since it helps decrease the production of androgens by aiding insulin processing. For those who wish to become pregnant, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medications that cause ovulation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may be prescribed. Regulation of menstrual cycles may also be achieved through the use of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;birth control pills&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though the condition is not curable, routine lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can lead to better insulin sensitivity and lessen the severity of symptoms. For PCOS patients, nutrients to avoid include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pcos-diet#foods-to-avoid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;carbohydrates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which contribute to insulin resistance and inflammation, thus worsening symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though PCOS is not curable, treatment can significantly reduce the condition's manifestations, improve patients' quality of life and reduce long-term health risks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition that can affect women's reproductive systems. There is no known cause, but genetic factors likely play a role in determining where PCOS manifests. Symptoms can include weight gain, irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne and hair loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The syndrome is common, and patients are not alone. Various resources, including drugs that help manage insulin, are available to treat the condition. In some cases, lifestyle changes such as the implementation of regular exercise can also help manage symptoms. If you believe you may have PCOS, take action to protect your long-term health and consult a doctor immediately.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PCOS.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/everything-you-need-to-know-about-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27023</ID> <title>Do Children Need Milk for Strong Bones to Develop?</title> <publishDate>2022-11-25 09:46:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_203 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_242"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_254 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_156 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_468 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_469 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_470 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_274 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As parents, we want our children to get all the nutrients they need for healthy growth. But one question that often comes up is whether or not kids need to drink milk for strong bones to develop.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calcium is an essential mineral that helps in the development of strong bones. It provides structural support to the body's bones and teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most calcium comes from dairy products. So, naturally, milk is an integral part of a child's diet. However, calcium is not the only thing needed for strong bones; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928581/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamins C, D, B12, K, carotenoids and minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are also necessary. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Milk Make Strong Bones?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Milk is a source of calcium, but many other sources of calcium are more effective in promoting bone growth and development. These include leafy green vegetables, tofu, nuts and seeds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some children may have low vitamin D levels and may not be able to absorb any additional benefits from milk. In that case, it would be better to rely on other foods like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521087/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soy, almond milk, oysters or salmon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for bone health benefits instead.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is conflicting data regarding bone strength for kids and milk consumption. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20050307/study-dairy-may-not-build-strong-bones-in-kids#:~:text=%22(Studies)%20indicate%20that%20milk,Council's%20bone%20health%20summary%20states." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that bone density from milk sources may be overstated, although other studies indicate the opposite. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A drop in dairy product consumption coupled with an increased intake of other foods may enhance bone development in lactose-intolerant children. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other Food for Strong Bones&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key to strong bones is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928581/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamins and minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Vitamins such as vitamin C, D and K have been shown to reduce bone deterioration in adults and increase bone density. Foods rich in calcium also help improve the strength of bones because calcium helps maintain the balance between the minerals needed for healthy bones, such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and fluoride. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are all sources of bone-strengthening vitamins and calcium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11894-017-0558-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, a significant majority of the world is lactose intolerant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so it is important to find non-dairy foods like certain fruits and vegetables that can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and increase bone strength.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Let Your Kids Run Around  &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is essential for children's growth and physical well-being, so aside from just drinking milk, let them run around as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540860/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that early physical activity is a better indicator of bone health than dairy intake. Physical activity also helps children establish lifelong healthy habits. Children need to engage in various physical activities that help them develop not just bone density but also their motor skills and increase muscular strength.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Children should be encouraged to participate in various sports such as climbing, balance beam, gymnastics, hockey, skiing and soccer. Along with these sports, children should also engage in exercises that strengthen the core muscles, such as plank exercises and bicycle crunches. An excellent way to make sure children are getting enough exercise is by setting aside time each day for physical activity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With physical activity, children need to replenish the energy they consume, and you can fulfill this need by eating bone-strengthening food. Children should try to avoid  high-sugar foods such as donuts, pastries and candies as much as possible to improve bone growth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no simple answer to the question of whether or not children need milk for strong bones to develop. Milk is a good source of calcium and nutrients, which is why it is often recommended for growing children. However, other sources of calcium can be just as effective, so speak with a healthcare professional to determine what is best for your child.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Milk.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/do-children-need-milk-for-strong-bones-to-develop/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27016</ID> <title>Brown Rice vs. White Rice: Health Benefits</title> <publishDate>2022-11-25 09:35:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_204 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_243"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_255 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_157 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_471 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_472 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_473 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_275 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people have been trying to answer the question: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which is healthier: brown rice or white rice?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; And while it's true that both bring many health benefits to the table, besides the delicious taste you can infuse your meals with. However, before picking a winner, you have to consider the benefits white rice and brown rice can bring to your health. Some are similar, but some differ. That is why we have to take a deeper look into the world of rice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Brown Rice vs. White Rice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before talking about different types of rice, in particular, we have to know where the popularity of rice stems from. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rice is considered one of the most important foods on the planet, as it contains an impressive amount of calories. More precisely, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/brown-rice-or-white-rice-which-is-your-healthier-option/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;almost 20% of the world's calorie intake relies on rice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Almost half of the world's population has rice integrated into their diets, as rice partakes in the culinary habits of so many cultures! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the brown rice versus white rice dichotomy is nothing more than a grain of sand in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/brown-rice-or-white-rice-which-is-your-healthier-option/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;100,000 varieties of rice produced worldwide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! White rice is by far the popular choice between the two, but that does not mean it is the healthier choice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Brown Rice and White Rice Taste the Same?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What makes these two types of rice taste the way they do is how they are processed to become edible. Almost every part of the grain, such as the bran and germ, is removed, which results in white rice. Brown rice, on the other hand, keeps the bran and germ, components that keep the ingredient and as a 'whole grain.' Because of this different processing method, brown rice has a chewier texture and nuttier taste, while white rice seems softer and has a less strong taste. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How is Brown Rice Better Than White Rice?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brown rice may not be present in many people's diets compared to its white counterpart, but that does not mean it doesn't have many health benefits. People like to argue between the two types of rice, but there is a clear winner regarding benefits from a health perspective, and that winner is brown rice!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rich in Nutrients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The nutrient content of brown rice is not significantly different compared to white rice. Both brown and white rice contain fiber, antioxidants, minerals and many vitamins, although white rice is slightly richer in iron.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Positive Results over Blood Sugar Levels&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7341349/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest that eating brown rice may help lower your blood sugar levels. As your blood sugar levels decrease, so are the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. By switching the whole grains and white rice in your diet with brown rice, you can experience these benefits in no time!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The only downside of eating white rice is that, in large quantities, it can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22422870/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increase the risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of diabetes. That is why you have to moderate your white rice intake, as it increases blood sugar levels much faster than brown rice. You can prevent this from happening by cooling your white rice before eating it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It has been suggested in some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i2716" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that brown rice can help reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. People who eat whole grains, such as brown rice, reduced their risk of heart disease by 21%. In addition, brown rice can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23930929/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lower&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the bad cholesterol in your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aids in Weight Control&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both types of rice are known to aid weight control. Many studies show that integrating whole grains into your diet will lower your body weight. However, brown rice is a more effective weight control option because it contains more nutrients than white rice. As brown rice positively affects your sugar blood levels, it also aids weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;White Rice Does Not Contain Antinutrients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Compared to brown rice, white rice does not contain antinutrients. Antinutrients are compounds found in food that may reduce the body's ability to absorb different nutrients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, brown rice contains an antinutrient called phytic acid that can impair and make it difficult for your body to digest. Although it offers various health benefits, phytic acid reduces the body's ability to absorb iron and zinc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Arsenic Levels&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brown rice tends to contain slightly higher levels of arsenic compared to white rice. Eating arsenic for long periods can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/brown-vs-white-rice#bottom-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But this is not something to be afraid of if you eat rice in moderation or with other foods! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Cook Brown Rice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways to cook brown rice, although the cooking pattern is always similar. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing you have to do is rinse the rice in order to remove any excess starches, which, if not eliminated, can turn the rice gummy as it cooks. Then, measure the water you have to use for the cooking — two cups of water for every cup of rice is a great ratio. Also, add some extra-virgin olive oil to the pot as you stir the rice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you notice the water boiling, reduce the heat and cover the pot for about 45 minutes. During this time, the rice will absorb the water, giving the grain a tender and fluffy texture. After you let the rice absorb the water, turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes. Remove the lid afterward and slowly stir the rice with a fork. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer to the question, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is brown rice or white rice better for you,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has only one clear answer — brown rice takes the cake! Consider including brown rice in your diet for better health and improved food taste! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Brown-ricw.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/brown-rice-vs-white-rice-health-benefits/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27007</ID> <title>How Healthcare Technology Has Changed Over the Years</title> <publishDate>2022-11-25 08:51:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_205 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_244"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_256 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_158 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_474 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_475 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_476 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_276 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's hard to imagine healthcare without modern technology. Everything, from the big medical machines that scan our bodies to the highly specialized medicines and antibiotics that defend our bodies from infections and viruses, is critical for how we experience healthcare. But much of this modern technology is a recent development, which begs the question: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what did medical healthcare look like before some of this advanced technology was created?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; And how will healthcare continue to develop in response to new technology?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We don't need to dig through the past millennia of human history to answer these questions. Instead, we can simply look back 100 or 200 hundred years and track how technology has developed and changed until today and how it will continue in the future. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Historic Healthcare Technology&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthcare technology has developed significantly in the past 100 years, but that's not to say that the 18th century's healthcare wasn't very advanced for its time. While we perhaps look back at these technologies as primitive, the technologies of 100 years ago provide the foundation for many of the key pieces of healthcare technology we use today. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;X-Ray &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The X-ray is an excellent example of an eon-old technology that continues to be critical today. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/german-scientist-discovers-x-rays" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;X-rays were discovered in 1895&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen and were first used in a medical context on the battlefields of the Balkan War in 1897. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Admittedly, when this technology was first used, the danger of skin cancer or burns from X-rays was unknown. It wasn't until the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/german-scientist-discovers-x-rays" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;second half of the 20th century&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that we better understood its risks. While they changed the face of healthcare when first introduced, X-rays weren't perfected until many decades later. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pacemaker&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You're likely familiar with pacemakers — the technology which helps the heart regulate its beats. But you may not know that it was invented in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.carevoyance.com/blog/medical-technology-advances-100-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1932 and was initially operated by a hand crank&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It wasn't until &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.carevoyance.com/blog/medical-technology-advances-100-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1958 that the first pacemaker&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was implanted into a patient. Here, we see another technology that changed over the years by being perfected and improved for patient care. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Modern Healthcare Technology&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that we've seen the use of technology throughout history, let's examine how modern technology affects healthcare provision through its improvements. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Antibiotics, Internal Medicine Machines and Computerized Machines &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modern healthcare is almost impossible to imagine without some of these features. For example, how would we treat infections without antibiotics? Or can we even imagine a hospital that doesn't offer internal medicine machines like valves and dialysis, which help support the body's functions? These treatment methods and technologies &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4147743/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are at the core of modern healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're still not convinced that technology is the center of modern healthcare treatments, look no further than the doctor's office. A close inspection of any hospital or doctor's office will reveal that nearly every machine is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4147743/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;computerized to some scale&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, not to mention the number of actual computers or tablets you might see in a hospital room. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4147743/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Computers are in almost every piece&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of medical technology and are impossible to ignore. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Big Data Usage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Big data and modern technology have made it possible to collect an immense amount of information digitally, making it easy to access for both patients and practitioners. Using mass data collection, modern healthcare has developed very sophisticated &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4147743/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;data collection methods, health apps and electronic records&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These advances have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthmanagement.org/c/cardio/news/the-impact-of-digital-technology-on-healthcare" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;removed the need for physical paper records&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of patient information in favor of delivering that information in a digital form. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Easy Communication&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Technology in modern medicine has improved both doctor-to-doctor and patient-to-provider communication. It has allowed patients and providers to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sehealthcarequalityconsulting.com/2020/07/21/the-impact-of-technology-in-the-healthcare-sector/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;communicate quickly and efficiently&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; without the patient ever coming into the office. This new method, called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sehealthcarequalityconsulting.com/2020/07/21/the-impact-of-technology-in-the-healthcare-sector/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;telehealth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, allows the provider to inspect their patient and communicate their treatment plan digitally. It facilitates what no one could have anticipated 100 years ago: digital and remote healthcare provision. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The same goes for doctor-to-doctor communication. It has never been easier than it is now for medical practitioners to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sehealthcarequalityconsulting.com/2020/07/21/the-impact-of-technology-in-the-healthcare-sector/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;communicate with each other, share knowledge and expertise and get second opinions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Through the power of the internet and data collection, doctors can examine records of other doctors' studies and treatments to be as educated and prepared as possible, creating better patient care. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking Forward to the Future of Healthcare Technology&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These historical and modern developments in healthcare technology are not the end. Looking into the near future, we can already see how developing technologies will continue to shape our healthcare. Two of the most formative future technologies are CRISPR and Metaverse.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;CRISPR&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CRISPR (i.e., Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) allows scientists to modify and mend &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genomes and genetic information&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While it is still experimental, this technology has been used in a process dubbed 'gene editing' &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as recently as 2017&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with the potential to help reverse or prevent genetic defects and conditions. CRISPR could make many conditions a thing of the past and re-envision everything we understand about the fundamental structure of life. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Metaverse&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although already used in healthcare, the Metaverse has the potential to be just as futuristic as CRISPR. Through the usage of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/augmented-reality-and-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AR and VR technology in the Metaverse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, doctors will be able to perform surgery virtually. At the same time, patients will be able to visualize human anatomy in ways that will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/metaverse-and-virtual-reality-are-gaining-foothold-healthcare" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve education, patient care and surgical skills&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It's no understatement that the Metaverse will completely reimagine how we understand healthcare and even our own bodies.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Technology Will Continue to Shape the Future &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthcare is impossible to imagine without technology. Even 200 years ago, technology was a critical part of healthcare provision. As technology advances and is perfected, healthcare improves. It will continue to improve patient care, quality of life and life expectancy with it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The future of technology in healthcare is bright. Over the past 200 years, medical technology has come far, and in the past 40, it has come even further. As we look forward to perhaps the next 200 years of medical technology development, one can only dream of the possibilities. But some of those possibilities might be closer than one might think!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/healthcare-tech.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-healthcare-technology-has-changed-over-the-years/</url> </article> <article> <ID>27000</ID> <title>What are the Causes for Appendix Rupture?</title> <publishDate>2022-11-24 08:40:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_206 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_245"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_257 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_159 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_477 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_478 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_479 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_277 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coming across the experience of a major organ failing, whether in a loved one or yourself, can be an extremely harrowing step in the trajectory of our lives. Often, there is a temptation to give into fears about our health and only see the dire aspects of the situation. Fortunately, we live in an age where medicine benefits from many great advances, and research has provided medical professionals with the understanding and the means to treat health problems even as serious as a ruptured appendix.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is an Appendix Rupture?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Appendix rupture results from untreated appendicitis—if an individual has appendicitis that goes unnoticed and unresolved, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the appendix is compromised&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and releases harmful bacteria into the abdomen. While it is unpleasant to treat appendicitis, it is much more difficult to treat the infections that can result from the spread of this bacteria.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that appendicitis is unlikely to go untreated for many individuals with access to hospital care. The intense discomfort of appendicitis clues many doctors to the possibility of something much more serious than a stomach problem. The unique &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;appendicitis symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include sudden pain that starts on the lower right side of the abdomen, which becomes worse when the individual coughs or walks, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has found that if your appendicitis is treated within 36 hours of the beginning of symptoms, then your chance of appendix rupture is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;less than 2%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. And if you get appendicitis treatment 36 hours or more after the start of symptoms, that risk of appendix rupture only increases to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is not to say that you should delay getting treatment for what you suspect might be appendicitis! It is to say that the chances of your appendix rupturing are not high as long as you pay attention to your body's signals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are the Causes of Appendix Rupture?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you or a loved one does experience an appendix rupture, it's best to know what signs to look out for. Your appendix has a significant amount of bacteria on even a normal day, but problems occur when the opening of your appendix becomes blocked, providing an opportunity for said &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis/symptoms-causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bacteria to become stuck in the appendix and reproduce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. With nowhere to go and nothing else to do, this situation leads to infection, eventually resulting in appendicitis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Untreated appendicitis only becomes more unpleasant. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.icare-er.com/what-can-happen-if-your-appendix-bursts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;progression of the infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; leads to an excess of bacterial reproduction and pus, which causes the appendix to swell. Once it swells sufficiently for the regular blood flow to get cut off, the part of the organ most lacking this blood flow dies. This wall is ground zero for a tear to take place, which is the actual rupture that the diagnosis 'appendix rupture' refers to.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the rupture occurs, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix#symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will become unpleasantly obvious: pain around the belly button, vomiting, then a shifting of&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the pain from the more central belly button area to the lower right side of the abdomen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Individuals encountering appendix rupture also commonly experience fever, decreased appetite, constipation or diarrhea and abdominal tenderness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is worth noting that many experiences of appendix rupture include a period of relief, lasting for several hours as a result of the rupture. This is not because all is right with the appendix, but because the steadily-mounting pressure from the blocked appendix has finally been relieved. Although these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.choc.org/stomach-flu-or-appendicitis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are serious and will almost definitely be noticed, it is possible to read them as indications of other illnesses, such as the stomach flu or ovarian cysts. Consider the possibilities and consult your doctor to pursue the best treatment option.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does Treatment for Appendix Rupture Look Like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you do find yourself in the situation of an appendix rupture, it will be reassuring to know that you can treat it! Treatment involves removing the appendix in a surgical operation. The tricky part is that the infection and inflammation of the region must be under control before you can undergo surgery. To accomplish this, doctors will provide antibiotics and, in some cases, use a tube to remove excess pus from a large abscess.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The technical name for surgical removal of the appendix is an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/surgery/appendectomy#:~:text=An%20appendectomy%20is%20surgery%20to,and%20large%20intestine%20(colon)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;appendectomy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a procedure performed &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2619245#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20appendectomy%20(open,annually%20in%20the%20United%20States." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over a quarter of a million times each year in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; There are two different ways to perform an appendectomy: open or laparoscopic. The name of the latter style refers to the laparoscope, a small camera that surgeons can use to view live images of the patients' internal organs on a television screen. Whether an appendectomy is conducted in an open or laparoscopic fashion, the basic goal is the same—create a small number of incisions that are only large enough to remove the damaged appendix and interrupt the threat to the patient's health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Open surgery is typically preferred because it makes it easier for the surgeon to verify that the infection resulting from the appendix rupture has cleared away completely. Despite the wonderful laparoscopic technology that enables this kind of surgery, the advantages of open surgery cannot be denied in cases of appendix rupture. Either way, full recovery from appendix surgery will typically take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix#recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;between four and six weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Long Will My Recovery Time Be if My Appendix Ruptures?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing to note is that the surgical appendectomy can only be performed once the infection created by a ruptured appendix has cleared. It can take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix#recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;several weeks for the antibiotics to accomplish this&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, unfortunately lengthening the amount of time it takes to recover from a ruptured appendix. Appendix rupture recovery can be a slow process, and you should not expect to get out of it without, for example, taking some time off work. It will be a definite disruption to your daily schedule for a time, but recovery is possible, as individuals all across the U.S. can attest to it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The short answer is that recovery from a ruptured appendix can take as many as 10 weeks or three months because the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix#recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;first stage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, during which the patient takes antibiotics to clear away the ruptured appendix's infection, can take up to four weeks. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/ruptured-appendix#recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;second stage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, recovery from an appendectomy, can take up to six weeks. Complications from surgery or other health issues could lengthen this timeframe, of course, but it is safe to say that the average recovery time for an appendix rupture and consequent surgery is in the two to three months range.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If your appendix has become blocked and you are developing a case of appendicitis, the best approach is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543#:~:text=Signs%20and%20symptoms%20of%20appendicitis,or%20make%20other%20jarring%20movements" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;notice the symptoms early and get treatment as soon as possible&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If the situation deteriorates to the point that your appendix ruptures, the processes of surgery and recovery become more difficult and more painful. Fortunately, doctors are trained to recognize the symptoms of appendicitis and possible appendix rupture when they see it, so consult your primary care physician immediately if you suspect that you or a loved one may be on the verge of appendix rupture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-Rupture.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-causes-for-appendix-rupture/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26993</ID> <title>Is Alone Time Important for Your Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-11-24 08:29:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_207 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_246"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_258 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_160 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_480 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_481 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_482 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_278 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although we're social creatures thriving on interactions with others, too much time spent in the company of others might backfire. How many times did you promise yourself to stay home, all curled up in bed with a good book, just to be distracted by a knock on the door or a phone call?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social interactions may be rewarding, sure, but so is alone time. Many people dread being left out of their friends' latest adventures, but the fear of missing should not overcome the fact that spending time alone is essential for solid mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Alone Time?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-important-is-alone-time-for-mental-health-5184607" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alone time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the practice of taking some time for yourself during which you can do anything you want. The period can be defined only by you. Some people need only a couple of days, but if you feel like you need a week or more of alone time, that's normal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It all depends on the type of person you are — you can define your alone time as you wish. You can either practice hobbies or just lay in bed all day. Alone time cannot be defined, as the concept is subjective.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are the Benefits of Being Alone?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But why is alone time so beneficial to people? This is a question many people ask themselves before or while spending some quality time in their own company. Before you can truly see the benefits of having some alone time, you must understand that 'alone time' is entirely different from 'loneliness.' Alone time is just a period in which you take some time away from people and enjoy some R&amp;amp;R. Loneliness, however, is the feeling of having no one around you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You Have Total Control Over Your Schedule &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alone time allows you to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.talkspace.com/blog/benefits-alone-time/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;do whatever you want and love&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You don't have to compromise or plan yourself around other people anymore. When taking some alone time, try doing what makes you happy. Maybe you forgot about a hobby you once loved, such as reading, painting or even pottery. If you don't find yourself carving for an old hobby, try a new one! This is your time and yours only. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Self-Reflect&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having to continuously interact with people from your social group can make it challenging to stop and think about yourself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://solaramentalhealth.com/why-spending-time-alone-is-good-for-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-reflection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is essential when discussing a healthy lifestyle, as you are the most crucial person in your life. And before you can help others, you need a positive mindset, which you cannot achieve without self-reflection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Alone Time Allows You to Relieve Stress&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alone time is a critical element of relaxing your mind. Spending time with people and not taking any time for yourself can stress not only your body but your mind as well. People who choose to spend some alone time enjoy relaxation and stress relief. You can spend your alone time engaging in different relaxing activities, which, in the end, will ease your mind and body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Alone Time Provides a Productivity Boost&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494413000340" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that people are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://solaramentalhealth.com/why-spending-time-alone-is-good-for-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more productive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when alone than when others surround them. Increase your productivity by taking some alone time for rest &amp;amp; relaxation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Focusing On Your Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Always having your mind occupied with other people's needs can easily make you forget about yourself, especially when discussing health. Alone time allows us to improve our health, whether talking about mental or physical health. By reflecting on your health and noticing what is wrong, you can take the steps necessary for improvement: changing your diet, working out, visiting a therapist, etc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alone time may be scary for some, but it's a necessary step for your well-being. It's essential to put yourself first and do what is healthy for you, even if this may seem far-fetched to others. Next time you find yourself overwhelmed and stressed, take some alone time, which, in the end, will make you feel a million times better. And remember, do not confuse 'alone time' with 'loneliness' as they are two completely different things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Alone-time.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-alone-time-important-for-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26986</ID> <title>Different Kinds of Massages</title> <publishDate>2022-11-23 08:14:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_208 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_247"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_259 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_161 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_483 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_484 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_485 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_279 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you imagine a relaxing massage, you likely see yourself on a table with someone gently massaging your muscles with their hands. But did you know that many different styles of massages exist? What's more, various kinds of massages can have multiple benefits and healing properties. Each massage can treat a specific issue and provide unique forms of relaxation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are Massages Good for You?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Massages are a great way to rest and relax your body by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20massage&amp;amp;text=Reducing%20stress%20and%20increasing%20relaxation,heart%20rate%20and%20blood%20pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;releasing the stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that naturally accumulates over time. Massages can also help improve your body's circulation, energy, immune function and relaxation, all while reducing blood pressure, pain, soreness and tension. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some researchers suggest that massages might also help treat various &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20massage&amp;amp;text=Reducing%20stress%20and%20increasing%20relaxation,heart%20rate%20and%20blood%20pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aches and pains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as headaches, low back pain, nerve pain, forms of joint pain and upper back and neck pain. Massages can even impact chronic conditions like myofascial pain syndrome and mental conditions like anxiety. And then there's the obvious benefit for athletes with massages showing great promise to treat various sports injuries, soft tissue strains and injuries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Different Kinds of Massages&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the benefits of massages in mind, here are some of the most popular kinds of massages and their benefits:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Couples' Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ever so famous couples' massage! As its name implies, this massage is for you and your partner or a friend/relative. Other than that, this is just a conventional massage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As for its benefits, a couples' massage can help bring you and your partner &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;closer together&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; — the result of your partner and you being in a relaxing and stress-free environment that makes it easier to open up emotionally and lower any defenses you might have. Both your body and relationship can get an opportunity to rest, relax and reset. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cranial Sacral Therapy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is a more technical form of massage and is often treated as a form of medical therapy or treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage#cranial-sacral" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cranial sacral therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; works by gently manipulating the bones in the skull, spine and pelvis to improve cerebrospinal fluid circulation through the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because this therapy focuses on your spine and nervous system, it can help treat nervous or spine and pelvic-related conditions such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Migraines; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Headaches; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neck pain; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sinus and ear infections; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mood disorders; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scoliosis; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constipation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, cranial sacral therapy is more effective than sham treatment for treating pain intensity in non-specific neck pain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Myofascial Release Therapy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Myofascial release therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; focuses on releasing your muscles' connective tissue. This massage works by applying pressure through the therapist's elbows, a foam roller or ball to the muscles, joints and bones. The pressure then works to break down the tight fascia in the muscle, which leaves the muscle relaxed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This particular massage is most commonly used to treat very tight muscles as it targets the connective tissue causing the tightness. It can also be used to help treat myofascial pain syndrome and headaches.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Abhyanga Oil Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This type of massage is similar to a conventional massage but includes the usage of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage#abhyanga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;abhyanga oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It works by massaging the oil into the skin and all over the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unlike some of the previously mentioned massages, the emphasis of this massage is on the skin, not the muscles. Instead of trying to release muscular tension, the working of abhyanga oil onto the skin is designed to nourish it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Abhyanga oil massages can help: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce stress; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improve skin health and moisture; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce blood pressure and muscle stiffness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An added benefit is that this massage can be performed at home with or without a practitioner. All you need is some oil and a helping hand or two!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Deep Tissue Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deep tissue massages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; unsurprisingly focus on the deep tissue in the body. Specifically, they aim to lengthen and relax the deep tissue while improving the flow of blood and nutrients to the muscles and the elimination of toxins in the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deep tissue massages work by applying slow strokes and deep finger pressure to focus on the deep layers of your body's connective tissue and muscles. Deep tissue massages are most effective for people with soreness, injuries, tightness, or chronic muscle pain because they penetrate deep into the body to heal underlying pain and tension. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sports Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports massages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are designed specifically for treating sports injuries. Unlike other forms of massages designed to provide relaxation to someone with a lot of stress in the body, sports massages support very athletic and physically demanding lifestyles. These massages usually begin with an assessment so your therapist can determine what kind of treatment you need. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The massage will vary greatly depending on your injury or goal. Sports massages can include movements like: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stroking; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kneading; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Compression; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Friction; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stretching; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The usage of trigger points. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to relieving athletic injuries, sports massages help improve athletic performance, sleep, flexibility and well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Trigger Point Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage#trigger-point" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;trigger point massage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as indicated by its name, works by treating trigger points, i.e., areas of tightness within the muscle tissues that cause pain in the body. It works by applying alternating pressure on the trigger point to alleviate pain and tightness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This form of massage is particularly good for people with chronic pain. Some research has shown that it can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of tension headaches and migraines. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thai Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thai massages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are unique; they typically involve the patient lying on the floor and participating in the treatment. Similar to yoga, Thai massages use a series of gentle movements while the therapist applies pressure on the body. It also includes pulling forces like knuckle cracking, pulling your toes and fingers and walking on the patient's back. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Thai massage's benefits include increased flexibility, circulation and energy levels. So, whether you're a yoga enthusiast or someone looking to rest, relax and stretch, Thai massage therapy can be a fun and exciting way to strengthen and lengthen while releasing unwanted tension! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hot Stone Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/hot-stone-massage#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hot stone massages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; use heated flat stones placed on the body to relax your muscles. The stones are typically placed on your stomach, chest, face, palms, feet, toes and along your spine. Other than the usage of warmed stones, hot stone massages are not unlike a conventional massage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most often, your therapist will massage your body with long strokes, vibration, tapping, kneading and circular movements. After using the hot stones, your therapist might use cold stones to end the session by soothing the skin and calming any swollen blood vessels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because they use warmth, hot stone massages provide a number of benefits in addition to those provided by conventional massage. For instance, host stone massages can help treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, reduce pain and improve grip strength and range of motion. They may also help relieve the symptoms of certain cancer and autoimmune diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Swedish Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This incredibly relaxing massage is all about leaving you feeling rested, relaxed and rejuvenated. It uses &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;long strokes and light/firm pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to provide relaxation to your body. Because of the application of light and firm pressure through long strokes, glides, kneading, tapping and rubbing, Swedish massages are perfect for people looking to reduce tension in their muscles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swedish massages have also been found to reduce anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; performed a study where participants suffering from general anxiety without receiving medical treatment had a Swedish massage twice a week. The subjects reported significantly reduced anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Aromatherapy Massage&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thegoodbody.com/types-of-massage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aromatherapy massages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; add essential oils (e.g., Roman chamomile, lavender, tea tree, lemon, ginger and cedarwood) to the conventional massage to improve mental and physical health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An aromatherapy massage's effect on you largely depends on what kind of oil was used in the massage. Roman chamomile, for example, has been shown to help treat anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a lot of different kinds of massages out there, so it's easy to get lost between all these possibilities and become overwhelmed. Instead, think of massages as tools — each one has something that it is particularly good at, so there isn't such a thing as a wrong decision. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every massage has benefits, and they will all help in some ways. It just means that finding that perfect fit might take a few tries. Take encouragement in the fact that there is an ideal massage out there for reducing your particular kind of pain, ache or tightness. You just have to find it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/massages.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/different-kinds-of-massages/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26976</ID> <title>What Do Healthy Relationships Look Like?</title> <publishDate>2022-11-23 07:46:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_209 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_248"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_260 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_162 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_486 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_487 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_488 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_280 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every relationship is different on almost every level, with different answers to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-healthy-relationship-4774802" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fundamental questions such as&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is acceptable in a relationship?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is needed for it to work out?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What makes the relationship either healthy or toxic?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Usually, the details that turn a relationship from healthy to toxic are the same: infidelity, distrusting each other, constantly lying, etc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your romantic relationship healthy is not an easy task; it requires effort, patience and a solid dedication to building a future with your loved one. Only then will your relationship thrive in a positive environment, a sine qua for preserving your and your partner's mental and physical health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Do Healthy Relationships Work?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The term &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#characteristics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;'healthy relationship&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;' is very subjective, as the definition is decided by two people (in a polyamorous relationship, by more than just two people) depending on their needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, you must remember that every relationship is unique. Depending on your age, personality, needs and preferences, your romantic relationship differs from the one you had with someone else or even with the same person. As we mature and redefine our personalities, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#red-flags" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the ways we interact in relationships, especially romantic ones, differ&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having a healthy relationship &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#red-flags" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;does not mean you and your partner must have the same hobbies, preferences and lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But, if you cannot be with someone who, for example, has a different view on significant subjects, it is usually healthier for you and the other person to end your relationship. It is natural for arguments between romantic partners to occur, but not daily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Healthy Relationships Look Like&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trust &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#characteristics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trust&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a crucial element in having a healthy relationship. Having and being an honest partner means you trust your other half. You can achieve this by: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not keeping secrets from each other; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not interrogating your partner when they are not with you about their whereabouts or who they are with; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not being afraid that your partner will cheat on you with someone else; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not constantly surveilling them through social media or the people they are around.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Respect&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://hellorelish.com/articles/respect-in-a-relationship.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Respecting one another&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is necessary for a healthy relationship. You must respect each other's past, feelings, needs and boundaries. No one, not even your romantic partner, is allowed to overstep something you deeply care about, especially boundaries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, if you do not enjoy a relationship full of cursing or mean words, your partner has to respect that. And respect comes along with love. If your romantic partner truly loves you and is willing to adapt for you, they will not disrespect your choices and needs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Teamwork&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember, your relationship is not a contest between you and your partner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#characteristics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both of you are a team&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You need to have each other's back and support your partner's dreams and wishes, even though you may not always see eye to eye. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Intimacy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#characteristics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intimacy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a big part of a romantic relationship. It's what sets this type of relationship apart, which is why you have to discuss it openly and see if you are compatible. If you both enjoy having an active sex life, then your relationship will be healthy, and the avenue of comfortably initiating sex and openly discussing desires, likes and dislikes will always be open.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Time Apart&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no shame if you sometimes wish to be apart from your partner. People have different needs, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#characteristics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some enjoy spending time alone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Many prioritize spending time with their partners, but that does not mean you must neglect your personal space and time. Having some time for yourself to relax, practice a hobby or meet up with friends and family leaves time for you to long for your partner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Communication&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-relationship#characteristics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discussing your issues and needs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with your partner depicts a healthy relationship. You have to feel comfortable about opening up to these types of discussions or any issue you may suffer. Do not be distracted by the fact that your partner may have a different opinion; they are there to help you get through your problems and celebrate your success. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember that communication goes both ways. Just like your partner is listening to you, you must do the same for them!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just as people define healthy relationships, they can cause a relationship to go downhill. Toxic relationships can spring up &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-healthy-relationship-4774802" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;between a victim and an aggressor or between two aggressors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you are in a toxic relationship, you may find your partner: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stepping over your boundaries; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pressuring you into having sex with them; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constantly monitoring you and your whereabouts; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not trusting your words and always demanding physical proof; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hating all of your friends just because you spent time with them and not with yourself; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not communicating openly about subjects such as old partners, friends and family. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can a Relationship Go from Toxic to Healthy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If two partners wish to change their toxic relationship into a healthy one and will genuinely work for it, anything is possible! As we already noted, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-healthy-relationship-4774802" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;adapting is the first step toward a healthy relationship&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and the same goes for toxic relationships: they require a profound change, which can be hard sometimes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adapting to your partner's needs is essential if you wish to turn your toxic relationship into a healthy one. Discuss what bothers you in the relationship and listen to your partner's wishes. If you think you can change for the better and your partner, a happy and healthy relationship lies just around the corner!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having a romantic relationship with someone that you love will be easy most of the time. Do not get scared when you hit a bump in the road. It is normal for challenges to appear from time to time but if you are in a healthy relationship, it will be easy to get over them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/relatioship.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-do-healthy-relationships-look-like/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26938</ID> <title>A Top Doctor in Hair Transplant Innovation: An Interview with Dr. Arthur Katona</title> <publishDate>2022-11-18 11:33:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_210 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_249"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_261 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_163 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_489 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_490 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_491 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_281 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDoc Clinics Miami location is fortunate to include Dr. Arthur Katona, MD, as an in-house physician. Dr. Katona, a hair restoration surgeon with 25 years of experience, is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://katonahairrestoration.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leader in the industry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. He has performed more than 22,000 hair transplant procedures in the United States and the United Kingdom. He is well respected for his talent and innovations, and his patients include several professional athletes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We built the largest clinic in the United States, and now we're in the best city in the best building, in the best location and in the best clinic," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Becoming a Hair Transplant Surgeon&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Getting Started&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After medical school,  Dr. Katona completed Fellowships in Dermatology with Dr. Bernard Ackerman, Dr. F. Brandt, and Dr. Leavitt.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Later, he completed a lengthy Fellowship in hair transplant surgery with Dr. Leavitt learning techniques that were decades ahead of the general hair transplant community. Dr. Katona has taught some of these techniques at the major hair transplant meetings for the leading doctors in the world.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Singular Focus&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Katona and his team have a singular focus on what they do and how they do it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My team is dedicated exclusively to hair transplant surgery. They don’t engage in any other areas of medicine. A singular focus is critical," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Hair Transplant Surgery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Two Standard Techniques&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Two methods are commonly used for hair transplant are Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Both involve removing hair follicles from the back of the head and transplanting them in the thinning areas. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With FUT, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/hair-transplants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strip of skin is removed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and divided into thousands of grafts with one or more individual hairs each. With FUE, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/hair-transplants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;back of the scalp is shaved&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and individual hair follicles are removed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I come out of the FUT strip surgery legacy, but FUE surgery is making a move to be the foremost technique. Both are good as long as you execute at the highest level," Dr. Katona explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Other Treatments&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Katona mentions other methods available, such as cryotherapy, IV therapy, hyperbaric, platelet-rich plasma and oral medications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are also medications such as Finasteride and Minoxidil. I think oral minoxidil and spironolactone are going to step forward," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Katona considers laser light therapy and stem cells and exosomes as exciting possibilities in hair restoration. and peptides to be exciting entries into the field. Also, his practice will be conducting randomized prospective peptides studies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're going to have cloning within the next five to 10 years. The technology and science are there. I think all of these procedures are going to get bigger and better," Dr. Katona explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hair Transplantation for Women&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Katona and his team receive many inquiries from women seeking hair loss solutions. The team carefully evaluates each case.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It is critical to perform an extensive medical history, which may involve laboratory tests, a skin biopsy and other modalities to determine the cause of hair loss. Once the cause has been determined or certain underlying health conditions have been ruled out, we may proceed to treatment," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Inventions and Advancements&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Challenges do not daunt Dr. Katona and his team. Instead, they invent solutions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Overcoming Challenges for African American Patients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many African American patients, the current machinery does not work as well because of the tight curl of the hair follicle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The curl exists not only at the surface but also beneath the skin, making follicles trickier to harvest. The curvature of the hair shaft makes it particularly challenging to locate the root of the follicle, which is critical for a transplanted follicle's growth," Dr. Katona explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The solution? They invented a new machine!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our FUE device considers the curvature, so we can more easily work on wavy and curly hair. It even makes it easier to harvest straight hair, too, so everyone benefits," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The team also pretreats the skin before actual harvest to make the root location more easily identifiable. In sum, patients receive better, more satisfying outcomes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using Less Anesthesia &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The FUE procedure requires a lot of anesthesia, which is not salutary for the patient. The solution? Another invention.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have invented our anesthesia mechanism where we use less medication. As a result, we're getting better anesthesia and more comfort for the patient, which allows us to do bigger hair transplant procedures," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Partnership&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics is delighted to have Dr. Katona join their ranks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We decided to network with TopDoc Clinics because they scour the country for the best doctors in all areas of medicine. We want to network with them and also refer our patients to them when needed," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ideal Facilities&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Katona's TopDoc Clinic is located in downtown Miami's prestigious &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/miami/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Four Seasons Hotel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're using the largest operating room in the country, about 600 square feet. Its double lamps give us illumination that we've never had before," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The location also allows for advanced postoperative care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have hair wash facilities, so a patient can come back later, and we can wash the donor and grafted areas. This speeds wound healing and growth," Dr. Katona added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Privacy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Privacy is paramount, as many of Dr. Katona's patients are among the most accomplished professional athletes from major league sports. The hotel accommodates these concerns. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are two secret entrances where they can park and enter the facility. There's also a private elevator, and they can make their way to a very private Four Seasons Hotel room for recovery," Dr. Katona explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Expanding the Top Doctor Connection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I want to take this to a national scale. Across the country, using our machinery, we can train staff, nurses, medical technicians, medical assistants and doctors," Dr. Katona said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a healthcare industry leader&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with a broad, diverse set of medical specialties, including urgent care, family practice, restorative and revitalizing services and cosmetic procedures. Their overall goal is to detoxify the body and improve the speed and quality of recovery for every patient. To that end, we bring on board and support team members like Dr. Katona — the most forward-thinking, innovative providers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Katona is at the forefront of advancing the hair transplant surgery practice. With the help of his dedicated team of experts, he has created solutions when faced with challenges, providing the best chance for patients' successful outcomes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doc Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is proud to have Dr. Katona on its team of house physicians. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Dr-Arthur.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-top-doctor-in-hair-transplant-innovation-an-interview-with-dr-arthur-katona/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26912</ID> <title>Reaching More People Through Telemedicine: An Interview With Dr. Laura Purdy, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-11-14 10:28:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_211 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_250"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_262 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_164 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_492 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_493 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_494 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_282 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's all about the relationships for me," Dr. Laura Purdy said. "That's relationships with business owners, other doctors, peers, colleagues, innovators, nurse practitioners and RNs and, of course, patients." &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, is a board-certified, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://wellnessdripholyoke.com/laura-purdy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;family medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; physician based in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is licensed in 48 states, enabling her to practice telemedicine effectively across the country. For 14 years of her medical career, Dr. Purdy served as a physician in the U.S. Army, where she discovered the value of telemedicine. In civilian medicine, she is working to educate medical professionals and patients alike about the growth and benefits of telemedicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To that end, Dr. Purdy has founded several businesses and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-purdy-md/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has been featured&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on major networks and other high-profile media as a thought leader in digital healthcare. Driven by a strong desire to help as many people as possible, she strives to establish high-quality, advanced telehealth systems and bring much-needed services to those who otherwise fall through the medical cracks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Diverting the Spotlight &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Purdy has a personal philosophy of selflessness. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've never sought to do anything for myself at the expense of another person. I would rather sacrifice myself if it meant somebody else gets to succeed," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Facing the Music&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Purdy's original career path goal was to be a pianist. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was a childhood prodigy. I accompanied orchestras, choirs, musicals, soloists, ensembles, weddings, churches and more," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She was most comfortable in her supporting role — she didn't like having all eyes on her. But an unfortunate incident in her teen years during which a show was stolen from her soured her love of a music career. It contradicted her personal philosophy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I said, 'I quit. I'm out. I will fail in this industry because I'm not like that. If this is what it's like, I don't want to be part of it,'" Dr. Purdy explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Embracing Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My dad said one day, 'Why don't you go be a nurse?' It sounded great, so I agreed," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Purdy began shadowing other nurses and discovered it wasn't for her. She wanted to be in a position to make significant decisions for the good of caring for people. So, she decided to become a doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Joining and Learning in the U.S. Army&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Just so you know, I'm not paying for your grad school," Dr. Purdy's dad told her. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Well, I wasn't going to pay for it, either, because that's not a good business decision. I've always been a businesswoman," she replied.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Purdy turned to military service as an opportunity to have medical school paid for while she contributed to the war that, in 2006, was just a few years old. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In the military, I'd get to do something meaningful and not have to worry about institutions, health systems and health insurance influencing my practice of medicine. Instead, I was going to learn how to be a doctor," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It was while she was serving as a doctor in the military that she discovered the value of telemedicine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In the military, people deploy. In my unit, twice a year, the medics deployed in groups all across the continent of Africa. And so I learned that telemedicine was both capable and necessary," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In line with her philosophy of helping as many as possible, telemedicine became a way to function effectively in a resource-strapped environment. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We had to figure out how to take what we had at our disposal and use that to do the best, be the most efficient and deliver the most healthcare to the most people in the most efficient way. The military taught me that. Every day, I mentally give credit to what I learned in the Army," Dr. Purdy explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Telemedicine's Extended Reach&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Telemedicine is a great way to support your goal of putting others' well-being at the forefront. It casts a wider net to serve those who either don't have primary care facilities nearby or cannot access them. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The COVID-19 Revolution&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We were put in a position where we needed a rapid adoption of digital health," Dr. Purdy said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before, both patients and doctors were skeptical. Telemedicine was much needed, but it was hard to do. The silver lining in the dark COVID-19 cloud provided the entire industry with a period of rapid refinement and growth in people's trust. They were willing to give it a try out of necessity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Governments were willing to change their laws," Dr. Purdy explained. "It reestablished the way we define doctor-patient relationships and the legal practice of medicine. It revolutionized the industry. My vision of establishing advanced telehealth systems across the country was becoming a reality."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;New Expectations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just like many banking services are now conveniently done online, patients are now expecting certain medical services to be provided the same way. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Trips to the doctor's office or emergency room will be reserved for actual life and death situations, while primary care will be managed outside the institution. Technology will develop systems and tools for more and more remote medical care," Dr. Purdy shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach will give patients more and better access to quality care and allow doctors more flexibility and options in their patient interactions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Promising Future&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This is real medicine, the same thing you get at the clinic," Dr. Purdy said. "But it's not a substitute for the primary care physician. There are still tests and procedures that must be done in person."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But it is a wonderful tool for the physician to use. And Dr. Purdy has fully immersed herself in it as a physician and businesswoman. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I love the digital healthcare business — working with startups, growing businesses, guiding them, teaching best practices and how to be successful," she explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I came upon &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocclinics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; through a referral who knew that I enjoy the business of medicine and helping startups," Dr. Purdy said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics needed somebody to be in charge of their professional corporation and to oversee the medical activities. She accepted.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have two locations — Miami and Redondo Beach, California. The teamwork is incredible. We're doing real good for people in the communities. We're connecting with local doctors and patients and providing needed services. It's a joy and an honor to work with Top Doc," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's the relationships that keep Dr. Purdy going. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's putting good into the world that motivates me. It's the most fun, exciting thing I could imagine," she concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDoc Clinics and telemedicine fit Dr. Purdy's philosophy quite well!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/dr-laura.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/reaching-more-people-through-telemedicine-an-interview-with-dr-laura-purdy-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26773</ID> <title>Pros and Cons of Pre-workout Supplements</title> <publishDate>2022-11-14 07:53:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_212 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_251"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_263 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_165 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_495 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_496 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_497 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_283 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many things to consider before you start down the path of pre-workout supplementation. Do you really need it? What are the side effects? Will it give you superhuman strength?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.menshealth.com/uk/nutrition/a26075019/pre-workout-complete-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pre-workout supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are designed to give you an extra edge during your workout. They typically contain a mix of stimulants, amino acids and other ingredients that can boost energy levels, improve focus and increase strength and endurance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Find the Best Pre-workout Supplements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to pre-workout supplements, there are a lot of different options on the market. But how do you know which one is right for you?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, consider what your goals are. Are you trying to build muscle? Lose weight? Improve your endurance? Different supplements can help you achieve each of these goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, take a look at the ingredients list. Some of them, like caffeine, can give you an energy boost, while others, like creatine, can improve your strength and power. Make sure to read the labels carefully, so you know what you're taking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Third, think about your budget. Pre-workout supplements can vary in price, so it's important to find one that fits in your wallet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While pre-workout supplements can be beneficial, there are also some potential downsides to consider. Stimulants can cause jitters, anxiety and irritability, and some people may be sensitive to the ingredients in these supplements. In addition, supplements are not necessary for everyone, and they can be expensive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Effects of Common Pre-workout Supplement Ingredients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before you settle upon a supplement, it is important to research the ingredients and talk to a doctor to see if it is right for you. Some of these common ingredients in pre-workout supplements are caffeine, creatine and B vitamins. While these ingredients can be beneficial for some people, they can also be harmful if not used correctly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Caffeine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a central nervous system stimulant that can improve focus and increase energy levels. However, too much of it can lead to jitters, anxiety and insomnia. If you are sensitive to caffeine, it is best to avoid pre-workout supplements that contain large amounts of it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creatine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-creatine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creatine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an amino acid that helps to supply energy to muscles. It is often used by bodybuilders and athletes to improve performance. While creatine is generally safe, creatine can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea if taken in large doses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;B Vitamins&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins/vitamin-b/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;B vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are essential nutrients that help the body convert food into energy. They are often added to pre-workout supplements to improve energy levels. However, taking too many of these vitamins can lead to side effects such as nausea and dizziness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nitric Oxide&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326381" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nitric oxide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a compound naturally produced in the body. It helps widen blood vessels and improve blood flow. Nitric oxide is often added to pre-workout supplements because it can improve exercise performance. However, too much nitric oxide can lead to headaches and dizziness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Beta-alanine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/beta-alanine-101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beta-alanine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a non-essential amino acid. It is often added to pre-workout supplements because it can improve exercise performance by reducing fatigue. However, too much beta-alanine can cause tingling and flushing of the skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Taurine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/taurine/faq-20058177#:~:text=Taurine%2C%20which%20has%20chemistry%20similar,long%2Dterm%20supplemental%20taurine%20use." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taurine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a compound with a similar structure to amino acids. It is naturally found in meat, fish and dairy products and added to energy drinks. Taurine can improve exercise performance, but too much of it can cause side effects such as nausea and dizziness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;L-arginine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-l-arginine/art-20364681#:~:text=L%2Darginine%20is%20an%20amino,be%20used%20orally%20and%20topically." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;L-arginine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an amino acid that helps our body build protein. It is often added to pre-workout supplements because it can improve exercise performance. However, too much L-arginine can cause side effects such as bloating and diarrhea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;L-citrulline&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1245/l-citrulline#:~:text=L%2Dcitrulline%20is%20an%20amino,the%20Latin%20term%20for%20watermelon." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;L-citrulline&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an amino acid that is found naturally in watermelons. It is often added to pre-workout supplements because it can improve exercise performance. However, too much L-citrulline can cause side effects such as nausea and stomach cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Electrolytes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153188" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electrolytes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as sodium and potassium are minerals that are found naturally in the body. They help to regulate blood pressure and keep the body hydrated. Electrolytes are often added to pre-workout supplements because they can improve exercise performance. But too many of these minerals can lead to side effects such as dehydration and cramping.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pre-workout supplements can be beneficial for some people, but they can also be harmful if not used correctly. Be sure to research the ingredients and talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Effects of Pre-workout Supplements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supplements are designed to help you maximize your workout by increasing energy, focus and strength. While they can be beneficial, there are also some potential side effects to be aware of.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can increase energy levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They may improve focus and mental clarity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can enhance physical performance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some formulas contain ingredients that have additional health benefits, like antioxidants or electrolytes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cons&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They may cause jitters or anxiety in some people.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some formulas contain stimulants, like caffeine, which can cause sleeplessness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They may be expensive, especially if you take them regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people may experience stomach discomfort after taking them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people may experience negative side effects like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is always the potential for adverse reactions, especially if you have allergies to any of the ingredients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preworkout can be a great way to get an energy boost before a workout. There are a variety of pre-workout supplements on the market, but they are not all the same. Some of them contain stimulants that can cause side effects like jitters or anxiety. Others may not have enough of the right ingredients to be effective. It is important to do your research and choose the right supplement for you before you begin taking pre-workout supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Pre-workout-Supplements.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/pros-and-cons-of-pre-workout-supplements/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26764</ID> <title>Medicinal Use of Herbs</title> <publishDate>2022-11-13 07:42:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_213 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_252"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_264 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_166 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_498 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_499 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_500 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_284 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When hearing about herbs, most people think about foods, teas and maybe some experimentation with gardening. However, many herbs have uses that go far beyond making food or water taste a bit better. In fact, many herbs enjoy medicinal uses that help supplement and potentially even treat many common ailments. While, in many cases, these herbal remedies won't necessarily completely cure your illness, they can often supplement or help make your illness more bearable! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Herbs Be Used as Medicine?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An impressive number of herbs have medicinal qualities. Everything from chronic conditions, cardiovascular disease and depression to the immune system can be improved through herbal medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Herbs aren't just the most recent health fad, either—they've been used medicinally for thousands of years! Traditional Chinese medicine has used herbal medicine techniques for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92773/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20herbs%20are%20applied%20to,to%20name%20but%20a%20few" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3000 years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Such techniques treat the patient holistically, often incorporating medicinal herbs like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92773/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20herbs%20are%20applied%20to,to%20name%20but%20a%20few" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gingko, garlic and ginseng&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as core treatments for numerous illnesses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Herbal medicine is used in more than just traditional Chinese medicine. Despite the relative advances in synthetic drugs in many parts of the developed world, we still frequently use traditional medicine to treat our illnesses. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92773/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20herbs%20are%20applied%20to,to%20name%20but%20a%20few" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;90% of Africa and 70% of India&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; rely on traditional medicine, which often involves herbal or natural medicine instead of synthetic drugs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the U.S. in 2007, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92773/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20herbs%20are%20applied%20to,to%20name%20but%20a%20few" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;38% of people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; used some form of herbal medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many, herbs can be a helpful alternative to traditional medicine. Herbal medicine can often be more affordable than synthetic drugs. People also pursue herbal medicine for personal reasons, either out of concern for the effects of synthetic drugs or because it suits their beliefs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, herbal medicine can also be an alternative for those facing severe conditions which are not responsive to traditional care. According to research on patients with chronic conditions, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92773/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20herbs%20are%20applied%20to,to%20name%20but%20a%20few" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;herbal medicine use increases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when they deal with a condition not affected by synthetic drugs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Herbs are Used in Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In modern western medicine, herbs are technically used as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help treat diseases or maintain general health. However, as the name 'supplement' implies, herbs are not considered medical treatments by the FDA.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead, herbal supplements are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;classified as foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, meaning that herbs are not falling under the same scrutiny as actual drugs when it comes to clinical effectiveness testing. It also means that herbal supplements &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cannot claim&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to treat specific medical conditions. Instead, they will often advertise certain benefits, like enhancing mood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to this lack of clear regulation and labeling, the usage of herbal supplements can sometimes be controversial and require some caution. Just because these herbs are not synthetic drugs does not mean they cannot have strong effects on the body or adversely interact with other medications. It is imperative to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;work with a professional or ask your doctor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for advice when dealing with herbal supplements in medicine to ensure that you're not at risk for an allergic reaction or adverse effects.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Herbs with Medicinal Properties&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the medicinal properties of herbs in mind, here are some of the medical conditions well-known herbs can help with:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ideal Herbs for Inflammation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several herbs are good for treating and reducing inflammation. One of the most common ones is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&amp;amp;contentid=1169" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chamomile flower&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In the U.S., chamomile is most well known for its relaxing properties, whereas in Europe, it has been used to help treat inflammation and reduce the swelling of wounds. Chamomile can even treat inflammation and irritation resulting from radiation cancer treatments. It is often used as a compress or topical cream on the affected area or drunk as tea. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might already have two more herbs that help with inflammation in your kitchen! In addition to being commonly used in cooking, garlic and ginger are also herbal remedies for inflammation. However, while considered safe by the FDA, garlic can adversely interact with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&amp;amp;contentid=1169" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blood thinners&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so you must use it cautiously. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, the herb goldenseal can also be used to help treat inflammation in the form of skin irritation. But it is important to note that in very high doses, goldenseal can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&amp;amp;contentid=1169" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cause irritation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so be careful to work with a professional to only take the proper dose for your condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helpful Herbs for Mental Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also use herbs to help treat and mitigate some mental health conditions. St. John's wort, for example, has been shown to help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&amp;amp;contentid=1169" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce the effects of mild depression over 12 weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, research is unclear whether St. John's root is effective in severe depression and can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&amp;amp;contentid=1169" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;interact negatively with some medicines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so only use it after consulting a professional!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Herbs like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&amp;amp;contentid=1169" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;valerian root and chamomile&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also be used to help improve the symptoms of anxiety. These two herbs are known for their ability to help create a relaxing and calming effect on the body. For those struggling with anxiety, where feelings of nervousness or concern can be overwhelming, drinking these herbs in a tea or otherwise taking them may help them relax and feel at ease. While these herbs won't permanently treat one's anxiety, they can help make anxiety attacks more bearable by reducing the symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helpful Herbs for Allergies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, herbs can alleviate allergies. While many synthetic medicines are used to treat allergies, research has found that herbal or natural remedies to allergies can be similarly effective in reducing the symptoms of allergies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, the herb &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/allergies-allergy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;butterbur&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown to be as effective as antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Allegra in treating nasal symptoms of allergies. Additionally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/allergies-allergy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;quercetin and stinging nettle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are examples of other natural remedies which can work as a preventative treatment for allergies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Herbs can be a great way to naturally treat various conditions or as an alternative to synthetic drugs. History shows that herbs can be a very strong and effective method to treat various conditions. Just because the medicine is herbal does not mean that it is ineffective. However, because of their strength, you should treat them the same way you would any medication and seek professional advice before treating yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Medicinal-Use-of-Herbs.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/medicinal-use-of-herbs/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26758</ID> <title>Superfoods</title> <publishDate>2022-11-12 07:24:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_214 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_253"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_265 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_167 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_501 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_502 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_503 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_285 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body is a complicated machine that requires many nutrients to properly function daily, which can be challenging to achieve on a busy, hectic schedule. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to proper nutrient intake—no single food or superfood can offer us all the nutrients our bodies need. But combining certain foods in our diets might help us turn this mountain back into a molehill!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are Superfoods?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The name says it all—'&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/true-superfoods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;superfoods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;' are those ingredients known to bring myriads of health benefits. The secret, experts say, lies in their beneficial compounds called phytochemicals or phytonutrients—the more of these compounds are found in a superfood, the more health benefits your body will reap! It's enough to hear 'super' for us to immediately dash towards the produce stand and grab some of these ingredients. But not everyone knows which food is a superfood. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#1: Seafood&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The senior population, who needs a leaner source of protein from fish or other foods, will reap the most benefits from building a diet around seafood. The smaller amount of protein in seafood can keep their muscles in a natural and healthy state. Fish such as tuna, trout and salmon have a small quantity of protein, making them the ideal choice for seniors wishing to maintain or regain muscle mass. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides protein, seafood is an excellent source of vitamin B12, found only in animal products. As we get older, the human body becomes weaker, making it harder to absorb different nutrients, such as vitamin B12. But by increasing the servings of seafood, your body will find it easier to absorb this precious nutrient.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#2: Beans&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people wonder why beans are a superfood, but the question should be, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;why wouldn't beans be considered a superfood? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This superfood is not only rich in iron, magnesium and potassium, but it is also full of fiber and protein. On top of that, beans are low in calories, making this superfood great for your diet. Next time you're at the grocery store, try either dry or low-sodium beans! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#3: Nuts and Seeds &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All foods are different, even if they are a part of the same family, but that does not mean they are not equally good for you. This is the case with nuts and seeds. We all know that nuts and seeds are rich in protein and fiber, making them the perfect superfood to include in your breakfast. But that is not all. Nuts and seeds are also important sources of natural and healthy fats such as omega-3s, known to protect the human brain as it ages.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#4: Berries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Berries are another essential superfood that should be part of your diet! Their high concentration of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants makes berries irresistible, not to mention their scrumptious taste! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also, berries are an abundant source of fiber, a nutrient known to help manage weight and protect the body from diseases such as diabetes, cancer and different heart diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, berries appear to be great for older people, specifically their memory. That is why berries are a part of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mind-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MIND&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; diet, which focuses on superfoods that fight &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31686099/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neurodegenerative delays&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#5: Yogurt and Cottage Cheese&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both superfoods are the perfect way to start your day. Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, proteins and 'good bacteria' called probiotics, which protect your body from harmful bacteria.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cottage cheese is not only as rich in calcium and protein as yogurt but also contains high levels of vitamin D. The protein in cottage cheese, as well as any superfoods containing this nutrient, stimulates muscle protein synthesis. In addition, calcium and vitamin D are essential for maintaining the density of the bones. Therefore, after the age of 35, it is essential to introduce these nutrients into our diets for better bone health.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#6: Leafy Vegetables &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't like the taste of cottage cheese, other superfoods can supplement calcium intake, such as dark-green leafy greens! Low-fat and high in fiber, dark-green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach improve your bone health and muscle function. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also, this superfood maintains your heart health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210504112604.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that people eating dark-green leafy vegetables can lower their risk of heart disease even by 26%! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#7: Other Superfoods&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to superfoods, the possibilities are endless, so there's no need to worry about not finding something you enjoy. You may not enjoy the superfoods listed above, but there are other options for you, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole grains (rich in fiber, Vitamin B, minerals and phytonutrients);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive oil (rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tomatoes (rich in Vitamin C and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycopene" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lycopene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cruciferous vegetables (rich in fiber, different vitamins and phytochemicals).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping yourself healthy has to be our number one priority, especially as the youthful years make way for the senior age. Try introducing as many superfoods into your weekly diet for more diverse and colorful daily meals. Shop for fresh products which, in return, will keep you happy and healthy!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Superfood.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/superfoods/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26751</ID> <title>Resting Heart Rate and What It Says about Your Health</title> <publishDate>2022-11-11 07:07:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_215 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_254"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_266 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_168 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_504 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_505 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_506 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_286 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your heart is an amazing muscle. It works non-stop, day and night, pumping blood all around your body. And it doesn't just pump blood – it also controls blood flow, ensuring that every organ and tissue gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you exercise, your heart rate increases as your body demands more oxygenated blood. But when you're at rest, your heart rate slows down as your body doesn't need as much oxygenated blood. This resting heart rate is a good indicator of your overall fitness level and health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Much Resting Heart Rate Should Be?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy adult heart should beat &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979#:~:text=A%20normal%20resting%20heart%20rate%20for%20adults%20ranges%20from%2060,to%2040%20beats%20per%20minute." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;60 to 100 times per minute&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. A heart rate below 60 is called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/bradycardia--slow-heart-rate#:~:text=Bradycardia%20is%20a%20heart%20rate,(BPM)%20qualifies%20as%20bradycardia." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bradycardia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while one above 100 is called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355127#:~:text=Tachycardia%20(tak%2Dih%2DKAHR,as%20a%20response%20to%20stress." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tachycardia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Both of these conditions can be serious, so if you think your heart rate is outside of the normal range, you should see a doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your heart rate can also change throughout the day, depending on what you're doing. For example, it will usually be faster in the morning when you first wake up because your body releases hormones that increase heart rate. Stress and anxiety can also cause your heart rate to rise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Resting Heart Rate is Measured&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Knowing your resting heart rate is an excellent way to take the pulse of your health. If you notice that your heart rate is consistently higher than expected, you may need to make some lifestyle changes. However, if you're unsure what your resting heart rate is, there are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/want-to-check-your-heart-rate-heres-how" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a few easy ways to find out&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Use a heart rate monitor&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (i.e., a wearable device that tracks heart rate); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take your pulse manually&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of your wrist, just below your thumb. Once you find your pulse, count the number of beats in 60 seconds to find your heart rate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Resting Heart Rate is Too Low&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A low resting heart rate can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/athlete-heart-rate#:~:text=An%20athlete's%20resting%20heart%20rate,of%20blood%20with%20each%20heartbeat." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a sign of good fitness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but it can also be a sign of heart problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bradycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355474" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;causing a low resting heart rate include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart conditions such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thyroid problems;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anemia;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some types of cardiogenic shock;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain heart rhythm disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some cases, a low resting heart rate may not be cause for concern. For example, athletes or physically fit individuals may have a lower than average resting heart rate because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/athlete-heart-rate#:~:text=That's%20likely%20because%20exercise%20strengthens,it%20would%20in%20a%20nonathlete." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;their heart muscle is more efficient at pumping blood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Resting Heart Rate is Too High&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A high resting heart rate can indicate an underlying health condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/175241#causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that can cause a high resting heart rate include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heavy alcohol use or alcohol withdrawal;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High levels of caffeine;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Illegal drugs such as stimulants (e.g., amphetamines, cocaine);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prescription drugs such as some beta blockers and thyroid hormones;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emotional stress or anxiety;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pregnancy;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overactive thyroid (i.e., hyperthyroidism);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anemia;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Septic shock;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiac arrest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A high resting heart rate is not always a cause for concern. For example, anxious or excited people may have a higher than average resting heart rate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Resting Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Related?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resting heart rate and blood pressure are related, but sometimes the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/busting-6-myths-about-blood-pressure-and-heart-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relationship isn't as straightforward as you might think&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Your resting heart rate measures how many times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest, whereas blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. The higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart has to work to pump blood throughout your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A high resting heart rate may indicate that your heart is not functioning as efficiently as it should be. It can be a sign of poor cardiovascular health and may increase your risk for heart disease. On the other hand, high blood pressure means your heart is working harder than it needs to, leading to the same risk of heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many factors can affect your resting heart rate and blood pressure, including your&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dangerous-heart-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; age, weight, level of physical activity and stress levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Does Resting Heart Rate Increase With Sickness?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether heart rate increases when one is sick or not is a little complicated to answer. It mainly depends on the severity of your illness. Generally speaking, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/why-your-heart-rate-goes-up-when-you-are-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your resting heart rate will increase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if you have a mild illness. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13054-020-02933-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your heart rate may decrease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when suffering from a more severe illness because your body is trying to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acute.org/blog/bradycardia-how-severe-too-severe-understanding-bradycardia-eating-disorders"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;conserve energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So while a higher heart rate may indicate a minor illness, it's not necessarily indicative of a more severe condition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exercise and Resting Heart Rate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise isn't just good for your heart, it can actually help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6306777/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;normalize your heart rate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you have a healthy heart, chances are that your resting heart rate will be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. But if you're out of shape, your heart has to work harder and will likely have a higher resting heart rate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Any exercise that gets your heart pumping and makes you sweat will keep your heart rate normal! Cardio activities like&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/3-kinds-of-exercise-that-boost-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; running, biking and swimming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are all great choices, but even something as simple as a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/brisk-walking#:~:text=By%20boosting%20your%20blood%20flow,stress%2C%20and%20improve%20your%20sleep." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;brisk walk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can make a difference.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/high-intensity-exercise-and-your-heart#:~:text=A%20faster%20route%20to%20fitness,compared%20with%20moderate%2Dintensity%20exercise." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High-intensity interval training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (HIIT)&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is also a great way to get your heart rate up and keep it there. It involves short bursts of all-out effort followed by brief recovery periods. Not only is HIIT great for heart health, but it can also help you torch calories and improve your overall fitness level!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your heart rate can tell you a lot about how healthy your heart is. A fall in your heart rate outside the normal range could indicate an underlying health condition. If you're concerned about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor, who can help you determine if there's a cause for concern and develop a plan to improve your heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Heart-Rate.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/resting-heart-rate-and-what-it-says-about-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26744</ID> <title>Exfoliation and How Often You Should Do It</title> <publishDate>2022-11-10 06:39:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_216 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_255"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_267 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_169 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_507 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_508 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_509 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_287 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/more-than-skin-deep-how-diet-affects-your-skin-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your skin healthy and beautiful&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be achieved in many ways. Besides moisturizing and cleansing, exfoliation is a significant step towards the perfect skin of your dreams. Like any other process, it takes time for improvements to show, but the result will pleasantly surprise you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Exfoliation?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface. Although your body already naturally removes dead skin cells, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it can not eliminate the cells from the surface&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Therefore, it needs a slight boost to get the job done. You can help exfoliate your skin in two ways: chemical and physical exfoliation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Chemical and Physical Exfoliation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chemical exfoliation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses chemicals that are gentle enough not to damage your skin. Unfortunately, some people may be allergic to chemicals such as hydroxy acids used in chemical exfoliators. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is where &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physical exfoliation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; comes into play. Physical exfoliation involves using special sponges, brushes or loofahs to remove dead cells from your skin's surface.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before starting to exfoliate your skin, you have to consider different details, such as how often you have to exfoliate, what products to use for better results and different side effects of not exfoliating properly.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Often Should Exfoliation be Done?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before deciding how often you have to exfoliate, you must first ascertain your skin type. There are three types of skin: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;normal, oily and sensitive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you can not determine which type of skin you have, you can always consult a dermatologist for a clear and confident answer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have a normal skin type, you should &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exfoliate two to three times a week&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you notice that your skin tolerates the exfoliation, try to increase the number as long as you do not cause any damage. However, suffering from different skin conditions such as eczema can diminish the number of times you can exfoliate. Consult a specialist if you find yourself in this situation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exfoliation is an excellent choice if you have oily skin. Because your skin is constantly covered in different substances, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you can exfoliate your face almost daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Notice how your skin reacts to daily exfoliation; if the results are positive, start your day by scrubbing your face. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sensitive skin can react poorly to exfoliation. This does not mean you can not do it at all. Limit exfoliation to once every one or two weeks. In exceptional cases, depending on skin sensitivity, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you may want to avoid exfoliation altogether&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Damaging your skin can lead to different skin conditions that can not be treated, such as scars.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from your skin type, there are other details you must remember when determining how often you should exfoliate. For example, factors such as hydration, skin conditions, age and climate can alter how many times you can exfoliate. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Benefits of Exfoliation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides the fact that exfoliation removes dead skin cells and unclogs your pores, there are other benefits it brings to the table. Removing bacteria and dead cells from your skin is already a huge plus, but it does not stop here. Some of the benefits of exfoliation are listed below.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exfoliation is Amazing against Skin Aging&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is only natural for wrinkles to appear as we age, but that does not mean we can help slow down the aging of our skin. Exfoliation is known to make the skin appear and feel younger. In addition, removing the dead cells that encourage skin aging will not only improve your health but also give you a well-deserved boost of self-esteem!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exfoliation is a Must when Shaving Your Face&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only men but women also shave their faces. Many people don't know that the shaving process can have awful results if your skin is covered with dead skin cells and other substances. For that reason, exfoliating your skin before shaving prevents dead skin cells from getting stuck in the razor, which, in turn, will give you a clean shave.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Deep Skin Exfoliation Helps Diminish Breakouts &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Painful breakouts are common in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://torreypinesderm.com/benefits-deep-skin-exfoliation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;skin conditions such as acne and eczema&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, damaging patients' self-esteem. Usually, breakouts occur because of clogged pores and dirty skin. By clearing your skin, you lower the chances of breakouts ever occurring. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exfoliation Can Even Your Skin Tone&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout the day, your face gets covered by sweat, and dust clogs your pores. This can lead to blotchy skin if we do not exfoliate or at least clean our faces. Unfortunately, many people begin exfoliating quite late in life, so they might fight with stains on their faces that cannot be removed only through this process. Deep exfoliation is an excellent choice for people with this problem, as it removes the blotchy parts from the face and evens out the skin tone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Exfoliate Your Face&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People enjoy exfoliating in the morning or at the end of the day, but that is not a rule. You can exfoliate whenever you want, at any time of the day. Some people tend to exfoliate in the morning for a fresh-faced look, while others do it at night to remove the buildup gathered throughout the day. In addition, you can exfoliate when you get back from work or on your break. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before you exfoliate your skin, you first have to cleanse the area. Then, use your preferred product to wash your face before rinsing it thoroughly. These steps may differ depending on the type of exfoliation you want to use. For example, if you choose manual exfoliation, apply a pea-sized product to your chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. Next, use a sponge or brush to massage your skin while spreading the product across your face, and rinse with cool water afterward. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, if you wish to use chemical exfoliation, the instructions are printed on the product. Because there are so many chemical exfoliators, the steps you need to follow can differ. Consult the label before starting the exfoliation process. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Deep Exfoliation?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from chemical and physical exfoliation, there are other ways in which you can get rid of those dreaded dead skin cells. For example, some people opt for deep exfoliation procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deep exfoliation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://torreypinesderm.com/benefits-deep-skin-exfoliation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;requires a professional esthetician&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who can use one of the many procedures that will clean your face and unclog your pores. There are a few &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://torreypinesderm.com/esthetician-services/#dermaplaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from which you can choose, such as Skin Peel, Back Facial, Oxygen Facial, Dermaplaning, and Acne Relief Facial. In addition, some deep exfoliation procedures use lasers, and others use steam, so you can choose which one you think will be better for your skin and budget!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your skin healthy is something everyone should do. Unfortunately, as pollution rises, your skin can suffer every time you leave the house. Discover which exfoliation technique you prefer and add it to your skincare routine. Your skin will thank you, and you will do the same when you start noticing the benefits of exfoliation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Exfoliation.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/exfoliation-and-how-often-you-should-do-it/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26738</ID> <title>Aromatherapy</title> <publishDate>2022-11-08 06:25:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_217 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_256"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_268 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_170 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_510 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_511 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_512 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_288 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever wondered if the right fragrances, aside from making your house smell like your grandmother's garden, can help your health and well-being?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-aromatherapy#:~:text=Aromatherapy%20is%20a%20holistic%20healing,both%20physical%20and%20emotional%20health." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aromatherapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the practice of promoting a healthier, more relaxing environment through essential oils, i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; natural oils with therapeutic properties that can help relieve stress and promote relaxation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aromatherapy is a popular complementary therapy used alongside conventional medical treatment. It can help reduce anxiety and improve mood while boosting energy levels and promoting better sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How does aromatherapy impart all of its wonderful health benefits to us? By stimulating the olfactory system, which is the part of the brain that processes scent. This stimulation triggers a response in the limbic system, which controls emotions and memory. In this way, aromatherapy can affect mood and stress levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sense of Smell&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our sense of smell is one of our oldest and most powerful senses. The ability to detect different aromas allows us to enjoy the pleasing scents of flowers, identify dangers such as the smell of smoke and even find a mate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olfactory neurons are responsible for the sense of smell. They are located in the nose and send signals to the brain when they detect certain chemicals known as aromas. Aromatherapy is the use of these aromas to promote healing and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Humans perpetually associate certain aromas and emotions. This is because our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/02/how-scent-emotion-and-memory-are-intertwined-and-exploited/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;olfactory neurons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; take the information they receive about an aroma and send it to the limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotion. Therefore, certain smells can evoke happy memories or provide a sense of comfort. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aromatherapy Application&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inhalation is the most common way to use aromatherapy, e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by diffusing essential oils into the air or inhaling them directly from a bottle or cloth. Using a cold-air diffuser with essential oils is important to avoid damaging the oil molecules. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To inhale essential oils directly, put a few drops on a tissue or cloth and hold it close to your nose. You can also add a few drops to your bathtub or shower.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The topical application of essential oils is another way of using aromatherapy, e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by adding a few drops of oil to lotion or cream or applying the oil directly to the skin. It is important to do a patch test before applying essential oils to large areas of skin, as some people may be allergic to them. Likewise, consult a healthcare professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Benefits of Aromatherapy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the exact mechanisms by which aromatherapy works are not fully understood, there is evidence that it can be an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aromatherapy is effective for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32575103/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relieving nausea and pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and reducing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322362227_Aromatherapy_in_the_Control_of_Stress_and_Anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anxiety, agitation, stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8887855/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It can also help improve &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8084014/#:~:text=The%20most%20commonly%20used%20method,%2C%20pain%20relief%2C%20and%20antiemetic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep quality and reduce fatigue and insomnia.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aromatherapy can provide significant relief for people with muscular aches or headaches. It can also help improve circulation, relieve menstrual or menopausal problems and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9828867/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve alopecia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(i.e., hair loss).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aromatherapy is generally considered to be safe. However, it is important to choose essential oils carefully, as some can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. It is also important to avoid using essential oils near open flames, as they are highly flammable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways to get started if you are interested in giving aromatherapy a try. You can purchase essential oils at health food stores and online retailers or make your own blends &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/carrier-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;using a carrier oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as jojoba oil or almond oil, and a few drops of the essential oil of your choosing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Most Common Aromatherapy Essential Oils &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different essential oils are available for aromatherapy. Some of the most popular choices include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lavender&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Lavender oil is considered one of the most versatile essential oils. It has a floral scent that promotes relaxation and eases stress. Lavender oil is also helpful in relieving anxiety, insomnia and headaches.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Peppermint&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Peppermint oil has a refreshing, minty scent that is invigorating and energizing. It is commonly used to relieve headaches, nausea and indigestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eucalyptus&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Eucalyptus oil has a camphoraceous scent known for opening up the sinuses and improving breathing. It can also relieve muscle pain and stiffness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rosemary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Rosemary oil has a woody, herbaceous scent with a refreshing and uplifting touch. It is commonly used to improve focus and memory. Rosemary oil is also helpful for headaches, muscle pain and digestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tea tree&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Tea tree oil has a fresh, medicinal scent with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used to treat acne, dandruff and fungal infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ylang-ylang&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: With its sweet, floral scent, Ylang-ylang oil is commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mandarin&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Mandarin oil has a citrusy, fresh scent that is uplifting and cheerful. It is commonly used to treat anxiety, stress and digestive issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lemon&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Lemon oil is commonly used to improve concentration and memory and relieve headaches, digestion and skin conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy. You can add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser or humidifier, place a few drops on a cotton ball and inhale the scent or add a few drops of essential oil to a bath or massage it into your skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When using essential oils, starting with a low concentration is key; allow your body to gradually become accustomed to its fragrance and texture. It is also important to know that some people may be allergic to certain essential oils. Discontinue their use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any irritation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Aromatherapy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/aromatherapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26731</ID> <title>Do You Know about the Benefits of Weighted Blankets?</title> <publishDate>2022-11-07 06:12:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_218 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_257"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_269 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_171 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_513 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_514 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_515 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_289 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weighted blankets, also known as gravity blankets, became quite a hit in the last few years, starting right before the pandemic. Many people are quickly discovering the benefits a weighted blanket can bring, and as the weighted blankets became easier to acquire, their popularity increased.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is a Weighted Blanket, and How is One Made?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the name suggests, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://casper.com/blog/what-is-weighted-blanket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weighted blankets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are a soft outer cover filled with a heavy inner filling. They usually weigh between 4 to 30 pounds, depending on individual preferences—for example, the heavier options are better suited for adults, whereas lighter options are safer for children. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The filling is made out of cotton, bamboo or polyester, and the inside padding is combined with weighted pellets, usually made from glass. This combination prevents the filling from coming loose and ripping inside. It keeps the blanket even and the weight distribution balanced. After the preparation stage, the filling is placed evenly in a cotton, bamboo, faux fur and polyester cover.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before becoming more popular with the general crowd, weighted blankets were used by therapists and psychiatrists as tools for treating patients with different disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But nowadays, anyone who wants to improve their sleep or treat sensory issues&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;such as autism and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://familydoctor.org/condition/sensory-processing-disorder-spd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sensory Processing Disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SPD) can buy a weighted blanket.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When using a weighted blanket, the pressure it provides releases serotonin, the chemical in charge of your mood, in your brain. Weighted blankets also improve oxytocin levels, a hormone responsible for your states of relaxation and ease. So, there's no surprise why a sudden feeling of relaxation and calmness flows through people when snuggling with a weighted blanket!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Weighted Blankets Benefits &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of weighted blankets are so impressive that even specialists recommend them to their patients!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#1: Better Sleep Quality &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So many people with sensory issues find themselves unable to catch a good night's sleep. Fortunately, a weighted blanket can prevent them from moving around in their sleep (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the main link to sleep quality) and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/weighted-blanket-benefits#:~:text=Weighted%20blankets%20use%20deep%20pressure,help%20improve%20overall%20sleep%20quality." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve their sleep time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#2: Diminished Anxiety Levels&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;body's constant response to stressors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anxiety) can impact your sleep quality by disrupting your sleep and causing sleep disorders. Using a weighted blanket can help calm your nervous system and lower your anxiety levels, leading to a good night's sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#3: Weighted Blankets are Great for People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weighted blankets are an excellent choice for children and adults with ADHD because they work similarly to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/weighted-blankets-and-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;deep touch pressure technique&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The comfort and pressure the blankets provide will make the patient feel more relaxed, secure and safe. Also, a weighted blanket can help people &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/adhd-weighted-blanket" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;transition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from a high-energy stance to a low-energy one and increase melatonin production for a better sleep schedule. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#4: Weighted Blankets Benefit People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/134/2/298/33011/Weighted-Blankets-and-Sleep-in-Autistic-Children-A?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some specialists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found that weighted blankets can also benefit people with an autism spectrum disorder. When using a weighted blanket, the pressure can make people feel like they are being hugged by someone, bringing comfort and ease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#5: They Aid with Chronic Pain&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic pain can be disruptive to people's everyday life. The fatigue, depression and insomnia symptoms can turn up at any point of the day and last for an undetermined amount of time. The best combatant against these symptoms is serotonin, and weighted blankets help the brain release more of this chemical, thus improving your mood and helping you cope with chronic pain symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#6: Weighted Blankets for Pregnant Women&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many women want to enjoy the benefits of weighted blankets but are concerned about their future babies. Is it safe to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://gravityblankets.com/blogs/blog/can-you-use-a-weighted-blanket-when-pregnant#:~:text=Is%20It%20Safe%20to%20Use,dog%20lay%20on%20your%20belly." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;use a weighted blanket during pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;? The answer is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, for most women. Although a 25-pound blanket may seem too heavy for the unborn baby, the weight is not dangerous and does not put a lot of pressure on the baby bump. On the contrary, weighted blankets can be the perfect remedy for a pregnant woman since pregnancy can heavily influence a woman's sleep quality. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#7: Weighted Blankets Improve Melatonin Production&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://yogasleep.com/blogs/give-sleep-a-chance-blog/benefits-of-weighted-blankets#:~:text=Increased%20Melatonin,levels%20in%20your%20nervous%20system."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Melatonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a hormone directly linked with your brain's serotonin production and sleep cycle. As weighted blankets encourage the production of serotonin, melatonin production improves as well, helping your body better manage your sleep cycle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#8: An Excellent Choice for People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using weighted blankets improves the production of serotonin, which is why &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://dreamhug.ca/blogs/can-a-weighted-blanket-help-you/weighted-blanket-for-obsessive-compulsive-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many people experiencing OCD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown signs of improvement after using a weighted blanket.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone deserves a good night's sleep, especially after a long and stressful day. If you have a disorganized sleep cycle, consider looking for a weighted blanket—it will keep you sound asleep at night and away from unnecessary medication!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/blankets.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/do-you-know-about-the-benefits-of-weighted-blankets/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26723</ID> <title>Removing the Silos between Dentistry and Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Suzanne Bergman</title> <publishDate>2022-11-05 06:07:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_219 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_258"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_270 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_172 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_516 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_517 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_518 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_290 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field of medicine has evolved into an abundance of seemingly endless branches on the same medical tree. But somehow, dentistry evolved as a separate field on a different tree. We know that the mouth is part of the same body as the lungs, heart, arms and legs, but dentistry has been considered a separate field for so long that we rarely question that separation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We are conditioned to think of dental care as if there were a barrier between health issues in the mouth and those of the rest of the body. But both are served by the same bloodstream and the same nervous system. Both are subjected to the same stresses, allergies and infections. Just as with all body systems, oral health affects the rest of the body and vice versa.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the past decade, however, the medical and dental fields have begun to acknowledge the connections between their fields, and practitioners are taking a more holistic, integrative approach to health care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Suzanne Bergman, DDS, plays a significant role in this new way of thinking and practicing. She is at the forefront of bringing both worlds and the world of mental health together. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have a framed quote which says that natural law did not divide humans into three parts, medical, dental and psychological. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;f society chose this division for the purpose of healthcare delivery, then each professional group bears a special responsibility to be sufficiently informed about the others so that integrated total healthcare is an achievable goal," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Did That Separation Happen?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It began with the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/overcoming-historical-separation-between-oral-and-general-health-care-interprofessional/2016-09" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;education system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In the 1840s, people began thinking of dentistry as a different entity when the world’s first dental school opened in Baltimore, Maryland. Then, the insurance industry began treating the field as a different discipline. Later, the medical industry was strongly opposed to including dentistry in comprehensive health care. Medical doctors had begun viewing dentistry as a separate field.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/overcoming-historical-separation-between-oral-and-general-health-care-interprofessional/2016-09" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Differences in the goals of medical and dental insurance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; helped maintain the separation. Medical insurance covered significant, less routine expenses, while dental insurance focused more on routine, preventive care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There was no incentive for dentists and physicians to compare notes and perhaps find some commonalities that would lead to better treatment plans. Medical was medical, and dental was dental.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Mouth-Body Connection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, people with significant gum disease are 40% more likely to have another chronic medical disorder. Diabetes and periodontitis are known to be connected — inflammation in the mouth interferes with the body's ability to use insulin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Periodontitis also increases the risk of heart disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest that 91% of people with heart disease also have dental disease. Researchers are also studying the connections between dental disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lung disease and obesity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Numerous patients with temporomandibular joint disorders  have some form of arthritis. The first place in their body that arthritis might show up is in the jaw joint. If dentists do not recognize the need for a rheumatology referral, the patient is not receiving total healthcare." Dr. Bergman explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She pointed out that patients deserve an integrated approach to healthcare, and that dentists are orthopedists of the masticatory system, not simply “tooth doctors”.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A patient with a complex TM joint disorder requires support from dental, medical and ancillary care providers, such as physical therapists and behavioral health therapists. They must be treated for the source of pain rather than the site of pain," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;An Integrative, Holistic Approach&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our approach is the biopsychosocial model," Dr. Bergman explained. "It is what's accepted now as an interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection between biological, psychological and socio-environmental factors."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Following in the footsteps of a long line of doctors in her family, Dr. Bergman detoured into dentistry. She focused on temporomandibular joint disorders, motivated by her own experience with it after a motor vehicle accident that resulted in degenerative joint disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My practice started to become more interdisciplinary. I see a lot of patients with multiple chronic pain conditions, and I'm getting more involved with orofacial pain. It's become a passion for me," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of her own injury, Dr. Bergman understands how frustrating it is for patients to see multiple providers separately. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I thought if I could bring these patients and providers together for a few hours in one clinic, instead of having them visit multiple clinics on seperate days, I could remove some barriers for them," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Clinics and Classes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Teaching&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bergman has chosen education as her contribution to this integrated approach to healthcare. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My goal is to teach dental and medical students — while they're still in training — how to look at the whole person, instead of just focusing on one specific area," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bergman is also a tenured instructor for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://smilestream.com/pos-who-we-are" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Progressive Orthodontic Seminars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mcgannpostgrad.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;McGann Postgraduate School of Dentistry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sister companies that provide continuing education for practicing dentists. Her work includes such webinars as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmh5s3LnKFE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orthodontic Considerations for the TMD Patient&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can be found on YouTube. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Progressive Ortho and McGann Postgrad offer a cloud dental platform, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://smilestream.com/pos-who-we-are" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SmileStream&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which provides diagnostic tools and software for treatment plans, courses, patient records,a  resource library and space to share information with other dentists.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A New Clinic&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm opening a new clinic with some colleagues, called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Integrative Therapeutics_mdb&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which stands for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical, Dental and Behavioral&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. We will have a nurse practitioner, physical therapist, myofunctional therapist and behavioral therapist. The patients will also have access to nutritional counseling and mindfulness/movement therapy.  We look at the patient from all angles," Dr. Bergman shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This clinic will eventually be a teaching facility where residents come to do rotations while still in training. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We can teach them a more integrated approach to medicine and dentistry so that we're not taking the mouth outside of the body," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A New Era of Patient Care&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The integration of medical and dental care will benefit millions of patients. Dr. Suzanne Bergman can be considered one of the pioneers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"When I spend time with my patients, I always try to let them know that my goal is to give them hope. We may not have a cure, but we can try to reduce their pain experience. We will do everything we can for them and won't just say 'this isn't my field' and send them on their way," she concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treating the whole person produces wholesome solutions!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Dr-Suzanne-Bergman.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/removing-the-silos-between-dentistry-and-medicine-an-interview-with-dr-suzanne-bergman/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26713</ID> <title>Pre and Post-workout Stretching Routine</title> <publishDate>2022-11-04 05:47:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_220 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_259"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_271 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_173 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_519 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_520 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_521 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_291 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've all heard how valuable &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/stretch-before-after-workout/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stretching is before starting a workout session&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But is there any proof backing this belief? For example, have you ever heard someone saying, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you do not stretch before your workout, you will hurt yourself or tear your muscle?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This is the favorite phrase of every PE teacher, after all. But is there any truth to these words? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Stretching Good Before or After Workout Sessions?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people find stretching inconvenient and 'a waste of time,' which couldn't be farther from the truth. Warming up your muscles before starting your workout and cooling them after you finish the session are vital for staying flexible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of stretching go farther than workout sessions. Practicing regular stretching can help you remain flexible later in life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stretching is essential, especially after long periods of stagnation, such as sitting on a chair at work. Sudden movement can damage your body as a whole, as sitting still tightens your muscles. By stretching, you loosen up and increase your body's mobility, avoiding any tears or damage that can occur with sudden movement. That is why stretching before starting your workout session is paramount. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stretching before beginning your workout is equally important as stretching after finishing it. This is because your body sustains immense effort, stress and force throughout the workout. Post-workout stretches, also called maintenance stretches, calm your muscles and diminish the body's soreness. Also, practicing post-workout stretches improves your body's blood flow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;But What If I Don't Have Enough Time for Stretching?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people do not have enough time to add pre and post-workout stretches to their schedule. You can easily rectify this by replacing some easy or short exercises with stretches. Remember that stretches are essential for injury prevention and preparing your muscles for the effort that is about to come, so don't feel guilty for pulling exercises out of your workout! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may wonder how much of your time you should allocate to stretching. This aspect depends only on you and your schedule. One thing's certain — you don't have to stretch for half an hour! A couple of minutes are enough to prepare your muscles and body for a workout or cool it down after many exercises. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pre and Post-Workout Stretching Routines&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dynamic Pre-Workout Stretches &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dynamic stretches are designed to prepare and bring your muscles to a full range of motion. This is achieved by raising the temperature in your body which, in turn, reduces the tension. Think about trying some of the following dynamic pre-workout stretches before you start exercising:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XDriUn0udo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lunges&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: An easy exercise that stimulates your leg and core muscles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aclHkVaku9U" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Squats&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: They may not be everyone's favorite, but squats engage your whole body. You can also add claps to this technique to spice it up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLHZtYkubsY" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;High knees&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The high knees stretching technique improves your posture and engages your leg muscles. It's equivalent to jogging in one place!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao-nV3IdINQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Plank walk-outs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: They may be the most engaging but challenging stretching technique. You may be tired after a couple of plank walk-outs, but remember that this technique loosens up your entire body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dtvAxibgYQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Butt kicks&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Another great stretching technique for your leg and core muscles and posture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Static Post-Workout Stretches&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Long and tiring workout sessions ask for simple stretching techniques. Static stretching requires you to hold a position between 10 and 60 seconds. This technique allows your body to slow down and enter a relaxed state. Post-workout stretches increase your flexibility and diminish the risk of injury. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jHsraw2NIk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;The shoulder stretch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The most famous stretch you can think of. Just by stretching your shoulder, you will engage a plethora of your body's muscles!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDcdhTuycOI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Cobra stretch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Lying down sounds like what you need after a tiring workout. Not only do you engage with your back and chest muscles, but you also have a few moments to relax your legs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL9ZzqtQI5c" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Side bend&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: This stretching technique engages your core, arms and legs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvr5N_Xf6QM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Toe touch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: An excellent technique for your posture. You may find yourself a bit tired doing this stretch, but your entire body will thank you for it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l83s6t8VWsE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Quadriceps stretch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Another stretching technique that requires low effort. You will fall in love with this stretch — in a matter of weeks, it will be the first one on your list!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember, stretching does not require you to be an athlete or a gym rat. You can stretch whenever you want! Just keep in mind to stretch from time to time, especially after you spend time in a single place without moving. For example, you can do it after you leave your desk or get up from your couch. Stretching is essential for your muscles to remain healthy and flexible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if you are not someone who exercises or goes to the gym, try allocating some time to stretching every day. Maintaining the health and flexibility of your muscles is something everyone should consider. Find the stretching techniques you enjoy the most and practice them every day. You can also try a new stretch every other day until you create the perfect routine for yourself!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stretching-routine.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/pre-and-post-workout-stretching-routine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26706</ID> <title>What Does 'an Attitude of Gratitude' Do for Your Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-11-04 05:30:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_221 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_260"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_272 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_174 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_522 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_523 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_524 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_292 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The importance of an attitude of gratitude cannot be overstated. So often people say that it's important to focus on the positive or to try and be thankful for what you have, but do we really understand just how important or beneficial an attitude of gratitude is? Probably not. However, thanks to new research, scientists are discovering that having an attitude of gratitude makes your life happier and healthier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Does 'Attitude of Gratitude' Mean?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An attitude of gratitude is all about trying to see the positive and expressing gratitude for the things in your life. As some put it, it means making the conscious choice to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://diversushealth.org/how-to-develop-an-attitude-of-gratitude/#:~:text=An%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20means,overall%20sense%20of%20well%2Dbeing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;express your gratitude for everything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, from big to small. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An attitude of gratitude is fundamentally a mindset shift. It isn't necessarily about focusing on a particular activity or following a certain number of steps. Instead, it's a paradigm shift, a change in how we view the world. Attitudes of gratitude aren't built on improving your circumstances. In fact, just because you develop an attitude of gratitude doesn't mean that your surrounding circumstances will necessarily improve. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead, cultivating an attitude of gratitude means focusing on the positive things in your environment and expressing gratitude for them. Doing so can keep you from getting stuck on the wrong things while allowing you to meditate on what you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://diversushealth.org/how-to-develop-an-attitude-of-gratitude/#:~:text=An%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20means,overall%20sense%20of%20well%2Dbeing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;already have and avoid what you might think you're missing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Attitude of Gratitude Examples&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To help us get a clear picture of this mindset shift, here are some examples of what an attitude of gratitude can look like. Attitudes of gratitude can take on many different forms, as people express their gratitude differently or for different things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In terms of things to be grateful for, people can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://diversushealth.org/how-to-develop-an-attitude-of-gratitude/#:~:text=An%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20means,overall%20sense%20of%20well%2Dbeing." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;express gratitude for anything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from relationships, health and business to food, running water or a sense of well-being. The reasons don't need to be big or small — they can be anything you are thankful for. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Methods for expressing gratitude are just as varied. For example, you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;apply gratitude to the past&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by remembering childhood things you're thankful for or to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the present&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by reflecting on the good things happening to you in the present. Or lastly, to the future by having a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hopeful and positive prospective outlook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In sum, an attitude of gratitude is truly just expressing a positive outlook of gratitude for the good things that have, are, or will happen to you.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Benefits of an Attitude of Gratitude &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A gratitude attitude is a critical but overlooked part of developing vibrant mental and physical health. This is because our behavior can affect our biology — how we think and act &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can change our physical health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As you express gratitude and engage in positive gestures, your body releases &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oxytocin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a hormone that helps us connect with other people to form deeper relationships.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Expressing gratitude can also improve your mental health. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/be-thankful-science-says-gratitude-good-your-health-t58256" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on expressions of gratitude, people who regularly expressed gratitude had improved well-being, reduced depression and fatigue and slept better. Other &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/be-thankful-science-says-gratitude-good-your-health-t58256" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have connected gratitude to fortifying your immune system, reducing stress hormones and improving your diet by making you more likely to reduce dietary fat intake. The benefits of gratitude cannot be overstated, and cultivating it is critical for mental and physical well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Keep an Attitude of Gratitude&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can take many forms. For example, you can write &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;thank-you letters, thank someone mentally or count your blessings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, to name a few! In addition, here are two of the best and most important ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude Journal &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/be-thankful-science-says-gratitude-good-your-health-t58256" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;attitude of gratitude journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a fantastic way to improve your gratitude skills. Gratitude journals don't need to be complicated; simply write something or someone you're thankful for each day. Even if you're the type of person who doesn't think they have anything to be grateful for, using this exercise to find anything, regardless of how small, can allow you to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/be-thankful-science-says-gratitude-good-your-health-t58256" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;grow instrumentally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In fact, over time, you will grow in your ability to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/be-thankful-science-says-gratitude-good-your-health-t58256" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;express gratitude and focus on the good things&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of cultivating gratitude journaling are significant for improving your outlook on life. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with participants writing a few sentences about their week found that those who wrote about gratitude caused them to be more optimistic and felt better about their lives. People who wrote about gratitude in a journal-like setting became more mentally positive. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those who choose to cultivate the skill of gratitude journaling can improve their outlook on life. Simply by focusing on giving gratitude and the good things in your life, you can feel better about it. So, if you often feel discouraged about circumstances, expressing gratitude in a journal might be a fruitful exercise to help you develop a more positive outlook on life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Attitude of Gratitude in the Workplace&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While not a method of expressing gratitude in itself, having an attitude of gratitude in the workplace is essential for your team's productivity and morale. According to a University of Pennsylvania &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, managers who expressed gratitude caused their employees to be more motivated and work harder. For the study, they compared a group of employees who received a grateful message from their manager to another group that did not. They found that those who received gratitude from their manager worked 50% harder than their counterparts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you've ever worked under a manager, this probably was no surprise. After all, people feel more motivated to contribute to a team if they feel valued and their efforts are being noticed and appreciated. Expressing gratitude to your employees does just that — recognizing their strenuous efforts and spurring them on. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you're a manager with a couple of employees or a team and you're looking for a way to increase productivity, perhaps you should start by simply thanking them for their efforts and dedication. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Closing Thoughts on Cultivating Attitudes of Gratitude &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Attitudes of gratitude make the world a better place. Whether you're a manager hoping to increase your team's productivity, someone discouraged by their life or even someone looking to create a more healthy lifestyle, attitudes of gratitude are a great starting place to give you some headway. I think we all could benefit from seeing more gratitude in the world. But to see more gratitude, you need to be putting some out there. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By putting more gratitude into your life, whether by writing in a journal or notes for others, you are already choosing to view life more positively and focus on what makes life better, not what makes it frustrating or discouraging. Obviously, it won't automatically make your life easy or less difficult, but it can change your outlook and attitude towards it. With this new attitude of gratitude in mind, even if your life doesn't necessarily get easier, you can make your life feel just a bit easier, perhaps easy enough for it to be manageable and, eventually, enjoyable. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gratitude may not be a magic pill, but it could be the secret ingredient to a better outlook and mental and physical well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/gratitude.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-does-an-attitude-of-gratitude-do-for-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26697</ID> <title>Different Types of Saunas and Their Benefits</title> <publishDate>2022-11-03 05:16:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_222 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_261"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_273 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_175 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_525 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_526 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_527 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_293 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People find relaxation in many different things, such as hiking, practicing yoga or just going on a long, well-deserved vacation. But some people do not have the time or resources to participate in these hobbies. That is why they're looking for activities less time-consuming and still as relaxing, such as indulging in sauna time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saunas are one of the best ways to relax and let your problems melt away, even for a short time. And the best thing about them is that you can build one inside your own house so that you can relax at any time of the day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Types of Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not many people know it, but there are many types of saunas you can install in your house, with prices ranging from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/types-of-saunas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$2,000 to $10,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Of course, the price depends on several factors, such as the type of sauna you want, the size and the installation fees. You can also opt for a portable, collapsible sauna, which is way cheaper, somewhere around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/types-of-saunas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$100&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But if you're thinking about a giant sauna, let's have a look at some of your choices!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wood-burning Sauna&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When thinking about this type of sauna, the word that comes into mind is 'traditional.' That is because wood-burning saunas date back centuries ago and have spread across various cultures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The defining details about wood-burning saunas are their very low humidity and fire heating. They are built outside due to the smoke the wood-burning releases. Maintaining the perfect temperature will require you to prepare and stoke&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the fire from time to time. You will also need to have water prepared if you wish to raise the humidity in the sauna.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros of Wood-burning Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They do not require electricity to function;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can accommodate large groups of people;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They are a lower-cost option compared to the other choices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cons of Wood-burning Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They cannot be built inside because the released smoke is hazardous;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can take longer to heat up as they use wood;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They require more time than other saunas to maintain and upkeep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Infrared Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because they are traditional, wood-burning saunas may not be the best choice for someone aiming for a modern alternative. Here is where the infrared sauna comes into play. If you look at it this way, wood-burning and infrared saunas are opposites. However, what they do have in common is that the temperature in the saunas is relatively low. Infrared saunas use infrared light waves, directly heating the bodies of the people inside. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you are not searching for the usual sauna and just seek a way to relax, this sauna will do the trick. Also, there are types of infrared saunas from which you can choose. Some models use far-infrared lights, while others use near-infrared ones. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros of Infrared Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since they are smaller in size, infrared saunas are cheaper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They heat up quite quickly, so you won't have to wait hours to use them;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can be more comfortable for some people. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cons of Infrared Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The reparation and upkeep costs may be more expensive;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some sauna enthusiasts do not approve of them;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The more extensive and high-end infrared saunas are, the more expensive they get.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Electric Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people may not be comfortable with the smell of burning wood or coal. That is why they opt for electric saunas! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electric saunas are found to be more comfortable compared to traditional ones. However, there are some similarities between the two. Electric saunas still use stoves and stones to heat the sauna, which keeps the humidity level low. This type of sauna can be built indoors or outdoors, to your liking. Also, you can build the sauna in any size you wish!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros of Electric Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depending on the type and size you want the sauna to be built, there are many price options from which you can choose;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The temperature inside the sauna can be easily raised and controlled;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can be installed wherever you wish, including inside and outside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cons of Electric Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They depend on electricity, so no sauna time during blackouts; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not the best choice for larger groups. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steam Sauna&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unlike the other types of saunas, primarily made from wood that absorbs the humidity, steam saunas are mainly made to keep the humidity in the air. Therefore, we can say that, in a steam sauna, you can experience nearly 100% humidity! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How this type of sauna works is quite simple. By using the electricity to boil water, steam is released into the sauna, which is kept in by the tiles surrounding the walls.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Usually, the temperature in steam saunas is lower compared to traditional ones, but because of the high humidity levels, you can still experience the heat.!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros of Steam Saunas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can relieve respiratory issues;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They do not require high temperatures for the users to feel the heat or to release the steam into the room;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people prefer 'wet heat' rather than normal heat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cons of Steam Saunas  &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They can become prone to mold problems because of the high levels of humidity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Professional installation is required for the installation of these saunas;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;'Wet heat' can become quite uncomfortable after long periods of use.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saunas are considered to be the best way in which you can relax and have some “you time,” so buckle down and start building your dream sauna!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/saunas.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/different-types-of-saunas-and-their-benefits/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26688</ID> <title>The Business of Beauty: An Interview with Dr. Gregory A. Buford</title> <publishDate>2022-11-02 05:02:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_223 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_262"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_274 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_176 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_528 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_529 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_530 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_294 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to help people feel more beautiful and confident. I am also devoted to helping my patients achieve better health overall," Dr. Gregory A. Buford said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS, runs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.beautybybuford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;BEAUTY by BUFORD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a prestigious plastic surgery practice in Lone Tree, Colorado. By combining science and art, he gives each patient a natural, refreshing appearance that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.beautybybuford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exceeds their expectations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Patients are cared for with integrity, compassion and empathy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Buford knows the depths of this business, which focuses on enhancing beauty and self-esteem and, sometimes, calls for protecting the patient by saying 'no' when those two goals are not as desired. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Buford's Journey to Plastic Surgery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"At the age of four, I suddenly decided I wanted to become a doctor. I told my parents to call me 'Doctor,' my lunchbox was my medical case, and the rest is history. I did rotations and spent some time with a variety of disciplines. I absolutely fell in love with plastic surgery," Dr. Buford shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What truly drew him to plastic surgery was the practice's intersection between art and science. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm an avid photographer, so there's definitely an artistic side of me in addition to the scientific side. Plastic surgery is a perfect way to blend the two," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Buford realized that plastic surgeons, more so than doctors in other practices, have the opportunity to create a unique presence in the field. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are only a few ways to take out a dead gallbladder or a few ways to treat a ruptured spleen. But there are many ways to do a facelift, tummy tuck or facial injectables. How we do them helps define us as plastic surgeons," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Creative Collaboration between Doctor and Patient&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's almost like you're operating with your patients. You're achieving the part they can't accomplish on their own," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the patient, Dr. Buford points out, has to play their part, too. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, smoking and drinking, are all just as important as the surgery itself for maintaining the outcomes they want and expect. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always tell patients that I'm only part of the puzzle. If you come to me for body contouring, but then you go back to McDonald's and keep smoking and drinking heavily, well, you might as well just throw all that work in the garbage," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having an interactive, proactive patient makes a huge difference. It's what makes his work a joy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Understanding the Patient's Motives&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always ask the patients, 'Why now?' Say they're 35 years old and want liposuction. Why didn't they get it done 10 years ago? Or why not wait until they're 40? Why now," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These powerful questions reveal to Dr. Buford their motivations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of my patients are young moms or going through divorces. They think they no longer look as young as they feel inside and want to turn back the clock and look natural," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important thing, according to Dr. Buford, is realistic expectations. And for those who come in with unrealistic expectations, sometimes the best treatment is no treatment at all. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Saying No to Unrealistic Expectations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are times when Dr. Buford will turn down a patient's request. If motivation comes from within and expectations of the outcome are realistic, all is well, and they can proceed. But sometimes, Dr. Buford encounters the wrong motivations and unrealistic expectations. Some, for example, want to look like a favorite celebrity, and others are clearly doing it for someone else.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The worst reason to do plastic surgery is for someone else," Dr. Buford said. "I always tell people that this is not for the significant other but for them. When you do this for someone else, they will just want more in the future." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, a patient starts wanting more and more procedures added to what was originally done. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"At some point, they lose sight of perspective and reality and keep changing the bar. At that point, my main responsibility is to reel them in and say no," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The more he says no, the more his patients respect him. They realize he is doing it for the right reasons. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Once you treat your patients with respect like that, they'll trust you and become your long-term patients," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;​&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_81"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/I71A1725-Edit.jpg" alt="" title="I71A1725-Edit" class="wp-image-26691" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_295 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Author of Three Books&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Buford is the author of three published books:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Business-Productivity-Performance-Profitability/dp/1600377149" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beauty and the Business: Practice, Profits and Productivity, Performance and Profitability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(Dr. Gregory A. Buford and Steven E. House). The authors outline practices for running a profitable business in an industry with optional services.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Drink-Heal-Surgical-Nutrition-ebook/dp/B06XQQVK39/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1659536454&amp;amp;refinements=p_27%3AGregory+Buford+MD+FACS&amp;amp;s=digital-text&amp;amp;sr=1-1&amp;amp;text=Gregory+Buford+MD+FACS" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat, Drink, Heal: The Art and Science of Surgical Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" (Dr. Gregory Buford). What you eat affects how well you heal. Planning before surgery can help you achieve optimal healing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.beautybybuford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Boob Job Bible: Your Ultimate Guide to Breast Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" (Dr. Gregory Buford). Here's what it's like to get breast enhancement, from surgery to recovery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking Toward the Future&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plastic surgery is a rapidly changing field with innovations appearing constantly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My favorite part about plastic surgery is that it is by no means static. It's constantly evolving. It's a very dynamic field, and that intrigues me," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Buford offers a bit of advice to those entering the field.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Understand that you're stepping onto a conveyor belt and may not know where it's going. You'll make mistakes, but so does every successful business leader. Learn to pivot and be nimble. You have to be nimble," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He also recommends making yourself a little different and being willing to take risks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The true artist starts from scratch and uses the artistry to get themselves started. Try to identify the coming trends and where things do or don't work," he concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Buford, staying on the cutting edge keeps him challenged and enthused. Truly listening to his patients' hopes and motivations gives him the information he needs to provide the best service or reason to say no for the patient's best interests. And the work itself fulfills him as both a scientist and an artist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/business-of-beauty.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-business-of-beauty-an-interview-with-dr-gregory-a-buford/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26614</ID> <title>Easy and Healthy Fall Recipes!</title> <publishDate>2022-10-29 05:37:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_224 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_263"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_275 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_177 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_531 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_532 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_533 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_296 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Leaves are falling, a breeze is sweeping in, tickling loose strands of hair, and the coziest time of the year is here! Imagine sitting on a soft chair, next to a window, sipping on a warm, delicious soup. Doesn't it just sound lovely? Maybe you already have the chair and the window, but not the soup or a tasty treat to enjoy. Maybe the time commitment or confusing ingredient list is a good reason to skip making that yummy meal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What if there was a way to make this cozy fantasy a reality? Does this sound compelling? If so, here are some super simple and hearty healthy fall recipes to enjoy with that blanket and a book!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Fall Recipes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Fall Meals for Weight Loss&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What fall meals could lead to weight loss or supplement your weight loss journey? Is that even a possibility, you might ask. Well, here are two healthy fall meals to prove this possibility!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/250816/braised-cauliflower-squash-penne-pasta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Braised Cauliflower &amp;amp; Squash Penne Pasta&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 large minced garlic cloves;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of dried thyme;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cups of "no-chicken" broth;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cups of whole-wheat penne;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of 1-inch cauliflower florets;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of 1-inch pieces of peeled butternut squash;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Freshly ground pepper; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turn the stove to medium-high and pour in the oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the herbs and seasonings, and&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stir for one minute. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add broth, penne, cauliflower and squash. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the mixture boils, reduce heat to a lively simmer after 14 to 16 minutes and cook until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thickened.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turn off the stove and toss in some pepper to taste.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Serve topped with cheese.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/best-carrot-cupcake-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;The Best Carrot Cupcake Recipe Ever!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of all-purpose flour;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¾ a cup of whole-wheat flour;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of baking powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of baking soda;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of cinnamon;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of ground ginger;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of vegetable oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of sugar;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of maple syrup;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 eggs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of crushed pineapple, including the juice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 and ½ cups of shredded carrot;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of chopped walnuts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the cream cheese frosting:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8 ounces of packaged cream cheese at room temperature;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ a cup of plain, 2% Greek yogurt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ a cup of maple syrup;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 350 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sift the dry ingredients together.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mix the oil, sugar, maple syrup, eggs, crushed pineapple and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sprinkle in the dry ingredients, and beat together until the dry ingredients are fully combined. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fold in the shredded carrot and the walnuts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour the mixture into a muffin tin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for about 25 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the frosting, mix the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla extract together for two minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the muffins bake, spread the frosting on top!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Salads for Fall Recipes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps a salad doesn't seem like a super 'fall-ish' treat, but some salads can conjure up that image of an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch on a cool autumn day! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are two salad recipes to enjoy:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/270572/chopped-chicken-sweet-potato-salad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Chopped Chicken and Sweet Potato Salad&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;To create this delectable treat, use&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 cups of chopped lettuce;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of cooked diced sweet potato;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 ounces of shredded cooked chicken;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of apple slices;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of apple-cider vinaigrette;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of chopped avocado;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of unsalted sunflower seeds;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ ounce of low-fat cheddar cheese.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toss the lettuce, sweet potato, chicken and apple with the vinaigrette, and put the mix on a plate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top these ingredients with avocado, sunflower seeds and cheese.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/roasted-autumn-harvest-salad-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Roasted Autumn Harvest Salad&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are two components to this delicious treat — the salad and the dressing!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Salad&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Six quartered figs;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of red, seedless grapes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 apple cut into wedges;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of hazelnuts;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 head of bite-sized pieces of torn radicchio;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 cups of baby romaine lettuce;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of baby arugula.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dressing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of minced shallot;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of mustard;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of fresh thyme;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 400 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toss the figs, grapes, apples, hazelnuts, vinegar and olive oil together and spread them out evenly on a baking sheet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roast for 15 minutes, gently toss the fruit halfway through, remove from the oven and cool. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combine olive oil, vinegar,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shallot, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper for the dressing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toss the radicchio, romaine and arugula with the dressing, then top the greens with the roasted fruits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fall Vegetable Recipe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's where all the soft colors come in. Squashes of yellow, red and green make for both a beautiful arrangement and a savory, healthy meal. Enjoy this veggie-full food!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/vegan-sausage-vegetable-sheet-pan-breakfast-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;A Simple Sheet-Pan Vegan Sausage and Vegetable Recipe&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cups of cubed butternut squash;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 and ½ cups of broccoli florets;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ of a large red bell pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 large sliced red onion;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of coarse kosher salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ of a teaspoon of black pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Four Italian Sausages;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 400 F.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the butternut squash, broccoli, bell pepper and onion in a bowl, and toss with olive oil. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Season the veggies with salt and pepper, and spread the veggies out in one layer on a baking sheet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slice the sausages, and stir as you add them to the vegetables. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Roast for about 10 minutes and then top with the red pepper flakes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Fall Recipes for Dinner&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps the above meals seemed more satisfactory for a quick treat or lunch. But hearty dinner-like food might seem more appealing to you. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious and healthy fall recipes to eat for dinner that will leave the family craving seconds!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269897/white-bean-sage-cauliflower-gnocchi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of butter;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12 ounces of frozen cauliflower gnocchi;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 15-ounce can of low-sodium white beans;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of dried sage;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of water;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of ground pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cups of baby arugula.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turn the stove to medium-high heat and heat a pan with oil and butter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add gnocchi to the skillet and cook for about five minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add beans, sage and water, then cover the skillet and let simmer for about five minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Toss the mixture onto the arugula and season with salt and pepper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Easy Fall Recipes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps you're in a pinch, or the kids are crying for a quick snack. These recipes are perfect for times in which a delicious and filling meal is necessary during a time crunch!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fall Recipes for Crock Pot&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The crock pot is a busy person's best friend, and these tasty recipes are not only super simple to make but require only one dish to be cooked in!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/275509/slow-cooker-turkey-chili-with-butternut-squash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pound of lean ground turkey;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 28-ounce can of no-salt-added crushed tomatoes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 14-ounce can of kidney beans;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 large diced onion;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cups of cubed butternut squash;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of water;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ cup of tomato paste;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tablespoons of chili powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of ground cumin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh garlic;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¾ teaspoon of salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ cup of sliced scallions for serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add turkey and cook in a skillet on medium-high heat, breaking it up into chunks for about five to six minutes. Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add tomatoes, kidney beans, onion, squash, water, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, salt and cayenne to the slow cooker. Stir to combine, and cook for about four hours on high.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remove the lid and stir to combine. Serve hot, topped with cheddar, scallions and hot sauce, if desired.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a38737347/slow-cooker-chili-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Slow Cooker Chili&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of vegetable oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 chopped yellow onion;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 chopped green bell pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 pounds of ground beef;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 chopped garlic cloves;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of chili powder;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of ground cumin;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of dried oregano;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;28 ounces of diced tomatoes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8 ounces of tomato sauce;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 15-ounce cans of kidney beans;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 14-ounce can of beef broth;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 teaspoons of adobo sauce;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 and ½ teaspoons of salt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of ground black pepper;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sour cream&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;grated cheddar cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sliced jalapeños&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tortilla chips.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to prepare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cook onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes, on medium-high heat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the ground beef and break it apart into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After draining the beef, pour the meat into a slow cooker and season with the chili powder, cumin and oregano. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir in the rest of the ingredients except for the sour cream, peppers, cheese, and chips and cook on high for four hours. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Serve with sour cream, cheese, jalapeños and chips. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These healthy meals are so colorful, hearty and warm. Stews, salads and veggie-packed meals are excellent, filling and also super healthy. Perhaps the question isn't whether they're healthy, but how to make them. Luckily, these recipes are simple, straightforward and delicious. They're perfect for people on the run, and clean-up is a pinch due to the nature of the dishes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bon app&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;é&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/fall.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/easy-and-healthy-fall-recipes/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26619</ID> <title>Better Citrus Fruits for a Better Life</title> <publishDate>2022-10-28 06:15:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_225 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_264"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_276 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_178 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_534 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_535 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_536 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_297 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ready to add some micronutrients like vitamins and antioxidants to your diet? Look no further than citrus fruits! Their health benefits are astounding, and many of them are the perfect snacking size!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citrus fruits have been used to add flavor and zest to baking and cooking recipes, help you get your daily need of fiber and even contribute &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/citrus-fruits-you-should-definitely-give-a-try/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medicinal value&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; worldwide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Citrus Fruits Good for You?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They're not just good; they're the healthiest shortcut towards packing your diet with the right amount of micronutrients and fiber. Citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that contributes to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/citrus-fruit-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cancer prevention&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, among other awesome benefits! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citrus fruits are an easy way to get some tasty fruits into your diet. Eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and adding sufficient micronutrients to your diet can go a long way in contributing to preventative healthcare and longevity. Also, citrus fruits offer a wide range of flavors and sizes to choose from and can easily be added to various recipes!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even for something as simple as a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/citrus-fruits-you-should-definitely-give-a-try/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;common cold&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, citrus fruits can make a big difference in your health. Next time you feel a cold looming over you, consider eating a couple of oranges or making some lemon tea with pure lemon juice. Instead of always having to have EmergenC or some cold meds on hand, a high dose of natural vitamin C can help you prevent colds and reduce the length of the common cold. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Most Popular Citrus Fruits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with all their health benefits, you may ask yourself: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;how many citrus fruits are there and what are the best ones?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It's all about your personal preference. Of course, lemons, limes and oranges readily come to mind when we think of the best citrus fruits, but did you know there are actually dozens of different kinds of them? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They all originate from the three original citrus fruits: citron, pomelo and mandarin orange. These three fruits &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/citrus-fruits-you-should-definitely-give-a-try/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have been combined&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to produce the citrus fruits we're more familiar with nowadays, like grapefruit, limes, lemons and clementines. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deciding on the most popular citrus fruits usually comes down to taste and personal preference, as well as the health benefits of the citrus fruits. Oranges are one of the most popular citrus fruits because they are sweet and tangy and also pack an impressive amount of vitamin C into every low-calorie serving. You can get your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-citrus-fruits#:~:text=Citrus%20fruits%20contain%20many%20compounds,risk%20factor%20for%20heart%20disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daily intake of vitamin C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in one serving of an orange! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes are among the world's most &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-citrus-fruits-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;popular citrus fruits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Whether for breakfast or to spruce up some baked goods or a drink, these are some of the best citrus fruits and staples in many people's diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding citrus fruits to your daily or weekly meal plan can be a great way to take charge of your health. Some of their health benefits include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing the risk of certain cancers; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing cardiovascular disease; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improving overall heart health; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing kidney stones; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protecting you from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nutrients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citrus fruits are rich in micronutrients, including phosphorus, vitamin B, potassium, copper and magnesium, each performing essential functions throughout your body. They are also a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/citrus-fruit-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;great source of fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can greatly improve your overall health! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating citrus fruits raw is the best way to get the nutrient and fiber content from them because cooking or juicing them will lose some of the natural health benefits of citrus fruits, as with any other kind of fruit or vegetable. So, if you compare the benefits of a grapefruit to the health benefits of lime juice, there will be more nutritional value in the whole fruit rather than just the juice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Low-calorie Snack&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another health benefit of citrus fruits is that they are relatively &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/citrus-fruit-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;low in calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and may help satiate your desire for a snack without going overboard with food. This is why some people may consider the benefits of citrus fruits for weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are Citrus Fruits Good for Pregnancy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citrus fruits are good to eat during pregnancy because they are packed with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/best-fruits-to-eat#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin C and folic acid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are crucial for the baby's healthy development. Another health benefit of citrus fruits is that they can help strengthen your immune system. This is especially important for pregnant women with a weakened immune system, who could use the extra boost of protection. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Citrus Fruits' Benefits for Skin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Skincare is an important part of many people's daily routines. But did you know you can improve your skin from the inside out? There are so many benefits of citrus fruits for the skin, as adding some extra vitamin C to your regimen can have some incredible results! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The oils from limes are said to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://vegnews.com/2020/4/6-citrus-fruits-that-could-help-turn-your-health-around" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help rejuvenate your skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and can also be used to naturally eliminate body odor. Citrus fruits like lemons have been shown to be useful in combating skin diseases because of their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This shows how good citrus fruits are for various health benefits and why they are often used for medicinal purposes worldwide.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Citrus fruits benefit the skin through the high content of vitamin C, which helps &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-citrus-fruits#:~:text=Citrus%20fruits%20contain%20many%20compounds,risk%20factor%20for%20heart%20disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;produce collagen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your skin, thus improving the skin's natural elasticity. Taking care of your skin using citrus fruits' benefits is a great way to look youthful while also ensuring your skin health is a main priority. The skin is your body's largest organ and deserves a little extra care, which you can do through topical applications of products with citrus fruits or by eating more citrus fruits and seeing results from the inside out! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding citrus fruits to your daily routine can be a great way to improve or maintain your health. There are a ton of varieties of citrus fruits to choose from, so it will be easy to find a citrus fruit that fits your preference. For effective preventative healthcare, it is important to have a balanced diet with lots of citrus fruits, as some of their health benefits even include preventing cancer and improving heart health! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/citrus-fruits.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/better-citrus-fruits-for-a-better-life/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26605</ID> <title>The Health Benefits of Cranberries</title> <publishDate>2022-10-27 04:52:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_226 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_265"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_277 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_179 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_537 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_538 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_539 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_298 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From the Thanksgiving dinner to your morning oatmeal, cranberries can be a common sight in  meals. But have you ever thought about their health benefits? There are so many reasons why cranberries are good for you that it might be time to learn more about their positive impact on our health and get some ideas on how to incorporate them into your health journey! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health Benefits of Cranberries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cranberries are a fruit in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heather family&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, related to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blueberries, bilberries and lingonberries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They can be eaten raw, although their natural flavor is quite tart and sour. Because fresh cranberries are somewhat of an acquired taste, people often consume sweeter options like cranberry juice and dried cranberries to add the health benefits of cranberries to their diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may be wondering why cranberries appear to be grown in water. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries actually don't grow in water. Cranberry bogs occur when farmers flood their cranberry fields to make for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cranberries.org/how-cranberries-grow/fall#:~:text=Cranberries%20have%20pockets%20of%20air,of%20fruit%20from%20the%20vines." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;easier harvesting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Cranberries contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cranberries.org/how-cranberries-grow/fall#:~:text=Cranberries%20have%20pockets%20of%20air,of%20fruit%20from%20the%20vines." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pockets of air&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that allow them to float in water. So, when farmers are ready to harvest them, they flood the fields, and the cranberries float at the top of the water. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since cranberries float in water, it improves their health benefits! They get more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sun exposure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as they float at the surface, giving them even more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nutritional value&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health benefits of cranberries range from helping &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-foods-for-kidneys#:~:text=Cranberries%20benefit%20both%20the%20urinary,infection%20(53%2C%2054%20)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prevent UTIs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-cranberries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some forms of cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to including a good amount of vitamins and micronutrients in your diet, improving &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cardiovascular health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Cranberries are Good for You&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cranberries are chock full of essential &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;micronutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamins and fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, that make them incredibly good for you. Cranberries are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;primarily composed of carbs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as are most fruits and vegetables. Also, they are a great source of fiber. Since only about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124841/#:~:text=Although%20adequate%20intake%20of%20all,consume%20recommended%20amounts%20of%20fiber." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5% of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; get the recommended daily value of fiber, adding a good fiber source like cranberries to your diet can come with many benefits! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some may be wondering what the recommended way to eat cranberries is, and the answer is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;raw. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating raw cranberries ensures the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;preservation of their nutritional value&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and associated health benefits. Although their sour flavor may be off-putting to some people, the health benefits of cranberries are best achieved by raw consumption. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another reason why cranberries are good for you is they can help you protect against liver disease and improve eyesight and heart health. The list of the health benefits of cranberry juice continues because eating them can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keep your mouth healthy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Cranberry juice contains a chemical that prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth and gums and causing issues like cavities and gum disease. Cranberries have also been shown to help prevent &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oral cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are the Health Benefits of Dried Cranberries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may be wondering about the health benefits of dried cranberries as opposed to fresh cranberries. Although they lose a lot of their nutrients when dehydrated, dried cranberries are still a great source of potassium and calcium. They also maintain moderate levels of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/376709-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-dried-cranberries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamins E and K&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Dried cranberries can also improve your microbiome health as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/376709-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-dried-cranberries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proanthocyanidin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, one of the antioxidants contained in cranberries, has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/376709-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-dried-cranberries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antimicrobial properties&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that help balance the helpful and harmful bacteria in your gut. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://danblewett.com/are-craisins-healthy-an-in-depth-look/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Craisins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are dried cranberries with added sugar to counteract their naturally sour taste. Dried cranberries have more sugar than their fresh counterparts, so if you're looking to maintain a healthy amount of sugar in your diet, opt for dried cranberries without or with low added sugars. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although fresh cranberries are often considered the best way to enjoy their complete set of nutrients, you can also opt for cranberry juice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cranberry juice contains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cranberry-juice#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;about 39% of your daily need of vitamin C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in a single 8-ounce serving. Cranberry juice's health benefits include a healthy vitamin and antioxidant intake, along with other micronutrients like copper, magnesium and potassium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When picking up cranberry juice at the store, try to find a brand with 100% cranberry juice and a minimal amount of added sugar. Cranberry juice is sometimes mixed with sweeter juices to make it more flavorful but if you want to get the full health benefits of cranberry juice, stick to the full concentration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Can Cranberries Help UTIs?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best health benefits of cranberries is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, one of the most common bacterial infections, most often affecting women. Cranberries contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;phytonutrients called A-type proanthocyanidins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which prevent the bacteria &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;E. coli&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from attaching to the outer lining of the bladder and urinary tract.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventative healthcare is one of the best ways to save time and money in your health journey, so if you're predisposed to UTIs, have gotten one in the past or simply want to reduce your chances of getting one in the future, consider adding some cranberries to your diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating cranberries while pregnant is a great way for soon-to-be mothers to ensure they're getting enough &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cranberry-juice#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy micronutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; while also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/cranberry-juice-pregnancy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protecting against UTIs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These infections can be common during pregnancy, so eating cranberries while pregnant is a great preventative and proactive healthcare choice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cranberries are good for you and have a bunch of great health benefits. Adding them to your diet in salads or combining them with sweet fruit is a great way to tap into the health benefits of cranberries while neutralizing their extra tart flavor. Cranberries and pineapples are a great combo that packs a bunch of nutrients into your diet. They can be eaten raw, dried or in juice form, although the health benefits of cranberries will vary between these different forms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cranberries are good for your kidneys, help prevent UTIs and promote heart health by getting enough fiber and eating fruits. The high content of vitamins in them is one of the reasons why cranberries are so healthy for you. However, it is possible to overconsume them. Remember: cranberries are used in preventing UTIs, not treating them. If you think you may have a UTI or have any other health concerns, be sure to consult your primary care doctor for appropriate care and treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Craberries.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-health-benefits-of-cranberries/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26598</ID> <title>Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water</title> <publishDate>2022-10-26 04:35:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_227 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_266"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_278 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_180 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_540 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_541 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_542 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_299 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's nothing better to wake you up in the morning than a hot cup of coffee or tea. Or that is what you thought. A less popular contender, lemon water, can benefit your overall health in ways you might not have even heard of! And it doesn't have to be in the morning. At any time of the day, you can squeeze a glass of refreshing lemon water, which will not only cool you down but bring numerous health benefits over time!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Benefits of Lemon Water&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#1: Lemon Water Keeps Your Body Hydrated&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although consistent water intake is crucial for our everyday health, many of us fall short of drinking enough water. Although it is found in food, drinking water is the best way to maintain yourself hydrated. Women must drink at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/gfnd/gfhnrc/docs/news-2012/water-an-important-part-of-a-healthy-winter-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;91 ounces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of water daily, while men must drink at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/gfnd/gfhnrc/docs/news-2012/water-an-important-part-of-a-healthy-winter-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;125 ounces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But not everyone enjoys the simple taste of plain water. So why not add a couple of ingredients for a better flavor? Lemon juice or lemon slices add such a delicious and fresh flavor to the water that you won't ever stop drinking it! Aside from keeping you hydrated, lemon water will help prevent:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overheating;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidney stones;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mood disorders; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constipation;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brain fog;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#2: Lemon Water is the Perfect Beverage with Numerous Vitamins! &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just say 'lemon,' and the first nutrient that comes to mind is vitamin C, and lots of it! This vitamin is necessary for the healthy growth, development and restoration of all body tissues. Also, vitamin C is part of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-lemon-water#vitamin-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;collagen production and iron absorption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and partakes in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-lemon-water#vitamin-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proper function of the immune system and wound healing process&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. On the other hand, not getting enough of this essential nutrient can lead to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Susceptibility to infections;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry skin, mouth and eyes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tooth loosening;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Insomnia.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#3: Best Replacement for Sugary Drinks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The high sugar levels in our favorite beverages are the leading cause of obesity and diseases, especially in America. Sugar-sweetened drinks, such as soda, energy drinks, sweetened water and juice, pose sweet but significant risks to our health. These beverages make our bodies more susceptible to various health conditions, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obesity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alarming weight gain;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cavities;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gout;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Liver, kidney and heart disease;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diabetes (especially type 2);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tooth decay.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, knowing all about the dangers of sugary drinks, why not replace them with simple lemon water? Not only will you help cut back on sugar, but you also get to enjoy a fantastic beverage with a fantastic flavor!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#4: Lemon Water Helps Prevent Kidney Stones&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Urine is a very acidic liquid that, over time, can become dangerous for your body, especially for the urinary tract, where it causes the appearance of kidney stones. The acidity of the urine can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21170875/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;promote uric acid or cystine stones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, both responsible for the formation of kidney stones. Once again, lemon water comes to the rescue, as it contains citric acid, which can make the urine less acidic. Also, drinking lemon water will make you less prone to dehydration, another cause of kidney stones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#5: Lemon Water is Weight-Loss-Friendly &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increasing your water intake is recommended if you wish to partake in a weight-loss journey. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209729/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that drinking water before a meal will make you feel satiated even if the quantity of food is smaller. This concludes that pre-meal water drinking can be an effective weight-loss strategy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#6: Other Significant Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking lemon water will always be beneficial for your health, but its benefits are so many that it may turn hard to keep track of all of them! Other benefits drinking water brings include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Balancing pH through its acidity;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing fever;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Boosting the immune system;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decreasing wrinkles and pimples through Vitamin C;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Great cure for throat infections;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relieving tooth pain;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combating respiratory problems as lemon juice lowers blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Making the Perfect Lemon Water&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making lemon water is so easy that it won't even take a minute! All you need is a few common ingredients so your lemon water will taste as delicious as possible:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few mint leaves;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One slice of ginger;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A small dash of cinnamon;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 teaspoon of honey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also add other fruit such as oranges or strawberries. Then, mix everything into your favorite glass and enjoy a glass of healthy, fresh lemon water!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Answering Common Questions about Lemon Water&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#1: Is It Safe to Drink Lemon Water during Pregnancy?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lemon water is a great beverage to consume while pregnant as it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bbf.org.bd/lemon-water-and-breastfeeding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;promotes the function of your gastrointestinal system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Drinking lemon water while pregnant will help you combat problems like gas, cramps, bloating and irregular bowels. Also, it is safe to consume while breastfeeding, assuring your baby won't experience digestive problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#2: Does Lemon Water Hurt Your Teeth? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The acidity of lemons can cause erosion of the enamel, your teeth's first and strongest layer of defense. However, you can avoid enamel erosion by drinking lemon juice in moderation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of drinking lemon water are so impressive that everyone should try it. Not only will you refresh yourself this warm summer, but you will also keep your body healthy. The beauty of lemon water is that you can create so many mixtures you can never get bored by its taste!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/lemon-water.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26587</ID> <title>Can You Overwork Out?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-25 20:10:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_228 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_267"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_279 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_181 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_543 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_544 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_545 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_300 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether running on the treadmill, doing jumping jacks at home or hitting the gym, exercise is essential for staying in top-notch shape. But is it possible to exercise too much? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several tell-tale signs can tell that a person is exercising more than recommended. There isn't exactly a metric or number for over-exercising, but the body will make it known if someone is overdoing it. Understanding when you're pushing your body's limits can help decrease the risk of any injuries or even addictions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Benefits of Working Out&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is imperative to stay healthy and fit. It burns calories, releases serotonin and regulates stress levels. Furthermore, exercise &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthrisksofaninactivelifestyle.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces the risk of any cardiovascular diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or disorders and even keeps the brain healthier, lowering the risk of brain disorders. Working out, coupled with healthy eating and enough sleep, leads to a healthy lifestyle. There is no doubt about the wonders of exercise, but what are the dangers of exercising too much?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Tell if You're Working Out &lt;i&gt;Too&lt;/i&gt; Much&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the saying goes, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;all things in moderation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as too much exercise can contribute to extreme fatigue or injuries and may even become an addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The body is programmed to alert you about the fatigue and burnout accompanying over-exercising. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.byrdie.com/over-exercising-5097906" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Changes in appetite, a reduction in energy and a propensity for injury&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are the most common ways the body signals you to slow down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One tell-tale sign of overworking out is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prolonged muscle soreness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Sore muscles after working out are normal but become worrisome if they last for more than three days after a workout.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another sign of over-exercise is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;insomnia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Proper exercise promotes sleep, but too much exercise results in sleeplessness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue and decreased performance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are additional indicators of overworking the body. This is because the body hasn't had time to rest due to the constant exertion of working out. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to changes in performance and energy levels, exercising too much can cause changes in diet. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;common changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include an altered appetite or fat gain. Conversely, overworking can result in either a lack of hunger or extreme hunger.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While it may seem counterintuitive, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overexercising can actually harm the immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, causing people to develop a propensity to colds and flu. On the other hand, moderate exercise is a great way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boost &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the immune system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to physical harm, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-signs-you-re-working-out-too-hard-ncna1053186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;working out too much can lead to depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While exercise is a great way to boost hormone levels that release chemicals associated with happiness, too much exercise keeps hormones from regulating properly and leaves people feeling sad or lethargic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Something interesting about exercise is that, like anything, it can become an addiction. Research suggests that approximately &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/men/features/exercise-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10% of high-performance runners are exercise addicts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This can take a toll on mental health, resulting in physical, mental and emotional issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Balance Working Out&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, don't let the listed dangers deter you from exercising. It's still important to do so! Just remember to exercise in moderation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.byrdie.com/over-exercising-5097906" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seek medical attention and get some extra rest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when suffering a physical injury from training, such as pulling a muscle or wrist pain. Medical professionals will give the injury the proper attention and prescribe specific healing methods. Do not attempt to continue working out, even if it's just a slight pain. It's easier said than done, especially if exercising is a fixed routine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.12minuteathlete.com/exercising-too-much/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take time off from exercising&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Again, this is easier said than done. Perhaps it sounds a little drastic, but fitness experts recommend &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.12minuteathlete.com/exercising-too-much/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;taking an entire week off training every few months&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to let the body rest and recuperate. If this isn't appealing, how about resting from intense training for a few days but doing active activities on rest days instead? This approach helps eliminate the risk of over-exercising or burnout. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritize recovery after workouts. Don't just finish the workout and move on to another activity; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.12minuteathlete.com/exercising-too-much/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;use a foam roll and stretch regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Sleeping well is also key to recovery, so make sure to get enough sleep each night!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.12minuteathlete.com/exercising-too-much/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drink plenty of fluids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is a given, but often when working out and even when not working out, fluids are forgotten. Fluids with electrolytes and potassium are especially recommended. So, be sure to have a bottle of water, coconut water, cherry juice or sports drinks with electrolytes at hand when working out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to prioritizing physical rest options, sometimes it is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.byrdie.com/over-exercising-5097906" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;incredibly beneficial to meet with mental health professionals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who can help with exercise addictions. These professionals will help identify ways in which certain exercise routines are more harmful than helpful and point to ways to overcome overtraining syndrome. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember, exercise is great but only when practiced in moderation. By working out too much, you're running the risk of injury, burnout and mental stress. In order to decrease the risk of exercising too much, make goals and see what is considered too strenuous. Listen to your body, take breaks and talk to mental health experts in order to figure out whether or not exercise is pushing the limits of your body and affecting physical health, in addition to becoming an addiction. Exercise is great, but practice self-control when setting your goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/over-workout.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/can-you-overwork-out/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26577</ID> <title>How to Avoid Muscle Cramps</title> <publishDate>2022-10-24 19:48:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_229 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_268"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_280 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_182 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_546 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_547 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_548 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_301 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all are more familiar with muscle cramps than we would like. Whether it's after a hard workout, in the middle of an exercise or game or, everyone's personal favorite, in the middle of the night, muscle cramps are an unfortunate reality we all have to live with. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, that doesn't mean we can't do things to make muscle cramps less painful or experience them less frequently. There are many strategies and exercises we can employ to relieve and avoid muscle cramps!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What are Muscle Cramps?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A muscle cramp is a simple &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sudden involuntary contraction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one muscle at a time or more&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You've likely experienced it before when one of your muscles suddenly felt tight and painful. This sensation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;usually passes away&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as the muscle eventually releases, but while the muscle is cramping, it can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to use it properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the cramp releases, however, the muscle &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;returns to normal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, although it may be a little sore. Since cramps are usually temporary and don't inflict permanent damage, most cramps can simply be treated with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;home remedies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Where Do Muscle Cramps Come From?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle cramps occur because of the wiring of the muscle fibers. Muscle fibers are filled with very sensitive &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;motor nerves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fire to move the muscle fibers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and cause muscles to contract. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During a cramp, however, these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;motor nerves suddenly fire&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; without your brain telling them to, causing the muscles to contract much more strongly than expected. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite the knowledge that muscle cramps result from sudden motor nerve firing, exact muscle cramp causes are unknown, although research has unearthed certain muscle risk factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mineral Deficiencies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lacking a sufficient amount of some minerals vital to the muscles can contribute to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;making muscle cramps more frequent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Specifically, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a lack of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;potassium, calcium and magnesium or the usage of diuretics (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a type of medication used for high blood pressure) can make your muscle cramps happen more often. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Poor Hydration &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Poor hydration and a lack of electrolytes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also contribute to muscle cramps, particularly from exercise. This is particularly true when athletes exercise in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hot weather&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as the body rapidly loses hydration due to the strain of exercise in high heat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Age and Pregnancy &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, both age and pregnancy can contribute to the frequency of muscle cramps. As people get older, so do their muscles, which &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lose their size and strength&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and become &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more prone to cramping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As we age, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;night cramps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; become more common, as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also increase the frequency of cramps as the body takes on additional strain, and muscles are required to carry more weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Stop Muscle Cramps&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's how to relieve a muscle cramp after the gym: stretch and hydrate. It may sound simple, but the best way to stop cramps is to stretch the affected &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;muscle and hydrate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, either with water or a sports drink, to replenish any lost electrolytes. At the moment, there isn't anything else that you can do to alleviate a muscle cramp. Instead, the best way to avoid muscle cramps is prevention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Avoid Muscle Cramps&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Avoid Muscle Cramps after Exercise or Running&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding muscle cramps after exercise is done by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/exercise-fitness/exercise-muscle-cramps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stretching before and after&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; every workout. Also, make sure you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;drink plenty of water and replace the sodium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your body sweats out during exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Avoid Muscle Cramps during Pregnancy &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Much of the above advice for cramps stays the same during pregnancy: drink plenty of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/leg-cramps-during-pregnancy/faq-20057766" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;water and stretch your muscles regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, especially the leg muscles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/leg-cramps-during-pregnancy/faq-20057766" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay active and maintain magnesium and calcium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; levels through supplements if necessary. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Foods That Help Prevent Muscle Cramps&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet can also contribute to keeping cramps down. We've already seen how important it is to drink plenty of water. In addition to that, make sure to focus on foods that boost the minerals that help with cramps. Focus on including more bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, beans, watermelon and milk for their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-muscle-cramps-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;potassium, calcium and magnesium. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;When Should I Be Worried about Muscle Cramps?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You've implemented all of these remedies and still ask yourself: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why do my muscles keep cramping?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It might be time to talk to your doctor about your cramps. Muscle cramps don't often require medical attention, but if you find that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;muscle cramps are happening very frequently or are joined by&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reduced muscle size, pain or weakness, then you should talk to your doctor. These problems could be a simple &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/feb/muscle-cramps-8-things-that-cause-them-4-ways-to-stop-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone or electrolyte imbalance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but could point to a neurological issue. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle cramps aren't fun for anyone, but with certain preventative strategies and plenty of hydration and stretching, they shouldn't be a big deal. However, if you do see some of the warning signs, it never hurts to seek advice from your doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/muscle-cramps.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-avoid-muscle-cramps/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26568</ID> <title>Have You Considered Taking a Social Media Break?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-21 19:33:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_230 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_269"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_281 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_183 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_549 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_550 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_551 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_302 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes it's nice to come home after a long day of work and scroll through social media to see what friends are doing, send siblings funny, relatable memes or just mindlessly scroll to avoid the stress and cares of life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, whatever the reason for using Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok and other platforms, social media use can become an addiction when not regulated. Whether it's getting in the car, sitting in the waiting room or even taking a five-minute scroll through Facebook at work, its use has become prevalent not only among adults and teens but also among children. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers continue to conduct studies to determine any effects this increased use has on humans' social, mental, physical and emotional health, and the results are startling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Social Media Use is Increasing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no doubt about how wonderful technology is. Tasks that used to take hours now take minutes, friends are a text away and relatable videos provide unlimited entertainment. But these apparent benefits of technological progress can quickly turn into downsides if left unchecked.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/483829/9-positive-benefits-of-a-social-media-detox" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that the average adult spends about two hours per day scrolling through social media!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other studies indicate that children are increasingly using social media more than ever. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://theconversation.com/with-kids-spending-more-waking-hours-on-screens-than-ever-heres-what-parents-need-to-worry-about-141261" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One survey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of over 3,000 parents found a 500% increase in screen time use during the pandemic. Much of the screen time use is attributed to social media, especially with the rise of platforms like TikTok. Many experts credit the pandemic with creating a more internet-centric environment as parents struggled to telework and keep their children entertained. Unfortunately, this increased use has had negative consequences on mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Reported Effects of Social Media Use&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There isn't anything &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;wrong &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with checking Facebook once in a while, but checking it all the time can be detrimental to overall health. Studies show that increased use of social media can impact self-esteem and negatively affect mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/the-benefits-of-a-social-media-break-plus-30-things-to-do-instead#How-social-media-affects-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted in 2015 found that children in the U.K. were twice as likely to report high scores of mental health issues following their use of social media for three or more hours a day. Another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/the-benefits-of-a-social-media-break-plus-30-things-to-do-instead#How-social-media-affects-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted in 2018 showed the link between improved feelings of loneliness and depression and a decreased use of social media. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/the-benefits-of-a-social-media-break-plus-30-things-to-do-instead#How-social-media-affects-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;86% of users&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; themselves reported in 2021 that social media directly negatively impacts their happiness and self-image, and an additional 79 to 83% reported feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/483829/9-positive-benefits-of-a-social-media-detox" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that users tend to compare themselves to other people on social media, which negatively impacts self-esteem and mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social media also affects sleep. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicated exposure to light affects the circadian rhythm, and people who are generally more exposed to light at night are predisposed to health issues such as diabetes or cardiovascular issues. Another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that even slight exposure to blue light can slow down the melatonin the body releases to prepare for sleep. This is why experts recommend turning off electronics at least three hours before sleeping.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Take a Social Media Break&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How does one go about unplugging from social media? Here are some practical steps to take in order to decrease screen time:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/taking-a-break-from-social-media#:~:text=%22It's%20healthy%20to%20take%20a,to%20regroup%20and%20center%20ourselves.%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Set Limits by Tracking Social Media Time&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social media platforms have built-in features that allow users to control the amount of time they spend online. For example, Instagram allows users to limit the time spent on the platform. Additionally, many phones can track screen time use across different platforms to help users responsibly spend their time on social media. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/taking-a-break-from-social-media#:~:text=%22It's%20healthy%20to%20take%20a,to%20regroup%20and%20center%20ourselves.%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Turn Off Notifications&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes it's challenging to keep from checking out the latest meme sent through Instagram or the latest Facebook notification. After checking just once, it's easy to get lost mindlessly scrolling and looking at updated statuses. Turning off social media notifications will help eliminate distractions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/taking-a-break-from-social-media#:~:text=%22It's%20healthy%20to%20take%20a,to%20regroup%20and%20center%20ourselves.%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Set Boundaries&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set times and places as "social media-free zones." For example, put the phone as far away from the bed as possible or out of reach during meals. If the phone is away from the bed, it can't negatively impact sleep. Additionally, taking days off or even weeks off of social media allows for more in-person socialization or engagement in different tasks and hobbies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/taking-a-break-from-social-media#:~:text=%22It's%20healthy%20to%20take%20a,to%20regroup%20and%20center%20ourselves.%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Delete Social Media Apps&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This sounds a bit drastic, but deleting your social media apps is a great way to eliminate a distraction from an easily accessible object—a phone. So, either unplug from social media entirely or just check updates on your home computer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though it's fun to scroll through Twitter or Facebook, it's important to take social media breaks to refocus and prioritize health and real life. Social media isn't intrinsically bad, but it can produce unhealthy self-esteem and image issues, as well as take a toll on physical health. Limiting the time spent on these apps or cutting them entirely will help reduce or eliminate the risk of these issues and allow time to sit back and enjoy the life in front of you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/social-media-break.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/have-you-considered-taking-a-social-media-break/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26560</ID> <title>Did You Know That Sleeping with the Light on Could Increase Your Risk of Diabetes?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-20 19:11:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_231 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_270"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_282 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_184 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_552 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_553 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_554 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_303 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The implications of the word 'diabetes' can send shivers down everyone's spine. But did you know that one of the underlying causes of diabetes may be something as simple as sleeping with the light on?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2113290119" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from Northwestern University in Chicago, light exposure during one night of sleep can decrease glucose and cardiovascular regulation while boosting heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome risk factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is also a correlation between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2735446" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;obesity and exposure to artificial light at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, leading to illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies performed on rats showed that sleeping with the lights on may cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5487588/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;impairment of glucose tolerance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and lead to diabetes. Another similar study showed that exposure to blue light at night might cause an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190709091120.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increase in the consumption of sweets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While its underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, current research may help scientists formulate some hypotheses on why light exposure causes so many problems in our bodies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Underlying Mechanisms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, why does keeping the light on cause so many problems in the body? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have shown that exposure to light at night can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm, prompting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424773/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;metabolic disturbances&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as increased insulin and blood sugar levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from the natural circadian rhythm, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pmclegacy.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047226/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;melatonin production&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suffers as well from sleeping with the lights on. Melatonin, the hormone responsible for suppressing cortisol, the wakefulness hormone, is closely linked with light and darkness. In response to darkness, the pineal gland in the brain starts creating melatonin. Therefore, disturbing melatonin production can significantly affect our bodies' ability to get a good night's sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your light in the bedroom at night can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/light-and-sleep#:~:text=Light%20exposure%20at%20night%20can,deeper%2C%20more%20restorative%20sleep%20stages." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disrupt your sleep cycles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Humans go through 4-6 sleep cycles during a good night's sleep, and these cycles go through stages such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;REM and non-REM sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These cycles and stages of sleep can be disturbed if we keep lights on during the night. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep in Total Darkness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're trying to lower your risk of diabetes, make sure you're getting plenty of darkness at night. Avoid bright lights in the evening and ensure your bedroom is dark when you sleep. You can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://customcomfortmattress.com/blog-posts/how-to-make-your-bedroom-darker-for-a-better-nights-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce light exposure during sleep time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with the help of:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Blackout curtains&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Installing blackout curtains is an excellent way to keep out the sun's rays, especially if you sleep during the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleep mask&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A sleep mask can block out light if your room does not permit blackout curtains. Although not as effective as blackout curtains, sleep masks are still a great way to block out light to the light receptors in our eyes, which can still detect light even if they are closed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No electronics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Keeping your electronics outside your bedroom at night will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-blue-light#:~:text=More%20so%20than%20any%20other,you%20longer%20to%20fall%20asleep." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce your exposure to blue light&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Use orange or red lights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you need to use a light at night, consider using red or orange lights with the lowest luminance possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your bedroom dark during the night can help you sleep better and manage your blood sugar levels. It has been shown that sleep deprivation can cause a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/diabetes-lack-of-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pre-diabetic state&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because our bodies react similarly to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/insulin-resistance-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;insulin resistance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when in a sleep-deprived state. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to give yourself the best chance of getting a good night's sleep, keep your bedroom as dark as possible. It would be best if you weren't exposed to light during sleeping time. Aside from the health benefits, such as maintaining good metabolic function, melatonin production and insulin levels, you may find that you sleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping in darkness will improve your sleep, help with regulating your blood sugar levels and keep your metabolism in check. So, if you can, make sure to keep your bedroom dark at night. You'll be doing your health a huge favor!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Diabetes.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/did-you-know-that-sleeping-with-the-light-on-could-increase-your-risk-of-diabetes/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26552</ID> <title>Why the Demand for Mental Health Treatment Has Skyrocketed</title> <publishDate>2022-10-19 18:52:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_232 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_271"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_283 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_185 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_555 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_556 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_557 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_304 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is one of the most prevalent health issues facing our society, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problems it poses. As a result, the demand for mental services has skyrocketed as more and more people experience mental health struggles and seek help. Yet, the supply of mental health services has not expanded to accommodate this rising demand, resulting in fewer people accessing mental health treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How COVID-19 Increased the Demand for Mental Health Services&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic had wide-sweeping effects on society, politics and physical and mental health. It forced many of us to face incredibly stressful circumstances and prevented us from being close to the people who help support us. Because of these new stressors, the mandatory isolation and the fear born from uncertainty, many people developed &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/demand-for-mental-health-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress and anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/10/mental-health-treatment-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, 84% of psychologists reported an increase in patients with anxiety, and 72% reported the same for depression—a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/10/mental-health-treatment-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10% increase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from the year before the pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More and more people seek mental health care. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/06/therapist-covid-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Psychological Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has noticed a substantial increase in demand for such services, and the U.S. Surgeon General has identified the urgent need to address the youth mental health crisis. All this points to an ever-increasing demand for mental health services to address the mental health crisis spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Higher Demand but Lower Capacity for Mental Health Services&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mental service market is not efficiently responding to the increased demand. Instead of developing additional programs and increasing capacity, it has been plagued by a shortage of human resources and reduced care provision. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mental health provision industry is struggling to meet demand in terms of the workforce. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/psychiatric-care-in-the-us-are-we-facing-a-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychiatrists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are often too rare, overworked and looking to retire, with 70% of practicing psychiatrists being 50 years or older and 77% of counties reporting a severe shortage of psychiatric care. As a result, experts anticipate that the U.S. will continue to face this shortage for at least the next &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/psychiatric-care-in-the-us-are-we-facing-a-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three years.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding to this shortage of psychiatrists is a shortage of mental health programs. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/demand-for-mental-health-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Council for Mental Wellbeing report,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 54% of organizations closed programs while 65% canceled on or turned away patients in 2020. Because of these closures and cancellations, mental health services have sharply reduced capacity when increased capacity is desperately needed. So while the demand for mental health care has skyrocketed, the capacity to supply mental health care to meet demand simply isn't there. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Low Accessibility of Mental Health Services &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced capacity is not alone in preventing the mental health industry from responding to increased demand—the cost of healthcare is also making mental health services even less accessible amid a crisis of capacity. Sadly, mental health struggles can be costly. Individuals with major depression spend an average of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/psychiatric-care-in-the-us-are-we-facing-a-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$10,836&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on mental healthcare. Considering that the average household income was only around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/psychiatric-care-in-the-us-are-we-facing-a-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$67,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, asking someone to spend nearly $11,000, roughly a sixth of their income, on healthcare prevents many from accessing it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Less Care for Those Who Need It Most &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced capacity, rising costs and increased demand have resulted in less care for many who desperately need it. As the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/06/therapist-covid-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Washington Post&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reported, one patient in Los Angeles attempted to contact 25 psychiatrists for mental healthcare, but none of them could accept a new patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sadly, this is not an isolated example. Many healthcare providers and programs have waitlists that can be hundreds of people long, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/06/therapist-covid-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;65%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of psychologists say they have no room for new patients. All the while, mental health services are in very high demand and are extremely expensive, meaning that many people with mental illnesses will likely fall through the cracks of a system that cannot provide care for them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of this, mental health care in America is facing a crisis. The program closures during the COVID-19 pandemic did not prepare for the mental illness fallout that would quickly follow the months of isolation, fear and uncertainty of 2020. Currently, the only real solution is to expand capacity, train new psychologists as quickly as possible and explore affordable innovations to make mental healthcare accessible. Without improved capacity, the people who need mental services the most will go untreated and be left behind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The rise in demand for mental health care is primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic's inherent uncertainty and the forced social isolation, many people developed new cases of anxiety or depression, and others had their preexisting mental illnesses exacerbated. Unfortunately, mental health care providers did not anticipate this rise in mental health illness and, instead, reduced their capacity to provide care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, the rise in demand for mental health care has consumed the available capacity, preventing people now suffering from illnesses from getting treatment. This lack of capacity, high costs for care and dwindling numbers of psychologists mean that the U.S. faces a mental health crisis. Without an effort to increase the number of programs, psychologists and capacity and make mental healthcare affordable, many with mental illness will go uncared for.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Mental-Health-Treatment.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-the-demand-for-mental-health-treatment-has-skyrocketed/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26545</ID> <title>Biotech and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Balancing Two Halves of the Whole</title> <publishDate>2022-10-17 18:20:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_233 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_272"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_284 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_186 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_558 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_559 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_560 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_305 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people turn hardships into fuel for moving forward and achieving extraordinary goals. Dr. Urban A. Kiernan, Ph.D., is one of those people who pushes through the confines of life's obstacles by creating balance in his world. His drive toward excellence allowed him to focus on academic success and ultimately build a business that is creating innovative treatments for some of the most destructive diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Defining Himself&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation (iMBP) in Tempe, Arizona. As an accomplished scientist and businessman, he has developed his career through a "go get things done" approach and attitude. Although he has only worked in industry, Dr. Kiernan has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications, four book chapters, been awarded $4,000,000 in NIH funding and has had a dozen patents issued since earning his Ph.D. in 2002.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan's approach to success was not a naturally given skill. It emerged from a childhood marked by the adversity of the social environment of that time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Growing up as a minority in the 70s and 80s in rural Canada wasn't the easiest thing in the world. Reality is tough, and people can be mean, but I don't hold any grudges. The world was different then, and those were some vital life lessons for me to learn. In the end, everything happens for a reason; you just need to go find it," he shared.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His response was to empower and reinvent himself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wasn't going to let them get the best of me. I used this adversity as motivation to let go, move on and better myself," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His life transformation began with his transition from elementary school to junior high. To redefine himself, he took that summer to change his image and began to forge himself into the person he wanted to become. He seized an opportunity to attend a different school across town and immersed himself in a new group of peers.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan could have let the scars of his childhood define him, or he could use them as motivation to define himself. He chose the latter, resulting in a life consisting of several "evolutions," in his words, in which he has emerged every time as a better version of himself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Finding Chemistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My dad had a master's degree in chemistry, so I've been exposed to the concepts of chemistry my entire life," Dr. Kiernan shared. "Other kids would toss the ball around — my dad showed me how to run experiments in the lab."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Earning his Ph.D. took him on a new journey in bioanalytical chemistry — focusing on the study of human proteins as biomarkers for disease diagnostic applications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was fortunate in that I ended up making a discovery that positioned me to lead one of the most successful Small Business programs funded by the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Institute of Digestive Diabetes and Kidney Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (NIDDK). That success solidified my name in stone in the scientific world and allowed me to formulate a unique understanding of how the structure and function of certain proteins can change in the development of disease," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The path to this success began as he evolved and effectively moved beyond his childhood hardships.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Finding Empowerment in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan began learning Judo when he was eight years old. Recognizing the struggles their son was experiencing, his parents put him in a program that would lead to self-empowerment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It gave me a good foundation. You've got the physical and competitive aspects of it, but the core attribute of all martial arts is the internal journey. You develop a better understanding of yourself and harness the ability to find peace and combat both innate and external stresses. We are often our own worst enemy," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan has always believed you need a strong body, mind and spirit to be a complete person, so now in his 40s, he has turned his martial arts focus to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a grappling martial art with common roots with Judo. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Today, jiu-jitsu gives me an outlet for everyday life. It allows me to be physically active, along with the satisfaction of learning new skills. However, I also embrace the ability to go on that inner journey for myself, which adds a spiritual, even religious aspect. It forces you to be in the present in the moment," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He went on to elaborate that many people cannot get past the fighting aspect of BJJ. However, he stressed that in his experience, this is only a fraction of what comprises jiu-jitsu. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Since this is a live martial art, you go against other practitioners in real time, playing a chess game in both strategy and physical ability. You need to be present in the moment and check your problems at the door, or else you are going to take a beating," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Achieving this "being in the moment" is what makes BJJ have such an appealing draw to many successful people with high-stress lifestyles.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is not unusual for BJJ students to experience this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sg.news.yahoo.com/surprising-psychological-meditative-benefits-bjj-013041647.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;greater perception of body, mind and spirit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which is therapeutic on so many different levels.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I go to BJJ practice, where I am forced to be mentally present. It frees my brain to collate data and go into an auto problem-solving mode. Countless times, after I have cooled down from practice, an answer I have been searching for all day presents itself. It's a grounding and driving force in my life and helps give me balance," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Achieving Balance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We live in an age when people are fundamentally off-balance," Dr. Kiernan observed. "That makes even the simplest of tasks challenging."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Achieving balance in body, mind and spirit influences all facets of life. But that wasn't always the case for Dr. Kiernan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I had a successful career in a small biotech company. After an acquisition, I got sucked into that big business corporate mentality of working over 100 hours a week. I slept two hours a night to be the job. I was a single dad to two young daughters; my first wife passed away from cancer in 2006. A fundamental lack of life balance absolutely took its toll on me," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Realizing that he needed to save himself and revamp his life, Dr. Kiernan left the corporate world. He improved his health habits, invested in relationships and reprioritized what was important to him. This resulted in him meeting and marrying his best friend, beginning his BJJ journey and having a son. The restoration of balance in his life has made his business possible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Founding iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation (iMBP)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;iMBP was created out of a series of steps that originally began with over a decade of scientific research studying human blood proteins and disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"When I began my career, we used cutting-edge technology called mass spectrometry to detect and study subtle changes in specific human proteins with the onset of different diseases. This research prompted me to view disease pathology in an innovative way. This work was largely supported by multiple biomarker and diagnostic research programs in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Institutes of Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. I had a lot of success in identifying disease-relevant targets of clinical value," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We had a lot of passion for what we were doing in support of disease diagnostics. I have since evolved beyond these beginnings and moved into the therapeutic space. iMBP is focused on bringing forward solutions in the battle against some of the world's most pressing diseases," he went on to state. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reestablishing balance not only stabilized his personal life but also cleared the way for him to bring iMBP to life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"After restoring balance in my life, I took the same out-of-the-box thinking and am now applying it to develop innovative disease treatments. The iMBP therapeutics in development are biologics, not small molecules you take as a pill; they're functional proteins engineered through biotechnology and administered via injection. This in itself is not new, but how and what we are specifically doing is pretty cool. So far, we have four therapeutic candidate programs ongoing and a half dozen different molecules in various degrees of early design," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By integrating key computational components, iMBP is poised to become disruptive to the industry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Many of the techniques still widely used today in biotechnology are 30 to 40 years old. With our technological innovations, we are flipping biotech on its head … becoming more TechBio," Dr. Kiernan shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;iMBP's goal is simple — to develop therapeutics to treat diseases that push society off-balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Moving Forward in Balance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan credits his capable team and his family for the company's many successes. Every day his team applies their expertise to move the company forward, while his family accepts the sacrifices of a startup entrepreneur. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His advice to others? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You have to confront the negative voice in your mind that tries to talk you out of fulfilling your dream and derail you from becoming the best person you can possibly be. By having balance, you can stabilize yourself and create a support system that encourages you," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kiernan has created balance in his life and has great confidence in his life's path despite his childhood struggles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was meant to get my Ph.D. in order to develop these drugs that will help people who are suffering," he said. "This is my gift and my legacy to the world."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/biotech.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/biotech-and-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-balancing-two-halves-of-the-whole/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26499</ID> <title>What Youthful Individuals Should Know about Having a Stroke</title> <publishDate>2022-10-14 07:27:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_234 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_273"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_285 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_187 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_561 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_562 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_563 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_306 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking out for your health from a young age is essential. But unfortunately, a significant part of our young population lives under the impression that only middle-aged and older people are at risk of medical issues, such as stroke. Indeed, young people have a smaller chance of experiencing a stroke, but you can never say never.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Does Our Youth Need to Know about Strokes?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although they may seem impossible for young people, strokes may befall you at any age. The chances of having a stroke do increase with age, but that does not mean you are not prone to them when young. Almost &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.024156" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15% of strokes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affect people between 18 and 50. Indeed, 18 may sound like a long way away from strokes. Even 45 is considered a young stroke age by experts and doctors.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Young people who tend to overlook their health's importance are more prone to experiencing a stroke. Someone living a chaotic life full of harmful habits has a higher chance of going through such a traumatic and, sometimes, lethal event. Although the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2751939?utm_campaign=articlePDF&amp;amp;utm_campaign=41af0575b9-MR_COPY_02&amp;amp;utm_medium=articlePDFlink&amp;amp;utm_medium=email&amp;amp;utm_source=articlePDF&amp;amp;utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&amp;amp;utm_content=jamaneurol.2019.3258&amp;amp;utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-41af0575b9-134417857" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overall rate of strokes dropped&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the last few years, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.026695" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rate has risen amongst our youth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Types of Strokes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different factors can trigger a stroke. It depends on the health conditions someone may have, habits and overall lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Clotting Disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people are unaware of the disorders they may be suffering from. That is why it is vital to have a health test done at least once a year. A few conditions, such as sickle cell disease, can turn deadly if not treated in time. This disorder causes blood clumps to form, turning into clots that can clog a vein and cause a stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.104.524371"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patent Foramen Ovale&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another condition that many people do not know they have is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29680895/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patent Foramen Ovale&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or PTO. PTO is a congenital disability consisting of a small opening between the heart's two upper chambers. A thin membrane gets formed through that tiny opening, which stops blood circulation. Although the risk of stroke in people with PTO is relatively low compared to other stroke causes, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31789709/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;possibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; still remains.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Arterial Problems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with sports-related trauma experience strokes at a higher rate. But this may happen spontaneously as well. These strokes happen when the first layer of a blood vessel, the layer of cells, tears down and lets blood enter the vessel wall and narrow it. If you experience severe headaches, distorted vision, heavy eyelids, a sudden decrease in the sense of taste and pain around the eyes, call 911. These are all symptoms of low blood circulation that can end in a stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: A Chaotic Lifestyle &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Factors that have nothing to do with disorders or illnesses can also increase the risk of having a stroke. For example, smoking, heavy drinking and substance abuse are the main risk factors in young people. Although these habits are not the only causes of strokes in young people, they are a significant part of the percentage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing or Reducing Stroke Risks &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are ways to diminish your chances of experiencing a stroke. Having a heart condition may not be something you can control, but there are ways in which you can diminish the damaging outcomes. Risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure appear more frequently amongst young people. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy lifestyle will diminish the chances of having a stroke. For example, limiting the intake of sugary beverages and salt is the first step toward lowering the chances of experiencing a stroke. Also, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol as much as possible will lower your risk of having a stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel your arms weaken, can't speak normally and can't feel your face, call for medical help. These are the main symptoms of a stroke, and it's essential to arrive at the hospital as quickly as possible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Stroke.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-youthful-individuals-should-know-about-having-a-stroke/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26491</ID> <title>What You Need to Know About Carpal Tunnel</title> <publishDate>2022-10-14 07:08:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_235 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_274"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_286 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_188 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_564 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_565 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_566 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_307 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you noticing numbness, tingling or pain on your wrists, forearm and hand? You might be experiencing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/#:~:text=Carpal%20tunnel%20syndrome%20is%20a,syndrome%20gets%20worse%20over%20time." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;carpal tunnel syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a wrist condition caused by the compression of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21889-median-nerve" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the median nerve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your wrist. This nerve is responsible for providing sensation to your thumb and first three fingers — when it becomes compressed, you may experience numbness, tingling or weakness in these areas. There are several causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, including repetitive motions (like typing), wrist injuries and arthritis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Symptoms typically develop gradually and may worsen at night or with extended use of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated with splinting, steroid injections or surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for cases that do not respond to other treatment methods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Carpal Tunnel Feels Like&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the hand, becomes compressed. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist through which the median nerve and tendons pass. When the wrist is bent or extended, the carpal tunnel can become narrower, compressing the median nerve and causing symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects people of all ages. However, it is more common in women than men and is more likely to occur in people with a family history of the condition. It is also more common in people with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4525537/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diabetes and thyroid problems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in the hand and wrist. The symptoms typically develop gradually and may worsen at night or with extended use of the hand. They are often worse in the morning and may improve during the day as the hand is used.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, see your doctor for an evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel can help prevent permanent damage to the median nerve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several wrist conditions can lead to carpal tunnel. The most common cause is wrist injury, which can damage the tendons and other tissues in the wrist, leading to inflammation and swelling. Other causes include repetitive motion (such as typing or using a mouse), arthritis and pregnancy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome usually involves rest, splinting and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the median nerve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. The exam will include tests to check for sensation and muscle strength in your hand and wrist. They may also perform X-rays or other imaging studies to rule out other conditions that could cause your symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carpal Tunnel Treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated with splinting, steroid injections or surgery: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Splinting&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; involves wearing a splint that immobilizes the wrist and hand to allow the median nerve to rest. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Steroid injections&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are used to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Surgery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is usually reserved for cases that do not respond to other treatment methods. It involves cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the median nerve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have mild carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor may recommend wrist splints or braces to help relieve pressure on the median nerve. For more severe cases, they may recommend surgery to release the pressure on the nerve. Recovery from surgery takes several weeks, and you will likely need to wear a splint or brace during this time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are considering surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2397012/#:~:text=Standard%20open%20carpal%20tunnel%20release%20remains%20a%20safe%20and%20effective,by%20general%20surgeons%20with%20experience." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Surgery is generally safe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but there are potential complications, such as infection and nerve damage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercises for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome that can help alleviate wrist pain and improve hand function:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wrist Curls&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sit with your forearm resting on a table and your wrist hanging off the edge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use a light weight (i.e., 2-5 pounds) and slowly curl your wrist up, then back down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repeat 10 times.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reverse Wrist Curls &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The same position as above, but curl your wrist down and back up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Again, use a light weight and repeat 10 times.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finger Stretches &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extend your arm out in front of you with your palm up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use your other hand to gently bend each finger back towards your palm, feeling a stretch in the tendons on the top of your hand. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hold each stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prayer Stretch &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place your palms together in front of you at chest level, keeping your fingers pointing towards the ceiling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gently press your palms together, feeling a stretch in the wrist and forearm. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Will Carpal Tunnel Go Away after Pregnancy?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are pregnant and feeling a tingling, numbness or weakness in your wrist, you may wonder if this is carpal tunnel syndrome and if it will go away after pregnancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A carpal tunnel occurs when the tissues around the wrist swell from fluid retention during pregnancy. The swelling puts pressure on the median nerve, which can cause pain, tingling and numbness in the wrist and hand.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carpal tunnel syndrome is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-and-pregnancy#:~:text=How%20does%20pregnancy%20affect%20carpal,in%20your%20wrist%20and%20hand." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more common in pregnant women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because of the changes in hormone levels that occur during pregnancy, causing the tissues around the wrist to swell.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that carpal tunnel syndrome usually goes away after pregnancy. However, some women may need to wear a wrist splint or take medication to help relieve the symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are concerned about carpal tunnel syndrome, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if you need to be seen by a specialist and what treatment options are best for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, it's important to take steps to prevent further damage to the median nerve. These steps include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding repetitive motions of the wrist;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking breaks often if you must perform repetitive tasks;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your wrist in a neutral position when typing or using a mouse;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising regularly to strengthen the muscles around the wrist;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the wrist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carpal tunnel syndrome is a preventable condition. You only need to take breaks during extended periods of typing or other hand-intensive activities. However, you should also talk to your doctor if you experience any numbness, tingling or pain in your hands or wrists.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Carpal-Tunnel.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-you-need-to-know-about-carpal-tunnel/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26484</ID> <title>Is Detoxing Your Body Good for You?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-13 06:49:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_236 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_275"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_287 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_189 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_567 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_568 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_569 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_308 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing is the process of cleansing your body of toxins — those harmful substances that can build up in your body and cause severe health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different ways to detox your body, including diet, supplements and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/detox-bath-for-cold" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;detox baths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any detox program, as some detox methods can be dangerous if not done properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What are Detox Diets?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detox diets are all the rage these days, with celebrities and health gurus touting their benefits left and right. But what exactly are detox diets, and are they actually good for you?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxes, sometimes called cleanses, are dietary plans that aim to rid your body of toxins. These toxins are found in the food you eat, the air you breathe and even your skin products. While our bodies do have systems in place to detoxify themselves, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sfadvancedhealth.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-your-body-is-suffering-from-toxin-overload-diagnosis-and-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some people believe that we're overloaded with toxins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and that a detox diet can help support our body's natural detoxification process.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different types of detox diets, although they all follow the same tenet: the consumption of detoxifying foods and drinks and the avoidance of high-toxin foods. Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.patientfirst.com/blog/9-foods-to-naturally-detox" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;common detoxifying foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and drinks include fresh fruits and vegetables, herbal teas, water and green juice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healyourlife.com/11-foods-to-avoid-when-you-are-detoxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods to avoid on a detox diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include sugar, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods and red meat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, the big question is: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;do detox diets actually work?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; There isn't a whole lot of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/detoxes-and-cleanses-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;scientific evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to support the claims made by detox diet proponents. However, some people do &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/detox-diets-101#effectiveness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;report feeling more energetic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; after following a detox diet plan. What works for you might be resultless in others.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Concerns about Detox Diets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detox diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with people looking for ways to cleanse their bodies of toxins and improve their overall health. However, there are some concerns with detoxing that you should be aware of before you start any detox diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, don't forget that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/better-off-not-doing-a-detox#natural-detox-processes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;our bodies are designed to detox naturally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. We have organs like the liver and kidneys that help remove toxins from our bodies daily. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, many detoxes involve &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-detox-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cutting out certain foods or food groups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. What started as a step in the right direction may take you down the path of nutritional imbalances and health issues. Make sure you get all the nutrients you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, detoxes can sometimes be extreme and unrealistic, making them difficult to stick to long-term. So, if you're considering starting a detox diet, talk to your doctor first to ensure it's right for you. And remember, moderation is key!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does Detoxing Work?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The body is constantly detoxifying itself, but sometimes it needs a little help. That's where detoxing, with its different forms (e.g., drinking more water or cutting out processed foods), comes in handy. Of course, you can choose more thorough approaches to detoxing, such as fasting or cleansing. It's all about finding what works best for you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing is thought to help the body rid itself of toxins and waste products that build up and cause health problems. Some people believe that detoxing can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-you-planning-a-cleanse-or-detox-read-this-first/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help boost energy levels, improve digestion and promote weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pros and Cons of Detoxing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From improved digestion and better skin to more energy and better overall health, detoxing can help you feel your best. But is detoxing as good for you as celebrities and health gurus boast online? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pros of Detoxing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved Digestion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most common benefits of detoxing is improved digestion, as removing toxins from your body can help improve your overall digestive system. With a healthier digestive system, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-colon-cleanse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better nutrient absorption and less bloating and gas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are sure to follow!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More Energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do you miss the old, more energetic you? Toxins could be to blame, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aor.ca/detox-diet-ways-to-boost-your-energy-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as their presence upsets the body's energy levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Allow your body to detox, and you might rediscover already forgotten levels of energy and productivity!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Better Overall Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing can also lead to better overall health. By cleansing your body of toxins, you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://vebaresourcecenter.com/10-detox-tips-improve-health-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://vebaresourcecenter.com/10-detox-tips-improve-health-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cons of Detoxing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing Can Be Hard on Your Body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing can be hard on your body, especially if you do it too often or without the supervision of a healthcare professional. Some detox methods can cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthygoods.com/blog/detox-cleansing-electrolytes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overhydration, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and other health issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Therefore, it is important to be careful when detoxing and make sure that you are not doing anything that could be harmful to your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It Can Be Expensive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing can also be expensive, especially if you choose to do it at a spa or through a professional detox program. If you are on a budget, there are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nycim.com/8-affordable-ways-to-detox-naturally/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many ways to detox at home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that can be just as effective but much less expensive, such as fasting, avoiding sugary drinks and drinking lemon water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing Requires Commitment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Detoxing requires commitment and discipline — you will need to stick to the detox plan in order to see results. This can be difficult for some people, primarily if they are not used to following a strict plan.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, detox diet plans that don't involve high commitment, such as detox &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aspicyperspective.com/lemon-ginger-detox-tea-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;teas and juices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It May Not Be Necessary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For some people, detoxing may not be necessary. If you eat a healthy diet and live a healthy lifestyle, your body may already be doing an excellent job of detoxing itself!&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, eating a healthy diet free of toxins does not hurt and can only be beneficial. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is not much scientific evidence to support the claims that detoxes improve health. In fact, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-are-the-dangers-of-a-detox-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some of these detoxes can actually be harmful&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; unless performed under the guidance of an expert.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you're considering a detox, do your research and talk to your doctor first. And remember, the best way to detox is to eat healthily, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Detoxing.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-detoxing-your-body-good-for-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26476</ID> <title>What are the Health Risks of Tattoos?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-13 06:29:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_237 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_276"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_288 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_190 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_570 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_571 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_572 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_309 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While tattoos and piercings can be safe when done properly, there are some health risks that you should be aware of when you start your journey into body art.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First of all, when you get a tattoo, you're essentially creating an open wound on your skin; therefore, there is a risk of infection and irritation anytime you get a tattoo. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Skin Allergies from Tattoos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Skin allergies are the most common type of reaction to tattoos. The inks used in tattoos can contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hazoxinc.com/tattoo-inks-and-cancer-heavy-metals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various metals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as nickel, copper and cobalt, which can cause skin irritation and lead to an allergic reaction. Symptoms of a skin allergy from a tattoo could include redness, itching, swelling and blistering at the tattoo site. In severe cases, an allergic reaction to a tattoo can cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anaphylaxis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351468#:~:text=Anaphylaxis%20is%20a%20severe%2C%20potentially,as%20peanuts%20or%20bee%20stings." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anaphylaxis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a life-threatening condition. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is vital to see a physician as soon as possible. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition, tattoo ink can be toxic. Some inks have been known to contain heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. These toxins could enter your bloodstream and cause various health problems.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Skin Infection from Tattoos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tattoos can also cause skin infections, such as abscesses, cellulitis and granulomas. Granulomas are raised bumps that form around materials the body perceives as foreign, such as tattoo pigments. Cellulitis is a skin infection occurring when bacteria enter the skin through a crack or break. Skin abscesses are pus-filled bumps that occur when bacteria invade an area of skin.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other skin infections that may occur from tattoos include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/tattoo-infection#_noHeaderPrefixedContent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;staph infection and MRSA infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These infections can be severe and even life-threatening if they are not treated promptly. It is crucial to make sure that your artist uses sterile needles and clean equipment to reduce your risk of infection. If you have any health concerns, it is always best to consult with a doctor before getting a tattoo.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Skin Cancer from Tattoos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you wonder if getting a tattoo might give you skin cancer, the simple answer is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. There is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/iheard/does-tattoo-ink-give-you-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no definitive evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; linking tattoos with cancer. While specific tattoo ink components may be classified as carcinogenic, there is still a lack of evidence showing a connection between them and skin cancer. However, there may be some concern with black tattoos because black inks contain a very high level of benzo(a)pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon classified as a skin carcinogen.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/body-modification/blackout-tattoo#healing-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blackout tattoos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may increase the skin cancer risk because of the amount of ink required for such tattoos. However, no available studies show a correlation between these types of tattoos and cancer. Even a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26018407/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mice study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that black ink tattoos might protect the skin from skin cancer by blocking UVB light. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does a Tattoo Affect MRI?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a small risk of tattoos interfering with MRI scans. MRI machines use strong magnetic fields to produce images, and, in rare cases, tattoo ink may cause burns or skin irritation during an MRI scan.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20190213/tattooed-and-need-mri-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from University College London has shown various reactions from tattoos during an MRI scan. Researchers reported that adverse effects include a pulling sensation on tattooed skin due to tattoo ink containing magnetic pigments that interact with the MRI's powerful magnetic fields. Tattoos may also absorb energy that would otherwise be dispersed, increasing burn risk.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite these risks, the long-term effects of MRI on skin with tattoos remain unclear. Some studies have found that skin cells can become damaged after exposure to high doses of energy in MRIs, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/tattoo-mimics-cancer-of-the-lymph-nodes-15-years-later" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;potentially resulting in skin cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, further research is needed to determine whether this effect is limited only to skin cells directly exposed to the magnetic field during an MRI or if it could affect skin cells throughout the body.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Given these potential health risks, people who get tattoos should consult their doctors before undergoing an MRI. Although the risk is generally considered low, if you have a tattoo, it's important to let your doctor know before having an MRI scan.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you decide to go ahead with an MRI scan, staying still and speaking as little as possible during your procedure will help minimize any adverse effects. Additionally, always follow your doctor's recommendations for pre and post-scan care.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tattoos and Bloodborne Pathogens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another risk involved in tattooing is the transmission of bloodborne pathogens like tetanus, hepatitis B, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hivaidsconnection.ca/get-facts/about-hivaids-and-hep-c/tattooing-and-piercing#:~:text=Sharing%20tattoo%20or%20body%2Dpiercing,passed%20into%20your%20blood%20stream." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hepatitis C and even HIV&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These diseases can be contracted if the needles or other instruments are not properly sterilized. In addition, contaminated inks can also lead to infection.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These infections may also occur if the skin is not adequately sterilized prior to getting a tattoo or if proper precautions are not taken during the tattooing process. Choose a reputable, clean tattoo parlor that adheres to strict safety standards when performing your tattoo to reduce your risk of infection and exposure to dangerous bloodborne pathogens. Additionally, always follow any aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist to ensure proper skin healing following the procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In general, the risks of tattoos are relatively low, but it's important to be aware of the potential risks and take precautions to minimize them. Be sure to research and choose a reputable tattoo artist who uses sterile equipment and safe inks. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have questions about the health risks associated with tattoos, consult a healthcare professional for advice on best protecting yourself during and after this procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tattoos.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-health-risks-of-tattoos/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26469</ID> <title>Healthier Fall Drinks at Starbucks</title> <publishDate>2022-10-12 06:22:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_238 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_277"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_289 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_191 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_573 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_574 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_575 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_310 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The leaves are starting to fall, the crisp autumn breeze is slowly returning, and Starbucks fall drinks are coming back in season. It's time to welcome the Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks, pumpkin patch Instagram pictures and plaid-colored scarves! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fall drinks are delicious, but perhaps the sugar content or thought of consuming too many calories is a deterring factor from partaking in this fall staple. Well, here's some good news — there is such a thing as healthy fall Starbuck drinks! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Fall Starbucks Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This may sound too good to be true, but here are the best healthy drinks at Starbucks. There are several tips to decrease calorie count but still enjoy the taste of fall!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin Spice Latte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the essential fall drinks, the one that conjures up images of fuzzy blankets, candles and falling leaves, contains quite a few calories. It's hard to pass up, though, considering how delicious it is. However, there are great ways to cut some calories and still enjoy this tasty treat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best ways to decrease calorie counts when drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;order a Short rather than a Grande&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Ordering this drink saves 180 calories from the usual 380 calories. Likewise, ordering a Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte instead of a Grande or ordering a Grande with almond milk saves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, ordering a Grande but skipping the whipped cream &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces 70 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while ordering a Grande with non-fat milk saves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;50 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and ordering one with coconut milk saves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;40 calories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most of the calories and sugar, however, come from the pumpkin syrup, with one pump adding about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30 calories and 7.5 grams of sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to the mix. A Grande has four pumps of pumpkin spice syrup, and ordering half the pumps will save &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/How-Make-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Healthier-Starbucks-43907157" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;60 calories and 15 grams of sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are countless recipes to make this delicious drink at home, with the same taste but fewer calories. This version of a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://detoxinista.com/healthier-pumpkin-spice-latte/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses five simple ingredients:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin Puree;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brewed Coffee; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Milk (of choice);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin pie spice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maple Syrup. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To make the pumpkin spice, simply combine:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/8 teaspoon ground ginger;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A pinch of ground nutmeg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A pinch of ground cloves or allspice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You'll only need a 1/4 teaspoon of this mix for the recipe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are only three steps to making this drink: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir the ingredients together.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warm the ingredients up by bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, garnish your latte with whipped cream and extra pumpkin pie spice!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best things about Starbucks is that everything is customizable! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If the drink is from Starbucks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the best ways to make it healthier include ordering it as a tall blonde americano in a grande cup, with one pumpkin sauce, three pumps of sugar-free vanilla and some steamed almond milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keep this drink healthy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and sweet is to ask for a Grande Iced Coffee with: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No classic syrup; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One pump of pumpkin sauce; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Three pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some extra pumpkin spice topping, with light creams such as half-and-half. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin Iced Chai Latte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is simple and sweet and only requires: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Grande Iced Chai Latte; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almond Milk; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One pump of chai concentrate;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;0.5 pump of pumpkin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is terrific for the cold/flu season. Simply ask for: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Honey citrus mint tea; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One packet of honey; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One light lemonade. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, sometimes it helps to have this drink on hand, so here is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin Coconut Latte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;treat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a great way to satisfy the fall craving! Just order: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.2 pumps of pumpkin sauce; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some coconut milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chai Tea Latte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cellajane.com/2020/09/healthy-fall-starbucks-drinks-to-order.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy version of this amazing drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; requires ordering: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Grande hot or iced chai tea latte; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almond milk; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One pump of chai; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Two pumps of sugar-free vanilla; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One shot of blonde espresso. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Same taste, amazing flavor!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pumpkin Spice Flat White&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A great way to create a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://becksliveshealthy.com/healthier-fall-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy version of this treat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is to ask for: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Grande flat white; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A pumpkin spice topping; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some almond milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that the craving for fall drinks is there, here are&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://parade.com/1218073/margie-zable-fisher/healthy-starbucks-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; some healthy Starbucks drink options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that you can enjoy year-round:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mint Majesty: 0 calories;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Black Coffee: 0 to 5 calories;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffé Americano: 15 calories;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cold Brew with Cold Foam: 35 calories;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;'Fake' Chai Latte: 60 calories (chai tea bag with half milk, half water);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iced Skinny Mocha: 120 calories;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cappuccino: 140 calories (with skim milk);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iced Flat White: 150 calories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a36792235/starbucks-fall-drinks-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many health benefits to drinking coffee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including the fact that the coffee beans are full of antioxidants, may have anti-inflammatory properties and could potentially prevent heart disease. However, the pros to drinking coffee can be drowned out by the many calories and sugars added to make coffee taste sweeter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important thing to remember is moderation. Make sure the coffee consumption, whether a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Decaf Coffee, is within a healthy limit. Here are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a36792235/starbucks-fall-drinks-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some tips&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to make a sweet coffee drink taste amazing but also reduce the extras to make them healthier: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid overusing sweetened syrups, cream and whipped cream when using creamers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Opt for a tall or grande drink whenever possible to avoid consuming a ton of calories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut down on the pimps of syrup, whipped cream, etc., to create a lighter version. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Splashing any milk shouldn't do any damage, but skim, dairy-free or non-fat milk can take care of cutting down some calories. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fall is a beautiful time of year, and the nostalgia that comes with it is unbeatable. Starbucks drinks have become an essential part of that fall nostalgia with the spicy, sharp scents and sweet tickly smells of cinnamon, pumpkin and sugar. The smell is enough to conjure up images of orange, yellow and red hues found on the trees outside and makes snuggling up with a blanket and book extremely tempting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just remember, when it comes to anything, moderation is key! So, next time the craving for a Starbucks Fall drink comes up, mix the unnecessary creamers, cut down on pumps of syrup and order smaller sizes to make a healthier treat. Now grab a scarf and go get a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. Enjoy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fall-Drinks-at-Starbucks.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/healthier-fall-drinks-at-starbucks/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26461</ID> <title>Can You Train Your Memory to Be Better?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-11 05:52:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_239 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_278"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_290 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_192 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_576 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_577 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_578 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_311 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we age, our memory starts to decline. This natural process can be frustrating and even scary, especially if we rely on our memory for essential things like jobs or taking care of our families.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But don't despair! There are things you can do to help improve your memory, even as you age. Diet, repetition, looking at visual imagery, sleep and emotions all contribute to a young, sharper memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is Memory?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Memory is the mental faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions and thoughts. Although we believe that our memory can never fail us and that our precious memories will always stay intact, memory loss is a normal but unavoidable part of aging. Although the process cannot be brought to a halt, you can slow down memory loss with dedication and the proper methods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repetition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most productive tool to improve memory is simple repetition. The more you repeat something, the more likely you will remember it. This is because repetition creates neural pathways in the brain that make information more accessible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you want to remember something, say it out loud, write it down or find another way to repeat it several times.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://interactive.wharton.upenn.edu/learning-insights/why-we-cant-remember-what-we-learn-and-what-to-do-about-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spaced repetition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" technique is one way to improve your memory. This method involves reviewing information at increasingly longer intervals. For example, if you're trying to remember a list of vocabulary words, start reviewing the words after an hour, then a day, then a week and so on. Spaced repetition helps your brain store the information in long-term memory so that you can recall it more easily later on. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emotion and Memory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One memory trick you can try is associating whatever it is you're trying to remember with an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573739/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;emotion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It could be a happy memory or something that made you feel scared or anxious. The more intense the emotion is, the more likely you will remember what you're trying to associate it with.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So if you're trying to remember to buy milk on the way home from work, you could think of a time when you were angry and yelled at someone. The strong emotional reaction will help anchor the memory of needing to buy milk to the feeling, making it more likely that you'll remember when you're at the store.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of course, not every memory must be associated with negative emotion to be effective. If you're trying to remember your anniversary, for example, you might try to think of a time when you were at your happiest, like the moment when you got engaged or married.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The emotion must be intense enough to help you remember what you're trying to associate it with. So if you're having a hard time remembering something, try thinking of a time when you felt a strong emotion around it and see if that helps jog your memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adrenaline&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mechanism by which emotions can help with memory is through adrenaline. Adrenaline is secreted in the brain and body in response to physical and emotional stressors. This "fight-or-flight" hormone can help you out in a real-life emergency, but it can also give your memory a boost.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1301209110" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, people who were shown emotionally arousing images had better explicit memory recall than those who viewed neutral images. In addition, the adrenaline released during periods of stress can improve memory encoding, which is the process of getting information into your memory. So if you want to remember something important, try associating it with an emotion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is one of the greatest assets in your fight against memory loss. When you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep/learning-memory#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20sleep%20helps,essential%20for%20learning%20new%20information." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, your brain is more efficient at processing and storing information. So, if you're looking to give your memory a boost, make sure you're getting enough shut-eye.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditation is often thought of as relaxing, de-stressing and focusing. But did you know that meditation can also help improve your memory? A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016643281830322X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that meditation can improve the subjects' attention and memory better than, for example, listening to a podcast. So, meditation could be a helpful tool to consider if you're looking for ways to boost your memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise has been found to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-can-boost-your-memory-and-thinking-skills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help with memory recall&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so if you're looking for ways to better your memory, working out may be a splendid option!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few different ways exercise can help improve your memory:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It increases the amount of oxygen that flows to your brain to keep your brain cells healthy and functioning properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can help reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better memory function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can improve your sleep quality, which is essential for healthy brain function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So if you're looking for ways to boost your memory power, hit the gym or go for a run!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Visual Imagery for Recall&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just like any other skill, you can improve your ability to remember things with practice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different techniques can help you boost your memory power. One simple way to do this is by using &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797617694868?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&amp;amp;rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&amp;amp;rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;visual images&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, real photographs and mental images can both help lay down memories. So next time you want to remember something, try picturing it in your mind. You may be surprised at how well it works.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your memory needs a healthy diet if it wants to stay in top-notch shape. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/omega-3-fish-oil-for-brain-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as fish, nuts and leafy greens are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to better cognitive function.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antioxidant-rich food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries and tomatoes, can also help keep your memory sharp. If you're looking to improve your memory, start by eating healthy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's not just one perfect way to improve your memory. The best approach is to experiment with different techniques and find the ones that work best for you. With a little effort, you can train your memory to be better and sharper than ever!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Train-your-Memory.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/can-you-train-your-memory-to-be-better/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26438</ID> <title>Health Risks of Nanoplastics in Food</title> <publishDate>2022-10-06 05:05:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_240 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_279"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_291 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_193 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_579 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_580 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_581 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_312 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We are aware that the world is suffering from pollution, and numerous organizations are doing everything they can to make the world a better place for the next generation. Unfortunately, the most common material found in landfills is the one we use in virtually everything: plastic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From containers to candy wrappers, these plastic materials are very slow to degrade. Instead of complete degradation, a tiny portion of the plastic chips away and turns into particles invisible to the naked eye, called nanoplastics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are Nanoplastics?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than 100 nanometers in diameter. They can enter the environment through a variety of sources, including the breakdown of plastic items, the release of microbeads from personal care products and the shedding of synthetic fibers from clothing. Once in the environment, nanoplastics can be ingested by plants and animals, which could end up harming our food supply.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A growing body of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231720308259" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that exposure to nanoplastics negatively impacts human health. Studies have shown that nanoplastics can cause inflammation and oxidative stress and damage the DNA. In addition, nanoplastics can accumulate in organs and tissue and could even cross the blood-brain barrier. As a result, some researchers believe that the health effects of nanoplastics may be similar to those of other types of air pollution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no current regulation of nanoplastics in the U.S., and little is known about their potential health risks. Given the widespread use of plastics and the growing evidence of their harmful effects, it is vital to learn more about the health risks of nanoplastics and take steps to reduce exposure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Effects of Nanoplastics on the Human Body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While nanoplastics are not considered harmful in and of themselves, they can absorb toxins from the environment and accumulate in the body. This process can lead to a toxin build-up in the bloodstream and cause various health problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is currently scarce data on the long-term effects of nanoplastics on human health, but some studies have suggested that they may contribute to cancer, reproductive problems and developmental issues. However, more research is needed to confirm these potential health risks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is advisable to limit your exposure to nanoplastics as much as possible. This means avoiding cosmetics and food packaging that contain them and choosing fresh over processed foods where possible. You should also make sure to properly clean any plastic products you use to reduce your risk of exposure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Nanoplastics Reach the Environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nanoplastics can enter the environment in a variety of ways. One way involves plastic products being discarded and ending up in landfills. Of all the plastics in the world, only &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/research/report-circular-claims-fall-flat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are recycled, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/research/report-circular-claims-fall-flat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are burned (which shifts the topic to air pollution) and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/research/report-circular-claims-fall-flat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;79%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; end up in landfills. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nanoplastics can also be released into the air, water and soil during the manufacturing process of some products. Additionally, they can be released into the environment when we wash clothes or other items that contain them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Avoid Ingesting Nanoplastics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Avoid extra harmful plastics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Plastic products with recycling codes 3, 6 and 7 are damaging as they contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene and bisphenol, an industrial chemical. These chemicals can leach into your food easily when heated. It's better to use ceramic or glass containers instead.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drink filtered tap water&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/bottled-water-plastic-contamination-2547834868.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2018 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, bottled water contains more plastics than filtered tap water. It is best to use a reusable water container made of stainless steel, glass or silicone. Using a filter for your drinking water is advisable, such as a carbon block or distillation filter.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vacuum and dust regularly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Nanoplastics are so small that they make their way into the air, where it is often mixed up in the dust around the house. Regular dusting and vacuuming can minimize the accumulation of these particles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is impossible to avoid nanoplastics entirely, but that doesn't mean we can't do anything about it. There are many alternatives we can use to replace plastic, and most of them are reusable, such as glass or aluminum. It's not too late to change how we consume products, what we use and how we dispose of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Nanoplastic.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/health-risks-of-nanoplastics-in-food/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26431</ID> <title>Where Do Food Allergies Come From?</title> <publishDate>2022-10-05 04:46:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_241 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_280"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_292 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_194 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_582 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_583 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_584 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_313 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever wondered where food allergies come from? Allergies are an immune response to a stimulus that is usually harmless. They result from an overreaction of your body's immune system, producing antibodies to fight off the allergen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17245088/#:~:text=Abstract,tract%20and%20cause%20systemic%20reactions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;food allergy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an immune reaction to a food protein, which the body mistakes for a harmful substance and produces antibodies to attack it. When a person with a food allergy eats even a tiny amount of the offending food, they may have a severe, sometimes life-threatening reaction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most people with food allergies are allergic to more than one food. The most common allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many allergies are caused by a cross-reaction to another substance. For example, someone allergic to ragweed may also be allergic to melons. This happens because the proteins in ragweed are similar to the proteins in melons. Therefore, when the body comes into contact with ragweed, it mistakenly identifies the protein as a threat and produces an immune response.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, there is no cure for food allergies, and avoiding the offending foods is the only way to prevent allergic reactions. This avoidance can be challenging as people with severe allergies must be constantly vigilant about what they eat. Even trace amounts of the allergen can trigger a reaction!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Allergy Origins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no one definitive answer to the question of where food allergies come from. But the scientific field has developed several theories about what may contribute to the development of food allergies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first theory states that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435937/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genetics and environmental factors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; cause allergies. Therefore, some people may be more likely to develop allergies because of their genes, but they may only develop symptoms if exposed to specific allergens.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second theory states that allergies are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.650893/full#:~:text=In%20another%20study%2C%20Clostridia%20enrichment,et%20al.%2C%202014)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;caused by changes in the gut microbiome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the community of bacteria living in the gut, and it's thought that allergies may develop when the balance of bacteria in the microbiome is disrupted. This theory is supported by the fact that allergies are more common in industrialized countries, where the microbiome is often less diverse.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, it's also possible that allergies are simply a result of repeated exposure to an allergen. When someone is repeatedly exposed to an allergen, they may become more sensitive to it and eventually develop an allergy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increase in Food Allergies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food allergies have become &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.news-medical.net/health/Whats-Driving-the-Recent-Rise-in-Food-Allergies.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more prevalent in recent years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. One theory suggests that the increase in food allergies may be due to the 'hygiene hypothesis.' This theory posits that we are too clean, and our immune systems are not being challenged enough. In the past, people were exposed to more bacteria and other microorganisms, which helped build up their immunity. Nowadays, we live in a much cleaner environment, and our immune systems may not be as strong as they once were.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another theory blames the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/health-topics/antibiotic-allergies-can-be-unexpected-and-dangerous#:~:text=Taking%20antibiotics%20when%20not%20needed,harder%20to%20fight%20future%20infections." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overuse of antibiotics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the increase in food allergies. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the gut. Some researchers believe that this can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and lead to allergies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Still, other experts believe that food allergies are simply due to genetic changes. Allergies tend to run in families, so certain genes may make people more susceptible to developing allergies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whatever the reason for the increase in food allergies, it's clear that they are a serious problem for many people. With no cure available, avoidance is the only way to prevent reactions. This can be difficult and require a lot of vigilance, but it is the best way to keep allergies under control.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/where-do-Allergies-came-from.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/where-do-food-allergies-come-from/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26423</ID> <title>Stepping into the Role of a Dentist: An Interview with Dr. Simi Silver</title> <publishDate>2022-10-04 04:18:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_242 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_281"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_293 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_195 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_585 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_586 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_587 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_314 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wanted to be a dancer. Yes, I really wanted to be on stage in musical theater," said Dr. Simi Silver. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, after pain ended her dreams of dance, a series of unchoreographed yet focused steps led Dr. Simi Silver, DDS, into dentistry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I went to college and earned a degree in biotechnology after realizing how much I loved biology. I graduated at the top of the school of engineering technology," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On her own, by age 17, Dr. Silver took on temporary jobs to keep herself in school. Upon graduation, someone asked her if she would consider medical or dental school. She chose dentistry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I like being active and doing procedures, so I applied to dental school at Toronto University and got in after my second year at university. Now I've been practicing for 26 years, for 20 years in Ottawa alone," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Silver &amp;amp; Son&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver runs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://silverdentalcentre.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Silver Dental Centre&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, her own practice in Ottawa. She offers her patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://silverdentalcentre.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various preventive and cosmetic services&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including standard dental procedures, implants, prosthodontics and the Wand (i.e., an anesthetic). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver is active in several professional dental organizations. She is also the single mom of five children. One highlight she is looking forward to is that her son Maxwell may join her practice. He is currently completing a residency in Edmonton, having just graduated dental school. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He always wanted to be a dentist, so I must have inspired him. He will be joining me in a year," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleep, Airways and Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver enjoys owning her practice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You get to call your own shots. I get to decide what I'm going to do. I wouldn't have that flexibility in someone else's practice," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Dr. Silver decided to take on is sleep apnea and other airway issues related to dentistry. She found inspiration within her own family, namely in her son Maxwell.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He's 26 and fit as a fiddle. And yet, he was just diagnosed with sleep apnea. It is an epidemic, and we need to screen people," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver is spreading the word to promote screening. For her, this has been fun, knowing that she is helping and addressing such an important issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's exciting even just to screen. I'm getting together a little airway presentation for local dentists emphasizing the importance of screening both kids and adults," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver points out that patients need information and to be educated about their health. This way, they can participate in their own healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have an older patient, for example, who has sleep apnea," Dr. Silver recalled. "I started screening and asking these questions. He was a particularly fussy man — very educated, had grandkids — and became highly educated about his health."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver is active in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://airwaycircle.com/listing/simi-silver-dds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Airway Circle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an organization that maintains a free directory of providers who promote airway health. It makes important information and links to healthcare providers available and connects providers through a platform where they can discuss and learn more about breathing, craniofacial growth and myofunctional disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Mouth and Body Connection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver stresses that the mouth is a big part of the body and its overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always try to remind people that the mouth is connected to their body," she explained. "Oral health is part of general health, and learning about the oral complex is important."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mouth bacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can bring about disease. If a patient neglects good oral hygiene, tooth decay and gum disease quickly follow. The resulting infections can spread to other body parts and promote other diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Laser Treatments&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver uses &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/simi-silver/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;laser treatments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on some of her patients. For example, a cold laser is an ideal tool to release tongue and lip ties in babies. She uses the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.biolase.com/patients/why-laser-dentistry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Waterlase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; cold laser, which combines the laser energy with water spray to carry out dental procedures more comfortably.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I love lasers and encourage other dentists to look into them. It's a worthwhile investment if you know how to use it well," she shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The People She Treats&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver values the people she treats and the interesting lives they lead. And she is willing to reach out when needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I had one man whom I'd been seeing for years," she recalled. "A super quiet man. And I could tell something wasn't right. He started crying in my chair and said he hadn't been out in months since his dad died. He was in a deep depression. So I decided to support and follow him, give him a shout. This was an exceptional circumstance." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another patient worked for the Canadian version of the CIA. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It was cool finding out all the countries they'd been in," she recalled. "They wouldn't tell me about some of the places, though. The interesting things people did over the years also would inspire me. It's always fascinating and a real privilege to have these people trust me."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Silver, part of the privilege of her job is getting to know all these really cool people.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dancing to the Music of Your Own Journey&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Silver found her way to dentistry along a winding path, successfully connecting with each patient while providing excellent service. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I try to live by good values, by integrity," she shared. "Nobody wakes up in the morning saying, 'Woohoo! I'm going to the dentist!' So I try to make them as comfortable as possible. That's the biggest part of it. They're given good service and accurate information. They trust me. So I go to a lot of continuing education programs to stay up to date."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each day, Dr. Silver performs for each patient a dance that balances science and humanity. Every step completes a choreography designed to restore full function and excellent health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/dr-simi-silver.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/stepping-into-the-role-of-a-dentist-an-interview-with-dr-simi-silver/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26415</ID> <title>A Minimally Invasive Solution for Atrial Fibrillation: An Interview with Dr. John Sirak</title> <publishDate>2022-10-03 03:38:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_243 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_282"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_294 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_196 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_588 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_589 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_590 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_315 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout our lives, we rely on our hearts to maintain a steady rhythm to keep us alive and healthy. Unfortunately, for about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;33 million people worldwide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, that rhythm is interrupted by a condition called atrial fibrillation (AFib), where the heart's electrical impulses create an irregular, too-fast heartbeat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AFib is often treated with major, invasive heart surgery called the Cox-maze procedure. But several years ago, Dr. John Sirak developed a new, less invasive version of that surgery — the 5-box thoracoscopic maze! This revolutionary technique allows patients the benefits of the original Cox-maze procedure with fewer risks and less recovery time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;From Dr. Zhivago to Dr. Sirak&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sirak is a cardiothoracic surgeon practicing in Lima, Ohio. He arrived at a medical career through a most unusual route, which began during the Russian Revolution of the early 1900s! Decades later, his plan to become a political science professor suddenly took a sharp detour.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I happened to see the 1963 movie, 'Dr. Zhivago,' starring Omar Sharif. It takes place just before the Russian Revolution in 1917. The movie depicts his character as needed by both sides of the revolution because of his medical talent. The universalism of medicine as a calling appealed to me, plus Omar Sharif was a very romantic figure," Dr. Sirak shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The former political science major now had a lot of catching up to do.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"To make up for the science prerequisites for medical school that I had not taken in undergrad, I attended an intensive premedical program and compressed an entire curriculum into about 15 months," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The hard work paid off, and he completed medical school at Case Western Reserve University, residencies at the Ohio State University and a Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Fellowship. His career focus was drawn to atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Atrial Fibrillation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is Atrial Fibrillation?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atrial fibrillation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, or AFib, is an irregular heartbeat originating in the atria (i.e., the upper heart chambers). It interferes with the heart's electrical impulses, increasing the heartbeat speed and making it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hard for the blood to move to the lower ventricles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. AFib can cause severe conditions such as blood clots, heart failure and stroke.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Symptoms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to the irregular heart rhythm, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;symptoms include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme fatigue; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart palpitations; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A fluttering feeling in the chest; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dizziness or lightheadedness; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fainting; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shortness of breath; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chest pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Treatments&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Various medications and procedures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help alleviate the effects of AFib. These include medications to control the heart's rate and rhythm and blood thinners to reduce blood clots. Procedures use mild electrical shocks to reset the rhythm, pulmonary vein ablations (small scarring), pacemakers and atrial appendage closure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17086-heart-surgery-for-atrial-fibrillation-maze" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cox-maze&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a major surgical procedure for AFib. It creates scar tissue (i.e., ablations) in a maze-like pattern to block the signals that bring about AFib and promote a normal heart rhythm. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The Cox-maze procedures have an anatomically defined set of ablations," Dr. Sirak explained. "The objective is to isolate affected areas to prevent the spread of arrhythmia. This was open heart surgery, so the sternum was fully divided, the patient was on the heart-lung machine and the heart was arrested."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But what if you could treat AFib without the risks and lengthy recovery time of open heart surgery?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The 5-Box Thoracoscopic Maze: A Minimally Invasive Alternative&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Particularly patients with persistent atrial fibrillation are often not effectively treated with catheter ablation, but rather need an extensive isolation of the substrate responsible for the arrhythmia," Dr. Sirak said. "But they don't want to undergo open heart surgery just for atrial fibrillation. This spawned the desire to develop a less invasive form of the same operation without sacrificing the principles and efficacy of the Cox maze.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Early iterations of minimally invasive maze surgery omitted key components of the Cox maze for lack of ability to access the key anatomy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The early mini-maze operations were not something that was, at least in academic circles, accepted as a legitimate treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sirak and colleagues worked to improve the procedure. In 2008, he first performed a completely thoracoscopic maze procedure which achieved equivalence in the key technical objectives of a Cox maze, and which allowed unambiguous verification in real time of all the ablations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“All of the ablations are enclosed in boxes, allowing us to confirm that each portion of the anatomy is truly isolated at each step. In fact, the operation is designed such that one cannot proceed to the next step without having demonstrated electrical block in the previous,” he said. "We're basically just making incisions large enough to accommodate a 10-millimeter port. It's a tube inserted through this very small incision, about 1 inch long.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ablations include all potential sources of AFib to ensure an effective cure for persistent atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sirak created the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHpBr3AbyZE&amp;amp;t=3s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5-box thoracoscopic maze&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a minimally invasive operation that duplicates the effects of the more complicated Cox-maze procedure. This procedure is performed with a closed chest and on the beating heart, without a heart-lung machine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In an interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stopafib.org/afib-news-events/news/dr-john-sirak-discusses-the-5-box-total-thoracoscopic-maze-procedure-for-atrial-fibrillation-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;StopAfib.org&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Sirak summarized the procedure. A combination of radiofrequency (heat-based) and cryothermic ablations act synergistically to electrically isolate the areas responsible for AFib. Every patient, no matter how advanced his/her atrial fibrillation may be, receives the same set of ablations. Enclosing the ablation in 'boxes' allows verification that each ablation line is intact, as even a gap of 1 mm may cause a difficult-to-treat atrial flutter. Instead of opening the sternum, the approach uses four pencil-sized incisions on each side of the chest, allowing for less discomfort and faster recovery. All patients undergo one week of continuous rhythm monitoring at 3, 6, 13 and 24 months post-surgery. The success rate is 95%, even in persistent atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Faster Recovery Times&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recovery times from this procedure vary according to any complications the patient may have. But for those with AFib but otherwise in good health, they can get on with their lives almost immediately,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One patient was skiing with his family on post-op day six. Another was installing a bathtub on post-op day five," Dr. Sirak shared. "Patients who tend to have a more vigorous, inflammatory response simply take longer to recover. But when patients go home, they're not restricted from doing anything. They could run a marathon or go skydiving."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Following a Calling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors are using minimally invasive procedures on a much more regular basis, as they provide positive outcomes with less stress on the body, less recovery time and less pain and medication. As a result, patients can get back to their everyday lives sooner and enjoy the same benefits gained only after extensive surgical procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sirak is one doctor making these benefits possible for millions of people affected by AFib. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's all about the universal appeal of medicine as a life calling. Treating patients is one of the most immediate human-to-human contacts that one can encounter. So, seeing them through the entire heart surgery experience is most gratifying. It has totally transformed my perspective on life and my value system," he concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thanks to a trip to the past world of "Dr. Zhivago," AFib patients are benefitting from the insights and expertise of Dr. Sirak.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Dr-John-Sirak.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-minimally-invasive-solution-for-atrial-fibrillation-an-interview-with-dr-john-sirak/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26388</ID> <title>Perseverance and Perspective: An Interview with Dr. Amel Hassan, DDS, FICOI</title> <publishDate>2022-09-28 04:22:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_244 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_283"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_295 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_197 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_591 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_592 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_593 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_316 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the past eight years, Dr. Amel Hassan, DDS, FICOI, has practiced dentistry in Florida and Illinois. Her focus is restorative and cosmetic dentistry, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.winterhavendentalimplant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;full and partial mouth extractions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as well as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.zocdoc.com/dentist/amel-hassan-dds-ficoi-288299" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cosmetic procedures, prosthetics and implants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; She often works with patients needing full mouth reconstruction. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hassan finds joy in helping her patients understand their treatment options and make informed decisions, giving them an improved quality of life and restoring optimal health and comfort.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hassan is the owner and manager of her dental practice, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amel-hassan-dds-ficoi-maaip-a0110a75/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Affordable Dentures &amp;amp; Implants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in Florida, and has a string of successful startup dental practices in her background. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More importantly, Dr. Hassan provides her patients with the highest quality, affordable care. She has a long list of notable career achievements. For example, she was #1 implant placing provider in her first six months, opening a Denovo (brand new) practice in an organization network of over 375 practices in different states.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She is a recipient of the prestigious 'Dr. Bernard E. Rudner' Memorial Award, which she earned for "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.winterhavendentalimplant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;superior performance in providing oral comprehensive care and administering a dental practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;." She has memberships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And she had to complete dental school twice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Starting Over to Move Forward&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The first time I graduated from dental school was in 2004 back home in Sudan," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Dr. Hassan came to the United States in 2007, her credentials were not recognized, and she could not be licensed to practice. She had no choice but to go back to dental school and do it all over again. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That was not easy for me to take in and to accept," she said. "To be honest, it was a big struggle. But I said, yes, I'll do it again. I am not giving up on this. So I applied to the schools here. Dental schools here are very competitive."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having graduated overseas, she had to go into an advanced placement program, which consisted of a challenging test. And there was also the challenge of moving to a new country. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There was the culture shock — new culture, new language, new everything. It was depressing because you think you just graduated and you're ready to practice. But here we go, back to it again. It was shocking for me, but I did apply to dental schools," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hassan had to take several exams, and she sometimes even questioned why she went into dentistry. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I had to go through not fitting in and getting rejected from this or that school. But I finally got accepted at NYU, which is one of the best schools in the country," she shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Silver Lining in Rejection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I want to also give credit to the school that rejected me, Chicago Dental School," Dr. Hassan added.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This school sent Dr. Hassan what she calls "a very nice rejection letter," so named because they took the time to explain why they rejected her application. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That's what I was looking for," she explained. "I took that rejection letter and twisted it around. I don't take things for granted. I always see the opportunity inside rejections and disappointments."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This rejection letter gave her the information she needed to create a specific plan to get back to practicing her profession. It said that she didn't have research experience, a master's degree, volunteer experience or a high enough TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) score.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So I took that list one by one. I volunteered with the American Red Cross. I joined Illinois University for a Master of Public Health degree to prove that I could integrate into the American educational system. I retook the TOEFL test and improved my score. And I worked as a dental assistant to stay around the dental field and show that I am willing to step down to go a step higher," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hassan is grateful to both NYU and the school that rejected her.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I am grateful even more to the one that let me down because that was an opportunity for me to grow. The struggle was necessary. You cannot grow or get a better version of yourself without going through a struggle," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Juggling Everything and Succeeding&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accepted by NYU, Dr. Hassan persevered through more challenges, such as her family in another country, being a mother to a small child (and temporarily sending him to live overseas) and adjusting to life in New York City.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My dream was to be a dentist in the U.S. It wasn't easy, but I did it. My next dream was to add implant skills. So, I left a job I loved to go where I could learn that," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hassan achieved that dream and more. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Sometimes we think our dream is too big. But I never settle. You reach the level that you set for yourself. And you grow and change the way you think about life and how you value things," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now here she is with a successful practice in Florida.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We were one of the top offices — always among the top five in revenue and production. And it was only me. As a solo practice owner, it was rewarding," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She's also a recent Harvard Medical School for Safety, Quality, Informatics &amp;amp; Leadership (SQIL) graduate. Joining Harvard was another dream that she was able to check on her list. Her first application was rejected in 2018, reapplied and was accepted in 2020.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hassan also takes time to give back. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thepathway.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Implant Pathway&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, one of the nation's leading implant training centers, invited me to be a mentor. So now I'm not only giving back to my patients, but also to other doctors," she added. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The secret to her success is loving what she does. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's like making a living while you're doing your hobby," she concluded. "I'm really happy where I'm at right now. However, dreaming never ends, and achieving a dream draws the way to a new one."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From Dr. Hassan's view, by the time you've reached your destination, you have become a brand new, better person. And your journey shifts in the direction of pursuing the newest dream. It certainly worked for her.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Dr.-Amel-Hassan-DDS-FICOI.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/perseverance-and-perspective-an-interview-with-dr-amel-hassan-dds-ficoi/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26370</ID> <title>Compassion in Plastic Surgery: An Interview with Dr. Brian Pinsky, MD, FACS</title> <publishDate>2022-09-27 03:55:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_245 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_284"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_296 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_198 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_594 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_595 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_596 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_317 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Brian A. Pinsky, MD, FACS, is considered one of the most recognized &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://brianpinskymd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;plastic surgeons in Long Island, New York&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. He has earned several awards since 2017, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.castleconnolly.com/about-us/the-official-source-of-top-doctors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the Castle Connolly Top Doctors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.superdoctors.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rising Stars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;award. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But as important as this recognition is, his focus on and compassion toward his patients' needs have formed a philosophy that guides him toward success. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Doctor in the Making and on the Move&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the past 10 years, Dr. Pinsky has practiced at the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group serving the New York City area. He was recently named the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lipsg.com/doctors/plastic-surgeon-dr-pinsky-new-york-nyc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chief of Hand Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at Nassau University Medical Center, the culmination of a journey along a career path that crisscrossed the country.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Originally from Akron, Ohio, Dr. Pinsky earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving a post-baccalaureate certificate at Boston University, he was accepted into Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My father was an orthopedic surgeon, and I was leaning in that direction," Dr. Pinsky shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During medical school, one of the electives during his rotations was in plastic surgery, about which, at the time, he knew very little. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It was a mind-blowing experience! The first day I got there, they were doing a microvascular free flap," Dr. Pinsky said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/microvascular-reconstruction-free-tissue-transfer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;microvascular free flap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a reconstructive surgeon transfers a piece of skin, tissue or bone from one area of the body and attaches it to an injured area. They then connect microscopic blood vessels with sutures. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"At the time, I didn't know that type of surgery even existed," Dr. Pinsky explained. "They let me sit there and watch the whole case, which was great. Those were the best two weeks of my entire medical school. I learned more about the specialty and the scope of practice, and I realized that I could do hand surgery. It was like orthopedics, but it encompassed so much more. So, after graduating in 2005, I matched into a combined plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Mount Sinai hospital in New York for six years." &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hand surgery was a particular interest, and while he had some exposure to it during his residency, it wasn't enough.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wanted to get certified. It's one of the subspecialties that requires fellowship training to be taken seriously in the field," Dr. Pinsky said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He matched into a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at UCLA, so he spent a year in Los Angeles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"UCLA was awesome. There are wonderful surgeons there, and it was a great experience," Dr. Pinsky shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He returned to New York and joined the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group. And this is when he settled with his wife and family.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Finding a Mentor&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pinsky sought out a well-known plastic surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Bahman Guyuron, hoping to learn from an expert in the field. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I went to his office and introduced myself," he said. "He set up a meeting and was very welcoming. He allowed me to spend some time in his office and operating room. I did some research with him, which helped open some doors for me."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.drbahmanguyuron.com/faqs/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bahman Guyuron&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is well respected internationally as an innovator and teacher in plastic surgery. He has developed techniques that improve the safety and effectiveness of surgery and treatments, while his publications and presentations have educated many in the field. As a result, numerous experts and patients consider him the best doctor in the country. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have also been very fortunate to work closely with other inspiring surgeons and educators, such as Dr. Prosper Benhaim at UCLA and my senior partner, Dr. Roger Simpson," Dr. Pinsky shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Medical Practice: A Dual Focus&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have a very varied practice," Dr. Pinsky said. "I would say about half of my practice is hand and peripheral nerve surgery, and the other half encompasses all of the rest of plastic surgery. I do a good amount of cosmetic surgery, with more and more of it these days."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;'&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://brianpinskymd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All of the rest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;' for Dr. Pinsky includes breast and cancer reconstruction plus abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and lift, carpal tunnel, arthritis and nerve repair. He combines cosmetic, reconstructive and hand surgeries.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've been doing some very interesting things recently with amputee care. For example, there's a relatively new technique called targeted muscle reinnervation. It's a way to handle patients with nerve pain after amputations," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The innovative surgical procedure, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/plastic_reconstructive_surgery/services-appts/tmr.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, reassigns the nerves of the arm and the hand, allowing patients with upper-arm amputations to control their prosthetic arms with just thought.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Patient's Story&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pinsky recalled working with an amputee patient and how that patient changed his perspective on success. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A gentleman had a traumatic amputation from a motorcycle accident about 10 years ago," he shared. "He was living in chronic pain and was on chronic, high-dose opioid medications. He couldn't wear a prosthesis because of the quality of his amputation stump. So, I revised his amputation by shortening it to get better sub-tissue coverage. Then I rerouted the nerves using the TMR technique."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pinsky is happy to share that this man is now completely off pain medication and is a totally different person.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That's one for the books for me," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helping Weight Loss Patients Realize Their Goals&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pinsky has a special interest in body contouring and reconstruction following weight loss. Many patients who have struggled with weight throughout their lives will ultimately find success from diet and exercise or even weight loss surgery. However, extreme weight loss will often leave patients with loose, hanging skin that can lead to rashes, infections and further issues with self-esteem.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body contouring after weight loss typically involves a combination of skin excision and liposuction to achieve the desired result. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Every patient has a unique appearance after weight loss, and it's critical to tailor your surgical plan to meet the needs of each patient," Dr. Pinsky explained.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Getting Involved&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pinsky shares his knowledge and expertise through participating in a variety of organizations. As an educator, he is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://brianpinskymd.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Site Director&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the NUMC/Stony Brook Plastic Surgery Residency Program. Dr. Pinsky is also active with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the Nassau County Medical Society. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a consultant reviewer for the Journal of Hand Surgery and the journal HAND.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Philosophy for Success&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have a very varied practice. That's the best part for me. I really like to do it all and do it at the highest level," Dr. Pinsky said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He realized that choosing to undergo elective surgery leaves a patient vulnerable, so, as stated on his website, "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://brianpinskymd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your surgeon should be approachable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, dedicated to providing a private and comfortable space to discuss your concerns." Every patient should have a positive experience.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His secret to success?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJBSUnqnaU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tailor your approach to every patient&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images/> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/compassion-in-plastic-surgery-an-interview-with-dr-brian-pinsky-md-facs/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26363</ID> <title>The Business of Dentistry: An Interview with Dr. Tarek Aly</title> <publishDate>2022-09-26 03:45:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_246 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_285"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_297 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_199 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_597 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_598 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_599 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_318 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A periodontist with a passion and talent for business development and management, Dr. Tarek Aly transitioned from practicing dentistry to becoming a business owner whose companies support other dentists' businesses. By combining his dental and business expertise, Dr. Aly fulfills his family's dream for him and his vision for himself, all while providing valuable business support for fellow dentists.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Tarek Aly, BDS, MBA, CVA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tarek Aly is the co-owner of two businesses: OrthoDent Management LLC and Modern Smiles LLC, both based in Texas. He began his career in dentistry, although his true calling was business. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm from Egypt. When you have Egyptian parents, you know you don't negotiate with them. They wanted me to be a doctor like them and my brother, so I joined dentistry to please them. I fell in love with the dental field after I joined it," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly received his dental degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, followed by a periodontal residency. He took his board exams at Tufts University in the U.S. and earned an MBA and CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He settled in the U.S. in 2007. That same year, he stopped seeing patients and focused on business that supports the dental field.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've always been fascinated by business and how some business disciplines can enhance people's lives. And I've wanted to make the dental industry much more effective, efficient and patient-centric," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Getting the Word Out&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I don't practice dentistry anymore, even though I love dentistry," Dr. Aly said. "Instead, I'm focused more on enhancing the practice world and the industry in general. I feel like I can have a lot more impact by doing that."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly has produced and co-produced several written publications and videos, such as the article '&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentaleconomics.com/practice/real-estate/article/14069420/the-6-steps-of-practice-mergers-and-acquisitions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The 6 Steps of Practice Mergers and Acquisitions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;' and the videos '&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentistryiq.com/practice-management/financial/article/16365966/flying-driving-and-the-importance-of-key-performance-indicators-in-your-dental-practice-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flying, Driving and the Importance of Key Performance Indicators in Your Dental Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;' and '&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://deodentalgroup.com/accelerate-your-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accelerate Your Growth with Associate Alliances: The Science of Systems and a Culture-First Mentality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.' He is currently writing a book about enhancing dental groups.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He also enjoys delivering speeches at dental conferences, seminars, webinars and other organizations serving the dental industry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Sharing the knowledge with other dental professionals enhances the industry," Dr. Aly explained. "The biggest winner is the patient. It's a win-win scenario for everyone."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Business Side &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly is using his combined dental and business knowledge to help bridge a gap in many dental practices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In an interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentalgrouppractice.com/cover-feature-tarek-aly-great-changes-great-opportunity.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DEO Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, he observed that dentists do not learn about business, such as marketing, accounting, finance, strategy and operations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentalgrouppractice.com/cover-feature-tarek-aly-great-changes-great-opportunity.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly believes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that neglecting the business side of the practice is detrimental. Taking care of business produces less waiting time, happier team members, efficiency and the best quality patient care. Good business ultimately benefits patients.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The elevated patient care — patient-first and staff-first mentality — looks like affordability for the public. We know that dentistry is expensive. As the economy deteriorates or fluctuates, people are forced to decide: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Should I take care of this tooth, or should I pay my rent?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So, I think there should be a wide movement of making healthcare and specifically dentistry readily affordable for everyone," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly pointed out that this is especially important because dental health correlates with overall physical health. Conditions such as heart or kidney disease can be associated with dental problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;OrthoDent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly compared the goals of practicing dentistry and those of his current business activity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Back then, it was mainly about enhancing clinical care and how to best serve the patients. Now it's how to support the dental offices on a mass scale so that they can help the patients on a bigger scale. So instead of having an impact on 10 to 20 patients a day, I'm now affecting tens of thousands of patients a day," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.orthodentllc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OrthoDent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a dental support organization built for dentists by dentists. OrthoDent's team has the dental experience to thoroughly understand what it takes to run a dental office and how to manage it with greater efficiency and effectiveness. Member practices maintain their unique identities and can stay focused on providing high-quality, affordable patient care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OrthoDent and Dr. Aly's other business, Modern Smiles, comprise 20 locations, with a recent merger netting 82 locations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Best of Both Worlds&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aly envisions a future with increased dependency on automation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There is a big movement for automation using technology, AI machines and software to enhance the quality of patient care," he said. "It minimizes human interaction, which is trending due to COVID-19, there is a labor shortage, and the accuracy in automation is increasing while inaccuracies and costs are decreasing."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But whether patients encounter automation or real people during their visits, the goal is always the same. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"With every patient, you can see in pre- and post-treatment a dramatic difference. They're smiling, more outgoing, wanting to socialize with others. But it's not just the smile that makes the difference. It's a whole behavioral change that family, friends and loved ones notice," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the help of OrthoDent, dentists can put in place sound business practices and attain a higher level of efficiency, producing benefits that dentists can pass on to their patients, such as less waiting time, lower costs and an overall positive experience. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also, with sound business practices and the efficiency this affords, dentists have a better chance of making dentistry readily affordable for everyone. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It doesn't have to be expensive for it to be high-quality care of the health of the patients," Dr. Aly concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dentists with both the best techniques and business practices will give patients the greatest chance at the best possible experience and outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Dr.-Tarek-Aly.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-business-of-dentistry-an-interview-with-dr-tarek-aly/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26357</ID> <title>Where Vitamin A Is Found</title> <publishDate>2022-09-25 03:34:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_247 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_286"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_298 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_200 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_600 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_601 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_602 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_319 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The stunning array of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that our bodies need to maintain our health can be intimidating. How should we even begin to learn about them? The best approach is to take them one topic at a time, learning how to improve your daily routine and lifestyle. It is entirely possible to achieve optimal health, it just takes some patience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Two Types of Vitamin A?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing to note is that there are actually two different kinds of vitamin A. One is called preformed vitamin A, and the other is termed provitamin A. The easiest way to remember the distinction between the two is to say that the former, preformed vitamin A, is found in animal products. Meat, fish, poultry and dairy are all ways to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002400.htm#:~:text=Preformed%20vitamin%20A%20is%20found,vitamin%20A%20is%20beta%2Dcarotene." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;add preformed vitamin A to your diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. On the other hand, provitamin A can be found in plant-based foods. Fruits and vegetables are where you should look to find this second variety of vitamin A.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Is Vitamin A Important?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether we're talking about preformed vitamin A or provitamin A, this nutrient plays a role in a shocking number of bodily processes, making it a wonderful place to start if you want to better understand how your body functions. Vitamin A impacts your vision, immunity and cell division. If that wasn't enough, it has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-a/art-20365945" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidant properties&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that help fight off severe conditions such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-a/art-20365945" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Vitamin A also boosts your body's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a#functions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;production of white blood cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and maintains skin, intestine, lung and bladder tissues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another significant advantage of healthy vitamin A intake is a reduced risk of cancer. While the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; results are complex, a high intake of vitamin A from plant foods has been linked to a decreased risk of particular kinds of cancer. Unfortunately, the results are not as clear regarding vitamin A included in animal foods or vitamin A supplements. That being said, it makes sense that vitamin A would play a role in reducing cancer risk because vitamin A is a critical part of the growth and development of your cells.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to the benefits, it should be noted that vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient. It exists naturally in many foods, though certain circumstances might lead you to take it as a supplement to boost your daily intake. The recommended daily consumption of vitamin A varies by gender. Men are recommended to consume &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-a/art-20365945#:~:text=The%20recommended%20daily%20amount%20of,700%20mcg%20for%20adult%20women." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;900 micrograms per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while for women, the amount is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-a/art-20365945#:~:text=The%20recommended%20daily%20amount%20of,700%20mcg%20for%20adult%20women." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;700 micrograms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Regular consumption of this vitamin is critical to good health and deserves our attention and research.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Risks Associated with Insufficient Vitamin A Intake?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with the benefits of a healthy diet that includes vitamin A, adverse symptoms can arise from vitamin A deficiencies, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-vitamin-a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hair loss, skin problems and greater vulnerability to infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Groups at high risk for vitamin A deficiency include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a-deficiency-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants and children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another significant issue that can come with vitamin A deficiency is macular degeneration. While extreme cases of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a-deficiency-symptoms#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin A deficiency can result in dying corneas or complete blindness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, there is good news: the first signs of deficiency are not as severe, and if you know what to look out for, then it will be possible to supplement vitamin A into your diet in time to recover. These early signs include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-is-xerophthalmia#:~:text=%E2%80%8CXerophthalmia%20is%20a%20disease%20that,your%20eye%20and%20cause%20blindness." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dry eyes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., the eyes' &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inability to produce tears). While this condition is not very common in the U.S., it is something to take seriously if you or someone you know experiences it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods Rich with Vitamin A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With these serious consequences of vitamin A deficiency in mind, the natural question is: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How can I avoid it?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Asking how to add vitamin A to your diet is exactly the right question, and we're going to dive into which foods will get you the most vitamin A for your buck. The best place to start is vegetables, as they are easy to find and typically less expensive than vitamin A-heavy proteins. The vegetables with the most vitamin A include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kale, spinach, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The easiest way to remember these groups is to think of them as green and orange vegetables.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As for other vitamin A-heavy foods, it's worth noting that cantaloupe and mango are the most helpful fruits. A large wedge of cantaloupe or a single mango can give you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-vitamin-a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;20%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the recommended daily value of vitamin A. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meats and other animal products can also provide a generous dose of vitamin A! Beef liver, for example, offers &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-vitamin-a#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;713% of the daily value&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for vitamin A in a single slice. A single hard-boiled egg will provide closer to 10% of the suggested daily intake, but this means that two eggs in the morning will get you 20% of the way there - it adds up over time! These dietary options are an excellent way to acquire the vitamin A that your body needs, but circumstances will occasionally prevent us from creating the right diet to get the job done. When that happens, it's time to consider taking a vitamin A supplement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Best Vitamin A Supplements?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When choosing a supplement - any supplement, not just vitamin A - the first thing to know is that you shouldn't exceed your recommended daily value unless you've cleared it with your doctor. The daily value of vitamin A for men is 900 micrograms per day, while women should consume 700 micrograms. If a supplement will help you reach that goal, then go for it! One of the most popular vitamin A supplements is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Vitamin-000-Softgels/dp/B00015XC1I" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nature's Way&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; brand. These particular softgels contain 3,000 mcg per serving, so definitely discuss the potential benefits with your doctor first.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether it's from a planned-out and well-balanced diet or a high-quality supplement, vitamin A is one of the most significant markers of good health that we can manage. If you or a loved one is dealing with the consequences of vitamin A deficiency, consider sharing this with them, doing more research and speaking with your doctor about using vitamin A to improve your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Vitamin-A.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/where-vitamin-a-is-found/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26348</ID> <title>What High Protein Foods Should I Add to My Diet?</title> <publishDate>2022-09-24 03:18:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_248 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_287"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_299 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_201 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_603 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_604 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_605 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_320 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about protein consumption is bodybuilders, as they constantly promote food supplements or drinks with high protein content to build muscles. But, contrary to popular belief, protein is not only good for building muscles. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein is made up of amino acids that the body needs to repair hair, skin, muscles and bones. In addition, certain proteins are necessary for the body to produce the needed hormones that help the organs and cells communicate. That's why it is important to add foods high in protein to your diet, as they are beneficial to your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Protein?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/53044-protein.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an essential macronutrient for building muscle mass that, when digested, protein breaks down into essential amino acids. Enzymes are also made up of proteins that make the chemical reaction and the hemoglobin that carries the oxygen in our blood. They are essential as we need to consume them through diet since our body cannot produce them. Protein is present in muscle, bones, hair and virtually every part of your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Happens to Your Body When Experiencing a Protein Deficiency?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our bodies cannot store protein, so we need to consume protein daily to avoid protein deficiency. A protein deficit can negatively affect the body in various ways, including muscle loss, fatigue and a weakened immune system. A lack of protein can also lead to hair loss and slowed down healing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People at a greater risk of protein deficiency are seniors aged 70 or above, who are having a hard time consuming meat products, and people who follow vegetarian or vegan diets and don't consume animal products. In severe cases, a protein deficiency can cause edema or fluid retention. If you think you may be experiencing a protein deficit, it's vital to see a doctor or registered dietitian for help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Protein Benefits the Body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein is an essential nutrient that your body needs for proper function. It is especially beneficial for athletes and people trying to lose weight, as it can help burn fat and build muscle. It also assists the healing process when you get an injury.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What High-protein Foods Should I Add to My Diet?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Chicken&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chicken is a fantastic, easy-to-cook source of protein. It also contains several essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins and iron.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Fish &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fish such as salmon, cod and tuna are a healthy source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, with countless benefits for the brain. For example, healthy unsaturated fats can lower beta-amyloid blood levels that form damaging clumps in the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Eggs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eggs are a versatile and nutritious source of protein that's easy to absorb. Eggs are packed with selenium and vitamins B12 and A, and they also contain essential nutrients like choline, which helps improve memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Cottage Cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cottage cheese is low in fat and calories but high in protein. It also contains various nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, selenium and vitamin B12.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Greek Yogurt &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Greek yogurt is high in protein and calcium, both of which are important for maintaining brain health. Adding these high-protein foods to your diet can help protect against Alzheimer's disease and keep your brain healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding protein to your diet is a fantastic way to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. For optimal results, it's best to consume a combination of lean animal protein and plant-based protein, coupled with a good amount of exercise to build the muscles. Anything in excess is bad for you, so avoid a very high protein diet if you don't want to strain your kidneys. Instead, you can incorporate these high-protein foods into your current diet or contact your local dietician to develop the best diet plan for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/High-Protein-Foods.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-high-protein-foods-should-i-add-to-my-diet/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26190</ID> <title>A Green Mediterranean Diet May Positively Impact Your Health and the Planet</title> <publishDate>2022-09-23 13:21:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_249 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_288"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_300 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_202 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_606 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_607 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_608 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_321 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The traditional Mediterranean diet is often lauded for its health benefits. But did you know that this way of eating can also be good for the planet?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A 'green' version of the Mediterranean diet—one that includes plenty of plant-based foods and fewer animal products—can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while still providing all the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what exactly is a green Mediterranean diet? Essentially, it is a more plant-based version of the traditional Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to protect against heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases. The green version of this diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Health Benefits of a Green Mediterranean Diet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet are well-established. This way of eating has been linked with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and other chronic conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4830057/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of dying from any cause over 12 years compared to those who didn't follow this diet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://heart.bmj.com/content/107/13/1054" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest that a green version of the Mediterranean diet may offer even more health benefits, including cardiovascular health, gut health and protection from brain atrophy. The green Mediterranean version includes more vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes while focusing less on meat and dairy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health benefits of a green Mediterranean diet are supposedly linked to the high intake of polyphenols. These plant-based compounds have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160559/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and have been linked with a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition, following a green Mediterranean diet may also be good for the planet. Sustainable seafood options, for example, help preserve ocean resources, and eating locally grown produce reduces your carbon footprint.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods in a Green Mediterranean Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're interested in trying a green Mediterranean diet, there are many delicious recipes to choose from. Start by incorporating more plant-based foods into your meals, such as plant-based foods rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and olive oil. The diet also includes nuts such as almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the best foods to incorporate into this diet are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fruits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: apples, oranges, pears, peaches;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vegetables&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: broccoli, cauliflower;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Grains&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: brown rice; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Nuts&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: almonds; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Oils&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: olive oil. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Environmental Impact of a Green Mediterranean Diet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.foodsystemprimer.org/food-production/food-and-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;growing body of research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that what we eat can significantly impact climate change.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The traditional Mediterranean diet is already considered environmentally friendly because it includes lots of locally grown fruits and vegetables and relies on olive oil as its primary source of fat. However, we could make this way of eating even more sustainable by including more plant-based foods and fewer animal-based products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A green Mediterranean diet, in particular, is beneficial for both human health and the environment. There are several reasons why the Mediterranean diet is so beneficial for the environment. First, the diet is based on whole, unprocessed foods, typically grown locally, which reduces the need for long-distance transportation and greenhouse gas emissions. Second, the diet emphasizes plant-based foods with a lower carbon footprint than animal-based foods.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Mediterranean diet is also relatively &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-12-118"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;low in meat consumption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; compared to the standard western diet. This has a lower impact on the environment because meat production requires more resources than plants, and raising animals for food emits greenhouse gasses.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it's essential to find ways to reduce our impact on the planet. One way to do this is by changing our diets. So, if you're looking to improve your health and do your part for the planet, a green Mediterranean diet is a perfect place to start!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Green-Mediterranean-Diet.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-green-mediterranean-diet-may-positively-impact-your-health-and-the-planet/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26181</ID> <title>Is There Such a Thing As Having Too Much Sex?</title> <publishDate>2022-09-22 13:12:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_250 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_289"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_301 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_203 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_609 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_610 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_611 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_322 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Romantic life is a healthy, fun and intimate part of any relationship and one of the best possible &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sdrelationshipplace.com/4-ways-a-healthy-sex-life-supports-good-mental-health/#:~:text=Sex%20boosts%20serotonin%2C%20which%20helps,soothed%20from%20stress%20and%20anxiety.&amp;amp;text=A%20lack%20of%20sex%20can,worth%20and%20confidence%20to%20plummet." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boosts to your emotional, mental and physical health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But is it possible to have too much sex? This is an important question that deserves to be addressed in terms of physical health, emotional maturity and mental wellbeing. So, what does the research say when it comes to having 'too much sex?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is It Even Possible to Have Too Much Sex?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It might not be a simple cut-and-dry answer at first, but the truth is, it depends. As you consider the question of having too much sex in light of your own life, ask yourself what values and uses of your time are most important to you. If you spend an excessive amount of time thinking about sex, you can throw off the balance of your life. If such daydreaming distracts you from work or your ability to engage in your hobbies, you might be dealing with an early sign of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/signs-sex-addict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sex addiction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if sex addiction is not on the table, you should still consider whether or not you're having too much sex. You don't need to be experiencing physical health problems for sex to be getting in the way of your highest quality of life. Instead, consider the most important people, organizations and events to you. Is your relationship with sex preventing you from pursuing those opportunities? If so, cutting back on sex and freeing up time and mental energy to invest in your friends, family and hobbies can greatly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://familydoctor.org/health-benefits-good-sex-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;benefit your emotional health and overall quality of life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Tell If I'm Having Too Much Sex?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several physical indicators help answer this question. Both men and women can develop &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forhims.com/blog/is-it-bad-to-have-sex-every-day#:~:text=No.,lead%20to%20certain%20physical%20issues" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soreness in the pelvic region&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a result of excessive sexual activity. Excessive friction can also lead to skin irritation for both men and women, thus providing an opportunity to ask yourself whether you should take a break.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/too-much-sex#signs-it-may-be-too-much" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physical indicators&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that you might be overdoing it include pain during intercourse, urinary tract infections in women and neck pain resulting from too much strain. If the amount of sexual activity doesn't leave time in your schedule to take care of yourself, your problem will only get bigger as time goes on. Additionally, using sex as a coping mechanism to avoid difficult tasks or conversations is a good sign that it's time to slow down and make more responsible choices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Can I Do to Help Myself and My Partner?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If these symptoms of excessive sexual intercourse haven't raised any alarm bells, then great! Maintain the frequency that you and your partner find most comfortable, but keep in mind a few tricks for making regular sex pleasant and healthy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, arrange your diet around high-nutrient foods that will increase your sexual desire and boost your mood, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hamiltonhealthcenter.com/top-sexual-health-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oranges, grapefruit, almonds, cashews, salmon and kale&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition to dietary changes, alterations to your exercise habits have the potential to boost your sex drive. Exercise, in general, will improve your cardiovascular health and stamina, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/11-ways-to-help-yourself-to-a-better-sex-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kegels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; especially will strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor and intensify sexual response.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your emotional intimacy with your partner also plays a vital role in the quality of your sex life. If you and your partner can maintain openness and honesty in your conversations about the sexual dimension of your relationship, you will build a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hamiltonhealthcenter.com/top-sexual-health-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foundation of trust&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which is imperative for communicating your needs to each other. If, for example, one of you feels that you have sex too frequently, the trust that you've built will make it easier to work together and find a solution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You owe it to yourself and your partner to assess the place sex has in your lives. If you're experiencing consequences to your physical or mental health, it might be time to hold off. Don't be afraid to have difficult conversations and make an honest assessment of the situation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Having-Too-Much-Sex.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-there-such-a-thing-as-having-too-much-sex/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26173</ID> <title>Genetics and Your Health</title> <publishDate>2022-09-21 12:51:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_251 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_290"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_302 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_204 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_612 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_613 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_614 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_323 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever thought about your predisposition to certain diseases based on your family's medical history? Some people may think that your chances of getting diseases or conditions are entirely up to lifestyle and fate. However, a significant portion of a person's predisposition to certain medical conditions and diseases comes from genetics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is Genetics? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how genetics determine some aspects of your health, let's first look at what genetics really are. Genetics is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/genetics.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study of genes and heredity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which is how a person's unique traits are passed onto them from their parents. A gene is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/genetics.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a blueprint for building molecules&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to ensure that your body functions properly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/whygenetics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Geneticists have discovered&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that we can learn a lot about people from genetics and utilize this information to further medical research and development. Genetics &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/whygenetics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;impacts a broad spectrum of scientific research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and can be utilized to influence your everyday life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Genetics Can Affect Your Health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although several factors go into developing certain diseases, such as lifestyle and exposure to disease-causing substances, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19932/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your family history&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; plays one of the most prominent roles as a risk factor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19932/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as cardiovascular disease, psychiatric illnesses, cancer, autoimmune disorders and diabetes can be passed down to you from your parents and their genes. Therefore, being aware of your family's medical history and propensity toward certain diseases is valuable for taking control of your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When a new human life is formed, the fetus has a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19932/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;complete set of genes from both the mother and the father&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is why knowing your family's medical history can help you better understand your own health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being aware of your genes and family history can help you pick up on genetic predispositions. Having a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/predisposition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genetic predisposition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, also called genetic susceptibility, means you have an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/predisposition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased likelihood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of developing specific diseases based on your unique genetic makeup. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you know you have a genetic predisposition toward a particular disease, you can take better precautions and stay on top of your health. Regularly meeting with your doctor as a part of preventative healthcare is a great way to utilize your genetic knowledge to your advantage. This is one of the many reasons why the study of genetics can be so valuable: having a better understanding of genetics plays a vital role in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/about/basics.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;developing better ways to prevent and treat diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetics and Lifestyle &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having a genetic predisposition toward disease is not the only way to develop diseases. Although genes make a large contribution, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/predisposition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lifestyle and environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may make you more susceptible to disease. Diseases caused by multiple factors are called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/predisposition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;multifactorial diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, genetic susceptibility does not necessarily guarantee that you'll develop a disease. This is one of the reasons why proactively taking care of your health through regular exercise, healthful nutrition and annual doctor visits can have lasting benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if your family history indicates that cancer or diabetes runs in your family, you can prevent and even break the cycle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/genes-or-lifestyle#:~:text=Even%20if%20a%20condition%20like,says%20cardiologist%20Donald%20Lloyd%2DJones." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising and weight management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can make a significant difference in several diseases, even if they are often passed down genetically. Although starting as early as possible is always best, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/genes-or-lifestyle#:~:text=Even%20if%20a%20condition%20like,says%20cardiologist%20Donald%20Lloyd%2DJones." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research shows&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that turning your health around even in your 60s and 70s has major health benefits, so start wherever you are right now!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although you can't alter your genetics, you can take wise, preventative steps to benefit your health. You can start by documenting your family's medical history and see how far back you're able to go. This approach may help you realize whether you have a genetic predisposition towards a specific disease. Also, sharing this information with your doctor will help them better personalize your care and look out for certain diseases early on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genes play a large role in your likelihood of developing some diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease; however, other factors like lifestyle and environment are as significant as genetics. Ensuring that you're eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly and having annual check-ups with your primary care doctor are great ways to start taking control of your health!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Genetics-and-Your-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/genetics-and-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26159</ID> <title>Sound/Music Therapy</title> <publishDate>2022-09-20 10:50:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_252 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_291"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_303 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_205 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_615 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_616 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_617 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_324 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever thought about whether sounds or music could aid in healing your body?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sound therapy is an effective and increasingly popular way to improve overall health and well-being. From sound baths to music therapy, there are many ways to use sound for its healing properties.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sound therapy can reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality and manage pain when used to its full potential. As a result, hospitals and other healthcare settings are increasing their use of sound therapy to support patients during their recovery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The history of sound and music therapy dates back thousands of years, when ancient cultures used music and sound for healing purposes. Today, sound therapy is regaining its pristine popularity as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different types of sound therapy, each with its unique benefits.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Binaural Beats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Binaural beats are your brain's illusive perception of two different frequencies being played in each ear, thus creating a third frequency in the middle of the two. For example, if the left ear picks up a tone at 210 Hz and the right ear picks up a tone at 200 Hz, the binaural beat is 10 Hz, the difference between the two frequencies. The binaural pulse is an illusion created by your brain rather than an actual audible sound heard by your ears.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The pulsing tone perceived by your brain causes your brainwaves to synchronize with the tone's frequency, an effect called brainwave entrainment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effects of this therapy are still not fully understood, but decades of research have uncovered several benefits, such as stress relief, sleep disorder amelioration and focus improvements. Binaural beats are often used for meditation or relaxation, but they have also been found to help with insomnia, anxiety and PTSD. In addition, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26612201/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;40 Hz or gamma wave binaural beat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been shown to promote focus and concentration alongside improvements in memory. Subjects were shown to have improvements after even just 3 minutes of exposure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sound Baths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A sound bath is a type of therapy that uses sound to heal the body, mind and soul. It's a relaxing session where you lie down on your back and listen to sounds from bells, gongs, singing bowls and other instruments for about an hour, typically after a yoga session or as a one-time event.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Singing bowls for sound baths use vibrational frequencies to promote healing. The bowls are made of metal or crystal, producing a resonant sound when struck with a mallet. The sound waves produced by the bowl can help the body relax and rejuvenate. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sound baths are gaining popularity as a way to relax and de-stress, as they help promote relaxation and stress relief. A 2020 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32507429/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research review&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reiterated the positive effects but cautioned about the small number of studies on sound baths and their potential risk of methodological bias. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Music Therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another popular type of sound therapy is music therapy, which people use to help their bodies heal from physical, emotional and mental traumas. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Music therapy uses multiple techniques to achieve its benefits. These include listening to music, playing instruments and singing. The therapist will work with the patient to find the best approach for their needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Music is beneficial for reducing stress, improving moods and helping people cope with anxiety and depression. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/major-health-benefits-music-uncovered-225589" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from Mcgill University has shown that listening to music was more effective than taking prescription drugs in reducing anxiety before surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Music is also beneficial for those who are ill or recovering from surgery by reducing pain, anxiety and stress and promoting healthy recovery. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298069#Music-reduced-pain,-anxiety-after-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from Brunel University in London has shown that music therapy can reduce both pain and anxiety in patients recovering from surgery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Music therapy can be a salutary avenue for people struggling with addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD012576/ADDICTN_music-therapy-people-substance-use-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that music therapy help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people trying to quit drugs or alcohol. Music therapy also helps people struggling with addiction by providing a positive outlet for emotions and helping them to cope with stress. It is the ideal channel for expressing feelings and achieving more profound levels of relaxation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of music therapy break the barriers of age. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301680" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that singing is better for calming babies down than talking. Babies are more relaxed and engaged when they hear their parents sing rather than talk. Singing also helps them develop their language skills and their ability to understand music and rhythm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a natural way to reduce stress and promote healing, sound therapy may be right for you. And if you're wondering where to start, there are plenty of binaural beats available on the Internet that might resonate with you. However, it is best to look for qualified, professional music therapists for sound baths and music therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SoundMusic-Therapy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/sound-music-therapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26157</ID> <title>Is Mental Healthcare Less Accessible to Marginalized Communities?</title> <publishDate>2022-09-20 10:42:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_253 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_292"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_304 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_206 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_618 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_619 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_620 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_325 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is increasingly becoming a fundamental element of healthcare for all. But accessibility is a challenge the healthcare community is struggling to resolve. While some groups can take advantage of mental healthcare, marginalized communities have less access to it, thus worsening outcomes for those who have mental illnesses. Due to a lack of accessibility, Hispanic or Black Americans who live in historically marginalized communities cannot treat their mental illnesses as other Americans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Mental Health Affects the Marginalized&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unsurprisingly, mental health affects marginalized communities as well as those who aren't marginalized. But those mental health illnesses are usually &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-mental-healthcare-is-less-accessible-to-marginalized-communities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;less common but more severe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in historically marginalized communities. For black and Hispanic Americans, this means that they are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-mental-healthcare-is-less-accessible-to-marginalized-communities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;less likely to suffer from depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than white Americans, but when they do, it is worse. Such severe mental illnesses are highly debilitating and require treatment from professionals. Yet, despite the unequal outcomes for those suffering from mental illnesses in marginalized communities, access to mental healthcare does not reflect this reality. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Barriers to Mental Healthcare for the Marginalized &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental healthcare provision is uncommon for marginalized communities. Several factors contribute to this lack of access, but one of the largest is the lack of utilization by marginalized communities. In 2015, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-mental-healthcare-is-less-accessible-to-marginalized-communities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that 48% of white adults suffering from mental illnesses used mental healthcare while only 31% of black and Hispanic adults did the same. White Americans are more likely to receive treatment for their mental illnesses when compared to their black and Hispanic counterparts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, men and women from marginalized communities can face stigma for their illnesses or even prejudice, reducing their access to mental healthcare. Like many suffering from mental illnesses, those from marginalized communities can experience the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(21)00476-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stigma and shame&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that often accompany mental illness. By being from a marginalized community, it's possible for them to also suffer from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(21)00476-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;racism, homophobia and other forms of bias&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that may reduce their access to healthcare. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such pressures vary from one marginalized community to another as pressures and stigmas can also be applied inside the community. For example, Asian Americans are less likely to engage in mental health services due to cultural pressure within their communities that considers the acknowledgment of mental illness &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(21)00476-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;taboo&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Likewise, Middle Eastern Americans are more likely to receive stigma from other Americans but typically do not seek help from mental healthcare because they seek that assistance &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(21)00476-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;within their own families and communities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The economic element can prevent equal access to healthcare for the marginalized as well. Unfortunately, there is an overlap between the socially marginalized communities in America and the lack of adequate &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7011222/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;health insurance coverage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a result of less coverage, marginalized communities often have less access to what is often a costly service. This can be a significant barrier to preventing the marginalized from receiving needed assistance and care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How the Healthcare Industry Can Remove Barriers &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The barriers to receiving adequate and equal access to mental healthcare for marginalized communities are significant. Therefore, the healthcare industry has to step up to the plate to make a dent in the wall that prevents care from being accessible to those who need it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, there are several areas for improvement that the healthcare industry is quickly becoming aware of. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5192088/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from the National Library of Medicine, researchers recommend that providers combat these barriers by improving training and education, clinical infrastructure and developing multidisciplinary teams to understand, prepare for and combat barriers preventing accessibility for the marginalized. By implementing these changes, providers will help make mental healthcare more accessible for the marginalized and improve the quality of their care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental healthcare is much less accessible than it should be for marginalized communities. Luckily, these barriers are not insurmountable, as healthcare providers can effectively overcome them by instituting changes designed to improve accessibility. By doing so, providers will create a more equitable world with equal access to mental healthcare for individuals from all communities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Mental-Healthcare.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/is-mental-healthcare-less-accessible-to-marginalized-communities/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26150</ID> <title>Long-Term Effects of Tanning Beds</title> <publishDate>2022-09-19 08:56:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_254 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_293"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_305 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_207 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_621 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_622 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_623 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_326 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, achieving that most wanted look requires a visit to the tanning salon. And although the majority of people know the dangers of tanning, either indoors or outdoors, they still keep doing it. Therefore, people need to inform themselves and understand the dangers and long-term effects of tanning in tanning beds. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tanning Beds Health Risks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No type of tanning is safe or healthy. By getting tanned, your skin becomes damaged, which is when the risks associated with skin damage start to appear or increase. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The fact that tanning beds pose a substantial risk for your skin health has been known and public for a long time. It doesn't matter the type of skin you have, your age or the intensity of the tan. Your skin still becomes damaged, and you are only putting yourself at significant risk. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Are Tanning Beds Bad for Tattoos?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you just got a tattoo or have one that is not fully healed, you have to stay away from tanning beds. Tanning a fresh tattoo can cause more damage and lengthen the tattoo's healing process. Also, it can cause the color of the tattoo to fade away. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover the tattoo with a piece of material if you really can't stay away from the tanning bed. You can also apply sunscreen over the tattoo for better coverage and protection. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Will Tanning Beds Lighten Your Hair?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indeed, a tanning bed will lighten your hair color. This happens because the lamps used to tan your skin emit artificial UV radiation. As this radiation darkens your skin color, it also lightens your hair. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effects differ from one skin and hair type to another. While skin is made out of living tissue cells, hair is made out of dead tissue. As a result, UV radiation breaks the pigment in the hair, thus lightening its color. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Why are Tanning Beds Worse Than Outdoor Tanning?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tanning beds are considered more harmful than outdoor tanning. People tend to pick tanning beds over outdoor tanning because the time invested in the tanning process is much shorter, although the risks are more significant. No tanning type is healthy, although outdoor tanning brings fewer risks than tanning beds. Tanning beds produce 100 times more UV radiation levels than outdoor tanning. The risks of tanning grow exponentially after a day on the beach, so the levels skyrocket when talking about tanning beds. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Premature Aging&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since tanning damages skin cells, premature aging becomes more pronounced, especially over the face area. There are two primary UV rays used in tanning beds: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;UVA&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With its shorter wavelength, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;UVB&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is associated with skin burning and tanning.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The difference between the two is that UVB rays cause faster tanning while UVA needs more prolonged exposure to very high levels so that the results can show. Certain tanning beds use mainly UVA rays, which, unfortunately, infiltrate more profoundly into the skin and cause devastating effects on the skin cells, such as melanoma and other types of skin cancer. Also, because UV exposure causes your skin to dry up, you will become more susceptible to acne breakouts.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2913608/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do Tanning Beds Cause Cancer?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tanning beds increase the risks of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't need to be exposed to tanning beds for a long while for these risks to become hazardous. The damage appears even after the first tanning session. And with each session, the damage accumulates, so the damaged cells grow out of control. You may also be putting yourself at risk of developing ocular melanoma, cataracts and other diseases that may leave you blind. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you find that your family has a history of skin cancer, the risks may be higher for you. Many cases of melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, are linked to regular tanning, especially in tanning beds. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Myths about Tanning Beds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are numerous myths regarding tanning beds. One of the most popular is that tanning beds will whiten your teeth, which is entirely false. You may get this impression because your teeth appear whiter as your skin becomes darker. Yet, this is only an illusion. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another popular myth is that indoor tanning is safer than outdoor tanning. But the reality is quite the opposite. Tanning beds use much higher UV lights that penetrate your skin and add to the damage with every use. As a result, tanning beds are more dangerous than sun tanning. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These myths have appeared only to give bed tanning a better reputation and an excuse to use. But never underestimate the scientist's words and research. Any type of tanning is dangerous, mainly indoor tanning. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can always pick a healthier alternative, such as spray tanning. Spray tanning does not expose you to dangerous rays such as UV and will instantly give you a look and glow of your choice! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tanning beds are hazardous to your health, so don't let anyone change your belief. Premature aging and various skin diseases are a very high price to pay for such a small thing. Remember, a natural tan is always the healthiest choice if you want your skin to be one with the summer!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Tanning-Beds.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/long-term-effects-of-tanning-beds/</url> </article> <article> <ID>26142</ID> <title>The Benefits of Ice Baths</title> <publishDate>2022-09-18 08:27:26</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_255 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_294"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_306 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_208 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_624 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_625 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_626 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_327 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice baths, also known as cold-water immersion, have become quite popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. You may have watched videos of athletes submerging into massive tubs or barrels filled to the brim with ice-cold water. It may seem odd or even unbearable for you, but ice baths bring many health benefits, especially after intense workouts, and they’re not just for professional athletes!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice Baths and Their Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice baths represent the practice of entering a tub filled with freezing water (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;50-59 F) for about 10 to 15 minutes. Usually, such baths are taken after intense exercise sessions or sports competitions that require the overwork of the muscles. They are believed to reduce muscle pain and soreness, commonly occurring after consuming workouts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice Baths May Boost the Immune System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034215/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicated that ice baths, combined with meditation and different breathing techniques, may strengthen the immune system. The study participants, who were all exposed to bacterial infections, showed fewer symptoms after experiencing an ice bath. Although the researchers note that deep breathing played a significant role in the experiment, the technique only worked if paired with ice baths or cold exposure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice Baths Diminish Muscle Soreness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28177718/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that ice baths are the perfect combatant against muscle soreness by reducing inflammation in just 15 minutes! The participants were asked to rest in water at 50 F for 10 to 15 minutes. Researchers concluded that the practice reduces muscle soreness more effectively than just waiting it out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice Baths Improve Recovery from Intense Training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For athletes, ice baths are nothing out of the ordinary. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24626137/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that ice baths can boost the recovery of different injuries resulting from high-intensity training. Athletes like boxers and MMA fighters benefit most from ice baths, reporting less soreness and inflammation after injuries, training and intense competitions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only do athletes benefit from improved recovery, but also gym members. If you are sore after an intense workout, try taking an ice bath. You will experience its benefits in no time! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice Baths Can Reduce Cardiac Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiac stress, a part of every athlete's life, increases exponentially if the environment is scorching hot because the athletes already overheat during training. Ice baths can ease your cardiac stress after training or competitions, especially in the heat, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31343603/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that ice baths reduce participants' heart rate after long training sessions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improve Recovery from Cardio&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24626137/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that after a 20 minutes session of intense cardio, athletes recovered faster if they took an ice bath in the 15-minute break between sessions. In addition, the study compared results from athletes that took ice baths and those that didn't. Not only did the athletes perform better after the ice baths, but they recovered faster from exhaustion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Answering Questions about Ice Baths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is natural to have questions before starting any practice, and it's no different for ice baths. Many people online are looking to solve questions such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do Ice Baths Help Sunburns?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ice baths can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sedermatologyspecialists.com/blog/4-tips-for-healing-your-sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;indeed help heal sunburns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is because the cool water used in ice baths helps decrease the inflammation caused by a sunburn. Some people do not want to take anti-inflammatory medicine, and for them, ice baths are an excellent solution! Not only will ice baths encourage the process of healing, but they will also keep you cool and fresh!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Ice Baths Help Lose Weight?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practicing ice baths can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.firstpost.com/health/do-ice-baths-help-in-muscle-recovery-and-weight-loss-7748911.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;activate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the brown adipose, primarily located around your neck and collar bones. When activated, it releases different hormones responsible for burning the fats that gather around your waist and thighs, and, as a result, it can help you lose weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Prepare Your Ice Bath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few requirements to remember before preparing your ice bath, starting with the temperature, which must be around 50-59 F or 10-15 C. Also, keep an eye on the time spent in the ice bath, as spending too much time in an ice bath can have adverse consequences. You should not spend more than 10-15 minutes in an ice bath. Finally, before entering the ice bath, you must make yourself comfortable with the water. Begin with your feet, then legs, chest, and so on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep in mind that an ice bath may not be for everyone. Many studies point out that the benefits are more valuable for athletes than the general population. If you want to use ice baths to recover from athletic injuries or intense training sessions, always look out for the temperature of the water and the time spent in it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Ice-bath.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-benefits-of-ice-baths/</url> </article> <article> <ID>20075</ID> <title>How Can Life Experiences Shape Food Preferences?</title> <publishDate>2022-09-13 09:23:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_256 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_295"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_307 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_209 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_627 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_628 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_629 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_328 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The food we eat is one of the most important things that affect our health and quality of life, which is why it is essential to explore what drives our food choices and why we make the choices we do. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many factors influence our tastes and preferences. Culture, religion, what we were taught when we were younger and even the country where you live can impact your food preferences.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetic Influence on Food Preferences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is important to keep in mind that many factors influence what kind of food we like, and some are more important than others. People tend to have food preferences based on their biology (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inborn feelings and tastes) because they can't control these factors. For example, kids grow up with an innate idea about their food preferences, which often comes from their parents' tastes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/90/3/707S/4597118" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;evolutionary reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that influence our food preferences. If your ancestors ate a particular type of food, your body might have developed specific tastes that make you want to eat that same food. For example, if your ancestors were hunter-gatherers, you're probably on team meat. On the other hand, if your ancestors were primarily farmers, you might prefer grains and vegetables.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Economic Factors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/24461733" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Economic factors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can affect your food preferences. Often, food choices depend on food affordability and availability in your living area. Income fluctuations can also change your preferences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the consumption process, people pay attention not only to the available food type and its taste but also to prices. Thus, economic factors influence consumer preferences. For example, when an individual's increased earnings allow for a better quality of living, such as healthier restaurant choices or more expensive products, they tend to be more careful in choosing food items. Preference for organically grown produce is a good example of the effect of economic factors on consumer preferences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cultural and Religious Experiences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wathi.org/food-identity-of-culture-and-religion-researchgate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cultural and religious beliefs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; influence food consumption and preferences as well. For example, followers of Judaism eat kosher food. Followers of Islam only consume halal foods to be able to obey their faith, which restricts them from eating food such as pork.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who are vegan or vegetarian do not consume any animal products such as meat or dairy products. Vegans also avoid eating food produced by animals, such as honey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many cultures have their own set of food preferences. For example, in most Southeast Asian countries, every meal is prepared with rice. In other countries, especially in Europe, people prefer to eat their meals with bread. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food preferences can also be influenced by advertising, which often promotes certain foods while discouraging others. This diet culture is especially prominent in North America, where many people are targeted with advertisements for highly-processed and sugary foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Places with a strong influence from a long-established culture still prefer traditional food over the more popular processed foods. Some cultures have a high-fat diet, such as the Inuit in North America and the Maasai in Africa. Other cultures have a very low-fat diet, such as that of the Okinawans, who consume a lot of vegetables and root crops. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several factors can affect our food preferences, including life experiences. Some tastes may be acquired through exposure to certain foods, while others respond to certain dishes' positive or negative experiences. Our environment and culture can also play a role in shaping our tastes. Ultimately, it is important to be open to new flavors and experiment with different foods to develop a well-rounded palate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Food-Preferences.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-can-life-experiences-shape-food-preferences/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19960</ID> <title>The Imperative of Giving Back: An Interview with Dr. Emily Letran</title> <publishDate>2022-09-13 07:14:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_257 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_296"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_308 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_210 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_630 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_631 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_632 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_329 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;late&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 1960s, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://savvydentist.com/dr-emily-letran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a little Vietnamese girl watched the war&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in her country play out on her family's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;black and white &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;television. After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, she learned how it felt to have to stand in long lines for food. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When war broke out again&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in 1981,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;this time with China and Cambodia, the girl's aunt &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://savvydentist.com/dr-emily-letran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;left the country with her&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and other family children. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For a week, with only a two-day food supply, they were '&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_boat_people" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vietnamese boat people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;' among the mass of refugees crowded in woefully inadequate boats. They eventually &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://savvydentist.com/dr-emily-letran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;traveled to the US&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where 10 people living in a two-bedroom apartment was a luxury. She learned English mainly by watching the news on television.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They started with nothing but hope and faith, she recalled in a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://savvydentist.com/dr-emily-letran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent podcast interview&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fast forward to the present day, the young girl, now a grown woman, has a successful career as a dentist, businesswoman, motivational speaker, private coach, marketing strategist, published author and humanitarian. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is the story of Dr. Emily Letran, DDS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Emily Letran, DDS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cosmeticdentistmonrovia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;practices general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Southern&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  California. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In the late 80s, I knew I wanted to go into healthcare," Dr. Letran said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Friends suggested dentistry, and a few years later, she earned a DDS and an MS in Oral Biology from UCLA. She also&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;finished a residency in treating difficult cases  and serving medically compromised patients.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"As I started practicing dentistry," she said, "I realized it gave me the ability to be in healthcare, help people and develop great relationships with my patients. I could &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;give back &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and create an impact in the community."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Practice: Relating to Patients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My favorite part of what I get to do is watching my patients' families grow. The biggest compliment I see for myse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lf is serving three ge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nerations of the same family," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran finds joy in pausing to talk and listen to the patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The patients share their stories with us. Paying attention to the metrics of your dental practice is important, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it also means a lot to be a part of that family's story," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In fact, her team treats patients like family. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"With family, you tell it like it is and don't sugarcoat things. We tell them what will happen if they don't take action right away. They appreciate that," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran and her team hold patient events, such as appreciation dinners, bowling outings and movie nights. And when patients are in the office, one of the team's goals is to make patients laugh at least once.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Business of Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have owned my practices for 25 years. I have had three offices for nine years, and I currently have two. I run my business as a business. I have specialists and associate doctors in the practice. This way, I can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have time for my family, a&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ttend seminars and travel while the practices are still running," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran pointed out that it is fine if a patient doesn't recognize her because her team represents her brand well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They don't necessarily need to know the owner," she explained. "They should know the philosophy and maybe the story behind that business, but they don't necessarily need to know the person who founded the business.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the end of the day, the patients come for the services that your brand represents.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Wearer of Many Hats&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With her practices in good hands, Dr. Letran is free to engage in her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dremilyletran.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;multiple other roles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;— Keynote Speaker, Marketing Strategist, Business Consultant, High-Performance Coach, Leadership Training and Team Building Leader, Seminar Host and Workshop Trainer — in which she instructs other dentists &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and healthcare professionals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;on building and growing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; their healthcare pr&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;actices. Her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachemilyletran?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keynotes have included topics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Fast Track to High-Performance Leadership;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Action to Win: How to Keep a Client for 20 Years;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Team Building: What to Expect When You're Expecting."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She shares with other dentists what she has learned about success in her 29 years of practice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My goal is to help healthcare professionals control stress, increase net income and live a happier, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; impactful life. A lot of professionals feel overwhelmed sometimes. They go through certain challenges in their career. As a certified high-performance coach, I help them gain clarity and focus on what's most important to them, rather than getting involved in a lot of things that may not make a difference," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran gave an example. If you invest $70,000 in buying a high-tech piece of technology you think you need without understanding the marketing, how are you supposed to sell its use? Now you're stressed because you still have this big payment to handle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran helps&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; professionals focus and avoid such issues by teaching them to be high performers &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;who can&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; control their business decisions, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;understand&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; what comes next and how to maintain balanced lives. Part of what makes this work, she said, is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://savvydentist.com/dr-emily-letran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leveraging staff and other experts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://savvydentist.com/dr-emily-letran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hire others who can do those things&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You don't need to do everything. See how others can support you," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran designed a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://emily-letran.mykajabi.com/high-performance-quiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High Performance Quiz&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help other business professionals assess where they are in their personal lives, health, time management, business potential and success milestones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spreading the Word in Writing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran shares her philosophy and business observations in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachemilyletran?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her many articles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentistrytoday.com/five-habits-for-successfully-handling-the-stress-of-a-dental-career/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Five Habits for Successfully Handling the Stress of a Dental Career” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentistryiq.com/practice-management/staffing/article/16367910/may-i-have-a-moment-the-talk-dentists-dont-like?fbclid=IwAR0L583XuSA3ui5hC68y8YFt4aVwyZX9y81NbJ-SrjJIC1nLqIN8NWE_Xis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“May I Have a Moment? The Talk Dentists Don’t Like”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/02/17/struggling-with-self-promotion-14-things-to-not-do/?sh=d588f4125ac7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Struggling with Self-Promotion? 14 Things To Not Do” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/09/17/14-commonly-overlooked-methods-for-increasing-business-profits/?sh=3e9920813883" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“14 Commonly Overlooked Methods For Increasing Business Profits”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/02/12/12-signs-a-client-isnt-ready-for-coaching/?sh=468a3cb428b1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“12 Signs a Client isn’t Ready for Coaching” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://startuptodaymagazine.com/how-to-handle-crisis-with-high-performance-expertise/?fbclid=IwAR0sM5bvIYX82r4oZv8RgsgReieOYhNFrMMSyY0skChzpVmqnClGmvHUNBc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“How To Handle Crisis With High Performance Expertise” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She has also published books: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Woman-Have-All-Sacrifice/dp/1633021823" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Modern Woman: To Have It All With No Sacrifice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (co-authored by Dr. Bak Nguyen); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Commit-Embracing-Your-Big-Life/dp/1942688059" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Commit to Embracing Your Big Life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/No-Nonsense-Dentistry-Dental-Peeps-ebook/dp/B086PN5SBF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HBT1R01RMMYV&amp;amp;keywords=no+nonsense+dentistry+emily+letran&amp;amp;qid=1662067522&amp;amp;sprefix=no+nonsense+dentistry+emily+letran%2Caps%2C147&amp;amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No Nonsense Dentistry For Dental Peeps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(co-authored by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Steven G. Mautner)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Women-Healthcare-Exceptional-Leadership/dp/1637921713/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZTGNW4S74CMD&amp;amp;keywords=innovative+women+in+healthcare+emily+letran&amp;amp;qid=1662066080&amp;amp;sprefix=innovative+women+in+healthcare+emily+letran%2Caps%2C153&amp;amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Innovative Women In Healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Giving Back to the Community&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Letran &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;knows she is blessed to be able to help in giving back to the community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"As healthcare professionals, we are already positioned as advisors. As influencers, people look up to us and listen to us. We should give back to the community that supports us. We can always do that small part as a way to give back to America," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With how she approaches her dental practices and all the helpful hats she wears, Dr. Letran has devoted her entire career to giving back to her profession, the community and the country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Emily Letran is an extraordinary woman who climbed from a war-scarred childhood to life as a refugee to success built upon uplifting others and giving back. To learn more about her go to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.dremilyletran.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;www.DrEmilyLetran.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Headshot_top_100.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-imperative-of-giving-back-an-interview-with-dr-emily-letran/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19948</ID> <title>You Are What You Eat: Is This Accurate?</title> <publishDate>2022-09-12 06:56:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_258 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_297"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_309 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_211 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_633 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_634 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_635 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_330 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You've likely heard the saying, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you are what you eat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But is this scientifically sound or just an urban myth? The answer may both be surprising and more complicated than one would think. While what you eat doesn't necessarily make you what you are, what you eat dramatically affects your physical and mental health, even at a cellular level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Does It Mean to Say, You Are What You Eat?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At its surface, this phrase tells you that what you eat determines what you are, and there is some truth to this. After all, what you eat is what your body uses to build cells. Oxford researchers determined that diet can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://brainworldmagazine.com/are-we-what-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;affect the genetic composition of organisms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. DNA, the building block of your body, can be affected by your diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, in some sense, what you eat does become what you are. After all, eating foods high in fat will lead to weight gain, while eating lean foods will help with weight management. This sounds like it could be scientifically based, but is it? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;You Are What You Eat in Excess&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It turns out that just eating fats won't make you fat. What may be more accurate is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/you-are-what-you-eat-is-wrong-2015-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating small amounts of literally any food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; won't affect you too much. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, the real risk isn't eating fat, cholesterol, sugar or anything else; it's eating anything in high amounts. Instead of attacking these food groups, what we should be focusing on is the size of our portions. Perhaps a more accurate saying would be, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you are what you eat a lot of&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But, of course, that's not so catchy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Your Mood May Be What You Eat&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it is true that what you eat can significantly affect your mood. Something we often forget about when we eat is our so-called "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://brainworldmagazine.com/are-we-what-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;brain-gut connection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;." Simply understood, when you eat healthy food, you feel better and are happier. On the contrary, your happiness and mood will take a hit when you eat unhealthy food. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It even goes beyond this simple connection. Shockingly, it turns out that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2021/08/weirdly-true-we-are-what-we-eat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some foods can do more&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than just make you feel good or bad but can cause you to be more aggressive, confident, happy, uncomfortable or even increase pain. For example, even without consumption, spicy foods can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2021/08/weirdly-true-we-are-what-we-eat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;incline us toward aggressive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; thoughts or intent. On the other hand, sweet foods trigger neuroreceptors in the stomach that can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2021/08/weirdly-true-we-are-what-we-eat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, causing you to be happier and more confident. Hot food also affects your mood, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2021/08/weirdly-true-we-are-what-we-eat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increasing the discomfort and pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your body experiences. So, while it's not necessarily true that you are what you eat, what you eat can dramatically affect you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Make Yourself the Healthiest You Can by Eating the Healthiest You Can&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the dramatic effect of food in mind, how can we eat healthier? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately and unfortunately, it's not so simple as avoiding one type of food. Whether it's a high-fat diet like the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/secrets-longevity/201306/you-are-what-you-eat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mediterranean diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or the fad diet that targets cutting out a different food group every five years, dieting is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, the best advice you can probably receive for a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.idsmed.com/news/is-it-true-you-are-what-you-eat/461.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is to focus on unprocessed foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and foods high in fiber and nutrients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, the best dieticians say that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/you-are-what-you-eat-is-wrong-2015-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the best diet plan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is eating in moderation while focusing on plant foods. This approach will keep your fiber high while ensuring that you're eating well in moderation. It's better to make sure that you're getting enough fiber by eating lots of plants and eating some carbs, fats and proteins than to neglect one and overly prioritize another. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, the saying, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you are what you eat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is not entirely inaccurate, although it is misleading. Eating something unhealthy in moderation will not make you unhealthy, and eating something (or even not eating something) that the current trends say is healthy in overabundance won't make you healthy either. The truth lies in eating in moderation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Eat.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/you-are-what-you-eat-is-this-accurate/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19938</ID> <title>Nutrition's Impact on Hormones</title> <publishDate>2022-09-11 06:41:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_259 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_298"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_310 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_212 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_636 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_637 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_638 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_331 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate many of the body's processes, including growth and development, metabolism, sexual function and reproduction. With so many functions, it's no surprise that hormone level imbalances can cause various issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know that nutrition is important for our overall health, but did you know that what you eat can also directly impact your hormone levels? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is a Hormonal Imbalance?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormones are essential for orchestrating almost all the activities in our bodies. They play a role in everything, from mood and energy levels to metabolism, fertility and weight loss. Therefore, an imbalance can seriously impact your health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different causes hide behind a hormonal imbalance, such as poor nutrition, chronic stress, lack of sleep and environmental toxins. An imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mood swings;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight gain or difficult weight loss;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hot flashes;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Night sweats;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Insomnia;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decreased libido;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PMS or menopause symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not all symptoms of an imbalance are caused by imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. Many other hormones in the body can be thrown out of balance, such as testosterone, thyroid hormones and insulin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Diet Cause a Hormonal Imbalance?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's no secret that what we eat can affect hormones. After all, a healthy diet (such as a mediterranean diet) provides the human body with the nutrients it needs to produce hormones. Certain foods can trigger imbalances, such as processed meats and soy products, which contain compounds that mimic estrogen in the body and increase its levels. In addition, consuming too many refined carbs can cause spikes in insulin levels, leading to imbalances. Fried foods are another known culprit behind imbalances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, eating a healthy diet can help keep hormone levels in check. Foods high in fiber and antioxidants help detoxify the body and remove excess hormones. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseeds can also help to regulate hormone levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Processed Foods and Hormonal Imbalances&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the main culprits of an imbalance is processed foods. These foods have been stripped of their nutrients and often contain harmful chemicals. Processed foods are everywhere, from the bread aisle to the frozen food section, and while they may be convenient and tasty, they wreak havoc on our hormones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you eat processed foods, your body doesn't get the nutrients it needs to function properly. Processed foods are often high in artificial sweeteners, unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients, causing weight gain and hormonal imbalances. In addition, processed foods often lack essential vitamins and minerals, leading to deficiencies that can further disrupt hormones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Avoid Processed Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to avoid processed foods is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, and limit your intake of processed foods as much as possible. When you eat processed foods, choose those made with whole, natural ingredients and are free of sugar, unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Foods Should I Eat to Balance My Hormones?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain nutrients are essential for maintaining hormonal balance:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Protein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Protein helps build and repair tissue. It's also necessary for creating hormones and enzymes. Foods rich in protein include meat, poultry, fish, eggs and legumes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Healthy fats&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Healthy fats are vital for hormone production and regulation. They can also help reduce inflammation. Outstanding sources of fats include avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fiber&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Fiber is vital for regulating blood sugar levels and gut health. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Antioxidants&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Antioxidants protect cells from damage and help reduce inflammation. Foods rich in antioxidants include berries, dark leafy greens and tomatoes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Including these nutrients in your diet is a great way to help maintain hormone balance. It's especially important for those who are dealing with imbalances. Luckily, certain foods can help correct imbalances by providing the body with extra estrogen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 of the Best Foods to Eat for Hormone Imbalances&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fatty fish&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (also found in olive oil), which help balance hormones by reducing inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Avocados&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Avocados are a great source of essential healthy fats for hormone balance. They also contain vitamin B6, a necessary nutrient for progesterone production.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Nuts and seeds&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Nuts and seeds are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. They also contain magnesium, a necessary nutrient for testosterone production.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eggs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The abundance of protein and choline found in eggs boosts estrogen production.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dark leafy greens&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach and Swiss chard are rich in vitamins and minerals, including magnesium and calcium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sweet potatoes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, mandatory for testosterone production. They also contain carotenoids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tomatoes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cruciferous vegetables&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts contain vitamin C, folate and fiber, essential nutrients for maintaining a hormone balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Berries&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Berries are a good source of antioxidants known to help reduce inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dark chocolate&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Dark chocolate contains a type of plant estrogen known as flavonoids, which can help balance hormone levels. Additionally, dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and can help improve heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormones are responsible for many of our body's processes, so it's no surprise that what we eat can impact them. In addition to eating healthy, you can do a few other things to help keep your hormones in balance. Exercise is a great way to reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and promote hormone health. Getting enough sleep is also important, as sleep deprivation can lead to imbalances. And lastly, try to avoid processed foods, sugar and alcohol as much as possible!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of your body is no easy feat, and it just shows that falling into an imbalance can rob you of your well-being. An unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, stress and medical issues can all impact our hormones. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to hormonal imbalance, but certain nutrients are known to help. If you're struggling with hormonal imbalance, talk to your physician about incorporating healthy foods into your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Nutritions-Impact-on-Hormones.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/nutritions-impact-on-hormones/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19931</ID> <title>Practice and Teaching: An Interview with Dr. Jedediah V. Huss, DDS, DICOI</title> <publishDate>2022-09-10 06:30:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_260 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_299"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_311 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_213 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_639 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_640 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_641 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_332 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some practice their profession. Some teach it. And some do both. One dentist, Dr. Jedediah Huss, DDS, DICOI, practices dental surgery and teaches implant surgery to other professionals looking to learn new skills or enhance current knowledge. And along the way, he learns too. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Huss practices at Moorpark Dental Group and Orthodontics in Moorpark, California. He is also the Founder &amp;amp; Clinical Director of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://restoredsmilescourses.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Restored Smiles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a continuing dental education company. He splits his time between caring for and learning from his patients and traveling around the country conducting his training courses. He is the author of several articles related to dental implants and has lectured on implant dentistry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of the focus within my practice has been heavy on the surgical side—implants, extractions and grafting. Then four years ago, I started teaching, and I loved it. It was super rewarding to help improve doctors and their careers and get them passionate about something I was so passionate about," Dr. Huss shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Path to Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"As a kid, I wanted to be a doctor like my dad, who was an OBGYN. But I didn't like the idea of constantly being on call, working at 3:00 a.m., and the whole hospital scene," Dr. Huss explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He considered business and finance but eventually changed his mind.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I don't know what the defining moment was, but I really wanted to be a doctor and see patients. I also liked the business aspect that came with it," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dentistry emerged as the best career fit, as Dr. Huss enjoys working with his hands and the artistry in dental work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I can be a doctor, have patients and practice the art. I fell in love with surgery and was amazed at how passionate I became about it. And I can deal with the business side," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Restored Smiles&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2018, Dr. Huss founded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://restoredsmilescourses.com/restored-smiles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Restored Smiles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a continuing dental education company that enhances dentists' skills and knowledge regarding dental implant surgery. The program combines online, lecture and hands on, as well as LIVE surgical experience where professionals can expand their expertise and practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One course, for example, is called Concentrated Growth Factors, where students learn to draw and mix blood in a centrifuge to get concentrated healing cells. Then, they use these growth factors to incorporate into their bone grafting procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We teach doctors that have never placed implants how to do it or doctors that have placed 20, 50, or hundreds of implants and want to improve. We have online courses and in person lectures with a lot of hands-on exercises. There's also a LIVE surgical course where my company partners with a company in Guadalajara, Mexico, and we do LIVE surgeries there," Dr. Huss explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dental reviewer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.coursekarma.com/rating-region/restored-smiles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Course Karma&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and peers declared Restore Smiles the highest-rated implant course on their site.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I received Top Instructor for the last two years and Top Provider for implants last year," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to being an instructor, Dr. Huss also considers himself a motivational speaker.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Being an outstanding mentor has a lot to do with teaching the right way. The biggest thing I have to do is to make sure that the doctors I teach feel confident. If they don't, whatever I teach will not stick. So being a good motivator while teaching will help build their confidence," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stories from the Dental Chair&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout his career, Dr. Huss has experienced several outstanding cases that have touched his heart and taught him valuable lessons no one taught him in school. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wrongfully Convicted&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One patient had been wrongfully accused of rape and went to prison for almost 15 years. He was later acquitted by DNA evidence.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We helped get him healthier. We took care of his gums, did some extractions and gave him some partial dentures at no cost. And he was ecstatic. He had an awesome smile and received so many compliments on it," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Consequences of Disease and Neglect&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Huss had to extract all 32 teeth from a patient who was only 37 years old.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He had severe periodontal disease. It wasn't drugs, just really bad genes and a lot of neglect. He had a huge open bite, and the teeth were just floating in the wind. So, it took me less than two minutes to extract all of the upper teeth. That's how ready those teeth were to be removed," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To rebuild, they placed several bone grafts and implants to support a snap-in denture. The patient couldn't be happier and more grateful. He hadn't realized how a smile could change his life so dramatically. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Restoring Confidence&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One patient had had horrible experiences with doctors in the past. He had been paralyzed and told he'd never walk again. Fortunately, he proved them wrong, but he was left with a bad case of anxiety when faced with the medical profession. Dr. Huss helped him work past that as they repaired his teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He wrote an unbelievable letter. It said, 'Doc, you changed my life. My smiles are attracting women left and right now, and I'm having to keep them away with a stick. The other way you changed my life is you restored my confidence in doctors. The last time I gave someone control over me, I ended up paralyzed and mentally broken. You changed that, and I'm forever grateful,'" Dr. Huss shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helping Mom&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Huss' most important patient was his own mother. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My mom was on a walk with my sister, and she fell. The real impact was on her three front teeth," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They had to extract all three teeth and she did not have a lot of bone to work with. So, they had to do a ridge augmentation and build a lot of bone. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We had to rebuild everything and cross our fingers that she'd heal well. And she did! Six months later, we took a 3D X-ray that showed great bone growth. We placed three implants and a few crowns restoring her entire smile," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Huss was grateful to be in a position to be able to help his mother when she needed it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout his career, Dr. Huss has learned a great deal from not only his formal training but also from his patients. And he has influenced and helped improve the careers of other dentists by imparting knowledge of advanced surgical techniques. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Learning doesn't end with earning a degree. It continues for a lifetime. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Huss.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/practice-and-teaching-an-interview-with-dr-jedediah-v-huss-dds-dicoi/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19924</ID> <title>Virtually Awake: Discussing a New and Improved Alternative to Sedation with Dr. James Clarkson, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-09-09 06:27:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_261 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_300"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_312 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_214 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_642 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_643 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_644 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_333 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You find yourself in need of minor surgery. Right away, images of a hospital, operating room, fasting before the procedure, being placed under anesthesia, recovery time and a hefty bill flash through your mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But what if you could have your surgery in your doctor's office with only local anesthesia? It would undoubtedly save you significant time and money. But you hesitate because, even if it's pain-free, you don't want to be awake to see that! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What if there were something that so distracted you that you stopped worrying about the procedure? Dr. James Clarkson and his team have developed a way to use virtual reality to distract patients from the anxieties associated with being awake during surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. James Clarkson, MD&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. James Clarkson, MD (MBBS, MSc, FRCS (Plast), FRCSC) was the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan, from 2016 to the end of 2021, specializing in hand surgery. He recently passed on the title to his colleague. He is now focusing his talents on being the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Wide Awake Virtual Reality, Inc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I reconstruct wounds from major injuries—leg, upper limb, body and facial wounds. I also manage hand trauma," Dr. Clarkson said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Inspiration from Family Tradition&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson patterned his career after his grandfather, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2008/02000/Prevention_by_Organization__The_Story_of_No__4.38.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;World War II plastic and hand surgeon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've always been inspired by my grandfather. I pretty much do the same work that he did. I have these pictures of injured soldiers from 1943 and the amazing reconstructive work that he did," Dr. Clarkson shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson published some of his grandfather's work based on the available photographs, data and written records. At that time, this work would be considered beyond the accepted medical care.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He advocated for early closure of wounds and pioneered the early removal of burns and application of skin grafting. He looked at how people were doing things and realized it was people copying people. They weren't thinking for themselves. And he thought for himself," Dr. Clarkson explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson inherited his grandfather's forward-thinking and willingness to question the status quo. So, when faced with a string of complications that seemed to be centered around general anesthesia, Dr. Clarkson first started questioning. Then, he started innovating. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Question of General Anesthesia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Problem Revealed&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the years, some of Dr. Clarkson's patients encountered serious complications after minor procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One patient had a small stroke. Another had a major heart attack. An elderly man developed such bad pneumonia that he nearly died in intensive care," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson concluded that the unnecessary use of general anesthesia contributed to these complications. Yet when he spoke to others, it was considered business as usual.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That inspired me to make a simple observation that nobody wanted to make—we're overusing general anesthesia," he explained. "It's not that it should never be done. But it should only be done judiciously and when it's necessary with the minimum required intervention. General anesthesia isn't always required."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;About General Anesthesia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/howard_county_general_hospital/services/surgery/anesthesiology/anesthesia_options_risks_and_side_effects.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;General anesthesia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a combination of medication and gas that render patients unconscious. For most patients, it is a safe, effective method of avoiding pain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yet, as with any medical procedure, there are associated side effects and risks, such as nausea and vomiting, confusion and dizziness and muscle aches. In addition, it  can be hazardous for patients with conditions such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/side-effects-of-general-anesthesia"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diabetes, sleep apnea and heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the population grows older and more frail, these risks, in addition to post operative confusion, are set to grow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Local Alternative&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While general anesthesia is a must for major surgery, the profession is interested in moving minor surgery to the doctor's office and using local anesthesia only. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But Dr. Clarkson finds that patients often have no desire to be awake, even for minor surgery. The fear of surgery is a significant fear to overcome, and Dr. Clarkson realized that the solution is not in a haze of unconsciousness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What they need is something we haven't been using—a form of distraction," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He found a solution outside of traditional medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Virtual Reality Solution&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From an idea inspired by his children, Dr. Clarkson pioneered the use of virtual reality for his patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We were playing with a virtual reality headset, surrounded by visual and audio sensations. I was entranced by it. Then, it occurred to me that this was synergistic with distracting my patients," Dr. Clarkson shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/53392-virtual-reality-tech-uses-beyond-gaming.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Virtual reality has become valuable beyond gaming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the past few years, with applications in entertainment, space exploration, museums, manufacturing, education, law, mental health, shopping and the military. In addition, it has helped advance diagnosis, treatment, education and surgery in healthcare as a profound distraction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The object," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthtransformer.co/wavr-uses-immersive-media-to-improve-the-patient-experience-and-reduce-costs-3fa7315c5617" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson said&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, "isn't to create a meditative experience. Instead, we want to engage the mind, where our patients are intensely interested in what they're looking at."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wide Awake Virtual Reality (WAVR)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; intellectual property developed by partners&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; David Wheeler and Joseph Gough, Dr. Clarkson founded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wideawakevr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wide Awake Virtual Reality, Inc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and developed a VR device. Patients are immersed in original content and kept anxiety-free while undergoing minor surgery with local anesthesia in the doctor's office. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Content includes visually stunning, beautiful documentaries and fascinating material that fills your mind with activity. There's lots going on. It's stuff that patients have never seen before," Dr. Clarkson explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A VR Study&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson conducted a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wideawakevr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on VR instead of general anesthesia, and the results point toward an improved patient experience. VR patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2019/08000/Virtual_Reality_Improves_the_Patient_Experience.27.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reported lower anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and described the experience as fun. In addition, the procedure conducted with local anesthesia decreased costs and shortened the hospital stay. Patients are more likely to choose this safer, more accessible procedure when their anxiety is eliminated. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Success of the Solution&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm very pleased with the results," Dr. Clarkson said. "A day's surgery is now just a little visit to the office. They have breakfast, and they can drive home after the surgery. And there's absolutely no risk from anesthesia."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of Dr. Clarkson's hand surgeries, he performs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthtransformer.co/wavr-uses-immersive-media-to-improve-the-patient-experience-and-reduce-costs-3fa7315c5617" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;about 60%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in his office with a local anesthetic and a VR headset. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"VR makes their surgical experience a neutral or even pleasurable experience," he said. "We even give them post-operative educational information directly into the headset."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Clarkson has followed his grandfather's path of medical innovation and created a way to keep patients safe and happy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Remember," he said, "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wideawakevr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's always safer to be awake&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Virtually-Awake.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/virtually-awake-discussing-a-new-and-improved-alternative-to-sedation-with-dr-james-clarkson-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19917</ID> <title>The Health Benefits of Sex</title> <publishDate>2022-09-08 06:02:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_262 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_301"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_313 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_215 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_645 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_646 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_647 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_334 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hearing the phrase 'sexual health' sends most people to avoiding an unintended pregnancy or preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). But sexual health is a broader phrase, incorporating a person's physical and emotional well-being concerning sex and sexuality. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/why-should-you-have-sex-more-often-2300937#:~:text=Sex%20can%20be%20a%20beneficial,a%20person's%20desire%20for%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2015 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that the general well-being of a person is associated with sexual activity. Therefore, men and women deserve to enjoy a healthful sex life, especially when in relationships. A sexually healthy person, as defined by the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pandiahealth.com/resources/guide-to-sexual-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Sexual Health Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, is someone who understands sexuality as a natural part of someone's life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Important Is a Healthy Sex Life?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although sex isn't always necessary, it can be a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/why-should-you-have-sex-more-often-2300937#:~:text=Sex%20can%20be%20a%20beneficial,a%20person%27s%20desire%20for%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vital element of a happy and healthy relationship&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The importance of sexual health varies from person to person. Some people believe that having a sexual relationship with their partner is essential. Others may consider other forms of intimacy and connection to be more valuable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having regular sex with your partner can help your general well-being, as sex is frequently associated with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/why-should-you-have-sex-more-often-2300937#:~:text=Sex%20can%20be%20a%20beneficial,a%20person%27s%20desire%20for%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased affection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Although sex can be a vital component of a relationship, having sex less frequently does not always imply that your relationship is less enjoyable. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Frequent Sex Good for My Overall Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to science, everyday sex can bring wonders to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your health and well-being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Sex is an excellent way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/sex-and-health#:~:text=A%20good%20sex%20life%20is,sex%20more%20often%20may%20help." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;maintain a healthy balance of estrogen and testosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It's possible that having more sex more frequently will also help lower the risk of heart failure and improve the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It is like any other physical exercise in that the health benefits it delivers can help you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;live longer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sex Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may be surprised by the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;range of sex health benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Sex can improve your immune system, keep your heart healthy, lower your blood pressure, relieve pain and migraines, lessen your chance of prostate cancer, improve your sleep, relieve stress, boost your cognitive power and self-esteem and extend your lifespan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Having Sex Frequently Reduce the Chances of Prostate Cancer? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's been suggested that men who ejaculate regularly may be protected from prostate cancer, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/statistics/index.htm#:~:text=Aside%20from%20non%2Dmelanoma%20skin,races%20and%20Hispanic%20origin%20populations." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the most common cancer in men in the United States&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, men who ejaculated 21 times or more per month were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who ejaculated four to seven times per month, according to research led by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Micheal Leitzmann of the National Cancer Institute&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Frequent Sex Lower Blood Pressure?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yes, frequent sex can help lower high blood pressure. Sexual activity &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/why-should-you-have-sex-more-often-2300937#:~:text=Sex%20can%20be%20a%20beneficial,a%20person%27s%20desire%20for%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dilates blood arteries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach all body parts while lowering blood pressure. There have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/sex-and-health#:~:text=Lowers%20Your%20Blood%20Pressure,many%20studies%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20says." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;numerous studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the relationship between sex and blood pressure, with one of the most important findings being that sexual intercourse lowers systolic blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sex and Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual activity may impact your health and cognitive abilities as you grow older. According to research, although the frequency of sex will decrease as we age, sexually active people aged 50 to 90 have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex-health-benefits#in-men-and-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a better memory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They were also less prone to be lonely and depressed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sex brings numerous benefits to one's mental health, as it can help you think more clearly. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour, regular sex may also help women's memory. Women with penetrative intercourse had higher memory recognition, according to the results of a word-memory challenge. This benefit stems from how sex stimulates the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sex and Heart Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of sex extend to cardiovascular function, as well. Physical activities that strengthen the heart are beneficial to your health, and you should exercise three to five times per week to keep your heart in good shape. Fortunately, this includes both sex and exercise! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being sexually aroused raises the heart rate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, similar to a hard workout, with the number of beats per minute rising during the climax.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Sex Boost the Immune System?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you and your partner frequently engage in sex, know that it will give you a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex-health-benefits#health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stronger immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. IgA is an antibody that plays a fundamental role in preventing illnesses. If you have regular intercourse (one to two times per week), you will have higher IgA in your saliva. This discovery is based on a study of immunity in people in romantic relationships. IgA levels were considerably lower in people who seldom had sex (less than once a week).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Satisfying Sex Boost Self-Esteem?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sex can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/why-should-you-have-sex-more-often-2300937#:~:text=Sex%20can%20be%20a%20beneficial,a%20person%27s%20desire%20for%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your self-esteem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and help you feel less insecure. Sexual intercourse can promote emotional benefits, such as enhancing self-esteem, in addition to all of the physical benefits of having frequent sex. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the Social Psychology and Personality Science journal, college students who engaged in casual sex reported higher levels of happiness and self-esteem than those who did not.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sex and a Better Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.themewspractice.com/the-10-health-benefits-of-regular-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular sex improves sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because orgasms promote the production of the hormone prolactin, which aids in sleep. Aside from prolactin, a cocktail of hormones, including oxytocin, dopamine and an endorphin rush, is released in the brain during intercourse. These hormones work together to improve sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual activity can make you feel healthier and improve your well-being. In addition, regular sex with your partner is one of the best ways to keep your relationship going and alive. So, make love and enjoy it to the fullest! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Health-Benefits-of-Sex.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-health-benefits-of-sex/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19910</ID> <title>Detecting STIs</title> <publishDate>2022-09-07 05:40:34</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_263 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_302"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_314 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_216 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_648 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_649 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_650 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_335 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking responsibility for your sexual health ranges from planning out pregnancy and pregnancy prevention to growing intimacy with your partner through understanding how your partner best receives pleasure. But one element of sexual health that doesn't often get the attention it deserves is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-021-01296-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sexually transmitted diseases and infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Whether you do or do not have any personal experience with them, sexually transmitted diseases are a subject that every health-conscious adult needs to understand.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testing for STIs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from a sexually transmitted infection, the first step is to contact your primary care physician. Once you've scheduled a visit to your doctor, being honest with them about your sexual activity is imperative. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/does-routine-blood-work-test-for-stds-46885016?utm_medium=redirect&amp;amp;utm_campaign=US:RO&amp;amp;utm_source=direct" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testing for STIs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is not a regular part of a standard checkup, so you should not schedule a checkup expecting to be tested. Remember that honesty is the first step in getting tested for STIs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once this conversation has taken place, your doctor will determine which tests are best for your circumstances. This step is necessary because different STIs require different kinds of tests. They include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/get-tested/how-does-std-testing-work#" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;urine tests, cheek swabs, blood tests, physical examinations and removal of fluids or cell samples with a swab&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not all tests will render immediate results; some will come back the same day, while others can take days or even weeks to show results. After getting tested, make a note to call your doctor after some time has passed if you don't find out your test results immediately.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What are the Symptoms of STIs?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The range of options for detecting STIs available in modern medical facilities is impressive, but how can you tell if you should go in for testing in the first place? The key is to stay on the lookout for the physical symptoms that might indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted disease or infection. These &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/stds_common_symptoms/article.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;symptoms vary for different infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so don't be afraid to research.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The list of symptoms includes some that are similar to the flu, such as fever, body aches, swollen glands and a general tired feeling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/get-tested" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are more localized to the genitalia, such as unusual discharge, itching, sores or bumps and a burning sensation during urination. Increased frequency of urination, as well as irritation or swelling of the penis, vagina, vulva or anus, can also be an indicator. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/stds_common_symptoms/article.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also include flesh-colored warts around the genital area, blisters around the genital area or scaly rashes over the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, meaning no symptoms will present themselves even if you do have the infection. Although &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/asymptomatic-disease-and-the-std-epidemic-3133039" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no symptoms may be present&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it is still possible for you to pass the infection along to your sexual partners, which means it's important to get tested regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Avoid STIs?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you have personal experience with sexually transmitted infections or not, it's essential to know what steps you and future partners can take to avoid catching them in the future. One of the simplest is to remember to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-to-prevent-stis#:~:text=Use%20a%20latex%20or%20polyurethane,a%20higher%20risk%20of%20STIs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;use condoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; - whether made out of latex or polyurethane - every time you engage in sexual intercourse. A more comprehensive prevention method is to keep track of and reduce your number of sexual partners since an increase in partners increases the chance of getting an STI.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is also critical to understand that some kinds of sexual activity carry more risk than others. Anal sex, for example, poses a certain risk to tissues in the rectum that can break easily. Because it involves a potential tissue rupture, anal sex carries a higher risk of transmitting an STI. Bodily fluids, of course, can also transmit STIs. So, whether or not you're in a monogamous relationship, knowing the facts about STI symptoms and testing is crucial for taking responsibility for your sexual health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Detecting-STIs.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/detecting-stis/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19903</ID> <title>3 Dermatologist-Approved Ingredients to Strengthen Your Skin As You Age</title> <publishDate>2022-09-06 05:04:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_264 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_303"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_315 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_217 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_651 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_652 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_653 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_336 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Man or woman, young or old, we all have a responsibility to care for ourselves. For our quality of life and the benefit of our loved ones, we should do everything possible to maintain our health, including skincare! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The aging process can sometimes make skincare feel like a losing battle, but there's no need to throw in the towel! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://askthescientists.com/science-of-skincare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plentiful research has gone into the science of skincare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and we're now able to benefit from recommendations by professionals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Should I Choose Sunscreen?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first indispensable ingredient when it comes to healthy skin is sunscreen. This may be an obvious choice for those of us who live in sunny climates, but the fact is that sunscreen isn't useful only for long days at the beach. Exposure to sunlight can do quite a bit of damage to your skin. The possible &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dallasdermcenter.com/blog/how-does-sun-exposure-affect-skin/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include the destruction of elastic and collagen fibers, dilation of small blood vessels under the skin, yellowing of the skin and pre-cancerous lesions. The good news is that effective sunscreen can mitigate these risks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is now a dizzying array of sunscreen available in your average supermarket. While it's up to you to choose the right brand for you and your budget, a few general guidelines from dermatologists will make the best choice stand out. The first piece of advice is to select a sunscreen listed as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://gowaxhead.com/blogs/the-thrive-lab/what-is-broad-spectrum-sunscreen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;broad-spectrum SPF&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which will protect your skin from UVA rays and UVB rays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Two other things must be kept in mind when choosing sunscreen. First, your sunscreen's sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 30. Choosing a sunscreen with SPF 30 means that you'll be protected from about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/choose-the-right-sunscreen.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;97% of UVB rays&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Since it's nearly impossible to filter out 100% of these rays, 97% is a perfectly adequate goal to aim for. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should enter the sunscreen aisle with the knowledge that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;waterproof&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;water-resistant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have different meanings. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/choose-the-right-sunscreen.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunscreen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is only water-resistant, and the bottle will typically tell you whether that resistance is good for 40 minutes or 80 minutes of swimming. Either way, the best practice is to reapply every two hours.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Do Antioxidants Help?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second ingredient to healthy skin might come as a surprise: antioxidants. The biggest threat to your skin that antioxidants protect you from is free radicals, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.curel.com/en-us/skin-health/skin-science/free-radical-damage-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;unstable molecules that damage skin cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since free radicals can break down your skin's collagen, it's essential to build a line of defense. This is where antioxidants come in. By reducing inflammation, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dermstore.com/blog/antioxidants-in-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fight against free radicals and the effects of aging. They interrupt the oxidative stress that limits your skin's ability to repair itself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antioxidants are also helpful in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dermstore.com/blog/antioxidants-in-skin-care/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protecting your skin from sun damage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because they reduce your skin's inflammation due to coming into contact with sunlight. The reduced level of inflammation means that your skin is better able to repair itself in the face of intense UV rays. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, how can antioxidants be added to your daily routine? The ingredients under the umbrella term &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/project/issue-154/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While you won't find a skincare product that says &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the bottle, you can look for these vitamins in a beneficial blend.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are Retinoids Necessary?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last ingredient is retinoids, the workhorses of the skincare world. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids can be found in skincare products applied in the evening instead of the morning. Retinoids help your skin &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles#:~:text=Retinoids%20reduce%20fine%20lines%20and,softening%20rough%20patches%20of%20skin." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;build collagen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, reducing lines and wrinkles resulting from aging and stimulating the production of blood vessels. While there are prescription-strength retinoid products on the market, you don't need a diagnosis to seek out products that can help your skin remain strong despite aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Strengthen-Your-Skin-As-You-Age.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/3-dermatologist-approved-ingredients-to-strengthen-your-skin-as-you-age/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19896</ID> <title>These 5 Healthy Habits Could Add 10 Years to Your Life</title> <publishDate>2022-09-05 04:51:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_265 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_304"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_316 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_218 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_654 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_655 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_656 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_337 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Who hasn't thought about ways to prolong their youth? And while it may sound like a fantasy, there are ways to preserve your youthful vigor to a certain extent. Obviously, eternal youth is not possible, but it is possible to extend your lifespan by following healthy habits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;#1: Minimize Unhealthy Substances&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first healthy habit to be implemented into your health is limiting unhealthy substance consumption. This means cutting out foods, drinks and other unhealthy habits, with smoking and drinking at the top of the list. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Smoking&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unsurprisingly, those who want a longer life should avoid smoking. Smoking is an incredibly unhealthy addiction that can reduce your life expectancy by as much as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-habits-linked-to-a-long-life#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 years.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Moreover, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/4-top-ways-to-live-longer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from Johns Hopkins found that people who adopted four smart habits, one of which was avoiding smoking, reduced their chance of death from all causes by 80%. Thus, it is essential to quit or avoid smoking entirely in order to prolong your lifespan.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drinking&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking alcohol is not necessarily harmful in itself. However, excessive drinking (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consuming 14-25 alcoholic drinks a week) can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.onemedical.com/blog/healthy-living/longevity-7-healthy-habits-help-you-live-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shorten life spans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by one or two years, even as much as 4 to 5 years in extreme cases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, moderation (one glass per day for women, two for men) is more than salutary. Limiting alcohol consumption reduces the risks associated with excessive drinking and can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/increase-healthspan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;extend your lifespan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by lowering your risk for heart illnesses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;#2: Exercise Often &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another key healthy habit for a long life is regular exercise. To stay healthy for as long as possible, it is vital that you get up and move every single day. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to become a marathon runner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.onemedical.com/blog/healthy-living/longevity-7-healthy-habits-help-you-live-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has found that being active for 15 minutes every day can add up to three years to your life! Additionally, the aforementioned Johns Hopkins &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/4-top-ways-to-live-longer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; concluded that daily exercise is one of the four smart habits we must implement for a long, healthy life. So, if you want a healthy life, make sure you exercise for 15-30 minutes a day!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;#3: Eat Healthy Foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A key component of living a long life is eating healthily. While this may look different for each person regarding calorie amounts of food groups, everyone can benefit from eating more plants and nuts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-habits-linked-to-a-long-life#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are a great source of minerals that have been linked to a 39% decreased risk for premature death. Likewise, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-habits-linked-to-a-long-life#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;plants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have been found to reduce cancer risks by 29-52% and lower premature death risks by 12-15%. So, regardless of what you like to eat or how many calories you need, you have to eat more nuts and plants if you want a longer life!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;#4: Get a Healthy Amount of Sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep, while often overlooked, is an invaluable part of a healthy lifestyle. However, both over and undersleeping are highly detrimental to your health. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/things-to-stop-if-you-want-to-live-longer-2223866" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on people's sleep, sleeping too little or sleeping far too much can increase your risk of death. To keep a careful balance between these two extremes, try to go to bed at the same time every night and get &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.onemedical.com/blog/healthy-living/longevity-7-healthy-habits-help-you-live-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7-8 hours of rest every night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;#5: Be Active in Your Mental Health &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last tip is to be active in mental health. While sometimes overlooked, your mental health can have unquestionable effects on your life. It's essential to minimize negative mental states like stress, anger, loneliness and fear since they can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/things-to-stop-if-you-want-to-live-longer-2223866" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shorten your lifespan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Thus, keeping your mind positive and being active in your social life is critical to keeping your life healthy and long.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key to a long life isn't the fountain of youth or some magical potion— it's living a healthy lifestyle. By exercising regularly, managing your diet, sleeping enough, staying positive and steering clear of unhealthy substances, you can keep your life healthier longer. The real fountain of youth hides in the habits you practice every day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Healthy-Habits.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/these-5-healthy-habits-could-add-10-years-to-your-life/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19887</ID> <title>Consequences of Zinc Deficiency</title> <publishDate>2022-09-02 04:31:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_266 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_305"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_317 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_219 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_657 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_658 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_659 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_338 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body properly functions only with the right amount of necessary vitamins and minerals. A valuable example of such nutrients is zinc, a mineral necessary for your body to fight infections and produce new cells. With such a fundamental role in the human body, it's no surprise that any zinc deficiency may be detrimental to your health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does Mild Zinc Deficiency Develop?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc is one of the essential elements in the human biological system, helping the body ward off infections, heal injuries and manage the senses of smell and taste. Although your body does not need a large quantity of zinc intake for proper function, even so, you can still develop a zinc deficiency. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An adult needs no more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;11 milligrams&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of zinc on a daily average. For breastfeeding women, the quantity increases to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12 milligrams&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The only way you can develop zinc deficiency is if you skip some of the following foods:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red meat;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oysters;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seafood (especially crab and lobster); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cereal;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole grains;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dairy products;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These foods are consistent with providing the human body with abundant zinc levels. Therefore, not eating any foods with zinc in their composition makes zinc deficiency a troubling prospect. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Signs of Zinc Deficiency? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc is essential for the human body, so it is only natural that zinc deficiency has some severe and harmful symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Loss of appetite;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Delayed wound healing; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Impaired sense of smell and taste;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weakened immune system;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal imbalances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Zinc Deficiency Cause Weight Loss? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A severe symptom of zinc deficiency is drastic weight loss. Because they impair the senses of smell and taste, zinc deficiency may influence the appetite. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc Deficiency and Anxiety  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another zinc deficiency symptom is frequent mood changes. Zinc deficiency can lead to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/50622" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; neurological and somatic symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as increased anxiety, irritability, emotional instability and depression. This is why a lot of anxiety and anti-depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/50622" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; medications contain zinc&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc Deficiency and Nails&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The association between the body's zinc levels and nails speaks about the function of your metabolism. Zinc encourages the production and strength of protein in your body. And because nails contain protein, zinc deficiency can&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746228/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; influence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; their toughness. If the zinc deficiency is significant, a person could &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746228/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lose their nails completely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Zinc Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Failure to address zinc deficiency promptly may result in hair loss. Zinc has a significant role in regulating hormone levels and keeping your metabolism healthy. Hormones are tied to your hair growth, keeping it strong and healthy. Because of zinc deficiency, the immune system is jeopardized, and you can develop&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/wellness/story/fatigue-suffering-vitamin-deficiencies-iron-zinc-tired-health-wellness-275953-2015-12-07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; alopecia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an auto-immune disease that causes significant hair loss. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Zinc Deficiency Cause Fatigue?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hsr2.301" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the most common symptom of zinc deficiency. Without enough zinc, the body will lack the required energy levels for metabolism, and the muscles will lose their functional capacity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Zinc Deficiency Cause Dizziness?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you experience dizziness through an episode of zinc deficiency, it is time to call your physician. Zinc has a lot of essential roles in your bodies, so experiencing dizziness means your levels are dangerously low. Dizziness and fatigue symptoms may lead to unconsciousness.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Zinc Deficiency Cause Skin Problems? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc is the primary mineral that helps your body fight infection and heal your wounds. Therefore, zinc deficiency will impair your body's ability to heal. Zinc deficiency can also lead to eczema and rashes that won't heal with lotions or moisturizers. Your rashes, wounds and eczema will truly heal only by regulating your zinc levels.   &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is There Such a Thing as Severe Zinc Deficiency?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some cases, your zinc levels can get so low that they will lead to more severe symptoms. Although uncommon, severe zinc deficiency can be very harmful and lead to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/zinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; impotence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, pregnancy issues, skin and eye lesions, hair loss, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation and hypogonadism in males.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Best Zinc Supplements?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to ensure a healthy zinc intake, zinc supplements may be your next step. Such is the preferred approach for vegetarians, who can't take their zinc from red meat or seafood. Some of the best zinc supplementation products are: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/double-strength-zinc-picolinate-60-s-1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thorne Research Zinc Picolinate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One capsule of Thorne Research Zinc Picolinate provides 30mg of zinc, a safe quantity for your body to take in at once.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodstate.com/products/liquid-ionic-zinc-ultra-concentrate-10-drops-equals-15mg-100-servings-bpa-free-plastic-bottle"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Good State Ionic Liquid Zinc Ultra Concentrate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you are not really on good terms with pills. That's not going to be a problem! This zinc supplement comes in liquid form, which is especially good for children. It also allows you to customize the doses and mix them directly with water or juice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-premium-zinc-gluconate-30-mg-250-tabs"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Swanson Zinc Gluconate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Swanson supplements are well known for their affordable price. One capsule is priced at a few cents, perfect if you don't wish to purchase for the long run. The only downside to these supplements is that the dosage may be a little high for some people, so be sure to check the label before consumption.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you ever find yourself experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, weight and hair loss, fatigue or dizziness, don't hesitate to contact your physician. Zinc deficiency can turn into a life-threatening problem. Because zinc is such an essential mineral, experiencing zinc deficiency can only lead to significant health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Zinc-Deficiency.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/consequences-of-zinc-deficiency/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19272</ID> <title>Decluttering and Organization: The Effects on Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-08-28 10:39:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_267 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_306"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_318 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_220 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_660 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_661 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_662 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_339 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering and organization have numerous &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bewell.stanford.edu/a-clean-well-lighted-place/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;positive effects on mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When your surroundings are clean and organized, your brain, no longer concerned about the surrounding mess, finds it easier to focus and be productive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Happens to Your Mental Health When You Organize Your Home?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Organization and decluttering can have a considerable impact on your mental health. It can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed by reducing the stimuli our brains need to process. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://paw.princeton.edu/article/psychology-your-attention-please" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by Dr. Sabine Kastner of Princeton University, our brains are not good at blocking clutter. Working in a cluttered space makes it harder for your brain to focus on the task at hand.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://repettilab.psych.ucla.edu/no%20place%20like%20home.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;UCLA study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, how we describe our homes affects our moods, so keeping our spaces neat and clean can significantly improve our moods. The bigger the mess, the more stressed and unhappy we are likely to become.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Start Decluttering and Organizing Your Home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering is the process of removing unnecessary things from your space. It can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start with one room at a time. Ensure you have enough boxes or bins to hold all of the items you want to keep and make sure that they are labeled to know what goes in each box or bin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take everything out of the room and start sorting by category: clothes, books, kitchen supplies, etc. Once everything is sorted out, take each category outside the room and put them in their respective boxes or bins. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to getting rid of old possessions, those that no longer provide much value should be discarded first. Unless an object brings you a sense of joy, holds fond memories for your life or is a possession worth holding on to, it's time to let go.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can get rid of your unwanted items in numerous ways:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Donating to a charity shop;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Selling your possessions online;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking your possessions to a recycling center.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering and Essentialism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering is not about getting rid of everything in your home or office; it's about getting rid of the things that don't serve any purpose in your life. As you declutter, remember to be mindful of how different items make you feel. There is more to decluttering than just tossing things out. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by Greg McKeown lays out a guide on living a more fulfilling life by decluttering and simplifying. The author argues that we should focus on life's essentials and eliminate the clutter. By focusing on what is essential, we create more meaningful relationships with our possessions. In addition, by eliminating distractions, our lives become more simple, and our brains will process information quicker.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering and organization have numerous positive effects on mental health. When your surroundings are clean and organized, your brain, no longer concerned about the surrounding mess, finds it easier to focus and be productive. Decluttering is not just about throwing away your old clothes or unwanted items; it's about getting rid of the mental clutter we all carry around with us.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Decluttering-Organization.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/decluttering-and-organization-the-effects-on-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19266</ID> <title>5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Start Living NOW</title> <publishDate>2022-08-27 10:25:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_268 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_307"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_319 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_221 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_663 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_664 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_665 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_340 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life can be challenging and unfair sometimes, but we have to push ourselves to go on. Life is a gift. We need to see and enjoy the beauty of being alive. There may be some downfalls in life, but we need to stand back up and start again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is time to get motivated to move on and face life's daily challenges.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Self-Reflection and Meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the famous Greek philosopher &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/self-motivation-meaning-examples-and-importance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aristotle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the beginning of all wisdom is knowing yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The process of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mindworks.org/blog/self-reflection-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;self-reflection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is to recognize our thoughts, feelings, values and beliefs. It gives us insight into our thoughts and aspirations. Find some time to sit quietly in a room alone, meditate to connect with your inner self and focus on the moment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reflection through meditation can help you reevaluate your principles and core values. It gives you the chance to look back and identify the values that sometimes go astray. A mindful and reflective brain helps you keep your words and actions in check. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember that we all have a role to play in shaping our destiny. In making appropriate decisions that are compatible with our purpose, it is essential to take some time to sit and think about it. It keeps us focused on our future. The results of meditation are genuine joy and well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Create and See the Positive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-think-positive#overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of 70,000 women found that optimistic women had a significantly lower risk of dying from several major causes of death, such as heart disease, stroke, cancers, infection and respiratory diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being a positive thinker doesn't erase all the problems we encounter. It isn't magic. It will just make our problems more manageable. Positive thinking can help you approach and deal with hardships more productively. Other proven benefits of positive thinking include a better quality of life, higher energy levels, faster recovery from injury or illness, lower rates of depression and a longer life span.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creating and seeing the positive in your daily life can be achieved through positive self-talk and imagery. In every situation, focus on the positive instead of the negative. You can always find the silver lining, even if it isn't apparent yet. Eventually, all things will come all right with positivity. Remind yourself that things will get better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Do What You Love&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are stuck in a job you hate, get out of it as soon as possible! Instead, find your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/motivate-yourself.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;passion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, something you can enjoy while doing. The famous quote from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intrepidexecutivegroup.com/blog/love-youll-never-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Confucius&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;do what you love and you'll never have to work again&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, still holds until this day. Take some time to find out what your true passions in life are, then research jobs regarding that passion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you find the job that aligns with your passion(s), plan a course of action to make the transition. Don't second-guess yourself about the "what ifs," or you will never succeed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Embarking on a new job may sound daunting since there is no guarantee of success. What you need to take are the first initial steps. Then, take the plunge and do all the best you can. Keep the faith and pursue your passion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Be Grateful&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2022/02/01/7-ways-of-remembering-youre-going-to-die-one-day-motivates-you-to-live-in-the-moment/?sh=11e4d7106ffe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be thankful for what you have&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You'll have it all by starting your day with appreciation. Life is a fragile gift. It isn't perfect, but the goal is to be happy. Happiness is giving thanks to what you have and still striving for more. Look around and be thankful for all you have to see how far you've come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Live in the Moment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We spend so much time replaying the past moments or planning too much for the future. That's how we miss the great moments that are unveiled right before us. Next time you have the opportunity, stop and enjoy the moment. We have no idea how many more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/5-reasons-why-should-live-the-moment-instead-planning-too-much.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;moments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; we still have to experience in this life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Living in the present is one of the sure-fire methods you can adopt to manifest genuine happiness in your life. However, there is still a need for a necessary plan and goals. You can plan to invest in yourself or save money, but don't forget that you are in the present.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start looking for your motivation. Set aside all of the negativity and simply start. Keep a list of your goals and work your way to accomplish them with a positive mindset. Say "thank you" more often. You can write down what you are grateful for as a daily routine. Exciting goals such as improving your fitness, getting an education, saving money or starting a business can keep you motivated. Reflect every day and see how far you have come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Motivate-Yourself.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-ways-to-motivate-yourself-to-start-living-now/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19256</ID> <title>You're Never Too Old to Play: 20 Joyful Activities to Add to Your Self-care Routine</title> <publishDate>2022-08-26 10:09:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_269 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_308"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_320 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_222 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_666 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_667 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_668 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_341 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding joy and meaning in life keeps us young, so we should never shy away from finding something that brings us enjoyment. People are never too old to try a new activity that might seem fit only for the young crowd. So, what's stopping you from engaging in joyful activities that will do wonders to your physical and mental health? You may believe it to be an annoyingly outdated truism, but, indeed, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;age is just a number, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as long as you make it so.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add Something New to Your Daily Activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When was the last time you opened a cookbook and took a shot at expanding your culinary knowledge? So many people don't find time to cook or try new recipes, which is hard to understand since cooking can be such a relaxing and rewarding activity! Of course, we're not talking about French fries or mashed potatoes. Instead, grab some friends and sweeten it up with a crazy dessert recipe! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't be afraid to create a mess—the first try is never perfect. Fancy hot chocolate is always a terrific start if you want to start small. Whipped cream, sprinkles, cookies, berries, marshmallows—anything you can think of, you can add into the cup. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next, look through your wardrobe. Find a T-shirt that you already know hasn't been your favorite lately. Then, buy a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/best-tie-dye-kits-5077127" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tie-dye kit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and let your imagination fly sky high! Create something unique while having fun at the same time.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One thing is sure—we always style our hair, and mostly we style it with monotony. It's time to mix it up by challenging yourself and trying new hairstyles every day. French braids and ponytails always bring back that youthful feeling we all need in our lives.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pick Up New Hobbies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no shame in trying something new because you never know what you might enjoy. Knitting always seems like the hobby everyone wants to get on but never does. So, challenge your creativity and create a blouse, scarf or even a simple coaster. We all have to begin somewhere. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Braiding bracelets is also a refreshing hobby if you think knitting is not for you. Pick up a pattern and create bracelets for your friends or family. This hobby allows the finished product to be gifted and keeps your mind sharp.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe hobbies that involve your hands and body are not your type. But there are always alternatives for everyone. One of the oldest and most known hobbies is reading. The variety of genres and authors will keep you engaged, help you learn new words and train your mind! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not a fan of the written or printed word? Audiobooks are always a splendid alternative! You can listen to an audiobook when taking a bath, mowing your lawn or doing household chores. It is phenomenal how audiobooks allow you to kill two birds with one stone!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel like taking up a hobby that involves exercising and being fun simultaneously, buy either a hula hoop, a yoga mat or a jumping rope. These exercises require very little time from your schedule and give you the boat of energy you need.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do Something That Makes You Feel Young&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dancing is an activity that brings out youthfulness in everyone! It is a fun way of exercising that allows for infinite versatility—you can never get bored of it! So, grab a couple of friends and throw a dancing party every now and then, with different thematics and costumes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grab some makeup and try that look you were too afraid to see on you. Use that shade from your pallet you never touched, draw that big wing you always feared and put on the most scandalous lipstick color you own.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games are such a big part of teens' lives right now, so why not give them a try? There are endless video games from which you can choose. You have to find something that brings you joy and can keep you hooked. Maybe you will enjoy gardening games or the ones involving strategy—it doesn't matter. Video games keep your mind young and train your reflexes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have some friends and pull out that dusted Scrabble game from the wardrobe! Board games such as backgammon, Monopoly, chess, Sorry!, Rummy and Pictionary are always great when played with friends. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every young teen had a journal in which they wrote anything that flew through their mind. And, of course, somehow, it always ended up in your mother's hands. But now it's yours and yours only. So, vent your feelings in a journal, and you will feel exactly like a teenager.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rewatch your favorite series or childhood cartoon, and don't forget the popcorn. So what if you already watched it a hundred times? That's why it is your favorite! Grab a cozy blanket and a comfortable pillow and start binging. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Go for a picnic in the park with your significant other or some friends. Prepare small sandwiches and some refreshing apple juice that will make you feel like a small child. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Listen to a podcast while driving to work. This will keep you curious until you return for your drive back home. I bet your favorite YouTuber has a podcast, so start from there! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This may seem like a chore, but organizing and reorganizing your home can bring you joy! It doesn't have to be anything huge. Start by grabbing those used napkins from your desk and organizing your books and plants. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Go to the park and jump on the first swing you see. I bet you will get some looks thrown at you, but worrying about it should be your last problem. Feel like a kid again and allow no one to stop you! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grab some fresh flowers that will improve the scenery of your house. Flowers do not have to be gifted to you by someone all the time. Instead, you can head to the flower shop by yourself and grab the first bouquet that stands out. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, you can always grab your fanciest clothes and have a dress-up by yourself, just like when you were young. You are never too old for dress-up, but you can wear your clothes this time instead of your mum's.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many activities can bring joy to your life, but first, you have to find out which ones are perfect for you. Never be afraid to explore your possibilities and do what makes you feel young. Then, you can spread the joy and ask your friends to join in for a great day!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Self-care-Routine.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/youre-never-too-old-to-play-20-joyful-activities-to-add-to-your-self-care-routine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19249</ID> <title>Can Orgasms Improve Your Mental Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-25 09:54:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_270 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_309"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_321 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_223 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_669 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_670 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_671 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_342 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We think of orgasms as the height of physical pleasure. However, orgasms can do more than just make you feel good on a physical level—they can also help improve your mental health!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Do Orgasms Do to Your Brain? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orgasms are an intense physical sensation in response to a build-up of sexual tension. They are experienced as an increased heart rate, blood pressure and involuntary muscle contractions resulting in intense pleasure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orgasms also affect us on a physiological level, altering our brain chemistry through the release of hormones to help us feel good and reinforce our attachment to our partners. These hormones are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/orgasm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dopamine and oxytocin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, two chemical messengers associated with positive feelings. Both of these chemicals can positively impact your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Does Dopamine Do?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dopamine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neurotransmitter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also called the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"feel-good" hormone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for its ability to make the body feel good. Dopamine also works as part of the body's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fight-or-flight system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, helping to relax the body and relieve stress. When releasing dopamine, the body is helping itself to relax and making it feel good, rewarding whatever behavior sparked the release. Naturally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;this process can become addictive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as is the case with junk food, which can cause a dopamine release in the brain. Behaviors that cause a dopamine release are associated with happiness, even to the point of addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Does Oxytocin Do? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oxytocin is a hormone that the body produces to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22618-oxytocin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regulate its reproductive system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Since it's a hormone, oxytocin, like dopamine, also works as a messenger in the body, reacting to and creating several bodily functions. For example, oxytocin works in your brain by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22618-oxytocin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fostering feelings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of trust, arousal, romantic attachment and even recognition of others. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This hormone helps us form social bonds with others, from friends to family and even partners. Without oxytocin, we wouldn't be able to form meaningful relationships critical to one's mental health. As a result, oxytocin is a wide-reaching hormone essential to our well-being. Moreover, due to these extensive effects, oxytocin has been connected to various &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22618-oxytocin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental phenomena&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including anxiety, depression and addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Orgasms Improve Your Mental Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because orgasms release dopamine and oxytocin, they can significantly improve your mental health by helping you feel happier and more connected to others. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orgasms are more than just a happy feeling. Researchers found in a study of newlywed couples that because of the oxytocin they release, orgasms could leave a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://happiful.com/orgasms-what-are-the-mental-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feeling of satisfaction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that can last as long as 48 hours after experiencing one.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dopamine releases reinforce these feelings of satisfaction and stimulate the reward system in your brain to help create a feeling of persistent happiness and reduce stress. Additionally, researchers have found that the release of these hormones can even boost your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellsanfrancisco.com/orgasms-good-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;confidence and self-esteem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orgasms also release other chemicals and hormones that can help keep one's sex drive strong and help create a lifestyle that relieves the stress and anxiety at the root of mental illness. While this is not as powerful as therapy, medication and clinical treatment, orgasms can still help to leave you feeling less stressed. Additionally, this state can even help you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellsanfrancisco.com/orgasms-good-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by relaxing and causing you to become sleepy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orgasms are much more than just a physical reaction. They can also affect your brain by releasing hormones that boost mood and happiness. Therefore, orgasms can improve your mental health by boosting your confidence and causing you to feel happier. Orgasms may not be the cure-all to mental illnesses, but they certainly can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that may keep you from finding your mental balance.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Orgasms-for-a-Better-Life.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/can-orgasms-improve-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19238</ID> <title>Hydration Facts: Your Favorite Beverages Compared</title> <publishDate>2022-08-24 09:32:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_271 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_310"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_322 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_224 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_672 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_673 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_674 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_343 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking water is considered the fundamental factor in hydration—the human body cannot survive without it. That's why drinking enough water, especially during working hours, is essential. Imagine your day without water; you would feel lethargic and sluggish. In the summer, when the temperatures are sky-high, you will feel more dehydrated, and your productivity will decrease accordingly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water alone doesn't quite cut it in terms of hydration; you need minerals that provide electrolytes to ensure your body is functioning at its best.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electrolytes are essential for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various bodily functions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as regulating the heartbeat and blood pressure, digestion, muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Therefore, it is paramount to look at your drinks' electrolyte and mineral content to optimize hydration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated, sometimes, we need an extra boost. That's where sports drinks come in. Sports drinks contain minerals such as sodium and potassium, as well as carbohydrates for energy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many types of sports drinks, usually categorized by the number of carbohydrates. These are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.diabetes.co.uk/sports-drinks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; sports drinks. Each type has its use in different sports and physical activities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports drinks can help replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration during extended exercise or heat exposure periods. But not all sports drinks are made the same. Check the ingredients to find out which sports drink has the right balance of minerals, carbohydrates and electrolytes to keep you going.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coconut Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coconut water is a drink that many people consume to hydrate themselves. It has many benefits and can be used to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-water-benefits#1.-Good-source-of-several-nutrients" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;substitute for water intake&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when one is feeling dehydrated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coconut water is an excellent source of minerals and hydration. It's packed with electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium and sodium, which help keep your body hydrated and functioning properly. Coconut water is also a good source of antioxidants and vitamins, making it a healthy choice for keeping your body hydrated and healthy for sports or daily life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vegetable and Fruit Juices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vegetable and fruit juices contain minerals and vitamins that can help the body stay hydrated. These juices are made up of mostly water. They are also a good way to pack the body with more nutrients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look for juices with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.svasthlife.com/fruits/often-asked-which-fruit-juice-is-good-for-dehydration.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high water and lower carbohydrate content&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for hydration, such as cucumber, watermelon, honeydew and other melon juices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee is often cited as a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/caffeinated-drinks/faq-20057965#:~:text=Drinking%20caffeine%2Dcontaining%20beverages%20as,increase%20the%20risk%20of%20dehydration." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dehydrating beverage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but this is not entirely accurate. While coffee does have a mild diuretic effect, it is not dehydrating in the sense that it causes your body to lose more water than it takes in. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In fact, coffee contains a fair amount of minerals and other nutrients that contribute to your overall hydration levels. Especially when mixed with milk, coffee can be quite beneficial to your hydration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of course, it's important to remember that coffee is not a water replacement, and you should still make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. But if you're looking for a way to get a little extra boost of minerals and hydration, coffee may be a good option.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Milk is a great option for hydration. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ajc.com/pulse/why-water-isnt-the-best-liquid-when-youre-dehydrated/OJE2YHNLDGQVUZOBAKQS76AKAA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that skim milk is one of the best ways to combat dehydration. Many minerals found in milk can help hydrate your body, including calcium, potassium and sodium. However, a significant portion of the population is lactose intolerant. If you're lactose intolerant, avoid milk as a source of hydration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking plenty of fluids is the best way to stay hydrated, but not all fluids are created equal. Water is always the best choice for hydration, but other drinks, with their solid mineral composition, can help. Just be sure to choose a drink that contains the right minerals that are easily absorbed and used by the body for replenishment and hydration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hydration-Facts.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/hydration-facts-your-favorite-beverages-compared/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19231</ID> <title>Panic Attacks and Anxiety</title> <publishDate>2022-08-23 08:40:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_272 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_311"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_323 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_225 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_675 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_676 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_677 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_344 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our lives can get busy and stressful. So, it's fairly normal for people to experience panic attacks and anxiety these days. Unfortunately, many people still confuse anxiety and panic attacks, sometimes claiming they are the same thing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Panic Attacks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Panic attacks are short periods (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; up to 10 minutes) of experiencing intense feelings of overwhelming fear. They manifest suddenly, without any warnings, and come along with difficult symptoms such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nausea;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shortness of breath;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Palpitations;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweating;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sense of choking;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chest pain;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trembling;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dizziness;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different people manifest different panic attack symptoms. Specific external and internal stressors induce panic attacks where often, the internal stressors manifest themselves through thoughts and constant worry about the unknown future. Conditions that can cause a panic attack are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social phobia;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety disorders;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Agoraphobia (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the fear of crowded or open spaces).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are, of course, medical conditions that can induce panic attacks as well. For example, asthma, thyroid problems, cardiac issues and neurologic problems can all play a significant part in panic attacks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety is a natural human reaction when someone expects a future outcome. People feel anxious when they are worried or afraid about what could happen in the future. It manifests through our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. The typical anxiety symptoms are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Difficulty concentrating; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Irritability;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anger;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle tension;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep disturbances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because anxiety is normal for people to experience, the causes are not as grave and specific as in panic attacks. A stressful job, an incoming exam, driving, social situations, phobias or memories of traumatic experiences are all causes of anxiety. Some people can become anxious about very banal things or events such as a birthday party next Friday or the high prices at the supermarket. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Differences between Anxiety and Panic Attacks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because anxiety and panic attacks have similar physical symptoms, people think they are the same. But that's not the case. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The differences between the two manifest themselves through the emotional symptoms. When having a panic attack, you will feel a sense of detachment from the world and powerful fear of dying or losing control. But when experiencing anxiety, you will feel apprehension, worry, distress and restlessness. The only similarity between the two is the fear you will feel. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Treat Anxiety without Medication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medication is a simple way to combat anxiety, but not the only one. Talking to one of your friends or a family member, shouting as loud as you can, screaming, punching a pillow and stomping your feet are as important to treating anxiety as medication. These methods ensure a much-needed healthy release of emotions and stress. You must embrace anxiety as a part of you because if you bottle it up, you will never be able to let it go.    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other ways to partially relieve your anxiety are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking less caffeine;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping as much as you need;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saying "no" whenever you feel like it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Treat Panic Attacks without Medication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are fewer ways to fight panic attacks without medication than with anxiety attacks because panic attacks are more draining and heavier on your body and mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breathing exercises and applied relaxation are effective ways to combat panic attacks. These approaches are perfect for counteracting hyperventilation, a major part of a panic attack. Training your muscles to relax on demand will prove helpful when facing muscle tension.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other ways to fight panic attacks without medication are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-monitoring your symptoms;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your mind occupied and away from stressors;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Talking about your feelings;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cutting back on sugar and caffeine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People must be aware of the difference between panic attacks and anxiety. Contact a medical professional if you notice you have or are experiencing a panic attack. It's best to approach the problem swiftly and learn how to control it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Panic-Attacks-and-Anxiety.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/panic-attacks-and-anxiety/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19221</ID> <title>What Is Stress Tracking?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-22 08:19:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_273 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_312"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_324 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_226 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_678 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_679 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_680 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_345 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress is a big part of our lives. Being stressed is a normal part of our lives, from work-related stress to the stress we run in at home. We must learn to monitor and control this stress as it's becoming a rising problem.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that it has become relatively easy to track our stress levels because of modern technology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Stress Tracking?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may not be aware of what is causing stress in your life. That is why you have to start stress tracking. To do so, you have to keep track of the times you feel stressed by writing them down on a notepad or your phone so you can find out what triggers your stress levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't have the time or energy to stress track manually, worry not! There are devices precisely built for stress tracking. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A stress tracking gadget is a device that monitors physiological stress indicators through heart rate monitors. Old technology allowed us to monitor our heartbeats per minute but now new devices have developed and function much faster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress Tracking App&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress tracking has never been easier. Because most people nowadays have a smartphone, many developers create stress-tracking apps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://apkpure.com/gps-for-the-soul/com.huffingtonpost.gpsforthesoul" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;GPS for the Soul&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This stress tracking app uses biofeedback to help you regulate your stress levels. Also, the app contains meditation tools such as calming pictures and soothing music. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe2relax/id425720246" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breathe2Relax&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Breathe2Relax app contains breathing exercises to stimulate your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_diaphragm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diaphragm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and information on the adverse effects of stress on your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/personal-zen/id689013447" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personal Zen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personal Zen is a stress tracking app developed by a psychology and neurosciences professor. It's based on a series of games meant to reduce your anxiety levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.148apps.com/app/304062482/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Squeeze and Shake&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On a funnier note, this stress tracking app lets you externalize your stress on a virtual rubber duck. This little yellow friend is the perfect tool for venting your anger and stress harmlessly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress Tracking Watch &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Technology made it possible for us to keep track of our stress levels. Devices such as Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch or any other smartwatch offer you the possibility to monitor your stress levels 24/7. Stress tracking watches have become popular in recent years because of heart rate variability.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart rate variability (HRV) measures the interval between heartbeats and focuses on each of your heartbeats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress tracking watches became popular because technology increased their accuracy. Nevertheless, we have to be careful when choosing a stress-tracking watch. If the heart rate sensor is not reading your heart rate accurately, it's time to switch to a better watch. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best Smartwatches for Stress Tracking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Bluetooth-Advanced-monitoring-Tracking/dp/B089DPMDNM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Samsung Galaxy Watch 3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Advanced-Monitoring-Tracking-Long-Lasting/dp/B07VQJ56T3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These smartwatches have built-in heart rate monitors to help you keep track of weekly graphs and stress scores. Also, they come&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with an app called Samsung's Breathing Exercises to help reduce your stress levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/apple-watch-series-6/s?k=apple+watch+series+6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apple Watch Series 6&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-GPS-40mm-Starlight/dp/B09G9FS5YN" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apple Watch SE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you fight in the war between Apple and Samsung, there is a smartwatch for team Apple. These stress tracing watches use heart rate monitors as well. They use HRV measurements and center around your stress levels. In addition, the Apple smartwatch comes with the Breathe app, which reminds you every five hours to take a break from work and focus on your breathing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Advanced-Smartwatch-Management-Temperature/dp/B08DFLG5SP" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fitbit Sense&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.de/fitness-smartwatch-continuous-monitor-assistant/dp/B08DFPZG71/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=81521607745&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAjoeRBhAJEiwAYY3nDKdy90xvH2y8OkPOfEXt4F0_DTwKlwtBALi6QWa5ZWmhcJveq-8SFRoCC-wQAvD_BwE&amp;amp;hvadid=394621135081&amp;amp;hvdev=c&amp;amp;hvlocphy=9040252&amp;amp;hvnetw=g&amp;amp;hvqmt=b&amp;amp;hvrand=2828193183165303024&amp;amp;hvtargid=kwd-420844853896&amp;amp;hydadcr=23340_1782705&amp;amp;keywords=fitbit+versa&amp;amp;qid=1646408953&amp;amp;sr=8-2-spons&amp;amp;psc=1&amp;amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQ0E5M08xUzNYNTlYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjI1OTcxMVNVVUNIUDBFNDRJNSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjQ5ODk3MzdGSDlCSFdOUko3USZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fitbit Versa 3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Wellness-Management-Tracking-Graphite/dp/B08ZF7QDXJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fitbit Luxe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lot of people love the slick style of these stress tracking watches. Like the other smartwatches, Fitbit offers the Relax app to help diminish your stress levels. This stress tracking app boomed on the market with built-in heart rate monitors, guides for breathing exercises and meditation sessions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skagen-Connected-Stainless-Touchscreen-Smartwatch/dp/B082JMMRQJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Skagen Falster 3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fossil.com/en-us/smartwatches/learn-more/gen-5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fossil Gen 5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.kay.com/fossil-sport-smartwatch-ftw6025/p/V-290634207" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fossil Sport&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These smartwatches enter the race for the most popular stress tracking watches on the market.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The breathing exercises of this smartwatch will monitor your breathing and advise you when you should slow down for a more relaxed pace. It also provides a breathing summary and points out your breathing during the exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress follows us every single day. That's why it's important to start tracking our stress levels and learn how to cope and reduce them. Our lives can get much easier by using these stress tracking apps and watches. Keep an eye out for what stresses you out and remember to relax.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Stress-Tracking.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-stress-tracking/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19214</ID> <title>Journal for Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-08-21 08:10:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_274 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_313"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_325 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_227 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_681 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_682 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_683 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_346 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health affects people all around us. There are times that we can't express our thoughts and emotions as others might invalidate what we feel. We look down on ourselves and feel anxious, stressed or depressed, isolate ourselves and stop speaking to our loved ones. This leads to people having mental issues,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165520/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the leading cause of suicide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the right therapy, mental health issues are very much treatable. One way to help with our mental health is through writing a journal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Journaling?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journaling is a writing experience that allows you to reflect on your day. You may use journaling for self-reflection and self-expression. It stands as a coping mechanism when dealing with hardships and stressful situations. You may explore your experiences to gain a greater comprehension of those events. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journaling is often used as a therapeutic activity for those suffering from depression or anxiety, allowing them to send a message to their future self about overcoming circumstances. Journaling allows readers to obtain complete clarity in their current situation by externalizing troubles into the journal itself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether for mental health or personal reasons, journaling can bring about many changes to your life. Benefits include self-understanding, accurate perception of the world around you, memory improvement, better communication skills, stress relief and improved mood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journaling for mental health helps improve communication with doctors and therapists and can help them understand how you feel.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Writing in your journal &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_journaling_can_help_you_in_hard_times" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relieves mental stress anxiety levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You could have a better understanding of your emotions whenever you are faced with a difficult situation. If you are going through an emotional situation, writing in your journal could help you break away from obsession and think clearly about moving forward.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Start Journaling?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Writing a journal is not as complicated as it might seem. Your journal is a tool that can help you process your thoughts, can give clarity to your emotions and could keep your behavior and thinking patterns in check.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journaling at least once per week will make it easier to see your progress and provide insights about yourself. Some people like to keep their journal private, while others like to share their journal with one specific person or more- a friend, a counselor or the Internet. Journaling allows for self-exploration and self-expression, which is why it should be done in a private space where you feel comfortable writing about what you want and how you feel.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Journaling Works&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping a journal is one of the most insightful things we can do for ourselves, not only in terms of giving us a strong sense of well-being but also in helping us understand ourselves better. This is because it targets the two crucial areas: thoughts and feelings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Writing is a way to disclose our emotions rather than bottling them up. Contained emotions are not mentally or physically healthy; they can cause tightness on your chest or even fainting because of extreme emotional stress. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The writing process helps us think and organize our thoughts and experiences in a sequence. This gives us the chance to reflect and think about our actions and have a better perspective on what we can do in the future to make ourselves better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not everyone can easily express themselves in a way other people do, which is why journaling is an effective tool to get these thoughts out of our system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all have stories and experiences to tell, and writing them down in a journal allows us to look back and see that we have changed for the better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Journal-for-Mental-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/journal-for-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19207</ID> <title>Orgasms for a Better Life</title> <publishDate>2022-08-21 07:53:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_275 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_314"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_326 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_228 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_684 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_685 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_686 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_347 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's no surprise that a healthy sex life will improve intimacy between romantic partners. Affectionate relationships, where each partner considers the needs and desires of the other, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/the-positive-effects-of-love-on-mental-health-5-ways-your-relationship-can-aid-in-the-treatment-process/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will do wonders for our mental and emotional health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and active sex life is often a part of that. But what if the benefits of orgasm go even further? If regular orgasms improved your overall health, would they motivate you to adjust your lifestyle accordingly? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Orgasms Improve My Physical Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yes, and in more ways than you might expect! The first aspect of your physical health influenced by orgasms is your immune system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg16221820-800-can-regular-sex-ward-off-colds-and-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania indicates that regular sex boosts your antibodies, improving your body's ability to fight off infections. The research is not 100% conclusive in this regard, but there have been enough positive findings that this dimension of sexual activity should be considered and explored further.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from the immune system boost, orgasms can lead to regular menstrual cycles. Irregular periods affect &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/womens-health/2020/november/irregular-periods-why-is-my-period-late#:~:text=After%20puberty%2C%20many%20women%20have,their%20first%20period%20and%20menopause." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;between 9% and 14% of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. There's a good chance that someone you know is affected by this phenomenon, and they might benefit from understanding methods to counteract it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thesheaf.com/2012/02/16/eight-reasons-you-should-have-sex-in-case-you-any-needed-more-convincing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from both Columbia and Stanford universities found that women who engage in sex once or more per week tend to have more regular menstrual cycles. Conversely, women who did not engage in regular sexual activity were less likely to experience regular cycles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An orgasm benefit that doesn't require as much scientific research is the strengthening of your pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles you exercise when you engage in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/kegels-should-i-do-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kegel workouts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. They are incredibly convenient because they can be done anywhere - you don't have to change into exercise wear and break a sweat to benefit from Kegels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You'll achieve the benefits of doing Kegels also through sexual activity and orgasm. The pelvic floor muscles surrounding your reproductive organs get a solid workout, and the results should be evident in weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Orgasms Reduce My Risk of Serious Disease?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The aforementioned benefits of orgasm are great, but they're all very concrete. What about the more abstract and long-term benefits of orgasms? Sexual activity has advantages here, too, with sleep at the top of the list. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you experience orgasm, your brain releases a range of hormones that have the potential to improve the quality of your sleep. Two examples are the hormones &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/orgasm-and-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vasopressin and oxytocin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which reduce stress. A heightened level of these two hormones will make it much easier to fall asleep faster.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But it's not just about how quickly you fall asleep. The chemicals released during orgasm can also improve the quality of your sleep once you're out. Two additional hormones, called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/orgasm-and-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serotonin and norepinephrine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, help your body get into the REM sleep cycles that make you feel rested. Engaging in sexual activity resulting in orgasm is a sure way to increase your body's concentration of these two hormones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orgasms play a substantial part in reducing your risk of severe diseases as well. For men, orgasm can make a big difference in avoiding prostate cancer. Whether it is achieved through masturbation, sex with a partner or nocturnal emission, orgasms can make a notable difference. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/around-the-web/one-orgasm-a-day-may-reduce-risk-for-prostate-cancer-harvard-medical-school-study-/#:~:text=The%20study%20data%20showed%20that,to%20have%20a%20sex%20partner."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicated that men who ejaculate around once per day reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer by 22%. Since &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-facts/cancer-facts-for-men.html#:~:text=Prostate%20cancer%20is%20the%20most,over%20the%20age%20of%2065." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prostate cancer is the kind that most often affects men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, this is a significant risk reduction!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are The Other Benefits of Orgasms?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, sexual activity and orgasm can benefit your life due to their cardiovascular effects. In fitness terms, sex is a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise that burns around three calories per minute. Like any aerobic exercise, sex can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prevention.com/health/a20517285/sex-for-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lower your risk of type 2 diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, lower your blood pressure and strengthen your heart. It's not a cure-all or a replacement for vigorous exercise, of course, but being aware of these orgasm benefits can help optimize your health both in and out of the bedroom.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/betterlife2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/orgasms-for-a-better-life/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19200</ID> <title>Why Does Sexual Wellness Matter?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-20 07:37:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_276 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_315"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_327 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_229 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_687 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_688 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_689 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_348 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With so many different dimensions of our health to worry about, sexual wellness often takes a backseat. Topics such as diet, exercise and sleep get a lot of attention in popular books and online sources, while our overall sexual health gets short shrift.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Sexual Wellness?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It might be tempting to define sexual wellness as a lack of sexually transmitted diseases or infections, but the truth is that the topic is more complex than that. The best way to think of sexual wellness is as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gr8ness.com/defining-sexual-wellness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being concerning sexuality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Understanding sexual wellness means acknowledging that sex is not limited to intercourse or masturbation. In conversations about overall wellness, the term 'sex' also encompasses your intimacy and connection with your partner and your self-confidence in your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual wellness encompasses three different areas: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00099-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sexual health, sexual pleasure and sexual justice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For us all to achieve the greatest possible sexual wellness, all three of these areas of sexuality must work in harmony. For one or two, or even all three areas to be imbalanced does not mean that you can't achieve sexual well-being, but this framework helps provide a place to start. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Do I Need to Know about Sexual Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the basics of sexual health is preventing and treating sexually transmitted diseases. Unfortunately, this issue has taken on public health risk proportions. Instead of a private issue affecting only the fringes of society, sexually transmitted infections saw an explosion of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-incidence-cost-2020.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;26 million new cases as recently as 2018&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While this issue affects many different age groups, it disproportionately impacts those aged 15 to 24-year-olds, who represented &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-incidence-cost-2020.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;almost half of the new STIs in 2018&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although these numbers are concerning, despair won't help the situation. Instead, it would be best if you asked what you could do. The first step is to educate yourselves and your loved ones about the realities of STDs and STIs. Understanding these health risks and how best to prevent them is critical to keeping yourself safe. Medically speaking, vaccination can be an effective way to protect yourself from STDs. Your risk is also, of course, affected by lifestyle decisions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few ways to limit your chances of contracting an STD are practicing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;abstinence, mutual monogamy or safe sex&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The resources provided by the CDC are an excellent way to dig deeper into this vital dimension of sexual health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another critical aspect of sexual health is reproductive health, and a holistic understanding of reproductive health must include knowledge of contraception. Various contraceptive methods are available to women, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/womensrh/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;including intrauterine contraception, hormonal and barrier methods and sterilization&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While this range of options can be intimidating, a conversation with your physician will help you determine which is the right approach for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Start My Sexual Wellness Journey?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the essential medical considerations already covered, let's take a moment to discuss how you can take control of your sexual wellness. Start with a simple step: strengthening your pelvic floor. You may have heard of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises/art-20045283" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kegels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an exercise that works the muscles surrounding your pelvic floor. A few minutes of Kegels per day is a great place to start!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next, make sure you understand your STI status. The best practice is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sassyhongkong.com/sexual-wellness-guide-sex-dating-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;get tested&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; either once a year or more frequently, depending on the frequency of your sexual activity. Understanding your status and developing the ability to have honest conversations about your status is critical to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, take the time to make self-pleasure a habit. In the same way that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sassyhongkong.com/sexual-wellness-guide-sex-dating-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we are not automatically skilled at sex with a partner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, we should not assume that we will automatically be skilled when it comes to masturbation. Practicing relaxation and mindfulness of your self-pleasure will not only contribute to greater self-esteem — it will lead you to a greater overall sexual wellness!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sexual-Wellness-Matter.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-does-sexual-wellness-matter/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19193</ID> <title>Functions of Vitamins and Minerals: Importance of Vitamins and Why Take a Multivitamin</title> <publishDate>2022-08-20 07:21:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_277 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_316"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_328 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_230 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_690 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_691 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_692 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_349 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The terms &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minerals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are frequently used when talking about health, but what do they actually mean? It can be challenging to sort through the wealth of information available to us via the Internet, but with the right approach and a pinch of help, you will learn why and how to use vitamins and minerals to maximize your health!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are Vitamins and Minerals?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One way to distinguish between vitamins and minerals is the organic distinction: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;while vitamins are organic substances, minerals are inorganic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The most recognizable examples of minerals are calcium, sodium and potassium. On the other hand, vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble, which impacts how your body takes in the vitamins.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different vitamins accomplish different functions in the body. Vitamin C is an interesting case because humans can't make it out of other compounds; if we're going to get vitamin C, it has to be from our diet. The recommended quantity per day is between &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-c/faq-20058030#:~:text=For%20adults%2C%20the%20recommended%20daily,Nausea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;65 and 90 milligrams&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, you should note that any intake &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-c/faq-20058030#:~:text=For%20adults%2C%20the%20recommended%20daily,Nausea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over 200 milligrams&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will be excreted as urine instead of being used by the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The intake of vitamin C is a little complex, but what benefit do we get from it? There are many advantages that you can derive from healthy vitamin C, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Vitamins-and-minerals#types-of-vitamins-and-their-functions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;collagen formation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which strengthens blood vessels and bones, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Vitamins-and-minerals#types-of-vitamins-and-their-functions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidant function&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which keeps cells healthy, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Vitamins-and-minerals#types-of-vitamins-and-their-functions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;infection fighting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which preserves your overall health. While these are critical functions for the body to perform, a healthy diet will provide the adequate amount of vitamin C your body needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The difficulty in discussing minerals is that they also perform a dizzying variety of functions in the body. For example, most of us know that calcium is critical for bone strength, but it also assists in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Vitamins-and-minerals#types-of-minerals-and-their-functions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;enzyme function&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Vitamins-and-minerals#types-of-minerals-and-their-functions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;transmitting nervous system messages throughout the body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Another popular understanding of this mineral, which turns out to be accurate, is that the best foods for getting calcium into your body are dairy-based. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/calcium/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Milk, yogurt, cheese and soymilk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; all help supply the appropriate amount of calcium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Happens When I'm Vitamin or Mineral-Deficient?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of vitamins and minerals come with a dark side: our bodies can be impacted for the worse if we are short of the elements we need. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/endoscopic-weight-loss-program/conditions/post_bariatric_surgery/vitamin_mineral_deficiency.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin D deficiency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, for example, can result in bone abnormalities. Too little of the mineral iron can lead to anemia. A lack of vitamin A can bring about visual and skin changes, and vitamin E deficiency can cause neurological disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, you can identify these deficiencies with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/endoscopic-weight-loss-program/conditions/post_bariatric_surgery/vitamin_mineral_deficiency.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a simple blood test&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Speak to your physician if you believe you're affected by a vitamin or mineral deficiency. While these problems may not affect people with a consistently healthy diet, they are essential to understand if you want to appreciate the role of vitamins and minerals in your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Value of Multivitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/is-there-really-any-benefit-to-multivitamins#:~:text=Half%20of%20all%20American%20adults,vitamin%20or%20mineral%20supplement%20regularly." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recent research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has indicated that half of America's adults take a multivitamin, so there's a good chance that the concept is familiar to you. But how much benefit can you get from these dietary supplements? The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/multivitamin/#:~:text=The%20main%20purpose%20of%20a,key%20to%20an%20optimal%20diet.)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;average multivitamin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; contains all 100% of the daily dose of the 26 vitamins and minerals critical to your health. If you're eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, multivitamins might be unnecessary.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, there are also circumstances in which a multivitamin might be the perfect boost to your regular diet. If you have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/multivitamin/#:~:text=The%20main%20purpose%20of%20a,key%20to%20an%20optimal%20diet.)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a medical condition that hinders your body's ability to absorb nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, or if you've recently undergone &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/multivitamin/#:~:text=The%20main%20purpose%20of%20a,key%20to%20an%20optimal%20diet.)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a multivitamin may do you a lot of good. If financial circumstances or a busy schedule prevent you from eating a well-rounded diet, the convenience and low cost of multivitamins will be very beneficial. Do some research, speak to your physician and consider adding a multivitamin to your daily routine!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Multivitamin.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/functions-of-vitamins-and-minerals-importance-of-vitamins-and-why-take-a-multivitamin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19186</ID> <title>What Is Upcycling Food?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-19 07:02:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_278 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_317"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_329 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_231 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_693 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_694 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_695 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_350 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You've probably heard the folk wisdom of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;waste not, want not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before. Unfortunately, food is more often wasted than put to good use with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/upcycled-food-trend-turns-waste-to-ingredients-found-on-store-shelves/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.3 billion tons of food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; wasted globally every year. This massive amount of food, enough to feed the needy population, is often discarded. That's where upcycling comes in. Upcycling allows us to repurpose food that otherwise would be thrown away. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Upcycled Food?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Upcycled Food Association describes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.upcycledfood.org/upcycled-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;upcycled food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as food outside of human consumption but with a potentially positive environmental impact. Upcycled food can range from stale bread to fruit fiber leftovers from juicing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to these "leftover products," upcycling also uses "imperfect" food, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2021/05/31/upcycled-food-is-the-coolest-trend-you-probably-never-heard-of/?sh=7b56a3932f0a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;misshapen, lightly bruised veggies or plant stems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; we say no to at the grocery store. Upcycled food uses these products to create entirely new ones, upcycling products doomed to be discarded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Upcycling Food?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The food upcycling process takes many shapes and forms. For instance, fruit pulp may be pressed into bars; the barley used in beer making may be ground into flour. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recycling discarded food is not a new concept. Humans have been upcycling food for hundreds of years. Foods like sausages, broths and jams often use &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://theconversation.com/upcycling-promises-to-turn-food-waste-into-your-next-meal-157500" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;discarded scraps from other recipes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, the company &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.upcycledfood.org/upcycled-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses discarded barley and other byproducts of making lagers and pilsners to create flours for baking and other purposes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Food Upcycling Benefits&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;Upcycling is about more than just a trendy way to reuse food; it's also about saving the environment and avoiding unnecessary waste. Food waste in our modern society is devastating, amounting to &lt;a href="https://www.upcycledfood.org/upcycled-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;1 trillion dollars&lt;/a&gt; per year. All this wasted food still has to be grown in the first place, causing &lt;a href="https://www.upcycledfood.org/upcycled-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;28%&lt;/a&gt; of the land used for agriculture to grow purposeless food. Additionally, food waste accounts for &lt;a href="https://www.upcycledfood.org/upcycled-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;8%&lt;/a&gt; of greenhouse gas emissions, making it the prime target for reducing humanity's footprint on the environment. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Upcycling food combats these devastating effects of waste. The upcycling company &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Ugly Company&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has already prevented &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2021/05/31/upcycled-food-is-the-coolest-trend-you-probably-never-heard-of/?sh=7b56a3932f0a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;140,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; pounds of unnecessary fruit waste and aims to prevent another 4.6 million this year. Upcycling food also improves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2021/05/31/upcycled-food-is-the-coolest-trend-you-probably-never-heard-of/?sh=7b56a3932f0a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;food and water security&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by minimizing food waste and preserving the water used in food production. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Upcycling food is also beneficial to the consumer. Some of the most frequently discarded foods are also the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2021/05/31/upcycled-food-is-the-coolest-trend-you-probably-never-heard-of/?sh=7b56a3932f0a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most nutritious.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Upcycling these foods improves our environment and food and water security.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Easy Food Upcycling Ideas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Participating in upcycling is not difficult; it all comes down to buying from brands dedicated to upcycling food. Upcycling brands &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://myethicalchoice.com/en/journal/food-loss/upcycled-food-brands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Planetarians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (which make chips out of sunflower seeds), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Candid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (which uses plant products to sweeten their chocolate), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wize Monkey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (which makes tea out of discarded coffee leaves) and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Sweet Benin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (which juices cashew apples), just to name a few! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Upcycling food is the future of conservation, environmental efforts and fiscal responsibility. It doesn't make sense to continue to waste trillions of dollars and billions of tons of food better used to feed hungry mouths. So, don't wait any longer! Get involved and start buying from food upcyclers!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Upcycling-Food.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-upcycling-food/</url> </article> <article> <ID>19177</ID> <title>3 Foods That Fight Memory Loss</title> <publishDate>2022-08-18 06:43:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_279 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_318"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_330 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_232 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_696 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_697 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_698 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_351 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The passing of time starts to take its toll on our whole bodies, including the brain. Keeping our minds as healthy as possible is crucial towards fighting diseases associated with old age. So why not do it while savoring healthy and delicious meals? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Age Causes Memory Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our brain functions start to get rusty as we age. We take longer to process information, we forget simple words or definitions, we take longer to find answers to questions, and so on. But if we give our brain enough time, the information will come back to us by itself.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is crucial to learn the differences between normal age-related forgetfulness and the symptoms that indicate you are succumbing to illness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our brains are constantly producing new brain cells unaffected by age. As we age, because we are too weak to do as many things as when we were young, we tend to use our brains less and less. And just like muscles, if we don't use them, they lose strength. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have to keep our brains healthy by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;engaging them in daily activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One great vegetable to enjoy while keeping your mind healthy at the same time is broccoli. This vegetable is packed with compounds such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29748497/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and vitamin K, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6436180/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;essential&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for your body to form &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6436180/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sphingolipids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which is the fat found in brain cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32148962/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show a link between high vitamin K intake and better memory in older adults. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turning your nose up at the sight of broccoli? You can try cauliflower or Brussel sprouts, likewise rich in vitamin K! Also, leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collard greens are full of vitamin K.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Fruit &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Various fruits are great for keeping your mind and memory in top-notch condition. For starters, blueberries and many other berries carry plant compounds called anthocyanins, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31329250/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition, anthocyanins &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960481/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;act against&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oranges are best known for their significant vitamin C levels. But did you know that oranges can improve your memory to an elephant's level? This is because vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622720/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;essential&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in preventing mental health decline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454201/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows vitamin C enhances attention, memory and focus. Also, vitamin C &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30074145/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your brain from anxiety, depressive disorder, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not a big fan of oranges? Try kiwi, guava or strawberries instead!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although a beverage is not really considered food, we can't ignore coffee and wine's contribution to tackling memory loss.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee is the perfect beverage to keep you safe from memory loss. Coffee contains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7554764/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and caffeine, two essential components for supporting brain health. Drinking coffee also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26677204/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29167102/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; were visible in adults drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If coffee is an essential beverage for fighting memory loss, then green tea cannot escape this list. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green tea contains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;L-theanine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an amino acid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31758301/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that increases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the activity of&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the neurotransmitter GABA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that helps reduce anxiety. Green tea is also rich in polyphenols, and alongside antioxidants, they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31137655/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28056735/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that green tea improves alertness, focus, memory and performance. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In moderation, wine has positive and protective effects on our brain health. Wine contains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavonoid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;flavonoids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, plant chemicals that act as anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Drinking a couple of glasses of wine a week reduces the risk of developing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12196314/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alzheimer's disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15066068/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dementia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wine also contains an organic compound named &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resveratrol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;resveratrol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a dietary supplement found in plants). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news-release/resveratrol-impacts-alzheimers-disease-biomarker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that resveratrol can keep Alzheimer's disease away from our brains. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is vital to watch out for your brain health. By being careful about your food, you can live a long and healthy life. Although developing memory loss is always possible, keeping an eye out for your brain health is the best choice to protect it against memory loss.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Fight-Memory-Loss.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/3-foods-that-fight-memory-loss/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18916</ID> <title>How Does the Body Produce Vitamin D from Sunlight?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-15 22:51:07</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_280 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_319"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_331 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_233 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_699 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_700 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_701 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_352 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know that getting enough vitamin D is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. But have you ever wondered &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;how&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; our body creates vitamin D?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where Does the Vitamin D Production Process Start?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D production starts with Ultraviolet Ray B (UVB) exposure. The UVB rays stimulate the skin cells to produce a substance called 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), which then reacts with an enzyme called cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CSC) in order to produce cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). This process is known as vitamin D synthesis. The liver or kidneys must &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/vitamind.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;metabolize&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; vitamin D3 synthesized by the body in order to be utilized. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is another form of vitamin D found in some foods and supplements. Both vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 are converted into calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in the body. It is then further converted into a hormonally-active form called calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the sun is the best way to get your vitamin D, other factors, such as your skin color, the amount of sunscreen that you use, the time of day you go out, the time of the year, or the amount of sunlight in your part of the world, can all affect your body's vitamin D production.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D Production for Darker Skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The body's largest tissue, the skin, is vital for vitamin D production. Skin color is determined by melanin, a pigment found in skin cells called melanocytes. Melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet light and assists the production of vitamin D.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People with darker skin have a more challenging time producing vitamin D. The sun's rays do not penetrate the skin as deeply, so vitamin D production is not as efficient. The more melanin your skin has, the more difficult it is to produce vitamin D because melanin blocks UV rays from the sun from reaching your skin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946242/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that people with darker skin need more exposure to sunshine for vitamin D production, especially at higher latitudes. Therefore, the farther away from the equator, the less likely you are to produce vitamin D because of the lack of sun exposure.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Sunscreen Block Vitamin D Production?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;UVB absorption in the skin is fundamental in building Vitamin D in the body. However, UVB can also cause skin issues such as sunburn, skin cancer and eye damage. To mitigate UVB damage, most people use sunscreen lotions. So you might wonder, does using sunscreen reduce the body's ability to produce vitamin D?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30945275/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that this is not the case. Research provided little evidence to show that sunscreen affects concentrations of vitamin D. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While spending time in the sun is the best way to produce vitamin D, sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the harmful effects of too much UVB exposure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Your Body Needs Vitamin D&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D is essential for bone health and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3012979/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, two vital minerals for strong bones and teeth. It also boosts your immune system and helps regulate cell growth. A lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23253239/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;osteoporosis, cancer and other health issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The sun is the best source of vitamin D, but you can also get it from certain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as fatty fish, red meat, liver, eggs and fortified milk. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough vitamin D is essential for everyone, but it becomes vital for people who don't get much sun exposure. Consider 10–30 minutes of midday sunshine several times per week to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have darker skin, you may require a little extra than 30 minutes of sunshine per day. The amount of sun exposure should be determined by how sensitive your skin is to UV radiation and your location in the world. If the part of the world where you live does not have enough sunlight, you might consider supplements to meet your needs. Check with your doctor and get a regular blood panel done to see if your vitamin D levels are sufficient.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sunlight.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-does-the-body-produce-vitamin-d-from-sunlight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18893</ID> <title>What Is Sexual Anxiety?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-12 22:09:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_281 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_320"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_332 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_234 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_702 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_703 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_704 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_353 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the reasons couples stay happy in their relationships is their sex life. In a healthy relationship, sexual partners are open and can be intimate with each other without inhibitions. Unfortunately, not all couples are on the same page, as numerous go through toils and tribulations because of factors such as sexual anxiety (or sexual performance anxiety). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many reasons you or your sexual partner suffers from sexual anxiety, although there's no reason to despair: treating sexual performance anxiety is possible, and your healthy sex life lies just around the corner! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Sexual Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual anxiety refers to a range of negative emotions that can interfere with sexual arousal and enjoyment. These may include fear of sexual performance, body image concerns and worries about pleasing a sexual partner. Sexual performance anxiety can be short-lived and situational or it may be a long-standing problem that causes significant distress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Do I Get Sexual Performance Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous factors lie behind sexual performance anxiety, such as: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deteriorating medical conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychological issues; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being in stressful situations or overthinking that you are not good enough to please your sexual partner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Sexual Performance Anxiety Cause Erectile Dysfunction?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Erectile dysfunction symptoms include getting an insufficient erection for sex or not being able to get an erection at all. These symptoms are due to multiple health-related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, but psychological factors, such as sexual performance anxiety, can cause and worsen erectile dysfunction symptoms as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Difference between Sexual Performance Anxiety and Sexual Dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual performance anxiety is different from sexual dysfunction, which refers to difficulties with sexual response or sexual performance. Sexual dysfunctions can happen any time during the sexual response cycle and prevents you from experiencing sexual satisfaction. It is more common for people over 40 to experience sexual dysfunction because it is often associated with aging. However, sexual anxiety can often lead to sexual dysfunction, as the anxious thoughts and feelings can interfere with arousal and make it difficult to maintain an erection or reach orgasm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Do I Get Sexual Performance Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The main reason someone experiences performance anxiety is negative thoughts. Your body can't get excited over sexual activity if your mind is stressed. A person going through this issue often overthinks sexual activity as they are afraid that they can't satisfy the sexual needs of their sexual partner, don't look good enough or don't deserve the love being given to them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One other factor why a person suffers from performance anxiety is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.blueheart.io/post/spectatoring-during-sex" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spectatoring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which occurs when a person is watching themselves from above and is disconnected from what is going on, trying to manage how your sexual partner will experience you instead of being there in the moment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other Causes of Sexual Performance Anxiety Include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body image issues (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you are afraid that your penis won't measure up or you are concerned about being overweight);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kids or family members;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Work and financial issues;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Concerns about ejaculating too early;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Negative thoughts or feelings before or during sex;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lack of interest in sex;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vaginal dryness;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inability to climax or reach orgasm during sex.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Common Is Sexual Performance Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Performance anxiety is a type of sexual performance anxiety that can affect both men and women. It is more common in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2050052119300745?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where 9-25% experience sexual performance anxiety, while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2050052119300745?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; sit at 6-16%, but it can be just as debilitating for both sexes. Performance anxiety is the fear of not being able to perform sexually or of not performing well enough to please a partner. Performance anxiety issues can lead to avoiding sexual encounters altogether and difficulties getting or maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm. Couples going through sexual performance anxiety often lead to one of the partners looking for sexual activity elsewhere or even separation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual Anxiety in Marriage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual performance anxiety can stem from a variety of sources. It may result from past experiences, such as sexual trauma or abuse, or body image issues. Instead of sharing an emotional connection with your partner, you put yourself under a lot of pressure by measuring the quality of your performance. In some cases, it may simply be a matter of mismatched libidos.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are also times that a spouse controls the sexual activity where they determine when they want to have sex or use it as a form of punishment by withholding or, in other cases, they offer it solely as a reward. Whatever the cause, sexual anxiety can take a toll on your relationship. It can lead to communication problems, intimacy issues and even erectile dysfunction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Sexual Abuse Cause Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Survivors of sexual abuse may feel that their bodies are not their own, and most of the time, they blame themselves for the assault and experience a significant loss of interest in sexual relations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another factor that decreases libido is post traumatic depression. Women who experience sexual abuse may experience flashbacks and are afraid to lose control of their lives. Survivors also suffer from attachment issues and usually struggle with intimacy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Sexual Anxiety Cause Premature Ejaculation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Premature ejaculation happens when a man ejaculates sooner than his partner or earlier than he wants during intercourse. The cause of premature ejaculation is both biological and psychological, including early sexual experiences, sexual abuse, depression and poor body image.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many reasons why you experience sexual anxiety, and you need to get to the bottom of each of them before solving this issue. Having open communication with your partner about your sexual needs and concerns and educating yourself about sexual anxiety can be empowering as you will learn how to deal with the issue and might be able to help others who are suffering.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sheets4.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-sexual-anxiety/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18885</ID> <title>Sex after Pregnancy</title> <publishDate>2022-08-11 21:58:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_282 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_321"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_333 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_235 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_705 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_706 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_707 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_354 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New parents have an incredible amount of planning ahead of them when a baby is on the way. Questions of medical care, at-home baby care and self-care all come into the mix as they prepare for their newborn baby's arrival. Eventually, though, a perfectly legitimate question will come to the surface: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;how will this impact your sex life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Physical Changes Will New Mothers Experience?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing to understand is that new mothers' bodies will need some time off because there's a lot of recovery to do! The typical recommendation is to wait &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20190214/is-there-a-right-time-for-sex-after-childbirth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;four to six weeks after birth before resuming sexual activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While this is a helpful number to keep in mind, the most important strategy is maintaining honest communication with your partner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New mothers will experience significant hormone changes after birth, with various effects on the body. The vaginal tissue, for example, often becomes thinner and more sensitive. The size of the vagina, uterus and cervix will be altered by pregnancy, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/cervical-length/faq-20058357#:~:text=Pregnancy%20week%20by%20week&amp;amp;text=Cervical%20length%20refers%20to%20the,and%206%20days%20of%20pregnancy." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;they will need some time to return to their former size&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In some cases, women must also recover from a perineal tear or an episiotomy, a surgical cut intended to widen the vaginal canal during birth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common Issues with Sex after Pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With all of these physical changes going on, it's no surprise that post-pregnancy sex is a journey in itself. The good news is that the communication skills you've developed throughout the pregnancy will help maintain your sex life after your baby's birth. Some obstacles include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/sex-after-birth#effects-of-delivery-on-sex" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vaginal dryness, a loss of elasticity in vaginal tissue, loose muscles, fatigue and low libido&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These are caused by hormonal factors and the physical process of delivering the baby but can be overcome with patience and communication.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It should be recognized that a cesarean delivery, commonly called a c-section, does not exempt new mothers from these changes. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/postpartum-health-and-care/sex-after-c-section/#:~:text=Sex%20after%20C%2Dsection%20recovery%20can%20be%20painful.,vagina%20may%20feel%20uncomfortably%20dry." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone fluctuations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; experienced in vaginal delivery still occur in cesarean deliveries, often making vaginal tissue dry and thin. Low estrogen levels mean less blood is flowing throughout the body, exacerbating these effects. In addition to the incision sites and healing muscles that come with any abdominal surgery, these factors can lead to painful sexual intercourse.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another factor to consider is pregnancy's effect on the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles, which play significant roles in sexual activity and delivery, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/continence/pregnancy-and-childbirth-the-effects-on-pelvic-floor-muscles-26-02-2009/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are at risk of being stretched or injured during birth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The good news is that you can engage in various exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, both before and after pregnancy. These exercises include bridges, pelvic tilts and Kegels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can You Restore Your Sex Life?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Communication is the most important way to maintain intimacy after pregnancy. Making a habit of listening to your partner's needs and expressing your own experience to them is the best way to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/sex-after-birth#tips-for-a-healthy-sex-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;avoid unnecessary pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in spite of the unusual physical and hormonal circumstances. Communication is also critical to making time for sex, which can be difficult with a newborn baby to take care of. Be intentional about scheduling time to spend together where physical intimacy is the focus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The physical dimension of sex after pregnancy can also benefit from intentionality and patience. The effects of pregnancy and birth often result in unusually thin and dry vaginal tissue. Counteract this by using a combination of methods, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/sex-after-pregnancy/art-20045669" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;water-based lubricants, increased foreplay before penetration and physical exercises such as Kegels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These exercises can be done by imagining you are sitting on a marble and then using your muscles to lift the marble up. Holding the muscles for three seconds and then releasing them for three seconds will, over time, make a big difference in the condition of your pelvic floor muscles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pregnancy does not herald the end of your sex life! Communication between you and your partner, patience with yourself, and knowledge of your body are essential to maintaining postpartum intimacy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sex-after-Pregnancy.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/sex-after-pregnancy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18877</ID> <title>Aloe Vera</title> <publishDate>2022-08-10 21:38:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_283 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_322"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_334 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_236 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_708 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_709 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_710 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_355 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera is a succulent plant related to the agave and cactus plants, native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is known for its numerous medicinal and cosmetic uses. The plant has long, narrow leaves that are green in color. The leaves can grow up to three meters, but they are often cut off before they reach their full height.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Aloe Vera plant has a thick outer layer of skin called the epidermis. This epidermis contains many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that make it beneficial for human health and beauty purposes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be used in many different ways. It can be eaten, taken as a supplement or applied topically to the skin for various benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera Types&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are two main types of Aloe Vera: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2019/04/16/identifying-and-growing-edible-aloe-vera/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera barbadensis Miller&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2019/04/16/identifying-and-growing-edible-aloe-vera/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera var. chinensis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The two main types can be differentiated by edibility: Aloe Vera barbadensis Miller is edible, while Aloe Vera var. chinensis is not edible.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best Potting Soil for Aloe Vera&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera is a popular houseplant that you can find in many homes. To grow the Aloe Vera plant indoors, it is necessary to provide the plant with a soil mixture rich in nutrients and with adequate drainage to prevent root rot.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since Aloe Vera is a succulent plant, it needs adequate drainage for its soil. The most common soil type for Aloe Vera is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/aloe-vera/aloe-vera-plant-care.htm#:~:text=Like%20cacti%2C%20succulents%20do%20best,has%20plenty%20of%20drainage%20holes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cacti potting soil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, you can use potting soil, provided it is amended with perlite or building sand. Potting soil is often composed of peat moss, perlite and sand. The peat moss provides the plant with the necessary nutrients, while the perlite provides adequate drainage and aeration. The sand helps increase the weight of the soil and prevents it from becoming too soggy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera plants can also be grown in large pots with a soil mixture of sphagnum peat moss, sand and perlite. If the plant does not need to be moved for any length of time, you can mix the potting soil with small amounts of compost to provide a more nutrient-rich soil.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is the Aloe Vera Plant Edible?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera barbadensis Miller is the edible type. It can be identified by its thick, broad leaves that grow upright and are a silvery green color. However, you must prepare it the right way for consumption. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keep in mind that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/can-you-eat-aloe-vera#leaves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not all parts of the plant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are edible. Try to remove as much as the potentially poisonous aloe latex. You can do this by washing the aloe while peeling the skin or soaking the leaves for 10-20 minutes in water before removing the skin. The gel and the skin can then be eaten after the preparation but be wary of the bitter taste. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The gel inside the leaves is the most edible part of the aloe plant. There are many different ways to prepare the gel, but the most common is to make a slurry with three parts water to one part finely ground aloe leaves. Next, add a little honey or some other sweetener to make the gel more palatable and then cook with water.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera var. chinensis plants are not edible and should only be used as a topical ointment for sunburns, burns, wounds and other irritated skin ailments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are Aloe Vera Plants Poisonous to Cats?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is important to note that Aloe Vera plants can be toxic to cats. For example, the plant's leaves may cause minor irritation and stomach upset in some cases. However, if ingested, they can cause significant damage and even death. Cats are most likely to chew on the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant if it is near food or water bowls.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recipe for Aloe Vera Juice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can use the plant's gel to prepare an Aloe Vera juice.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;How to prepare:&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Cut the leaves off the plant into small pieces.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Soak the leaves for 10-20 minutes and remove as much of the yellow aloe latex as possible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Drain the water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Put all the pieces in a blender and add water until it gets a thick consistency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Add lemon juice and honey if desired, then blend again for another minute or two until all the ingredients are mixed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Pour the mixture into a bottle or jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Much Aloe Vera Juice to Drink Daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking Aloe Vera on a daily basis can offer a host of health benefits. However, it is important to drink the juice in moderation. Nutritionists recommend drinking no more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://haleynutrition.com/how-much-aloe-vera-juice-should-i-drink/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6-8 ounces of Aloe vera juice per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to ensure that you reap the maximum health benefits without overdoing it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Face Benefits of Aloe Vera&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fresh Aloe Vera gel has been used for centuries to help soothe sensitive skin and provide &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relief from minor burns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It contains many vitamins, minerals and amino acids that can help heal skin cells, maintain moisture and reduce inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Aloe Vera gel is also often used as an ingredient in skincare products because it's a natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agent that can help fight acne.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera for Hair Growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are no scientific studies to prove that Aloe Vera can help with hair growth, although some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a30174093/aloe-vera-for-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is pointing in that direction. First, it may help with inflammation and itchiness reduction. It is also known that Aloe Vera has a moisturizing effect, which could help with hair loss reduction. Secondly, it moisturizes the scalp and follicles to stop breakage and split ends from occurring. Finally, Aloe Vera gel has nutrients that promote the growth of healthy hair follicles and hinder dandruff development.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Aloe Vera Good for Eczema?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera is a plant that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various skin problems, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323507" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eczema&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Aloe Vera gel can be applied to the skin as a moisturizer and help with dry, sensitive skin and sunburns. You can apply Aloe Vera gel to wounds to help reduce pain and swelling.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aloe Vera for Acne Marks and Acne Scars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The sensitive skin benefits of Aloe Vera also include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-for-acne-scars" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reducing acne marks and acne scars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It is also beneficial for those who have skin problems or want to improve their skin condition in general.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's important to note that Aloe Vera is not a magic cure-all solution to all your skin problems, but it can provide some relief when used regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While Aloe Vera has many health benefits, it's essential to use it safely. Be sure to talk to your doctor before using any products that contain Aloe Vera, especially if you have a medical condition.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Aloe-Vera.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/aloe-vera/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18870</ID> <title>7 Foods to Avoid While Pregnant</title> <publishDate>2022-08-09 21:33:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_284 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_323"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_335 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_237 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_711 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_712 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_713 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_356 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The nine months of pregnancy take a lot of patience. Pregnant women have to be very careful, especially when it comes to what they are eating. A healthy diet for pregnant women has to include specific nutrients for the baby's healthy growth, and not all foods are good for your pregnancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Foods to Avoid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Fish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All women here they have to avoid sushi at all costs. But why is that? Because fish is high in mercury, a chemical substance linked with growth &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/mercury.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disruption and brain damage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fish such as swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish and shark are particularly high in mercury. If you really crave some fish, canned tuna, with its low mercury content, is an exceptional choice. But regardless of type, remember to eat fish in moderation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Shellfish &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating shellfish while pregnant bears the danger of contracting seafood-borne illnesses. Oysters, mussels and clams have to be avoided altogether during pregnancy, even when appropriately cooked. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Unpasteurized Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low-fat dairy products that contain unpasteurized milk have to be cut out of the diet while pregnant. These products may contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listeria" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;listeria bacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fsi.colostate.edu/cheese/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foodborne illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Avoid soft cheese such as brie, blue cheese and feta if the label informs you that the product is manufactured with unpasteurized milk. Unpasteurized juice has to be avoided as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Raw Eggs &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food containing raw eggs as an ingredient is also dangerous for your pregnancy. Raw eggs can potentially infect you with salmonella. Homemade foods such as dressings, mayonnaise, cookie dough, ice cream and sauces are all prepared with raw eggs. Avoid them altogether and stick to commercially manufactured foods. Because commercially manufactured products contain pasteurized eggs, the risk of contracting salmonella is diminished. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Pâté &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The liver meat used in pâté may contain dangerous levels of vitamin A and listeria bacteria.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive vitamin A intake can lead to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/teratogens#Known-Teratogens" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;teratogenic effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; chemicals that can cause abnormal fetal development). These effects can lead to the baby being born with a birth defect. Refrigerated pate and meat spreads should be replaced with canned pate and safe meat spreads. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#6: Caffeine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is safe. On the other hand, some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(07)02025-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; point out the exact opposite, as miscarriages and premature labor have been related to caffeine intake. Avoid drinking coffee, black tea, caffeinated sodas and energy drinks in the first trimester of your pregnancy. If you are craving coffee or any other beverage that contains caffeine, the limit of caffeine intake per day must be lower than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/caffeine-in-pregnancy.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;200 mg per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Because caffeine is a diuretic (i.e., it increases the need for urinating), you may eliminate excessive amounts of fluid from your body and cause calcium loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#7: Alcohol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although it is self-evident not to consume any types of alcohol during your pregnancy, you must know why. Consuming alcohol will hurt your baby and interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Drinking alcohol can lead to disorders such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fetal Alcohol Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Avoid drinking alcohol during breastfeeding as it can reach the baby through the milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No woman can carry a successful pregnancy to term without sacrifices. Although it's sometimes hard to say "no" to cravings, steering clear of these seven foods and drinks will keep your baby safe and healthy in the womb. Wait until you bring a "little miracle" into the world, then you'll be free to tap into your guilty pleasures once again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pregnant.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/7-foods-to-avoid-while-pregnant/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18860</ID> <title>Olive Oil: Nutrition, Health Benefits and More</title> <publishDate>2022-08-09 21:16:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_285 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_324"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_336 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_238 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_714 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_715 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_716 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_357 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The world of olive oil is very complex and fascinating. The phrase "olive oil" barely scratches the surface of the varieties and qualities of olive oil across the world. The impact that olive oil can have on your health is surprisingly wide-ranging; all you have to do is learn how to reap these benefits in your own diet!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil Types&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/olive-oil-101-types-best-suited/#:~:text=There%20are%20five%20primary%20grades,oil%2C%20the%20better%20the%20quality." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;five different grades&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of olive oil, termed extra virgin oil, virgin oil, refined oil, pure olive oil and olive pomace oil. The grade of a particular olive oil depends on the oil's "smoke point," which refers to the temperature at which the oil will start to smoke instead of glisten. This is worth knowing because smoking or burning olive oil will give your food an unpleasant flavor. Fortunately, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.oliveoilmarket.eu/the-difference-between-different-olive-oils-for-salads-and-cooking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oils most frequently used in cooking have a high smoke point.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Oils with lower smoke points are typically used for salads and dressings instead.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil Nutrition Info&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All this excitement about olive oil raises a natural question: what are the numbers for olive oil nutrition facts? It's all well and good to discuss its uses in cooking, but we should also understand what each bit of olive oil brings to the table. Knowing this nutritional information for household food items will be critical to that diet's success if you're either on a diet or planning to start one soon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Much Omega-3 Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contain?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's start with calories! One tablespoon of olive oil &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oliveoillovers.com/blogs/our-journal/calories-in-olive-oil-nutrition-facts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contains 120 calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The best practice when using olive oil on a salad is to pour 1 tablespoon of the oil for every two cups of salad you're eating. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The average salad brings around 200 calories in olive oil. The good news is that these calories come from monounsaturated fatty acids, making them some of the healthiest calories you can consume.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Much Omega-3 Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contain?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How about Omega-3? Omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory component that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://timperio.co/extra-virgin-olive-oil-evoo-is-rich-in-omega-3-6-and-9-so-good-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will lower your risk of heart disease and reduce your blood triglyceride levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This compound is another significant consideration for those on a diet, so we must understand its role in olive oil! The average tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil will contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://timperio.co/extra-virgin-olive-oil-evoo-is-rich-in-omega-3-6-and-9-so-good-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;an 8:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This sounds like an oddly balanced ratio, but this combination is ideal for the oil's effect on your body. This ratio means the olive oil is low in saturated fat and that you'll experience the greatest benefits of the Omega-3!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Olive Oil Gluten-Free?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is an essential question to ask right now because the number of gluten-free Americans has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/01/17/the-number-of-americans-going-gluten-free-has-tripled-since-2009-infographic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tripled since 2009&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Even if you are not following a gluten-free diet, there's a good chance that a member of your family or one of your friends is on a gluten-free diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that plain olive oil is gluten-free. However, certain brands and varieties can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellfit.com/is-olive-oil-gluten-free-learn-when-to-trust-olive-oil-4169769" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cross-contaminated with gluten products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so do an appropriate amount of research before purchasing!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil Hair Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the nutritional characteristics of olive oil out of the way, we should next discuss the health benefits of olive oil! The first benefit doesn't come from consuming olive oil as part of your diet but from using it as a hair conditioner! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It sounds odd at first, but the reality is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/olive-oil-hair-care#rinse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;olive oil has tremendous potential to both soften and strengthen your hair&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You can reap olive oil's hair benefits by taking a few tablespoons of olive oil, massaging it into your hair and scalp and letting your hair soak for about fifteen minutes. After that, comb and then shampoo your hair to get the oil out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil Helps Weight Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second major benefit of olive oil comes from consuming it, and it's an advantage that everyone taking responsibility for their diet should be aware of. Olive oil can help you lose weight! We've already discussed how the Omega-3 fats are healthy for you, but that's also true of olive oil's medium-chain triglycerides. Research has indicated that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/olive-oil-for-weight-loss#bottom-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;both compounds have potential benefits for weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Olive oil is the perfect healthy addition to pasta, salads, pizza or vegetables when used in limited quantities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil Benefits for Skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last but not least health benefit of olive oil is its impact on your skin. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/olive-oil-skin-benefits-5095861" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fats, antioxidants and vitamins in olive oil can all increase the health of your skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which is why a variety of beauty products have added olive oil to their product blends. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even without one of these elaborate skincare mixtures, you can use extra virgin olive oil to pursue the skin benefits of olive oil! Applying a thin layer to your face before putting on makeup, but after applying lotion will do the trick. The most significant benefits of integrating olive oil into your skincare routine will include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/olive-oil-skin-benefits-5095861" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anti-inflammation, moisturized skin, reduction of signs of aging and lower risk of acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Olive Oil Be Substituted for Vegetable Oil?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These health benefits are great for olive oil, but several other kinds of oils should be discussed as well. Comparing the value of olive oil and vegetable oils will help us find the best fit for our personal health needs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil vs. Avocado Oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How does olive oil stack up against avocado oil? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/avocado-oil-vs-olive-oil#nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While they are identical in calories, fat and saturated fat, olive oil has a slight edge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because it contains 33% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin E.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil vs. Coconut Oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about olive oil and coconut oil? Although coconut oil can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-vs-olive-oil-which-is-better#downsides" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boost your healthy cholesterol levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it is also likely to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-vs-olive-oil-which-is-better#downsides" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increase levels of unhealthy cholesterol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overall, olive oil is the safer bet. It has the potential to lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease, and the scientific evidence in olive oil's favor has been more consistent.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Olive Oil vs. Canola Oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last kind of oil we should compare with olive oil is canola oil. If we're comparing these two based on health benefits, olive oil is again the clear winner. The heart-healthy antioxidants that come with olive oil are hard to beat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, this comparison has more to do with cooking techniques for most people. Canola does beat out olive oil when &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#:~:text=The%20bottom%20line&amp;amp;text=Whereas%20canola%20may%20be%20better,is%20good%20for%20your%20heart." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;frying food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but they're on equal footing for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canola-vs-olive-oil#:~:text=The%20bottom%20line&amp;amp;text=Whereas%20canola%20may%20be%20better,is%20good%20for%20your%20heart." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cooking with medium heat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Cook with Olive Oil?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you can see, olive oil should be a staple of any healthy diet. The nutritious qualities of olive oil — no matter the variety — can benefit many parts of our overall health, from the skin to the heart. While there are a dizzying variety of olive oils available in the average grocery store, it is important to remember if you're cooking to go with extra virgin olive oil. This will ensure that you get &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/best-olive-oils" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;maximum flavor and an appropriate smoke point&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Even better: most olive oils &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-olive-oil-go-bad#bottom-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will last between 18 and 24 months&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before they go bad, so you'll reap the health benefits of olive oil for a very long time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/oive-oil.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/olive-oil-nutrition-health-benefits-and-more/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18851</ID> <title>What Is the Healthiest Food for Your Kidneys?</title> <publishDate>2022-08-08 20:42:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_286 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_325"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_337 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_239 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_717 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_718 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_719 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_358 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be tricky to take care of ourselves with bodies that are so complex. Trying to understand the functions of every organ can be overwhelming, making it easier to forget that responsibility and give up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But there is hope! It is entirely possible to take care of yourself without an advanced medical degree, and the secret is to learn a little bit at a time. So, let's cover the essential information about your kidneys and how you can take care of them through your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are Kidneys for, Anyway?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy kidneys perform a surprising variety of functions in the body. The job that most people are familiar with is the removal of waste through urine, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. While they are a critical part of the waste-removal process, there's a lot more going on. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy kidneys are also responsible for releasing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/kidneys/#:~:text=Renin%20is%20an%20enzyme%2C%20also,helps%20to%20control%20blood%20pressure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prostaglandins to regulate blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This substance is highly significant because healthy blood pressure is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270644#:~:text=It%20is%20an%20important%20force,and%20hormones%20such%20as%20insulin." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;driving force behind the oxygen and nutrients that you need to power the rest of your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's another kidney-produced hormone you should be aware of: Vitamin D. The importance of Vitamin D cannot be overstated because its presence is critical to your skeletal system. We all know that calcium is necessary for healthy bones, but the reality is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20363792#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20is%20a%20nutrient,cellular%20functions%20in%20your%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calcium can only be absorbed when Vitamin D is present in your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition, vitamin D is critical in helping the immune system fight off infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The final important kidney function has to do with red blood cells. It would be an oversimplification to say that your kidneys produce red blood cells, but that would be a step in the right direction. The truth is that healthy kidneys produce another hormone, called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/media-library/7478#:~:text=Healthy%20kidneys%20produce%20a%20hormone,(O2)%20throughout%20the%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;erythropoietin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which interacts with bone marrow to produce red blood cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's a complicated process, of course, but the main takeaway is that your kidneys are necessary for the health of your entire body and that taking care of them via your diet is very important!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can My Diet Affect My Kidneys?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your diet plays a role in the health of your kidneys. Some foods will help, and some will hurt, so you need to distinguish between them. The food that has the most potential to harm the kidneys is any item that is high in phosphorus. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/phosphorus#:~:text=Normal%20working%20kidneys%20can%20remove,your%20bones%2C%20making%20them%20weak." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicates a link between phosphorus-rich foods and an increased risk of kidney damage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, an intentional and organized diet can do wonders for the functioning of healthy kidneys. Omega-3 fats, which have the potential to lower blood pressure are helpful for healthy kidneys, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325390#fatty-fish" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keeping blood pressure low with Omega-3-heavy foods is a great way to protect your kidneys&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just like high blood pressure, excessively high sodium levels can also pose a threat to healthy kidneys. Foods high in potassium will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325390#sweet-potatoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regulate the sodium levels in your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325390#sweet-potatoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protect your kidneys&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Which Foods Are the Healthiest?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's start with a staple of your diet: water! Water is imperative for the body's healthy functioning, and your kidneys are no exception. Water is the substance that healthy kidneys use to filter out toxins and release them through urine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How much water should you drink per day? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.kidney.org/content/6-tips-be-water-wise-healthy-kidneys#:~:text=The%20Institute%20of%20Medicine%20has,a.k.a.%20end%20stage%20kidney%20disease)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recent research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicates that men need an average of 3 liters per day, while women need just over 2 liters per day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Omega-3 fats are helpful to your kidneys, but which foods will provide them? Your best bet is to eat fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, cod and mackerel. The unsaturated fats present in these fish will help not only your kidneys but your heart health as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How much fish should you eat? The suggestion from the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Heart Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is to eat these kinds of fish at least twice per week to obtain the maximum health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another staple of a healthy-kidney diet is antioxidant-rich berries. If you eat half a cup of blueberries, you're getting a little less than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/blueberries#:~:text=Blueberries%20are%20also%20low%20in,CKD%2FTransplant" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;150 milligrams of phosphorus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Berries are a healthy snack for those looking to preserve these vital organs. This is especially true if you're suffering from a kidney disorder, as the low sodium and low phosphorus content lightens your kidneys' workload.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also be mindful of your sodium intake to maintain healthy kidneys. Sweet potatoes are a helpful example as they contain vitamins and minerals that can help regulate the sodium level in your body, and they can be beneficial to your kidneys. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the flipside, though, sweet potatoes pose more risk than they're worth. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/sweet-potatoes-harmful-kidneys-2454.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high potassium content&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can exacerbate conditions like kidney stones and kidney disease, so be mindful of this when consuming them to improve kidney health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Armed with all this information, you're now prepared to preserve healthy kidneys! The proposed dietary changes offer substantial potential for assisting healthy kidney function. So, whether you leave to get a glass of water, add fish to your grocery list or grab a handful of blueberries from the fridge, your kidneys will thank you by performing an amazing array of life-giving functions!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Kidneys.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-the-healthiest-food-for-your-kidneys/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18845</ID> <title>BHRT Training Academy: An Interview with Ms. Donna White</title> <publishDate>2022-08-08 20:10:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_287 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_326"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_338 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_240 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_720 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_721 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_722 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_359 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf&amp;amp;trkInfo=AQEgzELvnS1LZAAAAYD0WEQ4NQC8qcvjWV0AlLilNrmBVgFfydq2pJhdr-eZzyRae0w3298vCrKNdfQrpLEnIL8ypPpqaR1G07Y-yInrBn__aJMT6ZmS7xle2rvDQU2i-KUMgas=&amp;amp;original_referer=&amp;amp;sessionRedirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fdonna-white-31b07517%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Donna White&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; turned her nightmarish battle with severe PMS symptoms into a thriving business helping medical practitioners learn to alleviate similar ailments for patients with hormone imbalances. Determined to help herself, she undertook years of research and found a highly effective solution—bioidentical hormones. She then refocused her determination to bring this solution to others.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I have spent the past 25 years sharing the powerful, life-changing effects of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with practitioners and women across the U.S. and Canada," she said. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She founded a training business, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bhrttrainingacademy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;BHRT Training Academy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, to help conquer PMS, perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal symptoms through this remarkable treatment modality. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-white-31b07517/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every woman&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; deserves to live free from symptoms related to hormone imbalance, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight gain, hot flashes, low sex drive and more," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ms. Donna White&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White opened BHRT Training Academy in 2019. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I am a recovered hormonal train wreck," she stated on her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bhrttrainingacademy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. "About 28 years ago, I had a severe case of PMS. I know what it's like to suffer with symptoms. That's why I got into the field of BHRT, to get the help I needed," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White did not want to take synthetic medications, so she dove into an extensive research project on her own. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was looking to find the underlying cause and correct it. I figured out that my symptoms were hormone-related because they were tied to my monthly cycle. I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin, which had acne. I was very irritable at that time of the month," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When she started researching nearly 30 years ago, there wasn't much information to be found other than a few books and articles, but her knowledge base gradually grew. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Now there's a lot of information available, including much information online. But unfortunately, there's a lot of conflicting and confusing information, which is why I think education is critical. And that's why I'm very passionate about bringing education to medical providers," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White has published several eBooks and training manuals, appeared on radio and television, hosted three radio shows, produced training videos and podcasts, written blogs and spoken at medical conferences, business organizations, women's groups and churches. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hormones&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;endocrine system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; produces hormones that regulate growth, reproduction, metabolism and other body processes. Even a minor change in hormone levels can create chaos and require medical help. As the body ages, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15660-bioidentical-hormones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone levels decrease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, causing hormone imbalances with symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and mood swings. Daily life becomes difficult. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Each hormone must connect with a corresponding, uniquely shaped hormone receptor. The hormone fits perfectly into that receptor like a key fitting into a lock," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bioidentical Hormones&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bioidentical hormones are synthesized from plants, and whose structure is identical to what your body produces.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Your body can't tell the difference," White explained. "It fits the receptor. However, non-bioidentical hormones, such as most forms of conventional hormone replacement or birth control pills, have a different molecular shape. It's like trying to put the wrong key into a lock. It doesn't fit perfectly, so it does not have the same effect."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After decades of study, White believes bioidentical hormones to be a more effective way to manage hormone balance, and they are not new. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Bioidentical hormones were first synthesized in labs back in 1943. They have been used in Europe for 60 plus years," she added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bioidentical hormones can be delivered in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15660-bioidentical-hormones"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various forms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as pills, subcutaneous pellets, patches, creams, injections and gels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;BHRT Training Academy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Market for BHRT &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the U.S., the BHRT industry saw growth beginning in the early 1990s, joining the decades of use in Europe. White expects the global market to expand by about 50% between 2018 and 2026.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of practitioners are interested in providing solutions to their patients with hormone imbalance and conditions associated with hormone imbalance. Unfortunately, there is also a tremendous patient demand for this modality and not enough practitioners trained for it," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The BHRT Training Academy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White's online training program gives providers the knowledge to effectively treat patients with hormone imbalances. Practitioners attend &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bhrttrainingacademy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;online lessons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at their own pace and meet with experienced mentors. They have lifetime access to educational materials, resources and tools, and they learn all dosing forms for male and female patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started facilitating practitioner training 25-plus years ago because of the demand of providers who wanted to learn this. But, because there's only one me, I couldn't effectively help as many as I wanted to unless I took this training online. So, we developed the BHRT Training Academy three years ago to make it available to practitioners across the country and internationally," she shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The online program provides the flexibility and thorough coverage a typical weekend conference cannot provide. The program offers more than 40 hours of training from world leaders in the field of hormone therapy such as Dr. Deborah Matthew, Dr. Lindsay Berkson, Dr. Tabatha Barber and many more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wanted to make sure our providers feel very equipped. We teach not just sex hormones but all hormones—adrenal, thyroid and insulin, for example. They have a powerful interplay, so providers must understand how these hormones relate together," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;White and her team created a comprehensive care model for the providers: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What do you do on the first visit? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How often do you see these patients? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How often do you test them? What do you charge? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They wanted to make it seamless so that patients get the best possible outcomes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We mentor the providers going through our program. We have a regular weekly case review Zoom call. It's a community, so our providers are not alone," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;BHRT Changes Lives&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I love the impact patients experience when you help them sleep through the night, get their sex drive back or get their energy back. You change their ability to function professionally or in their relationships," White shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She points out that BHRT can help prevent diseases or conditions associated with the age-induced reduction of hormones, such as bone loss or cognitive decline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;BHRT also helps providers' practices grow as it becomes more popular. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's a profitable modality for practitioners, and it improves patients' lives. What better combination is there than that," she concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/donnawhite-katherinekirchner-2021-59-e1660076451210.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/bhrt-training-academy-an-interview-with-ms-donna-white-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18749</ID> <title>The Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine Part 3: Personalized, Precision Medicine</title> <publishDate>2022-07-29 22:23:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_288 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_327"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_339 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_241 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_723 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_724 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_725 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_360 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every patient is unique — their biology, genetics and biomolecular makeup — and should be treated uniquely, as each patient is likely to respond differently to specific medical treatments and therapies. This emerging reality is rapidly driving medicine from the traditional 'one-size-fits-all' approach toward a 'personalized' or precision-based viewpoint. This revolution is rapidly being adopted across the medical world, perhaps none more so than within the emerging field of regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Changing the Narrative&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The German physicist Max Planck said that science advances one funeral at a time. Put another way, he realized that new scientific truths do not win out by convincing opponents and making them 'see the light,' but rather because opponents eventually die and are succeeded by a new generation more familiar with it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Historically, paradigm-changing scientific innovations rarely make their way by gradually winning over and converting their opponents. Prior to being awarded the Nobel prize in 1945 for the discovery of penicillin, Alexander Fleming spent over a decade and a half attempting to convince his peers of the medical potential of his discovery. By the time of the award, many of Fleming's opponents had retired or passed away. Now we can barely imagine a world without antibiotics like penicillin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine, in conjunction with personalized medicine, is responsible for the next major paradigm shift in modern medicine. However, neither regenerative nor personalized precision medicine are subjects traditionally found in the curriculum of U.S. medical schools. As such, this emergence has been met with skepticism, doubt and confusion. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The difference between Fleming's time and today is that patients have unlimited access to information and choice regarding healthcare. The medical industry is no longer willing to sit by for 17+ years and wait for new technologies to make it into the market. The current COVID-19 pandemic is a good example of how patients choose their own treatment based on ideas from opinion leaders, blogs and online forums. As patients navigate the web, biohacking is becoming a driving force for a paradigm shift in self-care, moving medicine towards a new age of patient-driven wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients now recognize that understanding their biological makeup will allow them to choose the best diet, lifestyle and even medical and regenerative therapies to activate internal, 'natural healing.' They are more willing than ever to try innovative technologies to enhance and optimize their overall health, wellness and longevity. This biohacking revolution is not only evolving patients from passive users to proactive seekers but is also a powerful driving force moving medicine forward after decades of stagnation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of the biohacking revolution, it has become critical to broadcast accurate scientific information to counteract false narratives that undermine the mainstream adoption of this medical revolution. One of the biggest issues facing this field is where to obtain reliable, scientifically accurate information. In this regard, Top Doctor Magazine has taken the initiative to provide this resource to physicians and other stakeholders to help guide the evolution of regenerative medicine and educate the future medical community. Early adopters understand the biophysical and biochemical complexity of human diseases and that current 'boxes' in which we've historically placed patient diagnoses are not rigid as once thought but fluid and personal — welcome to personalized, precision medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From 'One-Size-Fits-All' to Personalized, Precision Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recognition that physicians need to consider individual variability has played a fundamental role in the rise of media interest in a new healthcare industry trend. Since 2015, when President Barack Obama announced a $215 million national Precision Medicine Initiative, which included, among other things, the establishment of a national database of genetic and other data from one million people in the U.S., the industry has responded. Numerous pharmaceutical and technology companies are now investing in a more precise and personalized medicine, including a common goal of improving optimal longevity that takes health span — the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and the disabilities of aging — into consideration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diverse terms, such as 'personalized medicine,' 'precision medicine,' 'genetic medicine' and 'personalized genomics,' have emerged to describe a range of genetics-related healthcare practices through which we define patients' bio-individuality. Understanding bio-individuality as a myriad of factors — medical, biomolecular, genetic and environmental, etc. — helps shape a patient's health, longevity and treatment outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From the model of bio-individuality, 'personalized medicine' and 'precision medicine' have become popular concepts in the medical community, although there is a lack of consensus on their definitions. It is widely accepted that precision medicine incorporates the concept of bio-individuality to create groups of similar people and develop a more targeted approach toward their shared similarities. Personalized medicine, on the other hand, implies that treatments and preventative strategies can be developed uniquely for the specific biomolecular makeup of each patient. Although a worthwhile goal, personalized medicine is considered by many to be impractical and unscalable at this time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating a Personalized, Precision-based Approach into Regenerative Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mounting evidence suggests person-to-person and population variations can significantly impact the outcome of regenerative therapies. As we age, our stem cells age with us, losing viability and, eventually, shutting down and dying. Studies have linked this process to the deterioration of the microenvironment (the 'stem cell niche') in which these cells are embedded. As the micronutrient reserve of the niche deteriorates — mostly a result of stress, inflammation, poor diet, sugar consumption, nutrient absorption impairment and use of certain drugs, alcohol and medications — our healing and tissue regeneration capacity becomes compromised. This leads to accelerated aging, age-related functional decline and chronic diseases. Hence, the quality of the niche is key to the health and function of stem cells within our tissues. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is where personalized biomolecular and regenerative medicine merge to optimize niche quality and enhance stem cell function and viability. Examples from our research suggest that stem cells respond positively to hormones, like oxytocin — the love hormone produced in our bodies when giving or receiving love. Oxytocin is most abundant during pregnancy, when both mother and child need their stem cells to be most healthy. Interestingly, many in the field of regenerative medicine believe that oxytocin in amniotic fluid is responsible, in large part, for the beneficial effects seen in unrelated donor amniotic fluid transplants. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These observations support the philosophy that optimizing the 'inner chemistry' of the niche and optimizing the body's microenvironment in preparation for therapeutic interventions is critical to positive treatment outcomes. Indeed, ignoring such observations while providing regenerative therapies could be compared to pouring the therapy into a pot of boiling water. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Summary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cellular or acellular therapies must be adjusted according to patient-specific profiles for physicians and healthcare providers to achieve the best outcomes for their patients. Moreover, the patient should be prepared by optimizing their physiology using a personalized biomolecular approach, a phase of treatment referred to as 'priming.' The use of patient-specific IV nutrient therapies, diet modifications, sleep adjustments, detoxification, stress reduction and modulation of inflammation are all key components of priming that will enhance the outcome of regenerative therapies. These treatments are essential to any reparative, regenerative or restorative therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we advance our knowledge of personalized medicine, we not only benefit the patient but also progress toward understanding the nuances that have historically undermined the field of regenerative medicine due to inherent variations in outcomes. Progress is inevitable, but we still have a long way to go until these emerging fields gain universal acceptance. We can only hope that it is our generation of scientists and physicians who ultimately adopt these advancements, and we don't have to wait on the next generation.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ian White is an aging and regenerative medicine expert with over 20 years of experience in academia and industry. He is the founder and CSO of Neobiosis, a perinatal tissue manufacturing CDMO, the scientific advisor to Top Doctor Magazine and Vice President of The American College of Regenerative Medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ivel De Freitas is an internationally recognized longevity expert. She has over 20 years of professional experience as a medical doctor specializing in functional, precision, and personalized biomolecular medicine. Dr. De Freitas is the founder and CEO of ONOGEN, a healthcare technology company delivering personalized biomolecular, anti-aging and regenerative medicine using pioneering algorithm-based technology.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/part-3.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-emerging-field-of-regenerative-medicine-part-3-personalized-precision-medicine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18742</ID> <title>Gardening: The Secret Form of Meditation</title> <publishDate>2022-07-29 22:02:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_289 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_328"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_340 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_242 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_726 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_727 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_728 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_361 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With all the distractions of our current world, one must dedicate time each day to find peace and bring focus back to their mind. A great way to do this is through gardening. One could even say that gardening is a secret form of meditation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;benefits to meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with mindfulness, stress relief and improved focus on the forefront. Meditation can also help reduce depression and anxiety, create a sense of calmness in stressful situations and increase your self-awareness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening as Mindfulness Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be described as a state of being present in the moment and aware of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and surroundings through a more nurturing perspective.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening can be a great way to get in touch with your inner self and achieve a state of mindfulness. By paying attention to the plants in your garden, you can learn to focus on the present moment and clear your mind of distractions. Gardening helps you focus on a single-hand task - watering plants or removing weeds, for example. Furthermore, gardening requires two essential skills: care and control. It forces you to take care of your plants as if they were sentient beings while also allowing you to control what happens to them in the future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening as Stress Relief&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/gardening-just-twice-a-week-improves-wellbeing-and-relieves-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that people who garden are less stressed, happier and have better mental health. These are the same outcomes we get from daily meditation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening can create a space where minds are distracted by the surrounding nature. This allows us to redirect our attention away from ourselves and our problems, relieving stress and boosting positivity in our minds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening can also be a more physical activity with its own health benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; greatly reduces stress and can also be looked at as a moving meditation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening as a physical activity is amazing for all ages because it doesn't feel as exhausting as going to the gym, although it uses a comparable amount of calories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people don't even have to leave their homes to garden because they can have a small outdoor space specially designed for gardening and flower planting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening to Improve Focus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is one of life's most important aspects. One way to improve mental health is to reduce social media consumption and reduce the time spent on screens because excessive screen use has been linked to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.screenfreeparenting.com/screen-time-effects-on-sustained-attention-and-how-to-build-attention-span/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diminished goal-driven attention&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Reduce your screen time, and you'll be better focused. You can reduce screen time by engaging in other activities that require more physical movement and attention, which gardening is perfect for.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening isn't just a terrific method to reduce screen time; it also helps us focus on the right things. By nurturing plants, we can create a more positive outlook toward life. Taking care of a living being and seeing it flourish can create a sense of fulfillment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening is a great way to slow down, take in the surroundings and cultivate a healthier lifestyle away from a digital life and social media, which have been shown to have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm#:~:text=The%20negative%20aspects%20of%20social%20media&amp;amp;text=However%2C%20multiple%20studies%20have%20found,about%20your%20life%20or%20appearance." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many adverse mental health effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as isolation, depression and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening is an excellent way for anyone to stay mentally healthy. Just like meditation, it can be calming and therapeutic. Planting flowers and other plants in a garden or on your porch can lead to a calming environment and a calmer mind. The wonderful color of the flowers, soft, soothing sounds from the birds and even the dirt under your fingers can lead to a meditative state of relaxation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Gardening.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/gardening-the-secret-form-of-meditation/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18735</ID> <title>What's the Secret to Happiness? Well, Science Says It's Our Relationships</title> <publishDate>2022-07-28 21:43:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_290 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_329"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_341 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_243 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_729 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_730 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_731 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_362 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our lives reflect what we surround ourselves with. If we choose to live around cheerful, positive people, our lives will be the same. Surrounding ourselves with negative, grumpy and pessimistic people will take a toll on our lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Social Side of People and How It Affects Our Demeanor &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Humans are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://ccare.stanford.edu/press_posts/good-social-relationships-are-the-most-consistent-predictor-of-a-happy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;social creatures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Without socializing with other people around us or social media, our mental health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ptsdjournal.com/posts/11-negative-effects-of-lack-of-socializing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;suffers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Our sociable nature is the one thing we can't lack. To live a long and happy life, we need people around us to form relationships with. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The constant nature of these relationships gives the impression that they can never end. Some of us might believe that we can neglect our relationships without consequences. But that is not the case, as the damage we do affects us as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Relationship with Family &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To create and maintain a relationship, you need to interact with the people on the other side. From a very young age, we build a tight relationship with our family. Because we interact with our family daily, we tend to take up very much from this relationship. For example, living in a happy, joyful family will reflect in our lives. Our personalities will be optimistic and cheerful, and the relationship will be stronger. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Relationship with Friends&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some think these are the most influential relationships we develop throughout our lives. We surround ourselves with people that become our friends at school, work or in our community. Some people tend to interact and befriend problematic individuals, leading to a shift in personality, especially in mental health. That's why surrounding ourselves with understanding, positive people is essential for our mental health. We need that joy and happiness to function and be the best version of ourselves. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Relationship with Partners&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The intimacy between two particular individuals that forms a relationship defines our lives later in life. We need someone next to us that can understand and love us for who we are. Unfortunately, some people will try and change their partner for their benefit. This process is so damaging that it can lead to serious mental health problems like anxiety and depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Maintain a Relationship&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important thing anyone can do is be positive and build a happy and fulfilling relationship with the other side. Relationships can drastically improve just by showing interest and care. Taking some time out of your day to call your family, meet up with some friends for a chat or cook a delicious meal for your partner can work wonders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Positive Alacrity &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://betterhumans.pub/want-a-happier-more-fulfilling-life-75-year-harvard-study-says-focus-on-this-1-thing-88cbde105983" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Positive Alacrity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the art of creating experiences with an emotionally uplifting impact on others. Voicing positive thoughts in a relationship creates an emotional and positive response from the other side. An incredibly fulfilling sense of satisfaction will engulf you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By practicing Positive Alacrity, you're improving your relationship with others and uplifting yourself. Positivity only works if it's perceived as genuine. As long as you truly believe in what you are saying, there will be a positive outcome.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improving our relationships takes time and effort. Interacting positively with the ones dear to us and showing them that we care keeps a relationship healthy. And happy relationships equal happy lives! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/secret.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/whats-the-secret-to-happiness-well-science-says-its-our-relationships/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18726</ID> <title>Elderberries: Everything You Need to Know About Them</title> <publishDate>2022-07-28 21:13:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_291 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_330"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_342 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_244 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_732 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_733 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_734 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_363 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The elderberry plant is one of the most widely used medicinal plants globally with century-old health benefits. Elderberries are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain powerful antioxidants that can boost your immune system. Elderberries can be eaten fresh, dried or made into syrup, tea or essential oils. You can also find them in supplements and skincare products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is an Elderberry?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry is a shrub-like plant that can grow up to 10 feet high. It has dark green leaves and clusters of white flowers that bloom in the summer months. The berries, harvested in the fall, are small and dark purple.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry is a popular medicinal herb because it's believed to have immune-boosting properties which means it's often used for treating colds, flu, congestion and sore throat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can I Eat Raw Elderberries?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different ways to consume elderberries, with one of the most popular ways being eating them raw as a berry or in a salad with fruit and vegetables. They are also often consumed as syrup, juice or tea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.elderberryedgefarm.com/pages/are-elderberries-toxic-a-personal-experience" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Raw elderberries can be toxic if consumed in large quantities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Therefore, it is recommended that you only eat one cup of raw berries or drink two tablespoons of tincture per day if you consume them regularly. Otherwise, elderberries should be cooked as much as possible before consumption.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is the Elderberry Plant Poisonous?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/32" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not poisonous&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but it does contain chemicals that can be toxic to humans. The toxicity of the elderberry plant is due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides in its leaves and stems. These chemicals are found in many other plants, such as apple seeds and apricot kernels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry has been used medicinally for centuries. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ishs.org/ishs-article/1061_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Greeks and the Romans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; describe it as a healing plant. It is an herbal remedy for fever, diarrhea, flu and infections in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/elderberry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;traditional Chinese medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberries effectively &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02414607" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce inflammation, lower fevers and relieve pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberries also have several skin benefits. When &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/outdoor-dining-set-walmart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;applied topically&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, elderberries can help with various skin conditions or help reduce the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/outdoor-dining-set-walmart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;appearance of wrinkles and age spots&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Elderberry Safe for Pregnant Women?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/elderberry-pregnant" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no reports of toxicity or adverse effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in breastfeeding or pregnant women taking elderberry supplements in recommended doses. It is recommended that breastfeeding and pregnant women speak with their healthcare providers before taking any herbal supplements. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry and Breastfeeding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There isn't enough information available to determine if elderberry is safe for nursing moms. There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mypuredelivery.com/5-reasons-elderberry-may-not-be-safe-while-breastfeeding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no studies on breastfeeding mothers consuming elderberries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; due to the ethical concerns in attempting to perform a double-blind scientific study on pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. More in-depth medical study is required to establish dosage and whether or not it impacts a breastfed baby. Ensure that your doctor knows you are nursing before asking for advice on elderberries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberries and Prescription Drugs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are no well-known interactions between elderberry and other medications. However, elderberries may &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/transplant/Pages/medications.aspx#:~:text=Medications%20that%20help%20prevent%20the,Prednisone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decrease the efficacy of immunosuppressants and medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that lower the immune system, such as Tacrolimus (Prograf), cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf), Prednisone, Mycophenolate (CellCept, Myfortic), azathioprine (Imuran), Sirolimus (Rapamune) and Everolimus (Zortress). You should discuss the combined consumption of these medicines and elderberries with your doctor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2018/01/homemade-elderberry-syrup.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry Syrup Recipe &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry syrup can be a natural remedy for colds and flu. It is made from the elderberry plant and has been used for centuries to help people fight illness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pound (4 cups) fresh or frozen elderberries, picked over and all stems removed;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 cups of filtered water;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 cup honey or 1/3 cup sugar (can increase quantity to taste);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1/4 cup lemon juice;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 small piece of fresh ginger, peeled (optional).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Instructions:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To make juice, place berries in a large, heavy saucepan along with water. Cover and bring to a simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, mashing berries with a potato masher until they soften and release their juices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Press berries through a food mill or fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Strain juice a second time through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids. You should have about 2 2/3 cups of juice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour 2 1/2 cups of prepared juice into a saucepan with honey, lemon juice, and ginger. Bring to a simmer, occasionally stirring, until the syrup has thickened slightly and reduced to about 2 1/2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes. Discard the ginger. Once cooled, the syrup will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months (pour the syrup into ice cube trays for easy dosing).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are canning the syrup, fill a large stockpot or canning pot 2/3 full with water while the berries are cooking. Place a rack of some sort in the bottom and place over medium-high heat. Wash your jars and submerge them in a water bath as it heats. The pot should be just about boiling when the syrup is reduced and ready to go. Keep jars in hot (not boiling) water until ready to use.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ladle hot syrup into sterilized jars, leaving 1/8-inch of headspace. Wipe jar rims and screw on lids. Process in boiling water for 10 minutes (seven if using smaller jars), then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Check seals. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used within two weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry Juice Recipe &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry juice is a great way to consume elderberries. This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://eatsmarter.com/recipes/elderberry-juice-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is easy to follow and yields a delicious drink.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 kilograms elderberry; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enough water to cover the elderberries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Instructions:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rinse the berries several times thoroughly. Remove the berries from the vine. Add to a large saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes until the berries are soft and appear wrinkled. Pour the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine strainer into another pot. Squeeze the fruit to remove as much liquid as possible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternatively, you can process the berries through a juicer. This approach is typically much faster and more efficient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The elderberry juice will be ready after this process. If you'd like to enjoy it for an extended time, you can preserve it. To do this, you must add the juice to bottles and seal them with a rubber stopper or screw-tops.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heat a pot of water, and add the bottles to the water bath. Process for at least 30 minutes to ensure that the juice is sterilized and that pathogens are deterred from forming. Cool the bottles, and keep them in a cool place.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This recipe yields about 1 cup of elderberry juice. Enjoy it on its own or use it as a base for other juices or cocktails.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;a href="https://recipesfromapantry.com/elderberry-tea-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Elderberry Tea Recipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another way to enjoy the benefits of elderberries is to make dried elderberry tea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ingredients:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 cups (1.40 L) of water;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons dried elderberries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons honey;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 lemons.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Instructions:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour water into a heavy saucepan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add dried elderberries and boil for 20 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strain to remove berries and stir in honey and the juice from one lemon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Garnish with lemon slices and serve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health benefits of elderberries are numerous as they are a great source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants while also being vegan and gluten-free. In addition, elderberries can help boost the immune system, improve heart health and reduce inflammation. They are a delicious and nutritious addition to any diet!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Elderberries.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/elderberries-everything-you-need-to-know-about-them/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18705</ID> <title>Gummy Vitamins vs. Pills</title> <publishDate>2022-07-27 20:21:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_292 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_331"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_343 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_245 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_735 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_736 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_737 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_364 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people take vitamins to improve their health or make up for nutrient deficiencies in their diet. These days, gummy vitamins are trendy because they come in various tastes, colors and shapes. Strawberry, lemon, raspberry and orange are just a few tasty gummy vitamin flavors available. In fact, vitamin supplements in the form of gummies are now more popular than pills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gummy Vitamin Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We need to eat a healthy and balanced diet to keep up with our daily multivitamins. However, if you have problems consuming various foods, have dietary restrictions or have trouble absorbing nutrients, taking multivitamins in the form of gummies may be right for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The advantage of a gummy vitamin is its &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cleanplates.com/nutrition/gummy-vitamins-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bioavailability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This trait is beneficial for people who have trouble absorbing certain nutrients because some will be destroyed by stomach acid, others will be expelled and others will simply not enter the body's cells.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people prefer gummy vitamins over pills because they are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-to-know-about-gummy-vitamins" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;easier to swallow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, have a nicer flavor and don't have a strange odor. These traits may increase your likelihood of taking vitamins on a regular basis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do Gummy Vitamins Work?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yes, gummy vitamins are effective. Like pills or soft gels, gummy vitamins provide your body with critical vitamins and minerals. Gummy vitamins may provide beneficial nutrients and can help certain people with vitamin deficiencies, such as vegans, older adults and pregnant women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Gummy Vitamins Go Bad?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because the FDA does not regulate gummy vitamins, their nutrients may differ from what is listed on the label, making it impossible to establish the exact amount of vitamins and minerals in a dose. Furthermore, gummy vitamins decay faster and have a shorter shelf life than traditional tablets, so the vitamin content in your gummy may have degraded by the time you take it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gelatin and pectin-based gummy vitamins have a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/do-vitamins-expire" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shorter shelf life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because they can become tough and unpleasant to eat. Gummies can last anywhere from one to two years, depending on the brand and formulation. It's crucial to double-check the label for the expiration date.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking Too Many Gummy Vitamins: Vitamin Toxicity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consuming an excessive amount of gummy vitamins may result in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/happens-eat-too-many-gummy-193645785.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diarrhea, vomiting, constipation or headaches.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; While undeniably more appealing than conventional vitamins, gummy vitamins make it difficult for children to distinguish between them and candy. This may result in unintentional overconsumption. Gummy vitamins contain a variety of minerals and vitamins, some of which are toxic in large doses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is crucial to monitor the right recommended dosage of gummy vitamins according to the product label. If your child or someone in your household has eaten too many gummy vitamins, have them drink plenty of water, ask how many vitamins were taken, and call Poison Control.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking gummy vitamins above the recommended dosage for an extended time may develop into chronic toxicity. Symptoms include muscle and bone pain, hair loss, headache and gastrointestinal distress. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Which Is Better: Gummy Vitamins or Pills?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For various reasons, gummy vitamins are a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://wfmchealth.org/family-health-care/gummy-vitamins-vs-regular-vitamins-which-is-better/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;popular alternative to traditional vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and they come in a range of shapes, dosages and tastes. In addition, gummy vitamins are chewable and easy to take for those who have trouble swallowing pills. However, gummy vitamins don't work as well as pills because they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/do-gummy-vitamins-work#:~:text=Gummy%20vitamins%20don't%20work%20as%20well%20as%20pills%20since,faster%20than%20conventional%20pill%20vitamins." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;often contain inconsistencies in the levels of nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; listed on the labels and degrade more quickly than pill vitamins.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gummy-vitamins#downsides" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;certain disadvantages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to taking gummy vitamins. Sugars are commonly added to gummy vitamins to give them a pleasant taste. Also, gummy vitamins can promote dental decay because the sugary gelatin can get stuck in your teeth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gummy-vitamins#downsides" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sugars added&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to gummy vitamins have been related to obesity, heart disease and tooth cavities. Some manufacturers may add sugar alcohols listed under total carbohydrates on the label. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a consumer, you must be careful with gummy vitamins, even if they are labeled sugar-free. Furthermore, because gummy vitamins typically taste like candy, taking vitamins in more than the prescribed amount can be tempting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gummy Vitamins: FAQ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are Gummy Vitamins As Effective As Pills?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are some drawbacks to gummy vitamins, such as manufacturers having a more challenging time getting as many vitamins and minerals into the gummy candies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/do-gummy-vitamins-work#:~:text=Gummy%20vitamins%20don%27t%20work%20as%20well%20as%20pills%20since,faster%20than%20conventional%20pill%20vitamins" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gummy vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may fall short when compared to their pill equivalents. According to independent studies, many gummy vitamins do not contain all of the nutrients listed on the label, and in certain circumstances, they may have too many of some vitamins.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to try gummies as dietary supplements, you should do your homework before choosing a gummy vitamin. You must take a look at the label and examine the components as well as the supplement information. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gummy Vitamins vs. Pills Absorption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gummy vitamins are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.naturemade.com/blogs/health-articles/do-gummy-vitamins-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chewable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and will be broken down before they reach your stomach, so they're significantly easier to take in. Your body will absorb the vitamins faster than if you took a tablet. In a contest between gummy vitamins vs. pills absorption, the gummy vitamins take the crown.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are Gummy Prenatal Vitamins Effective?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://roswellobgyn.org/the-truth-about-gummy-prenatals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daily need for iron&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; during the nine months of pregnancy is imperative. Unfortunately, iron is not present in gummy prenatal vitamins. Iron is absent from gummy prenatal vitamins because iron makes the gummies larger and can often result in an upset stomach. Instead of gummy prenatal vitamins, you can opt to eat green leafy vegetables that can provide a lot of iron. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best Gummy Vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to one study, while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthycell.com/blogs/articles/do-gummy-vitamins-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;almost 80% of gummy vitamins had incorrect labeling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, some were more reliable, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.flintstonesvitamins.com/?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGo07zGpyWAfHWOuZ0_lxSuvOp3Cvyp9RE5plfl3m4AqcSvAu9lAMChoCU70QAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flintstones Kid Gummies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.naturesway.com/products/alive-womens-gummy-multivitamin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nature's Way Women's Gummies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Both of these products have the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/do-gummy-vitamins-work#:~:text=Gummy%20vitamins%20don%27t%20work%20as%20well%20as%20pills%20since,faster%20than%20conventional%20pill%20vitamins" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proper amounts of vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; listed on their labels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to try gummy vitamins, look for ones that have been third-party tested and have low sugar content. If you are concerned about the sugar content, you can still take it as long as you monitor your food and sugar consumption. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gummy vitamins may be ideal for you, especially if you have children who find it difficult to take pills. They have a candy-like flavor and are simple to consume and digest. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're unsure about which vitamin to take, consult your doctor. Your doctor may advise you to take the appropriate vitamins in the form of gummy candies or pills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gummy-pills.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/gummy-vitamins-vs-pills/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18719</ID> <title>Healthy Food Habits</title> <publishDate>2022-07-26 21:00:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_293 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_332"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_344 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_246 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_738 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_739 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_740 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_365 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone is unique in their way, which means our food habits differ. No one says you can't enjoy a hamburger from time to time, but it's essential to have healthy foods and a balance in your diet. After all, no one said that healthy food habits couldn't be a treat to our minds and taste buds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Food Habits &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're searching for healthy food habits, there are a few things you have to follow. Choosing a healthy food habit is a great idea. By adding small changes to your diet, you will notice huge differences in your health. It may sound scary to change such a big part of your life, but the good news is that you can build healthy food habits one step at a time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Add Fruits and Vegetables to Your Meal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It may sound obvious that fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy food diet, but some people forget how efficient they are. Pick dark-green, red and orange vegetables to integrate into your dish. Add them to the main dish, side dish or garnish if you don't want to suddenly change your diet. Don't forget about the delicious fruits that go perfectly as a dessert. The more colorful your dish is, the more vitamins and minerals it contains.       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Eat Fish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seafood is full of protein, minerals, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17290-omega-3-fatty-acids" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;omega-3 fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Add some steamed salmon, tuna or trout to the meal's main course. Try some crab, oysters, or mussels if you prefer shellfish over fish. However, avoid cooking them in too much oil as over-fried food is unhealthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Whole Grains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You will quickly experience significant health changes by switching some of the grains you eat to whole grains. For example, switch from white bread to whole-wheat bread. Next time, try whole-grain pasta, whole-grain crackers in the morning or whole wheat tortilla when you carve a veggie wrap. Read the ingredients of products and keep an eye out for ingredients such as whole wheat, oatmeal, quinoa, wild rice and buckwheat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Stay Away from Sugary Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having sugary drinks in your diet is expected but not healthy. Beverages such as sodas and energy drinks have high sugar levels and, as a result, are full of calories that damage your health. Switch from these sugary drinks to plain water or unsweetened beverages. If you feel water is just too dull, don't be afraid to add a slice of lemon, lime or watermelon in the glass for flavor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Habits in America&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The United States is one of the largest food-consuming countries worldwide. Our country holds around 330 million people, so it is only natural there are a few different food habits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Ranch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People in America have a genuine obsession with ranch, a sauce made primarily with sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic and buttermilk. The ingredients already tell us this sauce is not a healthy addition to America's food habits. Nevertheless, people add it to almost everything, from french fries, chicken nuggets and buffalo wings to salads and different fried vegetables. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Fast-Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know that America is the perfect country if you are in love with fast food. The many varieties make it possible for everyone to find a place they will enjoy. Because of this, people can't seem to know when to stop eating at these establishments. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to enjoy some McDonald's or KFC from time to time, but never let it become a habit because overeating fast-food is quite unhealthy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Frying Almost Everything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fried food is one of the tastiest foods in the entire world. But the fantastic taste comes at the price of calories and harmful fats. The list seems endless, from fried chicken, potatoes, mac and cheese, turkey, onions and even butter. These fried meals have to be kept away from your diet as they are high in calories, cooked in high-fat and oils and are harmful to your entire body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Food Habits for Adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As adults, we have to switch to healthy food habits for a long and healthy life. Besides the provided list of tips, you can try other approaches such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Switch from solid fats to vegetable oils when cooking;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce the salt and sodium intake;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eliminate fast-foods from your diet;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moderate your alcohol intake;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add high fiber foods to your healthy food habits;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Never skip breakfast.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Healthy Eating Habits Are Important&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy food impacts our life more than we think. A healthy diet helps the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;body repel diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and keeps our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4967717/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental health thriving&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It may be hard at first, but the results are solid and impressive over time. You will be happier and healthier and enjoy what you are eating. After all, no one said healthy food habits consist of tasteless and unpleasant food. On the contrary, healthy food can be and is delicious!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't be afraid to change your food habits. It may seem scary and not worth it at first, but the results of healthy food habits are outstanding in the long run. Your health is essential, so you have to be careful when managing it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Healthy-Food.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/healthy-food-habits/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18713</ID> <title>Dealing with Sexual Performance Anxiety. 3 Helpful Things to Remember in the Bedroom</title> <publishDate>2022-07-26 20:44:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_294 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_333"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_345 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_247 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_741 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_742 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_743 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_366 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous factors have a say in a healthy relationship, one of which is healthy sex life. Ideally, we can open up with our partners, be intimate and try different things under the sheets. However, because of sexual performance anxiety, some couples cannot enjoy the perks of a healthy relationship. Being in bed with the person you love is supposed to be fun and exciting, and it's tough to have that kind of fun when you are constantly thinking about how well you are performing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Sexual Performance Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual anxiety or sexual performance anxiety is a form of sexual dysfunction in which a person experiences sexual difficulty due to fear or anxiety. Sexual performance anxiety symptoms include difficulties with sexual arousal, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction and premature ejaculation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual anxiety can be caused by various factors, including relationship problems, body image issues and trauma. It can also result from another mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual performance anxiety affects &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31447414/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9-25% of men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31447414/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6-16% of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While others who are unaware that they are experiencing the problem can overcome the issue through lifestyle changes, others have a more challenging time as they don't have a support system or enough knowledge for overcoming sexual performance anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Causes of Sexual Performance Anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many reasons someone can experience sexual performance anxiety and does not realize it or is already suffering but decides not to deal with it. Here are some of the indicators that you are experiencing SPA:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are conscious about your body and do not feel confident that your sexual partner would appreciate your image (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, concerns about being overweight or the size of your penis, especially with new sexual partners).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is difficult for you to think about sexual encounters healthily because of past abusive relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is difficult for you to trust your sexual partner due to fear of intimacy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You have relationship issues with your partner, causing the inability to be open and honest with your partner and constant fighting, arguing or microaggressions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are experiencing sexual dysfunctions such as low libido or erectile dysfunction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You are not in the moment during sexual activities because you overthink about your performance and try to manage how your partner experiences you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Overcome Sexual Performance Anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treating sexual performance anxiety depends on what's causing it. In general, SPA is a mental health problem linked with other mental health conditions such as depression, as these two intensify one another. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual performance anxiety treatment includes professional medical advice, medications and psychotherapy. The most common type of psychotherapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is used on both men and women. It focuses on changing automatic negative thoughts that contribute to emotional difficulties, depression and anxiety. Identifying these behaviors is difficult, especially if the person involved has a hard time opening up. However, this process leads to new self-discovery and insights essential in the treatment process.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is essential to have a partner to talk to and be open with the problem you are dealing with. Your partner is the one on the receiving end of this issue, and having your partner with you&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;during these difficult times can be very helpful in finding your way back to intimacy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hypnosis for Sexual Performance Anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hypnosis, a state of relaxation and focus that a trained therapist can induce, is a healthy place to start your sexual anxiety treatment. In this state, you are more open to suggestions and more likely to focus on positive thoughts. Hypnosis has been used to treat various conditions, including pain, anxiety and depression. It is also sometimes used to improve sexual function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual Anxiety and Meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness meditation training&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is another technique that is useful for treating anxiety. The goal of practicing mindfulness is to focus on the sensations that are occurring in the present moment while being intimate with your partner and not pass judgment. Mindfulness-based interventions help individuals regulate their emotions, destress and manage their anxiety, which has positive implications for managing sexual performance anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual Performance Anxiety Tips&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Be Οpen to Trying New Things&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people have a minimal view of how sex after marriage should be. However, it is essential to evolve our sex life and try new things even after the honeymoon phase. Couples should not limit themselves to the routine but find new ways to spice up their sex life. There are many ways to spice up your sex life, such as toys, role-playing and new trying positions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Identify Your Turn-Offs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the time to identify your turn-offs. For example, if the messiness of the room is too much of a distraction and stresses you out, you can tidy it up before initiating foreplay. Such small changes can render significant improvements in your sex life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Communication Ιs Κey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Communication is always the key to a good relationship. Τalk to your partner about what feels good or bad, not just with what's currently happening in your relationship but with your sex life as well. This way, you and your partner would have a better understanding of what you want and what you need in bed, as well as address concerns or worries that you have.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sexual performance anxiety can be challenging physically and mentally and will have a negative impact on your relationship unless you find ways to overcome it. It is essential to understand that you are not alone in this battle, as you have your partner who can help you get through these difficult times. There are a lot of treatments available to help you in your journey to be a better person and be a better life partner. The first step is always the hardest, but when you start opening up about your problem, everything will fall into place.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sexual-Performance-Anxiety.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/dealing-with-sexual-performance-anxiety-3-helpful-things-to-remember-in-the-bedroom/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18698</ID> <title>Hormonal Acne</title> <publishDate>2022-07-25 20:06:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_295 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_334"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_346 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_248 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_744 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_745 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_746 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_367 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever wondered why you sometimes get those huge, inflamed zits that seem to take over your chin for no apparent reason? Is there anything you can do about it other than crossing your fingers and hoping for the best? Luckily, we nowadays have many ways you can alleviate your hormonal acne. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne Reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313084#what-is-hormonal-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Medical News Today,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; hormonal acne is not a term used in research or medical practitioners, but on the Internet, in magazines or by people selling natural remedies. Therefore, it can simply be called acne or by its medical term: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acne vulgaris&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrary to popular belief, hormonal acne is not caused by overeating sugar or chocolate. It's actually caused by a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/symptoms-and-diseases/hormonal-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone imbalance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can result from many different things that naturally occur as we go through our stages of life: puberty, pregnancy or menopause. It can also be caused by stress and lack of sleep that mess with your estrogen and testosterone. And while it's not entirely understood why some people get hormonal acne and others don't, it is suspected to have a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/is-acne-genetic#acne-and-genetics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genetic factor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne from Birth Control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/acne-caused-by-birth-control#2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;birth control pills cause hormonal acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;? The answer might be different for everyone; sometimes, yes, but sometimes it can reduce acne.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Certain pills with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/birth-control-for-acne-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;progesterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; only can cause acne to become worse.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/birth-control-for-acne-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;other birth control pills&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help with hormonal acne because they change how hormones work in your body. For example, some birth control pills cause a reduction in the amount of acne-causing androgen hormones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Considering the varying effects of birth control pills on acne, it is wise to consult your doctor if you are concerned about how taking them can affect your skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne Areas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal acne can cause breakouts in numerous skin areas, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Face:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The most common place for acne to appear on the face is around the forehead and cheeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chest:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Hormonal acne on the chest usually appears as a rash of small red bumps that can look like a sunburn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Back&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Back acne usually starts as blackheads or whiteheads on the shoulders and upper back, spreading to more concentrated areas over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Buttocks:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Buttocks are one of the most common places for hormonal acne because sweat can irritate pores in this area and cause acne.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne in Pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other than teenagers, the population most affected by hormonal acne are pregnant women because hormonal acne affects most pregnant women in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/acne-during-pregnancy-treatments-causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;second and third trimesters of pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The two types of hormonal acne affecting pregnant women are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Acne due to the rise in androgen levels, or male hormones:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This type is commonly seen in women during their second trimester and lasts until the end of the third.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Acne due to the decline in estrogen levels or female hormones: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This type is commonly seen later in pregnancy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6662/isotretinoin-oral/details" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accutane (Isotretinoin)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an oral medication for treating severe acne, but you should be careful about taking it during pregnancy as it can cause nasty side effects to a developing fetus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cystic Acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-acne-15762#:~:text=That%20means%20every%20skin%20care,mild%2C%20moderate%2C%20and%20severe." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cystic acne is a severe form of acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; caused by a buildup of bacteria and oil in the hair follicle and can be painful, taking weeks or months to heal. Dry skin is a common problem that may result from an infection, a reaction to certain medications or aging. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In mild cases, topical treatments applied twice daily can be effective. In more severe cases, cleansing three times daily and sometimes taking oral antibiotics is recommended. In most severe cases, it can be treated with a corticosteroid injection called triamcinolone. This injection into the lesion aims to reduce inflammation and scarring.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Will Hormonal Acne Go Away?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways to deal with hormonal acne, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best way to find out what works for you is through trial and error over time. The best ways to get rid of hormonal acne are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Clearing your skin of dead skin cells;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exfoliating twice a week;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using gentle products that don't irritate the skin.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; You can use makeup removers, baby soap or natural skincare products such as cucumber slices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using a hydrocortisone cream.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation and is good for all types of skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using a benzoyl peroxide cream or gel that you apply to your skin.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties and can help treat acne.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Treat Hormonal Acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne Supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different types of supplements available on the market for acne reduction, and they work in various ways. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One popular supplement contains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-a-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which helps reduce sebum production in the skin pores and reduces inflammation. You can also find supplements containing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/zinc-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; zinc&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which helps reduce inflammation, kill bacteria and decrease the number of acne bumps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also try supplementing with green tea extract and caffeine, which may help prevent clogged pores.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people swear by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin C supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to reduce the severity of acne and control breakouts. This is due to vitamin C being a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin against the irritants in cosmetics and environmental pollutants. It also helps control excess sebum production, promoting acne formation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can find supplements that contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321273#_noHeaderPrefixedContent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aloe vera gel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which offers relief from dryness and irritation caused by acne. Aloe also has anti-inflammatory properties that help treat inflammation and reduce redness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne and Accutane&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The standard treatment options for acne are topical creams and antibiotics. However, these treatments are only temporary and will not cure the condition completely. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aocd.org/page/Accutane" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accutane (Isotretinoin)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a medication that has been used for over 30 years to treat severe acne that has not responded to other treatments, such as antibiotics or topical creams. Accutane should be used only in severe acne cases characterized by large, painful cysts and scarring.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Acne and Retinol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal acne can be caused by an imbalance in the body's natural hormone levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/retinol-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Retinol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a form of vitamin A, can be used to remedy hormonal acne. It helps reduce inflammation and redness, unclogs pores and helps with acne scars. Retinol also reduces fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation problems while improving the overall appearance of your skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally at Home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natural remedies for hormonal acne are cheaper and maybe more gentle on the skin. In addition, they do not have as many side effects as using harsh chemicals on the face.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some natural remedies for hormonal acne:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins from your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apply ice packs on your face for 15 minutes every day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat foods rich in antioxidants, like blueberries, strawberries, dark chocolate or spinach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://tasty-yummies.com/how-to-make-your-own-apple-cider-vinegar-facial-toner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;apple cider vinegar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a toner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you know more about hormonal acne, you are better prepared to face future breakouts and prevent them in the first place. As always, consult your doctor to find out if you're at risk for or dealing with hormonal acne and what else you can do to keep your skin healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hormonal-Acne.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/hormonal-acne/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18689</ID> <title>Does an Orgasm Take Two to Tango? Health Benefits of Solo vs. Shared Orgasms</title> <publishDate>2022-07-25 19:44:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_296 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_335"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_347 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_249 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_747 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_748 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_749 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_368 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you're single, in a committed relationship or somewhere in between, you deserve a fulfilling sex life! Unfortunately, poor communication and cultural stigma surrounding sexuality often make it challenging to achieve fulfilling sex lives. But, no matter how difficult, overcoming these barriers and understanding your body will be worth the effort!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Masturbation Have Health Benefits?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It may come as a surprise, but the answer is yes! Solo orgasms provide various benefits to your physical and mental health, and it's essential to understand their potential value. Research has demonstrated that white blood cells, especially those that fight off infection, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bigthink.com/health/health-benefits-of-masturbation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increase during sexual arousal and orgasm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This benefit should not be underestimated since white blood cells are a critical element of our immune systems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another unexpected benefit of orgasm is headache relief. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bigthink.com/health/health-benefits-of-masturbation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that over 50% of migraine sufferers found their pain decreased after orgasm. Of those who suffer from cluster headaches, however, 50% said that sexual arousal and orgasm worsened their headache symptoms. So, while masturbation and orgasm are not a cure-all for severe headaches, we shouldn't rule them out either.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last physical health benefit worth mentioning has to do with sleep. Anything we can do to improve our sleep should be considered! Research has indicated that masturbation and orgasm can help in this regard. Sexual activity releases &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.humnutrition.com/blog/health-benefits-of-masturbation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oxytocin and vasopressin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, hormones that help your body regulate stress. Higher levels of these hormones will not only make your day more pleasant; they'll help you drift off to sleep faster, too!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To experience an increased level of oxytocin is to become less anxious, which means that orgasms might help those who suffer from social anxiety. Research indicates that over &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mhanational.org/conditions/social-anxiety-disorder#:~:text=Fifteen%20million%2C%20or%20seven%20percent,disorder%20and%20major%20depressive%20disorder." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15 million Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; currently deal with this type of anxiety, so it is by no means an isolated issue. If you're one of them, the oxytocin increase resulting from orgasm might be worth exploring.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Orgasms Really Affect My Mental Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy relationship with masturbation, for many people, leads to increased confidence in their bodies. This increased confidence, in turn, leads to a more generalized boost in self-esteem. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01614576.1991.11074029" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that women in relationships who masturbate have higher self-esteem than women in relationships who do not masturbate. Masturbation and orgasms aren't the only ways to boost your self-esteem, but they're worth trying!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to the anxiety-reducing effects of oxytocin, sexual activity and orgasms provide other helpful hormones. One example is endorphins, which you might have heard about in the context of exercise. These feel-good hormones are responsible for the "runners' high" phenomenon, providing a sort of natural high resulting from vigorous physical activity. It's no surprise, then, that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/is_sex_good_for_depression/article.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;endorphins can also come from sexual activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, whether solo or with a partner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is the "Orgasm Gap"?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This phrase, which has been picking up a lot of traction recently, refers to the different rates of orgasms experienced by men and women. Even in relationships, for example, it's reported that men experience orgasms considerably more frequently than women. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stress-and-sex/201711/close-the-disconnect-between-women-s-self-partner-pleasure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that 85% of men and only 65% of women reported experiencing orgasms during their last episode of relationship sex.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that there is a solution, and it's easier to come by than you might think. A benefit of masturbation is becoming more familiar with your body, your processes of sexual arousal and the stimulation type you need to reach orgasm. This is the key to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stress-and-sex/201711/close-the-disconnect-between-women-s-self-partner-pleasure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;closing the orgasm gap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: communicate with your partner what kind of stimulation brings you to orgasm when you're on your own and add that stimulation when you're engaging in sexual activity together. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This process will require you to pay additional attention to your communication, but it will be worth it! Whether you're in a relationship or not, you deserve to understand your body and your needs, and, hopefully, these physical and mental health benefits will be enough of an encouragement to improve your sex life!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Orgasm.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/does-an-orgasm-take-two-to-tango-health-benefits-of-solo-vs-shared-orgasms/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18666</ID> <title>Practice, Research, Business: A View of Plastic Surgery with Dr. Daniel J. Gould, MD, Ph.D.</title> <publishDate>2022-07-24 19:36:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_297 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_336"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_348 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_250 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_750 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_751 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_752 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_369 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The medical profession is a continuous progression of new medicines, techniques and knowledge developed through theory and applied research. The combination of science and business promotes the restoration of good health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniel J. Gould, MD, Ph.D., employs his dual degrees to embrace both theory and application. He has played key roles in businesses where he contributes to his patients' well-being and the advancement of science.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gould is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Dr. Gould Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California. His &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://drgouldplasticsurgery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has produced hundreds of peer-reviewed articles and presentations on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Gould is also involved in other health and wellness-related businesses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It allows me to contribute on a deeper level and change the way I approach each patient, my practice and my contributions back to science," Dr. Gould said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Starting a Career&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gould followed in his physician father's footsteps while pursuing his affinity towards research. Mentors pushed him toward an MD Ph.D. program and encouraged his developing love for reconstruction and plastic surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I became more focused on bioengineering and tissue engineering. That was a great overlap for reconstructive surgery. Now, I like taking care of patients, researching and putting those two things together to improve outcomes," Dr. Gould said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Practice: Restoring Patients' Well-Being&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gould's practice involves anti-aging procedures for the face, breast and abdomen, including the state-of-the-art deep plane facelift and drainless tummy tuck.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's an overlap between science and surgery with facial aging," Dr. Gould said. "It's challenging—the technical skill, perioperative management, understanding aging and what patients need and want. My practice is all about allowing the patient to recognize who they see in the mirror. We're here to make you look better, not different."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Gould, success means the patient looks natural, not like they've had work done. He is essentially returning things to their natural state.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm putting your anatomy back where it belongs. I don't want people thinking, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I want to be a 10&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. I don't create strange, unnatural beauty," Dr. Gould explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Patient Cases&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His goal of resetting natural balance produces happy patients. He gave an example of a woman who, after having babies, developed weakness in her abdominal core muscles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"She had urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. With one surgery, I can put her muscles back together. I can give her body back," Dr. Gould said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other patients come in for breast augmentations, not to enlarge their breasts but to correct an imbalance. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My ideal breast augmentation is when you look at the patient and have no idea they had surgery. They're not going beyond natural anatomy," Dr. Gould added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gould does not perform or promise miracles. Instead, he helps patients understand that procedures are consistent with the patient's health, skin condition and natural body type, not what they see on television or social media.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The deep plane facelift, for example, is all about releasing tension and putting the structures back where they belong. I don't see myself as a special cultivator of beauty. I see myself as an anatomist or a scientist," Dr. Gould said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Research: Contributing to Science&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My residency and Ph.D. were focused on researching ways to further the science of plastic surgery. As a result, I've written about 120 peer-reviewed publications, and I've given about 600 talks at big meetings," Dr. Gould said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is currently an editor for the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/asj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aesthetic Surgery Journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and has also helped launch a new &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;open-access journal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, publishing several articles in each. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The new journal is more focused on consumers and giving transparent information about plastic surgery. My goal is to ultimately be a high-level editor or maybe editor-in-chief for one of those journals," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_82"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/thumbnail_image2.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_image2.jpeg" class="wp-image-18670" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_370 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Business: Multiple Paths to Promoting Wellness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Managing a Business and Creating a Niche&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To practice medicine and conduct research successfully, a doctor must also manage the business side. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've learned how to manage a practice, open an office, grow, develop marketing and leads and create a brand. I think one of the biggest mistakes doctors make is failing to establish a niche," Dr. Gould said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors often see themselves as jacks of all trades, but they cannot do everything. Instead, they should focus on two or three things they do well and become known for that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In a market largely based on referrals from other providers, other doctors won't send you referrals if you overlap with what they do. You're a competitor. You're a better referral source as an expert in a niche," Dr. Gould explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Partnerships&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A doctor with an established niche can form partnerships with doctors with other expertise, thus building the community of medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"By building those partnerships, relying on your medical and surgical colleagues and developing referral streams, you can grow. But you need to network in order to know who to send people to," Dr. Gould said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a community, the more interlinked doctors are, the more supportive they are of one another, and the better their patients' outcomes will be.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;YouTube&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On his YouTube channel, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/DrGouldPlasticSurgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr Gould Plastic Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, he discusses such topics as procedures, patient expectations and aftercare.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;"&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;YouTube Health reached out to me to become a part of a vetted medical knowledge base. As a result, I'm creating knowledge about cosmetic procedures focused around outcomes," Dr. Gould said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Love My Delta, Milk + Honey Spas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://lovemydelta.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Love My Delta&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a cloud-based software platform, offers analytical tools for people working in beauty, wellness and aesthetic medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've created a company called Love My Delta with a few friends and partners. We're using crowdsourcing to identify outcomes in aesthetic surgery and aesthetic beauty," Dr. Gould added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gould is also the medical service operator for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://milkandhoneyspa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Milk + Honey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; spas. This business features medical aesthetics along with traditional high-quality spa services and products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're hoping to become an industry leader in aesthetic beauty and expand our locations," Dr. Gould said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gould has created a successful practice by identifying his niche within the plastic surgery field, advancing the science through research and publications and getting involved in other businesses that serve aesthetic patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You have to have your hand in a few different things to push your practice," Dr. Gould said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The real bottom line, though, is the patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The one thing that motivates me is the best results for the patients,” Dr. Gould explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Between the care a doctor provides and referrals for other needed services, patients get the best information and treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That's the whole goal—the best care always," Dr. Gould concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dr.-Daniel-J.-Gould-MD-Ph.D..png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/practice-research-business-a-view-of-plastic-surgery-with-dr-daniel-j-gould-md-ph-d/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18658</ID> <title>"It's Not Just All In Your Head": Post Covid Brain Fog: What We Know So Far And Strategies To Help Lift The Cloud</title> <publishDate>2022-07-24 18:54:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_298 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_337"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_349 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_251 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_753 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_754 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_755 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_371 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ever experienced mental fogginess, slowness during recuperation from illness? Simply put, you may be suffering from ‘Brain fog’. Though not a medical term, it’s not such a simple medical condition. More recently, brought to the fore by the onslaught of COVID -19. Brain fog is a common, yet troublesome cognitive impairment phenomenon experienced by many patients weeks to months after suffering from COVID-19, to describe feeling mentally slow or feeling not as sharp a thought process as before. This is part of the CDC's umbrella term 'Long COVID-19' or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which includes the various symptoms someone can experience during or even after being infected with COVID-19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PASC occurs when patients experience persistent, new or recurring symptoms four or more weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection. Even weeks after being infected with COVID-19, some people will continue to experience symptoms, including brain fog, which can stick around for many weeks after you've recovered from the disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Symptoms of Brain Fog&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brain fog is a broad term that encompasses a variety of symptoms. The commonality through these symptoms is some impaired mental function that can make it harder to think clearly, hence the term 'fog.' For example, individuals may have a hard time finding the right word or remembering the names of things. They may also find it hard to focus or multitask. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brain fog impairs more than one's ability to focus; it can also slow or impair brain function. Normally, the brain controls and accesses information by encoding and retrieving, meaning the brain encodes information into its memory to remember it, and the brain retrieves it from where it was encoded to access that information. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, brain fog slows this process, making it harder to learn, encode or retrieve the information you already know. This process also makes decision-making more difficult by reducing the brain's processing speed and creating mental fatigue. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most severe symptom of COVID-19 brain fog affects middle-aged adults and is called dysexecutive syndrome. It occurs when someone has a hard time organizing information with impairments in speed processing, memory encoding, recall and category fluency, implying an impact on frontoparietal and frontostriatal brain networks. Basically, the brain has a reduced ability to function, indicating that the brain networks responsible for motor, behavioral and mental functions may be affected.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers agree that COVID-19 may be behind this syndrome. According to a research letter published in October 2021 in JAMA Network Open, researchers tested 740 COVID-19 patients in New York with a mean age of 49. Even months after being infected with COVID-19, individuals manifested a dysexecutive syndrome. Researchers also noted that the subjects tested positive for COVID-19 or its antibodies and had no history of dementia. Therefore, their symptoms were caused by COVID-19's effects on their brains, not underlying dementia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;“Not just in your head”: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;Causes of Brain Fog&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our learning of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is occurring in real time, but one thing is clear: brain fog is not entirely a psychological phenomenon. Instead, brain fog has been found to have a biologic basis and can affect anyone who was infected with COVID-19, not limited to those that were extremely sick, hospitalized or on a ventilator. The exact cause of brain fog is difficult to determine, but some of the most common factors are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Poor brain oxygenation caused by brain injury, lung/multi-organ damage or ventilator use;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inflammation of the coverings of the brain (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, viral encephalitis) or blood vessels (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, microvascular injury);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cytokine storm (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heightened immune response to the virus or its remnants in the body) leading to a post-infectious autoimmune response;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Autonomic and small fiber neuropathy from complex viral mechanisms could potentially lead to dizziness and lightheadedness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These factors can affect the brain's surrounding tissue or the amount of oxygen the brain receives, resulting in impaired function and the brain fog associated with COVID-19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other medical conditions can contribute to COVID-19 brain fog as well. According to a study of non-hospitalized post-COVID-19 patients' cerebrospinal fluid (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the fluid which bathes and surrounds the brain), even COVID-19 patients without severe conditions still experienced brain inflammation. This implies that the body's inflammatory response to COVID was still present even months after the initial infection and that the body's inflammatory systems, which are activated during the infection, were still active even after the infection had passed. The researchers also found that patients with brain fog were also likely to have conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, heavy alcohol and stimulant use, and learning disabilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_83"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/thumbnail_image1.jpeg" alt="" title="thumbnail_image1" class="wp-image-18787" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_372 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Management of Post-COVID-19 Brain Fog&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make a diary of your symptoms and seek advice from a doctor through medical examination, lab tests, imaging and neuropsychological studies as deemed appropriate. There are myriad situations which could cause or potentiate brain fog symptoms. Unhealthy diet, poor sleep quality, chronic stress, hormonal changes, may be contributory, as have been the use of certain medications and medical conditions such as anemia, post chemotherapy, and depression, to name a few.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Strategies for Beating COVID-19 Brain Fog&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once your doctor is sure that there is no other explanation for cognitive difficulties, certain lifestyle strategies may be of help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mindful Planning&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plan, prioritize and pace your daily schedule with time for rest, rotating between mental and physical tasks. Write down on sticky notes, planners and calendars to place on your refrigerator, laptop or door for easy access and repetition. This strategy can help you avoid forgetting important things because of your brain fog.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also maintain a symptom diary to find triggers and helpful avoidance strategies. Such a diary will help you better understand your brain fog, what makes it worse and what helps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ask for assistance when overwhelmed. In some instances, professional cognitive therapy may be helpful to your recovery process. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mindful Sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to The Sleep Foundation, adults (18-64 years) need an average of 7-9 hours of rest every night. Sleep helps the brain and body recharge appropriately for optimal functioning and healing. It is especially important when you're struggling with brain fog impairing your brain function. So make sure you get extra sleep to give your brain all the energy it can to push through brain fog. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To help you sleep better at night, try to avoid coffee after 2 p.m., create a relaxing ritual like a warm bath before bedtime, turn off the TV, block blue light on digital devices at least a few hours prior and use the bedroom only for sleep and intimacy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mindful Diet&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The brain-healthy Mediterranean or a plant-predominant diet consisting of whole grains, beans, olive oil, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fish has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid processed foods that are inflammatory. Remember to drink water throughout the day and avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mindful Exercise &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise can be very beneficial even when you're battling brain fog. However, start slow, with gentle movements, stretching from a few minutes a few times a day, and build up in a graduated manner toward working out 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Remember to warm up and cool down before and after workouts to get the best out of your session.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Socialize Mindfully!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be intentional when socializing. Surround yourself with mindful, mood-enhancing people and activities. You can also pursue reading, listening to music, breathwork, practicing mindfulness, meditation and maintaining a grateful and positive attitude.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Be Mindful of Other Conditions &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make sure that you keep an eye out for other conditions as well. Seek medical help for conditions such as refractory headache, numbness, hypertension, diabetes, depression, substance abuse and liver, kidney, heart, lung or other multi-organ involvements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, brain fog is unlikely to become a permanent condition. An optimistic study shed some light at the end of the tunnel that this fog may not be permanent. The latest research published in Brain Communications suggested that COVID-19 survivors showed a substantial reduction in attention retention on demanding tasks up to nine months after COVID-19 and an even worse memory for up to six months. The researchers found that previous COVID-19 patients had brain functions that were not significantly different from normal after 6-9 months.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember, our brain functions best with a balance of rest and repetition for rewiring and eventually getting back on track. The same is true with dealing with brain fog. The best way to overcome it is simply giving your brain enough rest. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brain fog and other persistent symptoms of COVID-19 may seem challenging to those experiencing them. After all, dealing with symptoms of an illness you think you've gotten over is discouraging. Optimistic research with newer/ repurposed medicines is on the horizon. But, with these strategies, tips, and a tincture of time, you should be able to weather the fog.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;**This article  is a compilation from different medical sources and the author's views and opinions are her own. This is to raise awareness on medical issues, not personal medical advice. Please ask your doctor about any questions/ concerns. Life is precious***&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Post-Covid-Brain-Fog.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/its-not-just-in-your-head-post-covid-brain-fog-what-we-know-far-and-strategies-help-lift-the-cloud-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18444</ID> <title>Your Stress Is Negatively Affecting the Health of Your Teeth</title> <publishDate>2022-07-08 21:59:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_299 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_338"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_350 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_252 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_756 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_757 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_758 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_373 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity and one of the main reasons for grinding or clenching teeth. The muscles in the jaw tighten when stressed and put pressure on the teeth and gums. This pressure wears away at the tooth enamel and makes it more prone to decay or breakage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching, the everyday habits of people who suffer from stress. These unwanted habits can lead to tooth stress fractures or even tooth loss. Bruxism can also cause problems with the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.physio-pedia.com/Bruxism_and_Temporomandibular_Disorders#:~:text=A%20number%20of%20studies%20have,mysofascial%20pain%20without%20disc%20displacement." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;temporomandibular joint (TMJ)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Pain may develop if you grind or clench your teeth often because of stress. In severe cases, TMJ problems can be debilitating and require surgery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, there are several ways to combat stress and protect your oral health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can reduce stress through meditation. Meditation has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain, reduce anxiety and depression and improve sleep quality. Meditation has also been shown to lower cortisol levels in the bloodstream (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the hormone associated with chronic stress and high blood pressure).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One type of meditation has been researched and shown to reduce stress, called&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/benefits-of-mindfulness-based-stress-reduction-88861#:~:text=Mindfulness%2DBased%20Stress%20Reduction%20(MBSR,stress%20and%20undermine%20your%20health." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The purpose of an MBSR program is to help people reduce stress and anxiety levels by learning how to be more mindful or aware in their daily lives. It is a secular form of meditation available anywhere and at any time and does not require any special equipment beyond a willingness to learn about mindfulness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Breathing Exercises&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/10/07/how-stress-affects-your-brain-and-how-to-reverse-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Andrew Huberman&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of Stanford University, we can reduce stress by changing our breathing patterns. Called a "physiological sigh," this technique involves taking a couple of deep breaths in quick succession and exhaling completely. A physiological sigh employs the tiny gas sacks in your lungs, or the alveoli, which expand the amount of air you can take in. These bags deflate over time, reducing the amount of oxygen in the blood and causing carbon dioxide levels to rise. This process causes the physiological response towards relaxation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Massage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A massage can help you relax and release the tension in your muscles. It also improves blood circulation. According to a new &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/massage-measurably-reduces-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by psychologists at the University of Konstanz in Germany, a massage can measurably reduce stress. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Massage therapists can use many different types of contact during a session, including kneading, tapping, rolling and vibration. These various methods are used to improve blood circulation and stimulate relaxation. In addition, some may find that using oils or lotions during a massage can also bring about benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting a Night Guard&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from addressing underlying stress, one has to address the symptoms of stress-induced teeth grinding. A night guard can help alleviate some of the symptoms of teeth grinding by creating a cushion. A night guard is a device placed over the upper or lower teeth. Night guards can help prevent tooth wear from grinding by cushioning the hard surfaces of the teeth. These devices are typically made from a silicone material with a wire mesh covering. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are many ways to reduce teeth grinding, such as wearing a mouth guard, the best way is to remove stress, the likely cause of teeth grinding, from our lives. Practicing yoga, meditating, deep breathing and getting enough sleep are ways to combat stress. Aside from practicing stress reduction, it would help to talk to your dentist about the best treatment options for your teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_signup_0 et_pb_newsletter_layout_left_right et_pb_newsletter et_pb_subscribe clearfix et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_dark et_pb_newsletter_description_no_title et_pb_newsletter_description_no_content"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_newsletter_description et_multi_view_hidden"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/stress.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/your-stress-is-negatively-affecting-the-health-of-your-teeth/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18435</ID> <title>Want to Live Longer? Floss Your Teeth</title> <publishDate>2022-07-07 21:43:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_300 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_339"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_351 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_253 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_759 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_760 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_761 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_374 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do you believe that toothbrushing and scheduled dental visits are enough for proper dental care? Both your dentist and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Dental Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; might think otherwise and recommend including flossing in your oral care regimen because flossing can keep not only your teeth but your entire body healthy as well.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flossing and Longevity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a published &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.labroots.com/trending/cardiology/22181/brushing-flossing-help-live-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, researchers have found a significant link between longevity and a comprehensive oral care regimen. The said study covered older adults between the age of 52 to 105 years old, with a median of 81 years old. It was done to measure the connection between oral health and mortality. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The researchers found significant links between oral hygiene and mortality. Those who never brushed their teeth at night had a 20%-35% increased mortality risk. People who did not visit their dentist in the last 12 months increased their mortality risk by 30%-50%, and those who never flossed their teeth increased their mortality risk by 30%. The same study found that the number of missing teeth was correlated with mortality risk.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tooth Loss and Mortality Rate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our oral health has always been a dependable indicator of how well our entire body is doing. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/want-to-know-how-long-you-will-live-count-your-teeth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on tooth loss and mortality found that people who had 20 or more teeth at the age of 70 had a significantly better chance of surviving longer than those with less than 20 teeth. Gum disease or poor oral health are regularly linked to a wide range of general health such as heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, dementia and pregnancy issues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flossing, along with brushing, prevents two interconnected diseases: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.beavercreekdentalgrp.com/blog/245496-flossing-for-a-longer-life-expectancy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gum disease and heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The absence of flossing can onset gum inflammation, which, in turn, facilitates the occurrence of a chronic bacterial infection in your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth can descend into your arteries—the more bacteria attack your respiratory system, the more your arteries will become inflamed and narrow. The situation will impede your heart's proper function and facilitate heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gum Disease and Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diabetes management is a lifelong commitment, and good dental care is an integral part of that. A person with diabetes is less capable &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes/art-20043848#:~:text=Early%20gum%20disease%20(gingivitis).,called%20tartar%20(dental%20calculus)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;of fighting bacteria in the oral cavity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are a diabetic person, dental care matters. People with type I and type II diabetes already have a substantially higher risk of dental problems than those who do not. This is because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://meyerdentist.com/7-reasons-you-really-should-floss-every-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;elevated blood sugar levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; generate sugary saliva, which increases plaque production and the risk of tooth decay. When you add in a lack of flossing, you've got yourself a recipe for severe gum disease.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, diabetic patients have poor wound healing, making it more difficult to recover from gum disease and its complications. Over time, this might result in abscesses, fungal infections and tooth loss.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is It Better to Floss Before or After Brushing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The crucial aspect of cleaning between your teeth is consistency. It doesn't matter when you floss your teeth as long as you do it thoroughly. Allot some time early in the morning or at night before going to bed to floss your teeth before or after you brush your teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's never too late to start caring for your teeth. Making positive adjustments in our oral health can help us delay the decline of our health as we age. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking appropriate care of our teeth can help us avoid oral health diseases that are linked to other health problems.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/floss.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/want-to-live-longer-floss-your-teeth/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18427</ID> <title>Why Is It Hard for People to Stop Drinking Alcohol?</title> <publishDate>2022-07-06 21:30:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_301 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_340"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_352 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_254 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_762 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_763 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_764 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_375 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You probably know someone whose life has been negatively impacted by alcohol. Unfortunately, many adults who are otherwise completely intelligent and capable of making smart health decisions have trouble when trying to stop drinking alcohol. Why is this the case? What is it about alcohol that makes it so difficult to stop?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's the Science Behind Drinking Alcohol?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We must first understand the effect that alcohol has on the brain. This information will go a long way in explaining why drinking is so appealing for so many people. The reality is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/36084-alcohol-releases-endorphins-brain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;alcohol releases endorphins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which you might have heard about in the context of exercise. Endorphins are responsible for the phenomenon of "runners' high," where an elevated mood is reported due to intense physical exercise. Though drinking alcohol doesn't involve that type of exercise, it still activates these positive chemicals in your brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although you might call these positive chemical effects "artificial," the emotional high from these chemicals is difficult to argue with. We all experience stress, sadness and anger, so we're naturally interested in substances like alcohol that can provide a fast release from negative emotions. Unfortunately, this is also the foundation for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;alcohol abuse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Peer Pressure Really Make a Difference?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another factor to be considered is the position of alcohol within the broader culture. Whether we're talking about the entertainment industry or just local nightlife, the modern perception of alcohol is largely positive. Movies, television series and books often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.peele.net/lib/sociocul.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;portray alcohol consumption positively&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and this portrayal impacts the way that millions of us think about alcohol. Of course, every individual can make their own decisions about alcohol's place in their lives, but the cultural esteem granted to alcohol is sure to play a role for the average American.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to the extensive cultural pressure, we should also consider &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09060-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;peer pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, often one of the elements paving the way for individuals to choose to drink, even if their relationship with alcohol has become a risk to their wellbeing. We have a responsibility to our friends and families to help them take care of themselves and be willing to have open and honest conversations about our consumption of alcohol and its effects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Quitting Strategies Are Effective?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite the positive cultural perception of alcohol, we must acknowledge the serious risk to public health. Around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/36084-alcohol-releases-endorphins-brain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80,000 deaths per year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are caused by excessive alcohol use in the United States, and one study has indicated that a third of American adults have experienced either alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Even if other people have their relationship with alcohol under control, we each have a responsibility to make healthy decisions for ourselves. If your alcohol consumption has become a risk for your physical or emotional health - or that of your loved ones - consider some effective quitting strategies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first step is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/how-to-stop-drinking#make-a-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;determine how much you drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This will serve as a wake-up call, both emotionally and financially. Once you realize how the quantity and price of alcohol impact your health and budget, you'll discover a renewed determination to quit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/how-to-stop-drinking#make-a-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;determine why you drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and brainstorm ways to meet those needs in healthier ways. If you drink alcohol to avoid negative emotions, for example, researching other ways to care for your mental health will be a worthwhile replacement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/how-to-stop-drinking#talk-about-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;involve your loved ones and find a community&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Family and friends who care about you will support your decision to cut back on alcohol, and a community of people who have made the same choice for themselves is the most effective kind of support you can find.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/alcohol.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-is-it-hard-for-people-to-stop-drinking-alcohol/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18418</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-07-05 21:05:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_302 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_341"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_353 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_255 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_765 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_766 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_767 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_376 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You're never fully dressed without a smile, which is why you need to take care of your oral health. Regular visits to the dentist can help you take care of your pearly whites, but you also need to establish good oral habits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should choose the best foods for your gums and teeth for solid dental health. Remember that if it's good for your body, it should also be good for your teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Best Foods for Healthy Teeth and Gums?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best foods for gums and teeth are low in sugar and acids. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy products and lean protein are splendid choices for a healthy diet. These foods help protect your teeth from decay and gum disease while also providing essential nutrients to keep your mouth healthy. Generally, the best food for gums and teeth are the ones that are natural, unpacked and unprocessed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Best Food for Healthy Gums and Teeth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Leafy Green Vegetables &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Leafy Greens are some of the best foods you can eat for healthy teeth and gums. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are packed with nutrients that support oral health. They are low in sugar and high in fiber, which helps remove plaque from teeth. They also contain calcium, necessary for strong teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts and Seeds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts and seeds are another great source of nutrients for healthy teeth and gums. They are high in protein and low in sugar, which helps keep plaque from forming on teeth. They also contain minerals like calcium and phosphorus, necessary for strong teeth and bones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low-Fat Dairy Products &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are fantastic for teeth and gums because they contain calcium and other minerals that support oral health. They are also a good protein source, which helps keep plaque from forming on teeth. Try to choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products to avoid adding too much sugar to your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lean Protein &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein is a fundamental nutrient not just for teeth and gums but for overall health as well. Protein helps prevent plaque from forming on teeth and supports oral health by providing essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Choose lean protein sources like grilled chicken or fish, tofu or legumes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods Low in Sugar and Acids &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low-sugar and low-acid foods are the best choices for healthy teeth and gums. Choose foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein to keep your smile healthy and bright.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After eating, one of the most important things you need is water. Drinking water after a meal is crucial for your dental health as it washes food particles and keeps your saliva levels high.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Causes Tooth Decay and Gum Disease?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque build-up on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria and saliva. When plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar and cause gum inflammation and tooth decay. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and if left untreated, it can ruin the tissues connecting the teeth to the bones. Foods and drinks high in sugar and acidic content are the main culprits when it comes to tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, the issue is still reversible when in the early stage and if the teeth are not impacted.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are looking for ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy, eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of these healthy foods. In addition, be sure to brush and floss regularly and see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. By taking these steps, you can help keep your smile healthy and bright for years to come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/best-food.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-are-the-best-foods-for-healthy-teeth-gums/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18409</ID> <title>Diet and Mood, Cognition, Sleep</title> <publishDate>2022-07-05 20:52:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_303 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_342"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_354 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_256 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_768 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_769 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_770 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_377 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People are often inundated with advertisements for books and seminars that promise radical lifestyle change simply as a result of a fad diet. Naturally, this can cause us to be skeptical, thinking that purveyors of such fad diets are simply trying to get rich quickly. However, getting to the bottom of it and deciding how to alter your diet for genuine change simply takes a little patience and research.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Role Does Diet Play In Your Mood?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your diet can impact your mood by affecting your body's chemistry. For example, whole foods with complex carbohydrates (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;beans, quinoa, rolled oats and sweet potatoes) can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/bad-mood-look-to-your-food/#:~:text=Food%20and%20your%20mood&amp;amp;text=Protein%20consumption%20(from%20foods%20like,your%20mood%2C%20motivation%20and%20concentration." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increase the presence of serotonin in your brain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, whose contribution includes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-serotonin-425327" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regulating your mood and maintaining your memory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other chemicals can be boosted by consuming other kinds of foods as well! Eating protein, for example, has been shown to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/bad-mood-look-to-your-food/#:~:text=Food%20and%20your%20mood&amp;amp;text=Protein%20consumption%20(from%20foods%20like,your%20mood%2C%20motivation%20and%20concentration." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boost your brain's ability to regulate mood, motivation and concentration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It's no surprise, then, that eating a diet with complex carbohydrates and proteins can help you have a more productive and enjoyable workday!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While these changes are significant and worth pursuing, you should note that mood improvements won't be instantaneous. If you alter your diet to increase these brain chemicals, you should &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/bad-mood-look-to-your-food/#:~:text=Food%20and%20your%20mood&amp;amp;text=Protein%20consumption%20(from%20foods%20like,your%20mood%2C%20motivation%20and%20concentration." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;expect improvements in two to three weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It won't be immediate - only fad diets and fraudulent strategies can promise that sort of rapid change. Instead, be patient and give your body time to adjust to a healthier lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Diet Boost Your Cognition?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though we don't have space to lay out all of the scientific research here, the truth is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324044#whole-grains" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dietary changes may be the most effective way to boost your brain's function&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some of the most helpful foods in this regard are oily fish such as tuna and salmon, dark chocolate, berries, avocados and eggs. It only takes a little bit of culinary creativity to add these items to meals throughout the day, and the benefits are more than worth it!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can a Better Diet Improve Your Sleep?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It may be a cliche, but it is best to avoid spicy foods before bed. Spicy food is known to cause heartburn, which is worsened by lying down. Since &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/better-sleep-3-simple-diet-tweaks#:~:text=For%20better%20sleep%3A%20Eat%20complex,t%20take%20long%20to%20digest." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the backed-up acid has the potential to irritate your airway&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, falling asleep after eating spicy foods can become challenging. It's also best to avoid consuming alcohol before bed because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/better-sleep-3-simple-diet-tweaks#:~:text=For%20better%20sleep%3A%20Eat%20complex,t%20take%20long%20to%20digest." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it can wake you during an important stage of the sleep cycle once it wears off&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Although alcohol might make it easier to fall asleep after your head hits the pillow, the damage to the quality of your sleep isn't worth it in the end.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rounding off our list of items to avoid are foods high in fat and protein. While protein-rich foods are beneficial to your dopamine and norepinephrine levels, there's a delicate balance. An excess of protein can negatively impact the quality of your sleep, partially because norepinephrine stimulates the brain. This is a boost for cognitive activity, of course, but it will make it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812689/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;harder to fall asleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when the evening rolls around. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you're avoiding foods to improve your sleep or seeking out foods to boost your brain's activity, it's now clear that small dietary changes can bring about significant life changes. So, if you'd like to create a lifestyle that supports your whole body's health, consider researching what foods will be the most helpful on your journey.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/mood.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/diet-and-mood-cognition-sleep/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18399</ID> <title>What Foods Are Easy on the Stomach?</title> <publishDate>2022-07-04 19:44:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_304 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_343"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_355 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_257 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_771 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_772 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_773 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_378 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most of us barely think about how our stomachs will handle the food we put into them. Instead, we often eat whatever food sounds best to us at the time and trust that our body will be able to figure it out. With this mentality, it's not surprising that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/7316-indigestion-dyspepsia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;25% of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; experience indigestion every year. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, combating indigestion and stomach pain is often just as simple as giving our stomach a break by eating foods easy on the stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Causes an Upset Stomach?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, it's essential to understand what causes an upset stomach, indigestion and stomach pain. The root cause of indigestion is often dietary. Poor &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/7316-indigestion-dyspepsia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diet habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, excessive fast eating and overly fatty, spicy or acidic foods can all contribute to an upset stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet is not the only thing that can cause stomach pain or an upset stomach. Stress or anxiety and taking certain medications such as aspirin on an empty stomach can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/7316-indigestion-dyspepsia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cause indigestion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indigestion can also be caused by problems in your digestive tract from underlying conditions &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/7316-indigestion-dyspepsia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;such as&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; gastritis, H. Pylori infection, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or even stomach cancer. All such conditions could explain indigestion that is unrelated to poor dietary habits, mental conditions or medications. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improving your diet is an invaluable first step to easing an upset stomach and avoiding stomach pain. Another solid first step is understanding and incorporating more fiber. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Difference between Soluble and Insoluble Fiber&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dietary fiber is more than a buzzword for nutrition nuts; it's one of the first steps to creating a diet that makes your food easy to digest. Fiber is the part of plant foods that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/soluble-vs-insoluble-fiber#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20types%20of,includes%20plant%20cellulose%20and%20hemicellulose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;does not get fully digested&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by your body but rather passes through your digestive tract. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fiber is further divided into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/soluble-vs-insoluble-fiber#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20types%20of,includes%20plant%20cellulose%20and%20hemicellulose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soluble and insoluble fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where soluble dissolves in water and insoluble does not. These types of fiber serve different purposes within the body but are equally important for making food easy to digest and fostering a healthy digestive tract. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soluble fiber improves your digestive system by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/soluble-vs-insoluble-fiber#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20types%20of,includes%20plant%20cellulose%20and%20hemicellulose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dissolving into a gel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in water. It also reduces blood cholesterol and sugar and reduces your risk for diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/soluble-vs-insoluble-fiber#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Insoluble fiber draws water into your stool&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to make it softer, letting it pass more easily through your digestive tract. It also carries the same benefits to your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/soluble-vs-insoluble-fiber#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;general health and cholesterol as soluble fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating these types of fiber into your diet will make your food easy to digest and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/soluble-vs-insoluble-fiber#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by helping to control body weight, lower the risk for colon and breast cancer and help combat hypertension and regulate bowel movements. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are Spicy Foods Easy on the Stomach?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spicy foods, while often delicious, are not easy on your stomach. Spicy foods indeed affect everyone's stomach differently; everyone has a different spice tolerance, which often translates into how easy spicy food is on your stomach. However, even if you are not significantly affected by spicy foods, it still will not be easy on your stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spicy foods &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stimulate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your digestive system. If you're &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;already experiencing digestive issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, eating spicy foods can worsen your digestive issues. Instead, on a sick stomach, you should stick to more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bland foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which will be easy to digest. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Are Fried Foods Easy on the Stomach?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, fried foods are even worse than spicy foods on your stomach since they can sometimes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pass through your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before it has a chance to digest them. This process will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;either cause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; diarrhea or make you feel bloated as the undigested food will sit in your digestive system for longer than usual. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fried foods are also generally bad for your stomach and digestive system since they are commonly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;low in fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a result, much like spicy food, when you have an upset stomach or indigestion, the best policy is to hold off on eating fried foods for a while since they will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/diet/foods-to-avoid-during-digestive-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;slow down your digestive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_84"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cooked_veggies.png" alt="" title="cooked_veggies" class="wp-image-18401" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_379 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Foods Are Easy on the Stomach?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that we've covered some of the common causes of indigestion and foods to avoid, let's explore some options for dinners easy on the stomach by looking at foods easy on your stomach and what food is good for your stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#1: Cooked Vegetables&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cooked vegetables are a great, easy-on-the-stomach choice for dinners that will be easy to digest. Cooked vegetables are an excellent &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/easy-to-digest-foods#easy-to-digest-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;source of fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that can aid the digestive process. By eating more dinners with cooked vegetables, your stomach will thank you by performing its digestive tasks more efficiently. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#2: Sweet Potatoes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sweet potatoes are another great example of foods easy on your stomach that can help your indigestion. Like cooked vegetables, sweet potatoes are a great &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319947#sweet-potatoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;source of fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which will be easy to digest and keep your stomach happy and healthy. Eating sweet potatoes will also help foster more good bacteria in your stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#3: White Rice&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite sometimes being considered less healthy than its brown counterpart, white rice is easy on the stomach and digestive system. While all rice can provide beneficial protein and calories, brown rice is so high in fiber that it can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319947#rice" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;harm your digestive system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, leading to bloating, diarrhea and gas. Instead, white rice is easier on your stomach, providing many of the same benefits as brown rice while being easy to digest. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#4: Very Ripe Bananas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bananas are also very good for your digestion and easy on your stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/easy-to-digest-foods#what-to-eat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Very ripe bananas, in particular&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, can be a great source of fiber. The ripening process helps break down the fiber and makes it easy for your stomach to digest. Additionally, bananas can provide extra &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319947#bananas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fluid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to your digestive tract, which can help you deal with diarrhea and constipation. However, for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, bananas should be eaten with caution as they may trigger &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319947#bananas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bloating and cramping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, among other symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#5: Scrambled Eggs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scrambled eggs are a great food to eat on a sick stomach that is very easy to digest. Eggs are very nutritious, providing a wide range of nutrition. They are also very easy to digest, making them ideal for those &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319947#eggs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;suffering from nausea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or a sick stomach. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;#6: Low-Fat Yogurt&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low-fat yogurt is an exceptional food for your stomach. By eating low-fat yogurt, you help introduce live culture bacteria that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295714#:~:text=Yogurts%20can%20be%20high%20in,on%20a%20weight%2Dloss%20diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;develop the gut microbiota&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This process helps your stomach become healthier and digest food better. You should focus on low-fat yogurt since it's also a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295714#:~:text=Yogurts%20can%20be%20high%20in,on%20a%20weight%2Dloss%20diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;great source of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods that are easy on your stomach are often high in fiber or those that don't overstimulate your digestive system. You can also incorporate foods that help develop your stomach's good bacteria to improve your stomach health. By carefully watching your diet, you can help your stomach avoid indigestion and stomach pain and improve your digestive tract. So, the next time your stomach is feeling queasy, consider eating some of the easy foods on your stomach.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Foods.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-foods-are-easy-on-the-stomach/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18389</ID> <title>Marketing the Business of Dentistry: An Interview with Dr. Lee Weinstein, DMD</title> <publishDate>2022-07-04 19:30:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_305 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_344"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_356 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_258 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_774 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_775 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_776 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_380 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's interesting that, while there are many specialties within the medical industry, one field evolved as a separate profession—dentistry. The mouth influences and is influenced by the health of other body parts. So, why does the profession live in isolation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dentistry is perceived as an option, though it needs to be considered an essential. Unfortunately, however, the profession has not focused on changing that perception.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are increasing instances of the medical and dental professions working together. Dentists, for example, are now treating patients for sleep apnea. Therefore, the dental profession must actively push the message of its essential role in overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Lee Weinstein, DMD, discussed his observations on how dentistry presents itself to the world and how that needs to improve. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Lee Weinstein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Weinstein's career has involved a combination of dental practice, teaching and consulting. He maintained a pediatric dentistry practice throughout the 28 years he spent teaching.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I specialized with kids because I love working with them. That kid walks out of our office smiling and can't wait to get back," Dr. Weinstein said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, Dr. Weinstein's career path took an unexpected detour when he developed pinched nerves in his neck and back. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Other Directions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After working in insurance, Dr. Weinstein became the dental director of Arizona Medicaid. He also lectures in the U.S. and overseas, finding that, among international audiences, there is a lot of information that they do not have. While COVID-19 has halted his travels, he still conducts programs via Zoom. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We created a program on working with both physicians and dentists. I did one for an audience in Damascus in Syria. There were 5,000 people online listening to this lecture," Dr. Weinstein shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dentistry As an Essential&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Weinstein is concerned that the dental profession is not doing enough to promote itself as an essential service equal to that of the medical profession. For example, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/what-marketplace-plans-cover/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Affordable Care Act&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; allows 10 essential health benefits. Dental care, however, is an 'Additional Benefit.'&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It is left up to the states to decide whether they want to have dental care as a benefit. Right now, dentistry is more of a want. It won't be important until it becomes important in people's minds," Dr. Weinstein said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In comparison, the medical community knows how to maintain its long-held reputation of necessity. Dr. Weinstein points to pharmaceutical commercials as an example.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The ads say the next time you go to your doctor, ask for that medicine. The drug companies pick a great name and a catchy tune, and you walk into the doctor's office and ask for that drug. And you have no clue what it is. That's what's driving people. There's nothing on television driving people to the dentist. And I blame us, the dentists. I just don't believe we're doing a lot," Dr. Weinstein explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_85"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dr._Lee_Weinstein.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Lee_Weinstein" class="wp-image-18391" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_381 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Changing Perceptions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our beliefs about dentistry partly came from toothpaste manufacturers. In the fifties, toothpaste commercials told everyone to go to the dentist twice a year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That's made up. There was nothing that ever said that you should go twice a year. To sell a lot of toothpaste, they said, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;brush your teeth every day and go for checkups twice a year,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" Dr. Weinstein shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In reality, some people need to go every three months, while some only need to go once a year. But the perception persists, and dental insurance often covers a standard two visits per year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People also say that dentistry is too expensive. From a business standpoint, we haven't done a good enough job to make it important or to market well enough to get people into the offices," Dr. Weinstein said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Small Steps Forward&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Weinstein shared several ways to provide outstanding dental care with low-cost procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I get it; many people don't have much money. But there are so many things to do, like preventive measures, that don't cost very much," Dr. Weinstein shared.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Silver Diamine Fluoride&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/silver-diamine-fluoride" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Silver diamine fluoride&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a low-cost liquid used to stop the progression of caries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If you're a three-year-old kid with a cavity, and I really don't want to treat it yet because it's dangerous or you're medically compromised, I can use silver diamine fluoride, which will arrest the decay," Dr. Weinstein explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fluoride Varnish&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Fluoride-Varnish-What-Parents-Need-to-Know.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fluoride varnish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is another inexpensive, preventive treatment applied to a young child's teeth to prevent or slow tooth decay. With good oral care habits and two to four applications per year, fluoride varnish can help reduce the chances of decay.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I try to enlighten the pediatricians. It took me two years to get the pediatricians in Arizona to get Medicaid to pay for fluoride varnish," Dr. Weinstein said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dentistry as a Business&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For some dentists, the business side of their practice is challenging. As a result, they may not see the importance of marketing, leaving the business side too much to others in the office.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Weinstein believes dentists need to pay more attention to their business. It takes some marketing and a business eye view of your practice to bring people into the office. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Advice for New Dentists&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Weinstein has several valuable points of advice for new and aspiring dentists. His views will help dentists reach their career goals and help change the perceptions of dentistry as 'optional.'&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Learn from Others&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You don't have to open your own office from scratch. First, work in several offices to learn different ways to do different things. Spend time learning from experienced people. Learn ways to run your business and how to speak to people," Dr. Weinstein said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Learn about Business and People Skills&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Business courses should be 30% of your education. The big dental companies have done so well because they're investors who run their offices like a business. Also, you need verbal and social skills to relate to your patients," Dr. Weinstein shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Weinstein believes in the importance of dentistry to both our teeth and our overall health. It should therefore be considered an essential service, like the medical field. If dentists pay more attention to the business side of their practices, they can actively promote the profession and raise its status. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through his lectures, Dr. Weinstein contributes toward the achievement of this goal. Gradually, the medical and dental professions will work together more and more for the benefit of all patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dentistry.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/marketing-the-business-of-dentistry-an-interview-with-dr-lee-weinstein-dmd-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18366</ID> <title>An Interview with Dr. Heba Ammar</title> <publishDate>2022-07-03 17:30:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_306 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_345"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_357 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_259 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_777 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_778 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_779 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_382 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;My name is Heba Ammar, I am a conservative cosmetic dentist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that offers tooth-colored solutions to fix or repair any defect or decay that happens to human teeth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I have a post graduate diploma in the three main branches of dentistry which are fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, and operative dentistry. Basically, these represent crown and bridges, root canal treatment and tooth filling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I also have another postgraduate two-years diploma in “Conservative Dentistry” which focuses on the art and science behind conserving any, even 0.01, of natural tooth structure while delivering the strongest support for the restorations we make.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“And this is basically what I do in my everyday practice now. I insist on remaining a conservative dentist who saves teeth while offering tooth colored or cosmetic solutions.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The solutions I offer make it difficult to distinguish restoration from the natural tooth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN DENTISTRY? MORE SPECIFICALLY, WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK IN THE COSMETICS FIELD?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;My father is a physician, and he raised us programmed to be physicians like himself. So, I studied hard to get high scores to join medical school. But fate played its role when I had a complete mental shut down in the calculus exam. Suddenly, I had a blank mind, and I couldn’t go any further answering any question! This situation resulted in losing the extra marks necessary for joining medical school, and I ended up in dentistry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the beginning I didn’t think of myself as a dentist because I had always dreamed of being a doctor.  Soon, I realized dentistry was the perfect fit! I was able to sculpt and prepare teeth better than average of my colleagues, and I was satisfied to see myself among highest scores in the practical exams.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I got involved in cosmetic dentistry long ago with the evolution with modern ceramics more than 25 years ago. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I love the idea of making new smiles and adding more beauty every day. Being able to put smiles on people’s faces because I am changing how they feel about themselves is my passion. These meanings attracted me to cosmetic dentistry!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I have always dedicated my career time to deliver decent dentistry even after I became a cosmetic dentist.  In other words, when patients come to my practice, I immediately start putting treatment plans to fix their teeth, rather than distracting their attention towards solely cosmetic procedures in shorter periods of time like bleaching, veneers, or bonding. I used to postpone offering those services until after finishing treatment for the decay or defects they have.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_86"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/7b12f955-d2ff-47ce-ae69-01076c9ed639.jpeg" alt="" title="7b12f955-d2ff-47ce-ae69-01076c9ed639" class="wp-image-18516" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_383 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COULD YOU SHARE A SPECIFIC PATIENT CASE THAT HAD AN IMPACT ON HOW YOU PRACTICE DENTISTRY?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the beginning of my career, I used to treat with freehand bonding (which means using bonded composites to anterior teeth). This procedure doesn’t involve cutting in tooth structure. So, it was compatible with my conservative dentistry that I specialized in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Then, for some time, porcelain veneers were very popular, and patients came to me asking for them. So, I did quite a few of those. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After some time, my 21-year-old niece visited my practice asking me to replace her bonding with porcelain veneers. I then found myself convincing her NOT to do that. She’s like my daughter, and this was my honest advice to her. I said to her nothing on earth deserves to cut through your teeth enamel. This is a very precious structure that you will never be able to replace again! Veneers could end up with crowns on healthy teeth, so you’d be losing more tooth structure amongst other issues. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, we ended up deciding to go for no-prep veneers, and I felt bad about this afterwards because I realized that I work with double standard. This became an ethical issue for me internally. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I decided to quit doing preparation on sound teeth solely for cosmetic purposes. Five years of refusing purely cosmetic procedures has not increased my bank account but it’s very rewarding still. It’s not always easy, but its comfortable and relaxing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I have never crowned full mouth! Full mouth crowning is 28 crowns on all teeth and is a treatment option I have never offered to my patients because I haven’t met a case that medically mandates that option.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients often come to me asking for a remake to their defective veneers or bad full mouth crowns. So, I’m happy to help them with that piece of decent dentistry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 10 years, I see myself having influence on dentists worldwide. I hope to endorse my philosophy of fixing in hopes of delivering ethical, decent dentistry. Especially in the field of implant dentistry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; In implant dentistry, a treatment plan is the major factor affecting the long-term success of a proposed option offered to patients, especially if they are completely edentulous. I have hopes that my podcast would cover this part.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/iterviw-with-DR-heba.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/an-interview-with-dr-heba-ammar/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18357</ID> <title>Sleep Apnea Education and Treatment Capabilities With Dr. Charles Kravitz, DDS</title> <publishDate>2022-07-03 17:08:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_307 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_346"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_358 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_260 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_780 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_781 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_782 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_384 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If someone asked you what is the most vital, life-sustaining human nutrient, would you say food? No. A person can live 45 to 65 days without eating. How about water? Surprisingly, no. The human body is composed of up to 60% water. We can survive as long as three days without drinking water. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The correct answer is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;oxygen&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Every living organism and organ system requires a constant oxygen flow to maintain its normal function. How long do you think you would live without oxygen?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A victim of a sleep breathing disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may spend half of their sleeping time not breathing (apnea= without breath). Hypoxia is an insufficiency of oxygen. Sleep apnea is connected to strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, dementia and even cancer. The more fortunate may experience just a reversible case of weight gain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hypoxia is a killer. Fortunately, there are effective and patient-friendly treatments for OSA, and it may surprise many to find those solutions in the dentist's office. Dr. Charles Kravitz, DDS, is working hard to bring that expertise to more and more dental professionals and save more lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Charles Kravitz, DDS&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kravitz is a dentist trained in sleep breathing disorders. He teaches other dental professionals how to treat sleep apnea and incorporate treatment modalities into their practices. His focus on sleep apnea came from personal experience. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I lost two people close to me due to sleep apnea," he said. "This got me interested in finding out what I could do to help."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kravitz believes it is essential to educate both the patient and the practitioner, the former to understand and accept their condition, and the latter to have more knowledge and resources for effective treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The Latin word for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;teacher&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is doctor. I am a teacher," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kravitz is affiliated with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://join.sleepgroupsolutions.com/sleep-blog/according-to-dr-charles-kravitz-this-is-the-time-for-dental-sleep-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep Group Solutions,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which provides airway diagnostic technology and education for physicians and dentists who treat sleep apnea and other airway disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He was also the editor-in-chief and headline writer for&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.thesleepmagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Sleep Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which goes to dental specialists and medical people involved with sleep all over the country and online. In addition, he created the newsletter called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep On It.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OSA is a cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more, although pauses may amount to 30 seconds or even longer. This insufficient intake of oxygen, called hypoxia, can occur 30 or more times during an hour. As a result, people with OSA may only ingest enough oxygen for half their sleep time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They have pauses where they don't breathe at all," Dr. Kravitz explained. "It can last for 10 seconds to two or three minutes. This is obviously dangerous. And can you imagine how much oxygen would be coming into your lungs and distributed to your organs for that long a time? People have actually died in their sleep because there is no oxygen coming in, and they had a stroke or heart attack."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21129-oral-appliance-therapy-for-sleep-apnea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;About 25% of men and 10% of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have OSA. It can affect all ages, including children, especially people over 40-years-old or overweight. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://join.sleepgroupsolutions.com/sleep-blog/according-to-dr-charles-kravitz-this-is-the-time-for-dental-sleep-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard Health report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; says that there are 18.9 million undiagnosed cases of OSA, an unsettling statistic that speaks about the imperative nature of education.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_87"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sleep-1.jpg" alt="" title="sleep (1)" class="wp-image-18360" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_385 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;OSA Treatments, Old and New&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CPAP (i.e., Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a standard treatment for OSA. A CPAP machine covers the nose and mouth strapped to the patient's head and a tube connected to a machine continuously forces air past blockages while the patient sleeps. Although effective, the treatment is uncomfortable, and numerous patients dislike it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The majority of patients that were offered CPAP were not going to wear it or tried it and did not tolerate it. They say It's uncomfortable, they can't turn over in their bed, it looks like a Darth Vader mask and it makes some people feel like they're drowning," Dr. Kravitz pointed out. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Intraoral Devices&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, improved intraoral devices are now available, which are adjusted to open the airway while the patient is asleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The intraoral appliance is custom-designed for each patient," Dr. Kravitz said. "It is comfortable, FDA-approved and less expensive than the CPAP." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical insurance coverage is a big factor in obtaining this service.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients are enthusiastic about intraoral devices, as they quickly report improvements in their lives, such as lower fatigue levels, weight loss and increased energy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sleep Coordinator Academy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kravitz stated in a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://join.sleepgroupsolutions.com/sleep-blog/according-to-dr-charles-kravitz-this-is-the-time-for-dental-sleep-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent article&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that fewer than 4% of licensed American dentists are qualified to practice sleep medicine. He is working to increase this number through his education programs, speaking engagements, close to 400 published articles and his work with Sleep Group Solutions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kravitz also created a new role for the Dental practice- Sleep Coordinator—and a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sleepcoordinator.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep Coordinator Academy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for training. The Sleep Coordinator may be the dentist or an auxiliary who assists the dentist by handling most of the work with sleep apnea patients that the dentist cannot do because of their busy schedules. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Sleep Coordinators become professionals who work within dental offices and focus solely on screening and treating sleep apnea patients," Dr. Kravitz explained. "I developed an 18-lesson sleep coordinator course. Students can have a background in dentistry or medicine or come from other backgrounds. It's a new, wonderful career saving people's lives."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A medical background is not required to become a Sleep Coordinator. However, students must be dedicated to the 18-lesson curriculum, as it has all the details they need to be successful in the profession. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://sleepcoordinator.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Academy teaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; screening techniques, a comprehensive understanding of OSA and the sleep cycle, the treatment options and how to talk to patients to ensure they understand their condition and gain their buy-in. He also helps them find placement after they complete the program.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We help them find a dental or medical office. In many cases, these graduates will know more about this subject from this course than the person they're working for. They can help train other doctors. As independent contractors, they can choose their hours," Dr. Kravitz explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;ABOUT SNORING &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Snoring is not something to laugh about. It is a condition to be taken seriously. Snoring is a warning sign that there is something a lot more serious to investigate because it points out that there is a partial blockage of the airway. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Summary &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep apnea is dangerous; it is prolific and not enough dental professionals are prepared to handle the millions of people in need of treatment. Dr. Kravitz's solution is to educate as many professionals as possible in treating and managing this serious disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He even goes a step further by creating a new category of professionals—the Sleep Coordinator—to focus solely on sleep apnea. They help the practitioners add much-needed services to their practices. He also teaches others to teach the Academy program to further spread the knowledge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kravitz's efforts are paying off in an improved quality of life, more productive lives and countless lives saved.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sleep-Apnea-Education.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/sleep-apnea-education-and-treatment-capabilities-with-dr-charles-kravitz-dds/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18002</ID> <title>Genetic Guided Nutrition: An Interview with Dr. Kendal Stewart, MD of Neurobiologix, Inc.</title> <publishDate>2022-07-01 12:50:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_308 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_347"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_359 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_261 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_783 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_784 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_785 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_386 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatment is not always a cut-and-dry solution when it comes to neurological or chronic medical conditions. In some instances, available treatment modalities only address the symptoms without going the extra mile and addressing the disease's actual culprits. But what if there were supplements tailored to your genetic makeup that could give your body the support it needs to address your illness at a deeper level? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kendal Stewart, MD, has developed professional-grade nutritional supplements that strengthen your body precisely where needed and support your recovery. With the right blend of genetically determined supplements, your body will gain the necessary elements to overcome medical conditions and promote healing.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Kendal L. Stewart, MD&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kendal Stewart is a neurotologist and neuroimmune and genomic specialist at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://drkendalstewart.com/austin-physicians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NeuroSensory Centers of America, Inc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (NSCA), founded in 2003. The NSCA team diagnoses and treats neurosensory and neuroimmune disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Stewart is also the Chief Medical Officer for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.neurobiologix.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neurobiologix, Inc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and GX Sciences.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"At Neurobiologix, we base the creation of nutritional supplements on genetic testing. It's Genetic Guided Nutrition™," Dr. Stewart said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Career Origins&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In college, I learned practical biochemistry, which is related to the human body and how drugs and nutritional elements work. As a result, I became a neurotologist then my surgical career became less necessary when I was able to recover my patients instead of operating." Dr. Stewart shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Stewart eventually realized that a focus on nutritional health would benefit a much larger population, as he wanted to do more than treat symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We can look at nutritional health, especially in people with devastating conditions like vertigo, migraines, Alzheimer's, dementia and autism. If we could create an environment in their bodies from a nutritional standpoint, they would be more stable and have a much better chance of recovering," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Stewart's work started by providing a new option for patients with severe neurological ailments who had &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://drkendalstewart.com/austin-physicians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;only found treatment for their symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before. He turned to neurotrophism, a method of reversing the progression of neurological conditions and weakening of the immune system. His therapies reduced nervous system inflammation and improved hormonal and nutritional conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;NeuroBiologix&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"How can I build a perfect recipe to answer your body's nutritional and chemical weaknesses but limit the number of supplements you'd have to take? Genetics. In particular, Nutrigenomics. That's the foundation principle of NeuroBiologix," Dr. Stewart said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.neurobiologix.com/Dr-Kendal-Stewart-s/138.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nutrigenomic testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Stewart creates nutritional supplements tuned explicitly to a patient's genetic composition. Genetics guide the creation of unique 'recipes' of supplement combinations that best benefit people with compatible genetics. Dr. Stewart's creations come from both a scientific and spiritual point of view.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What was wrong with the supplement industry was that it had each supplement in separate bottles. But God makes recipes. He doesn't make things with just one ingredient. So, we realized that we needed to do the same," Dr. Stewart explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some cases, anywhere from 5 to 10 nutritional supplements belong together. But Dr. Stewart doesn't want patients taking 10 pills from 10 bottles every day. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I don't want you taking more than three or four supplements. They will be the right ones for you, and none of what you don't need," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ultimate goal of Neurobiologix is for every patient to receive the right supplemental recipe to solve their problem and support their health throughout life  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Let's say you have low muscle tone and can't recover from exercise so easily. With a genetic test, I'd be able to tell what your mitochondria need to make you stronger and recover faster," Dr. Stewart explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.neurobiologix.com/Dr-Kendal-Stewart-s/138.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neurobiologix products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are supplementation and Genetic Guided Nutrition™ created by an experienced physician. They enhance physical performance, a healthy immune system, brain function, blood sugar control and energy levels. These are professional-grade products with high potency, purity and absorption but no artificial ingredients or toxins. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Based in Science&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Neurobiologix is known for its unique ability to blend supplements into the right ratios to ensure that you get what you need from that supplement. We're reassuring doctors that there is science behind this, not that hokey nutritional background that people sometimes associate with supplementation," Dr. Stewart shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neurobiologix does not dispense combinations of supplements based on assumptions and best guesses. That is simply a waste of money and a missed opportunity to get accurate results. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This is all based on research performed at institutions worldwide. Our genetic reports, for instance, have bibliographies with 5 to 20 pages of scientific references. The peer-reviewed literature goes a long way in proving what we're talking about," Dr. Stewart explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Inflammation &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Inflammation plays a huge role in the nervous system," Dr. Stewart said. "We've proven it with PET scans over the last several years. Anything in the nervous system that has 'good days and bad days' is inflammation-based." &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inflammation is not just local; chemical messengers make it a systemic problem. Genetic testing assesses the health of your chemical messengers and determines whether you need help with inflammation control. For people over 55, this is often an issue, as they no longer have the hormones they had when they were younger.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We can create an environment where there is less inflammation in the body, so that, for example, a headache cannot typically occur as easily, or the pain is much less severe," Dr. Stewart explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Strengthening the Body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're taught as physicians to treat symptoms. If you have a migraine, here's your migraine medicine. But we should also try to get the body in as stable a state as we can. When people come to me, and they're on medicines for certain things, I'm not going to stop the medicine. I'm going to use the patient's genetics and try to strengthen and improve the health of the body. Once we do that, hopefully, we won't need that medicine anymore," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many doctors embrace Dr. Stewart's approach as they take a more holistic approach to their practices. Yet others are not interested because it requires them to spend more time with each patient. There's more to it than a quick diagnosis and a prescription. Dr. Stewart believes this will gradually change as the beneficial results of supplementation become more apparent. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key to bringing this new science into the mainstream of medicine is education. Neurobiologix has an extensive educational series to teach doctors how to use genetics and supplements. They teach principles of healing, such as the ability to control inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have taught probably 4,000 to 5,000 physicians in the last five or six years. Supplementation has come a long way since genetics occurred," Dr. Stewart shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With these high-quality supplement recipes made to match patients' genetics, Dr. Stewart and Neurobiologix bring new hope and solutions for patients with severe conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Nutrition.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/genetic-guided-nutrition-an-interview-with-dr-kendal-stewart-md-of-neurobiologix-inc/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18453</ID> <title>The Top 10 Best Locations for Medical Tourism</title> <publishDate>2022-06-30 19:00:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_309 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_348"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_360 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_262 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_786 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_787 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_788 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_387 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the face of rising healthcare costs in the U.S. and the rise of health tourism destinations that offer quality and affordable healthcare combined with a fun travel experience, Americans are scrambling to schedule appointments with healthcare providers overseas. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is an increase in medical tourism, and many countries worldwide are getting involved.. Millions of patients travel yearly from countries lacking the necessary medical infrastructure or less advanced in a particular field to countries specializing in specific medical care such as Asia, South Africa and Eastern Europe. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In order to attract foreign visitors, agencies are being set up to promote less expensive health care. In these countries, procedures that usually cost six figures in the U.S. or the U.K. drop down to four figures. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients travel to foreign countries for various medical procedures, from cosmetic surgery to dental work to orthopedic procedures, all at affordable prices. However, healthcare destinations and providers face fierce competition, making it necessary to integrate several factors to drive medical tourism and improve their brand. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what are the best countries to get that expensive surgery, the routine checkup, or the plastic surgery makeover?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seoul, South Korea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seoul has the highest rate of cosmetic treatment per capita in the world. Gangnam alone is home to some 500 cosmetic and aesthetic facilities offering a variety of surgical procedures. In addition to non-invasive cosmetic procedures, South Korea leads the way with non-invasive strategies such as BOTOX, dermal fillers, laser hair removal and dental veneers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Japan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Japanese healthcare is among the most advanced in the world. Despite recent advances in technology and medicine, Japan continues to provide affordable, top-notch healthcare to its citizens and foreign tourists, most of whom are from mainland China.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2018, the number of medical visas issued to international patients climbed from 70 in 2011 to 1,650 in 2018. The reason for this increase was the country's top-notch cancer treatment centers and cosmetic surgery expertise.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The low cost of medical care is another major player in Japan's inbound medical tourism. For example, hip replacement surgery costs $4,126, saving patients more than 70% of the cost in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spain is one of the most visited tourist destinations globally, attracting tens of millions of tourists every year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicaltourism.com/destinations/spain" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MTI rated the country as the fourth global medical tourist destination in Europe&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;because it offers excellent healthcare services and a wonderful travel experience.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In recent years, Spain has attracted a growing number of tourists from the Middle East, North Africa and the British Isles, many of whom seek advanced orthopedic, cosmetic and dental procedures. The cost of healthcare in Spain is a fraction of what it is in the U.S. and U.K. Cosmetic procedures such as facelifts and breast augmentation cost an average of $5,000 in Spain, compared to $15,000 in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mumbai, India&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mumbai is India's most progressive urban center, offering exceptional medical care at eye-popping discounts. Almost one in seven U.S. surgeons are of Indian descent, so Americans realize that they can save real money by visiting Mumbai's top doctors without compromising the quality of care. Mumbai has some of the world's top orthopedic and heart specialists.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Canada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It should come as no surprise that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicaltourism.com/destinations/canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Canada ranks first in the 2020 edition of the Medical Tourism Index&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;since the second-largest country in the world boasts of a robust tourism industry that draws more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicaltourism.com/destinations/canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;14 million Americans each year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In light of its proximity to the United States, the country can attract many tourists and patients seeking to bypass the long wait times and high healthcare costs at home. Quality medical treatments and top-of-the-line healthcare facilities are among Canada's top reputations.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mexico&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of Mexico's proximity to the United States and extensive cross-over in medical training, its standards of care often meet those back home at a lower cost. There are quality hospitals in every major city in Mexico.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, Mexico's focus is also on dentistry. For instance, numerous dental practices along the U.S.-Mexico border receive countless patients a year from the States.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Costa Rica&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with Mexico, Costa Rica is one of the region's most developed and expat-friendly countries. In addition to the fact that it is one of the safest and most popular retirement destinations, it uses the U.S. dollar and offers excellent options for medical tourists.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Costa Rica's dental tourism industry is booming, where you can expect to pay $4,000 for a tooth replacement procedure that would cost $10,000 in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dubai&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Medical Tourism Index, Dubai's world-class hospitals and internationally acclaimed doctors ranked as the top medical destination in the Arab region. In addition to Asian and neighboring Arab and Gulf countries, Dubai also welcomes medical tourism from Europe and Africa.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As part of Dubai's medical tourism brand, Dubai Health Experience (DHX) was launched in 2018 to enhance healthcare facilities and improve patient experience through international patient departments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turkey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The medical tourism sector in Turkey, situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, is growing. You will find world-class health treatment centers in Turkey, as well as spas, dentists and cosmetic surgeons.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turkey is also known for its eye health specialists, where the most expensive ocular procedure costs only $5,000.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Singapore&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since Singapore is one of the wealthiest cities in Asia, it's not surprising that medical tourism has surged here. With world-class hospitals and highly trained medical staff, Singapore attracts medical tourists who seek quality healthcare at lower prices.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Singapore's medical tourism industry has been snowballing because medical costs are much less expensive than in the U.S., with prices about 30% lower for major medical procedures.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With medical tourism growing every year, more medical tourists realize that they can get the same medical treatment abroad at a much lower cost. And as medical tourism continues to grow and increase its supply, there is no doubt that medical tourists will become more discerning with their healthcare needs, industry transparency and quality of medical providers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/world_map-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-top-10-best-locations-for-medical-tourism/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17994</ID> <title>Medical Tourism and Insurance</title> <publishDate>2022-06-30 12:30:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_310 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_349"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_361 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_263 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_789 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_790 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_791 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_388 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increasing demand for healthcare across borders has been spurred by high-quality alternative healthcare available abroad at affordable and highly competitive rates. Employees and insurers are taking advantage of this trend to save money.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health care abroad is often more cost-effective than healthcare at home, a fact many people have realized. This means that even after considering travel expenses, accommodation and sick leaves, patients still get to save money.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many insurance companies offer coverage, should something go wrong during a procedure performed by an international hospital. For example, should complications arise, many U.S. health insurance companies will cover their expenses, including costly life-saving surgeries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Go Overseas for Medical Tourism?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to research done by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.coa.org/docs/DeloitteStudyMedicalTourism_111209_web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deloitte&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, of the estimated 8 million Americans who traveled abroad for medical treatment in 2007, only 250 of them were uninsured. The reasons for this are varied, including personal or religious preferences, the desire to avoid the hassles of traveling with an illness or poor health coverage at home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aliza Knox, senior manager of Deloitte's U.S. healthcare practice, estimates that more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.coa.org/docs/DeloitteStudyMedicalTourism_111209_web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;100,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Americans traveled in 2008 to India alone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite efforts by many states, including Dubai, to control healthcare fees, inflation has caused hospitals and clinics to increase prices to survive. As a result, several care providers and insurers in Dubai posted fiscal losses in recent years because they were not adjusting their prices and premiums to keep up with the rising cost of doing business. In 2013, medical costs were expected to increase by 5 to 10%, a trend that affects both public and private healthcare institutions equally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It means that a visit to the general practitioner for a routine examination or similar care is often priced between AED250 and 400 (roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.uae-medical-insurance.com/blog/2013/06/public-versus-private-hospital-costs-in-dubai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$68-110&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;), while a night in a public hospital costs around AED1,000 (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.uae-medical-insurance.com/blog/2013/06/public-versus-private-hospital-costs-in-dubai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;US$ 272.26&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) for standard care or AED3,000 (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.uae-medical-insurance.com/blog/2013/06/public-versus-private-hospital-costs-in-dubai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;US$ 816&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) for an overnight stay in the ICU. Accommodations at these prices are often dormitory-style, with several patients in a shared recovery area.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from saving money, medical tourists also see the following benefits:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced waiting times;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ease of booking online and paying in cash;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recovering away from friends and family;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The opportunity to visit popular tourist attractions while abroad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Medical Tourism Insurance?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So what exactly is covered by medical tourism insurance? In contrast to travel insurance, it does not cover the actual medical expenses. Instead, this type of insurance covers the costs involved while traveling abroad for medical procedures. This includes: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pre-medical tests; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consultations; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;transportation to and from clinics or hospitals; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;accommodation expenses while staying in the country; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tariffs; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;post-operative treatments or follow-ups; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prescription medications necessary during the trip; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;food allowances while staying at your destination country hospital or clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical Travel Insurance Is Not Health Insurance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's important to know that the cost of the procedure itself will not be covered by travel insurance, health insurance or medical travel insurance if a person travels abroad specifically for medical treatment. Patients who choose medical tourism often pay for their procedures themselves because of the lower healthcare costs in other countries. Some assume that medical travel insurance is health insurance, but it is not.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical Tourism Insurance Is Not Life Insurance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The same applies to the belief that medical tourism insurance is life insurance. Life insurance typically covers the death of an insured person caused by an accident or illness. However, medical tourism insurance does not provide coverage in a medical crisis or death abroad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical Tourism Insurance Is Not Trauma Coverage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trauma coverage is yet another type of insurance that is very different from medical travel insurance. Trauma coverage comes into play when a person is hurt or maimed unexpectedly. This insurance typically covers medical, rehabilitation and therapy expenses after an accident. Medical tourism insurance does not provide coverage for accidents before the traveler goes to their destination country.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Medical Tourism Insurance Does&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical tourism insurance covers complications during a patient's procedure or the recovery period. Medical tourism does come with certain risks, however. While those seeking less expensive medical care will see benefits outweighing the risks, the cautious patient will still wish to be protected by medical travel and complications insurance. If complications occur, this insurance will provide relief from unforeseen financial hardships. For anyone considering medical tourism abroad, it is an absolute necessity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Does Medical Tourism Insurance Cover You?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are two cases in which a medical travel insurance policy would cover a tourist: if their local health insurer has denied them service, and when going overseas for pre-existing conditions that can't be treated at home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most credit card companies do not cover medical tourism insurance. Still, it can be combined with certain types of credit cards like the American Express Platinum) to get coverage for medical travel.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While insurance companies that offer medical travel insurance may cover the costs of complications due to patient negligence, wound infection, surgical error, clinical malpractice or faulty equipment used during surgery, they don't typically cover the cost of procedures. Therefore, it is vital to know what you are paying for and what your plan will and won't cover before you travel for medical care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/medical-and-insurance.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/medical-tourism-and-insurance/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17980</ID> <title>Risks of Medical Tourism</title> <publishDate>2022-06-29 12:02:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_311 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_350"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_362 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_264 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_792 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_793 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_794 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_389 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's no secret that healthcare in the U.S. is expensive. Americans spend nearly twice as much on health care as people in countries like the U.K., France, Germany and Switzerland. Compared to other countries, administrative costs, medication prices and frequent referrals to specialists in the U.S. are the main reasons for the high prices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Medical Tourism?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical tourism is any travel outside one's country to receive medical treatment. Medical tourists often are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients with preexisting conditions that need advanced procedures unavailable in their countries; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients who can't afford healthcare in their own countries;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients suffering from diseases with cures that may be experimental or inaccessible in their own country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A growing number of individuals facing health crises where services are not easily accessible due to financial constraints opt for medical tourism. It can be risky, though. Even when precautions are taken, the receiving country may not offer the same level of safety and regulation as you get in your home country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts agree that it's essential for prospective medical travelers to research before deciding to go abroad for treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Risks of Medical Tourism?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Almost anything in life carries a certain degree of risk. So before you hop on a plane for treatment, consider the following hazards.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Safety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The U.S. healthcare system is heavily regulated by federal agencies whose mission is to prevent medical errors and ensure high-quality care while minimizing risks. If you are going to become a patient in another country, you should ask these questions first: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is the hospital reusing its instruments? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How does it handle infection control? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What kind of nursing care does the hospital provide?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antibiotic Resistance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antibiotic resistance is indeed a global concern. However, in some countries, it is more likely to occur. For instance, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6013425/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medical tourists have been exposed to highly drug-resistant bacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Communication Challenges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't speak the language, it will undoubtedly be challenging to communicate with the destination and healthcare facility staff. This could lead to misunderstandings about your treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experience&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be prepared to ask questions like, How experienced is the surgeon? How many cases has the surgeon done? Is the surgeon truly certified in that specialty? What types of medications are they able to administer?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Travel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a certain amount of recovery time associated with every procedure. Considering the risks of post-procedure air travel might make you reconsider receiving treatment abroad. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flying after surgery can place you at a higher risk of blood clots, particularly deep vein thrombosis. Do not travel by air for at least 10 days after having chest or abdominal surgery to avoid risks associated with changes in atmospheric pressure. Also, anyone who has had cosmetic procedures on the face, eyelids or nose should wait 7–10 days before flying. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also consider how much time you are willing to spend outside of the country if there are complications with your procedure. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Legal Issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different countries may also have different medical ethics. In other countries, experimental therapy, like stem cell therapy, can be widely available in private healthcare institutions for medical tourists. Likewise, medical ethics regarding organ transplantation are often different from country to country. Due to the multiple jurisdictions involved and lack of clarity concerning which law applies, patients may not be able to pursue malpractice lawsuits if problems arise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Value&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the cost of a procedure might save you thousands, don't forget to factor in the cost of air travel, lodging and transportation. Additionally, if you're traveling abroad for a procedure, you may need a relative, a friend or a companion to advocate on your behalf. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Minimize Medical Tourism Risks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Receive a Pre-travel Consultation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When traveling abroad for medical care, see your healthcare provider or a travel medicine provider 4-6 weeks before your trip to: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;review general information about healthy travel; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;learn about any specific risks you may face due to your health status, the procedure, and travel before and after the procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also obtain international travel health insurance covering medical evacuation back to the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be Sure to Keep Health and Medical Records&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring a copy of your medical records, as well as the results of any lab tests and other tests performed in connection with your condition and care. Make sure your medical staff is aware of any allergies you may have. Provide a list of all the medications you take, including their brand names, generic names, manufacturers and dosages, as well as copies of all your prescriptions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before returning home, make copies of your medical records from the destination. They may need to be translated into English.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research the Healthcare Provider and Facility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Verify the credentials of the healthcare providers performing the procedure and the credentials of the facility where it will take place. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Joint Commission International&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dnv.com/assurance/healthcare/accredited-hospitals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DNV GL International Accreditation for Hospitals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://isqua.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;International Society for Quality in Healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have lists of standards that facilities must meet to become accredited. Note that all surgeries are subject to complications, and accreditation does not guarantee a positive outcome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get Ahead of the Language Barrier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you go to a country where you do not speak the language, determine ahead of time how you will communicate with your doctor and others who will be caring for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Arrange for Follow-up Care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Identify where you will stay immediately following the procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should ensure that you can get any follow-up care you need in the United States before traveling abroad for medical tourism.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's important to discuss the risks and benefits of medical tourism with your doctor and work with your insurance provider to plan a trip that balances financial savings with safety. Before going overseas for your procedure, make sure that you are financially prepared for unforeseen events. Unless you can afford to return home in an emergency, do not go abroad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/risk.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/risks-of-medical-tourism/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17971</ID> <title>What Is Medical Tourism?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-29 11:49:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_312 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_351"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_363 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_265 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_795 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_796 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_797 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_390 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You've probably heard of it before, but you might be wondering, what is medical tourism?  It refers to a person traveling outside their home country to receive medical care. Numerous reasons encourage people to choose medical tourism — it could be cheaper, doctors may have more experience with certain medical conditions or surgeries that people have, the hospital they're going to may offer the latest and greatest medical technology ... the list goes on and on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common types of medical treatments sought by those who travel abroad for medical care are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dental work; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;plastic surgery; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eye procedures; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fertility procedures; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight loss surgery; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cancer treatment; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stem cell/bone marrow transplants; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hip or knee replacement surgery;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cosmetic surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical tourism is a booming business for medical clinics and medical travel agents. In India, medical tourism has become so popular that medical travelers can even buy a medical vacation package: a deal that includes a medical procedure, hotel accommodations, transportation from the airport to the hotel and vice versa, plus sightseeing activities!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Choose Medical Tourism?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Quality medical care is not readily available to everyone who needs it, especially in developing nations. Medical tourism has opened up medical care for people worldwide to help get medical procedures they need or get medical procedures done that their insurance will not cover. Medical tourism is so prevalent in India and Thailand that many hotels have even built special wings for medical tourists!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One benefit of having so many medical tourists is that hospitals in less developed areas can invest more into their medical infrastructure, medical training programs and medical technology.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's still important to make sure your medical tourism is worth the trip. Research your doctor or medical facility of choice before traveling abroad to make sure they meet your medical needs!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about Hospital Quality?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical tourism is hindered by the fundamental barrier of perceived poor quality. To overcome it, adequate marketing strategies and quality assessment via accreditation by an internationally recognized institution are necessary. This enhances healthcare quality and strengthens patient confidence.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accreditation can provide even more confidence when affiliated with reputable hospitals or healthcare systems in developed countries. A healthcare provider can be appropriately rated for risk once they are accredited and part of an international referral network.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Costs?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Globally, medical tourism is estimated to be a multibillion-dollar industry that will grow considerably in the coming decade. When looking for health services abroad, the cost is the crucial factor to consider.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the U.S. and other parts of the world, healthcare costs are excessively high, so many employers and insurance companies are looking at medical tourism as a way to reduce costs. In addition, more and more countries are beginning to see the financial benefits of this emerging market, so they offer premium medical services at significantly lower prices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hospitals and clinics in developing countries can lower their prices mainly due to their economic status. The country's per capita gross domestic product directly correlates with its income levels. As a result, surgery prices are 30% to 70% lower in medical tourism countries than in the U.S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatment Types&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The treatment types and their availability are also major factors in choosing to engage in medical tourism. For example, patients most commonly seek cosmetic surgery, dentistry, organ transplantation, cardiac surgery and orthopedic surgery when they travel for medical tourism.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A wide range of services can be obtained through medical tourism, ranging from various essential treatments to different types of traditional and alternative treatments. In vitro fertilization, surrogacy and other assisted reproductive technologies are common forms of reproductive tourism and reproductive outsourcing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Access is another major factor responsible for the growth of medical tourism. In its absence, either due to the lack of technology or the prohibition in the home country, medical tourism can ensue. Common examples include stem cell treatments or cytoplasmic transfer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If possible, medical tourists should consult a travel medicine expert for advice tailored to their specific health needs four to six weeks before traveling. Medical tourists should also communicate with their primary care provider about any concerns they or their provider might have. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have any medical conditions, make sure they are well controlled before leaving and make sure you have enough medication (as well as funds) for the duration of your trip. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, medical tourists should stay up-to-date with their routine vaccinations and consider hepatitis B immunization before traveling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s recommended that medical tourists seek immediate medical care if they suspect complications, either during their trip or upon returning home. An early diagnosis and treatment can result in a better outcome when medical care is sought promptly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/medical-tourism.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-is-medical-tourism/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17964</ID> <title>7 Healthy Foods for Picky Eaters</title> <publishDate>2022-06-28 11:02:34</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_313 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_352"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_364 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_266 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_798 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_799 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_800 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_391 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all have our likes and dislikes when talking about food. Although picky eaters stay away from many types of foods, they still have to get their bodies vitamins and nutrition. So, what are the seven healthy foods that any picky eater might enjoy?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Defines a Picky Eater?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A picky eater is a person that has a unique preference for food. They get thrown off by the dish's taste, smell and look. Many picky eaters refuse the same types of foods over and over. They often do not give a second chance to a dish once they know they dislike it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picky eaters usually set their likes and dislikes from a young age, which can be a big problem as toddlers need as many vitamins as possible for a healthy growing process. Many picky eaters tend to stay away from homemade food, vegetables and fruits. When developing these preferences in food, children tend to choose only sweet and savory food, such as fast food and sweets.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is There Any Healthy Food for the Picky Eater? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is always a healthy choice for any picky eater out there. Picky eaters need to try and eat healthy food because they are in much need of vitamins and nutrients. Some picky eaters tend to choose vitamin pills over healthy food because they do not interfere with their unique preference for food. It is highly advised to eat healthy food rather than take vitamin pills, as fruit and vegetables give you precisely what your body needs to grow and remain healthy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Fruit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picky eaters should give fruit a chance because they can prepare them into numerous healthy and delicious dishes. Maybe try fruit chips, ice pops, smoothies, yogurt, shortcakes, tarts and the famous fruit salad. The possibilities are endless!. Have an apple pie or some candied fruit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Raw Vegetables &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Raw veggies may sound like too much for a picky eater. The trick is to pick thin vegetables and cut them into small portions. For picky eaters, the size of the food can be overwhelming. Try carrots, cucumbers or peas in the beginning and work your way up to bigger vegetables, such as celery and cauliflower. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The dislike that some picky eaters have towards broccoli develops at a young age. Because of this, broccoli will usually be the last vegetable they will embrace.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try tricking your brain into eating these vegetables by serving them on the side of your dish with some ranch or yogurt. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Homemade Bread Dishes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picky eaters usually like bread, so they have to use it to their advantage. Use your imagination when preparing the meal. Hot pockets are a great choice because you can change the filling each time. Try filling them with tomato sauce or cheese. Later on, try more complicated fillings and add more ingredients. Other homemade bread dishes you can try are flatbread or french toast sticks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Meats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picky eaters also enjoy soft food. Preparing some juicy meatballs will be perfect for a picky eater. When preparing the meatballs, be careful about the size you want to give them. Picky eaters are more likely to prefer small-sized over big-sized foods. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't have the time to prepare meatballs, try deli meat. Because they can be cut into small slices or shredded, ham and turkey will make the perfect meal for a picky eater. Grab a tortilla, spread cream of your choosing, sprinkle some deli meat inside and wrap it. It's that simple! Picky eaters prefer to take bites from their meals instead of cutting them into pieces because it gives them a level of comfort. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start small if you're trying to add a little bit of spice into a picky eater's diet. Bacon is perfect because it's simple and full of flavor. Another great choice is beef jerky. Not all beef jerky products are unhealthy, but you have to check the sodium level on the package of the product before you buy it. Beef jerky is also full of flavor and proteins.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Nuts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The majority of picky eaters are big fans of nuts. Peanuts, pistachios, almonds, chickpeas and cashews are a great success among picky eaters. If you don't like plain nuts, you can trick your brain by coating them with honey or spices. Roasting nuts is also a good idea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#6: Cheese&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everybody loves cheese, and picky eaters are no exception. Because cheese comes in so many varieties, there is a 100% chance picky eaters will find at least one type of cheese they will like. Besides the numerous types of cheese, the ways you can cook and serve it are endless. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cheese's versatile flavors give us the perfect opportunity to add different food to it. Vegetables are usually the best choice. Spread some leaves on the grilled cheese, add some tomatoes next to the mozzarella or dip some baby carrots into melted cheese.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#7: Granola Bars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Granola bars are already a healthy snack that can replace sweets such as cookies. But the best detail about granola bars is that you can pair them with anything you like. You can add anything from fruits and seeds to chocolate chips. You can also add cream to your granola bar. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another great detail is that you can give them the size you wish. We know picky eaters prefer smaller servings, making granola bars the perfect snack. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being a picky eater is not such a bad thing. We all have our likes and dislikes when it comes to food. But it is essential to keep ourselves healthy, which can be tricky when talking about a picky eater. Try adding healthy dishes to your diet, even if it may be challenging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/healthy-food.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/7-healthy-foods-for-picky-eaters/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17954</ID> <title>If Fast-Food Is Your Only Option, Choose These Menu Items</title> <publishDate>2022-06-28 10:48:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_314 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_353"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_365 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_267 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_801 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_802 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_803 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_392 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you find yourself at a fast-food restaurant, you might already know what to order and what items to avoid. But suppose you're like many Americans who rely on local, quick-service restaurants for their meals. In that case, it's worth becoming familiar with the healthiest menu options available at national chains such as McDonald's, Subway and Burger King.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We know it can be challenging to make a healthful choice when you're standing in line and staring down the menu board at your favorite fast-food restaurant. As a last resort, here are 10 relatively nutritious picks from some of the most popular chains in the U.S., as well as an accompanying "no-no" list of those foods never worth ordering.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;McDonald's: Fruit and Maple Oatmeal &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With 320 calories, you get four grams of fiber, six grams of protein, and you can save 30 calories if you skip the sugar. It's a delicious and nutritious fast choice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Subway: Veggie Delite Sandwich&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the go and looking for a light lunch? Subway's 6-inch Veggie Delite sandwich is an excellent option for health-conscious fast food lovers. The chicken has 230 calories, three grams of fat and 280 milligrams of sodium without the cheese and sauces. To boost your protein intake and stay full longer, try adding a little cheese.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Burger King: Whopper Jr. or Hamburger&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In search of the healthiest fast-food burger? Grab a Whopper Jr. for only 290 calories, 12 grams of fat and 500 grams of sodium. For an even healthier choice, hold the mayo.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chick-Fil-A's Grilled Chicken Nuggets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chick-Fil-A offers great grilled chicken nuggets, a great alternative to the traditional fried chicken nuggets since it contains only 130 calories and a significant amount of protein (13 grams). Pairing this with a side salad creates a complete and well-rounded meal.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Starbucks' Protein Box&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can never go wrong with a protein box. At Starbucks, each box contains a good balance of healthy carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats from either fruit or vegetables or a combination of both. Sometimes, they twist it up with nuts, fruit, cheese and boiled eggs. Each box contains approximately 300 calories, 11 grams of fat (four grams saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat), 420 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of carbs (one gram of fiber, five grams of sugar), and 13 grams of protein.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chipotle: Vegetarian Burrito Bowl&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can create a healthy Chipotle order with light options like roasted veggies and hearty brown rice in just seconds! The vegetarian burrito bowl contains 470 calories, 16 grams of fat and 1,595 milligrams of sodium. Using these recipes, you can even recreate your favorite meals with less sodium.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Arby's: Ham and Swiss Melt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though Arby's is known for its roast beef, they also have lighter sandwiches. This ham and Swiss melt has just 300 calories, nine grams of fat and 1,030 milligrams of sodium, so it's one of the healthiest fast-food options at this restaurant. Many menu items at Arby's are high in sodium, so it's best to go with the lighter sandwich options if you're trying to maintain a low salt intake.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Panera's Turkey Chili&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to the protein in the turkey and protein and fiber in the beans, this satisfying soup will get you filled in seconds. Plus, it's total comfort food. Turkey chili also happens to be a healthy crockpot recipe.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Subway's Tuna Salad Sub&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This sub comes in under 500 calories, with five grams of fiber, 19 grams of protein and a good source of vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. You can also include avocado, which adds on just 60 calories with good fats, or add more tuna or any meat of your choice for extra protein.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chick-Fil-A's Grilled Market Salad&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Grilled Market Salad with lean protein, fruit and vegetables can be a healthy lunch or dinner pick. To keep calories low, try it with the Light Balsamic Vinaigrette if you're unsure of which dressing to choose.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking to make healthier choices at the drive-thru, here are a few things to keep in mind:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might think you're starving, but you could actually be thirsty. Drink some water before diving into your meal to fill yourself up a bit first.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choose the grilled options instead of the fried ones. By doing so, you will save calories for other foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You do not have to super-size anything. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put the sauce on hold! The amount of sauce added to a sandwich can add up in calories. These sauces can also contain sugar and fat, which are filler calories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't have to order fries on the side. Fries are high in carbs and fats. Also, sometimes it might take a while for you to feel full, so downing a side of fries only to feel overindulged after isn't the best option&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/fast-food.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/if-fast-food-is-your-only-option-choose-these-menu-items/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17943</ID> <title>Why Vitamin A Is Important for Your Health</title> <publishDate>2022-06-28 10:17:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_315 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_354"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_366 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_268 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_804 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_805 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_806 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_393 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A is a crucial class of fat-soluble essential molecules for many different functions in the body. One of the most important roles of vitamin A is keeping our eyesight healthy. Vitamin A is necessary for the proper development and function of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Vitamin A also helps protect the surface of the cells, including the eye lens and cornea, and regulates bone growth and maintenance, immune function and hormone production. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where Is Vitamin A Found?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body readily absorbs two forms of vitamin A: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preformed vitamin A (retinol, retinyl esters) is found in animal products, such as liver and cod liver oil, dairy products, eggs, rice bran oil, salmon, trout (including their livers), mackerel (including their livers), beef liver and butter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Provitamin A, converted to retinol, is found in plant products, colorful fruits and vegetables (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; carrots, sweet potatoes) and leafy green vegetables (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; kale). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A diet rich in organ meat, especially liver from different animals such as fish and beef, along with salads with carrots and kale, is a great way to keep your levels of vitamin A at an optimal level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Is Vitamin A Good for You?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A has many roles in the body. It helps maintain healthy vision and skin, helps with cell growth and differentiation, protects against &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-best-vitamin-for-fighting-inflammation-4176859#:~:text=Verywell%20%2F%20JR%20Bee-,Vitamin%20A,the%20body%20against%20free%20radicals." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and helps the body process calcium. In addition, vitamin A helps form &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-A" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;red blood cells, hormones and enzymes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A Deficiency &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A deficiency of vitamin A can lead to several health problems, including blindness, dry skin, chronic diarrhea, poor physical growth and increased susceptibility to infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several groups are at risk of vitamin A deficiency, such as children and pregnant women in developing countries, premature infants and cystic fibrosis patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A deficiency is more common in developing nations, owing to a higher prevalence of diets lacking in vitamin A. Clinical vitamin A deficiency rarely occurs in infants and is only seen in those with malabsorption problems. Preterm infants do not have adequate liver reserves of vitamin A at birth, and their retinol levels are normal only after two to four weeks of age; for full-term infants, retinol levels rise to normal in two weeks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The onset may be gradual or sudden for those with acquired vitamin A deficiency disorders. The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are mostly subtle, but they manifest themselves with several conditions associated with vision loss and night blindness, such as cataracts, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/a/aniridia.html#:~:text=Aniridia%20means%20lack%20of%20an,%2C%20retina%2C%20and%20optic%20nerve." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aniridia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinitis-pigmentosa#:~:text=Retinitis%20pigmentosa%20(RP)%20is%20a,of%20side%20(peripheral)%20vision." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;retinitis pigmentosa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Harvard Health Publishing, the current recommended daily intake of vitamin A is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/vitamin-a-and-your-bones#:~:text=Taken%20together%2C%20these%20studies%20suggest,(700%20mcg)%20for%20women." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2,330 IU (700 mcg)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for females and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/vitamin-a-and-your-bones#:~:text=Taken%20together%2C%20these%20studies%20suggest,(700%20mcg)%20for%20women." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3,000 IU (900 mcg)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for males. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Vitamin A Good for Acne?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A deficiency has been linked to acne because it can cause dryness and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21914489/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;excessive sebum production&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the natural oil produced by the body and found on the skin). In children with severe vitamin A deficiency, hair may fall out because vitamin A is needed for healthy hair growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A Supplementation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamins-common-misconceptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;person with a healthy diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; does not need vitamin A supplementation because they will get enough from their diet alone. However, vitamin A supplementation is beneficial to individuals with an inadequate or limited diet and those with a disease requiring vitamin A in high doses. Examples are retinitis pigmentosa and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-is-xerophthalmia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;xerophthalmia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supplementation may also be used in cases of malabsorption and dietary restriction. Those with malabsorption may benefit from taking a supplement that helps to increase the absorption of this vitamin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3936689/#:~:text=Vitamin%20A%20supplementation%20of%20newborns,optimal%20growth%2C%20development%20and%20health." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WHO&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; does not recommend vitamin A supplementation in children under the age of six months because they are at risk of developing a vitamin A deficiency called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431094/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;xerophthalmia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which causes permanent vision loss and may even lead to death.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having Too Much Vitamin A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A toxicity is more prevalent in developed nations than a vitamin A deficiency, owing to the high doses of preformed vitamin A (retinol) found in certain supplements. Vitamin A is also fat-soluble, which means any amount that isn't immediately required by the body is absorbed and stored in fat cells or the liver.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The liver converts the vitamin into retinol so other parts of the body can use it. If you take too much vitamin A, your liver may not be able to convert enough of it into retinol. This oversaturation leads to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lt.21007" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hypervitaminosis A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which causes liver damage and even death if left untreated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322238" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acute hypervitaminosis A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a condition with symptoms including irritability, drowsiness, nausea, abdominal pain, a feeling of pressure on the brain and vomiting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322238" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic hypervitaminosis A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; symptoms include mouth ulcers, swelling of the bones, cracked fingernails, bone pain, loss of appetite, cracked corners of the mouth and blurry vision.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some cases of hypervitaminosis A may result in acute psychosis and death. The main causes of hypervitaminosis A are excessive consumption of vitamin A-rich food, including: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating liver or raw fish; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking supplements without checking the label for ingredients that might contain vitamin A (such as retinol); &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using ointments with high retinol levels such as tetracycline;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking supplements that are not considered safe by the FDA. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The symptoms of hypervitaminosis are usually reversible upon cessation of excess intake.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Large doses of preformed vitamin A, beta-carotene and other provitamin A carotenoids have not been linked to significant health risks. Beta-carotene is not as fat-soluble as vitamin A and cannot be stored in large quantities by the body. It is mainly excreted through the feces, so it should not lead to hypercarotenosis. However, beta-carotene supplements have been linked to an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6636175/#:~:text=Introduction,higher%20risk%20of%20lung%20cancer." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased risk of lung cancer in smokers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A Interaction with Medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601244.html#:~:text=Orlistat%20blocks%20your%20body's%20absorption,K%2C%20and%20beta%2Dcarotene." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orlistat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a weight-loss drug that interferes with vitamin A absorption. While taking this medicine, your doctor may advise you to take a multivitamin with beta-carotene and vitamin A every day to ensure adequate intake. Orlistat may also be prescribed for patients with chronic pancreatitis or gastroparesis, in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hepatotoxic Drugs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking high doses of vitamin A supplements and other medicines may heighten the risk of liver disease. Examples of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/toxic-liver-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hepatotoxic medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are statins, steroids, antifungal drugs, acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) and arthritis drugs such as methotrexate or azathioprine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Retinoids &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Retinoids are vitamin A-derived compounds that have multiple skin benefits. They provide several advantages, including reduced inflammation, unclogged pores, reduced wrinkle appearance and controlled cell growth on the skin's surface. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Retinoids and vitamin A supplements may increase the risk of hypervitaminosis A when taken together. You should regularly check your vitamin A blood levels if you take these oral medications together. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin A is essential for the proper functioning of the body, especially for our eyes. A healthy, balanced diet of both animal and plant products can help you meet your daily vitamin A requirements. Animal products, which contain preformed vitamin A, and plant products, which contain provitamin A, will ensure your body receives enough of this essential vitamin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Vitamin-A.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-vitamin-a-is-important-for-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17925</ID> <title>Physical Activity May Lead to Other Healthy Habits</title> <publishDate>2022-06-27 20:13:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_316 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_355"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_367 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_269 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_807 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_808 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_809 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_394 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overall health is something that everyone should aim for because living an unhealthy lifestyle will take a toll not just on your body but also on your life. An unhealthy lifestyle leads to many illnesses and frustrations as certain activities call for a healthy body. Although we don't need to make abrupt changes in our habits, little by little, we can apply changes to our lifestyle and start with a daily physical activity until it becomes a healthy habit.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise and Healthy Habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical activity can lead to other healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-do-we-know-about-healthy-aging"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;showed that physically active people are more likely to have healthier habits overall.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The study looked at data from over 3,000 adults in the U.S. The researchers found that physically active people were more likely to eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep and not smoke. They were also less likely to sit for long periods of time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The study shows a strong link between physical activity and other healthy habits. So if you want to live a healthier life, start by being more active!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Importance of Physical Activity for Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise brings so many benefits to your physical and mental health! Physical activity helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthens bones and muscles, helps control weight and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Exercise also releases mood-boosting endorphins to help improve your mental health and overall sense of well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults should aim to do at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(such as brisk walking) or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(such as running) per week. In addition, adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities (such as lifting weights) at least two days per week.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're not used to exercising, start slowly and gradually increase your activity levels. There are many ways to get more physical activity into your day-to-day life, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking to work or parking further away from your destination. You can also join an exercise program such as gyms that provide fitness classes, exercise routines and equipment.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relationship between the Mind and Body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The relationship between the mind and body has been heavily studied over the years. The benefits of physical activity on mental health are vast and well-documented. It is no secret that physical activity can lead to other healthy habits. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physically active people are more likely to eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep and can also reduce stress levels and improve mood. All these factors can contribute to a person's overall mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the benefits of being physically active include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved cardiovascular health;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stronger muscles and bones;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased energy levels;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved mental well-being;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced stress levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the benefits of physical activity are clear, not everyone can participate in traditional forms of exercise. This is especially true for people with mental health conditions. However, there are many other ways to be physically active. Taking a brisk walk, dancing or even cleaning the house all count as physical activity. So no matter what your situation, there is always a way to be active.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Activities with Benefits for Overall Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the physical activities that you can include in your healthy habits to start your journey to overall health and wellness:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Walking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is an excellent form of exercise for overall health, and it's the most natural movement you can do. It is low impact and can be done almost anywhere. While walking, you can also plan your day, and you can do it alone or with your friends. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Running&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running is another great option for overall health. It is a more intense exercise but can have many of the same benefits as walking. Running can help improve heart health, lower blood pressure and boost mood. It's essential to warm up first before running to avoid unnecessary injuries and cramps.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Biking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Biking is another excellent choice for overall health. Biking is a low-impact activity that can help improve heart health, build muscle and reduce stress levels. It is also being enjoyed by many when sightseeing!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Swimming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swimming is a great form of exercise for overall health. Swimming can help improve heart health, lung function and flexibility while also being a great way to relax and de-stress, especially during hot summer days.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Weightlifting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weightlifting is an excellent form of exercise for overall health. Weightlifting can help build muscle, improve bone density and reduce the risk of injuries. In addition, having a well-toned body will boost your confidence!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By incorporating all these things into your life, you can improve your overall mental health and well-being. Physical activity is just one piece of the puzzle regarding healthy habits for mental health. It is important to also practice healthy habits such as eating well, getting enough sleep and reducing stress levels.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We often disregard the fact that for us to live a happy life, we must take care of our health. Instead, we often overwork, consume unhealthy foods and promise ourselves that we will start living healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know it is hard to make lifestyle changes, but not everything comes easy, and for us to achieve a healthy lifestyle, we have to work hard and be consistent until it becomes a habit. So make sure to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Your body will thank you for it!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/physical-activity.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/physical-activity-may-lead-to-other-healthy-habits-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17933</ID> <title>What Causes Hangovers?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-27 10:06:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_317 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_356"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_368 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_270 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_810 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_811 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_812 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_395 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many have experienced this scenario: going to the bar with your friends, having too many drinks and waking up the next day swearing to never put alcohol in your mouth again. Naturally, everybody hates the day after because of the heavy hangover. But how many people keep this promise? Let's take a short journey and learn what a hangover is, its risks and why it manifests the way it does.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Causes Hangovers?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alcohol is the cause of hangovers because it has dehydrating and diuretic effects that lead to most hangover symptoms. Alcohol also contains a chemical named &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congener_(beverages)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;congener&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which provokes intense hangovers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because it contains these chemicals, alcohol affects your body in numerous ways, especially by causing the next day's dreaded hangover.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive Alcohol Consumption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you decide to drink, keep in mind to do it moderately. It is relatively safe to drink one night over your limit but always be aware there are immense risks with excessive alcohol. When drinking more and more, the effects alcohol has on our bodies multiply and become graver.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dehydration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because alcohol has diuretic effects, your body will feel the need to urinate more frequently, amounting to faster dehydration. In turn, dehydration causes dizziness, headaches and an unquenchable thirst. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unpleasant Hangover Symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hangover symptoms are something most people hate. It is common knowledge that alcohol dehydrates, but there are some symptoms not everyone is familiar with. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Low Blood Sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is a symptom caused by drinking alcohol. Alcohol lowers glucose production (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sugar ) in the body and can cause dizziness, fatigue and irritability.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Can a Hangover Cause a Fever?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a possibility that you will experience a fever when hungover, but the chance is relatively low. If you have a fever after a night out drinking, it is mainly because you might be sick. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Muscle Aches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The body's electrolyte levels can be disturbed by consuming alcohol. You may experience weakness, muscle aches, irritability and headaches by unbalancing the body's electrolyte levels. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Digestive System Irritability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alcohol can increase the production of acid in your digestive system. Depending on how much you drank the night before, the acid can accelerate or stall the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms associated with digestive system irritability are nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Sleeping Difficulties&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Troubled sleep is nothing unheard of when it comes to hangover symptoms. You may feel the need to constantly sleep because you won't be able to experience high-quality sleep. So if you decide to drink excessively, remember that you won't be able to be productive the next day. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Difference between Light and Severe Hangovers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are differences between light and severe hangovers. Usually, severe hangovers indicate alcohol poisoning, whereas a light hangover will leave you sore, dizzy, irritated and with a headache and some stomach irritation. However, if you experience the following symptoms, you could be dealing with alcohol poisoning:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive vomiting;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slow breathing ;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hypothermia (low body temperature);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Confusion;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seizures;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Passing out and difficulty remaining conscious.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hangovers may not seem that harmful, but they sometimes are and can lead to life-threatening emergencies. In addition, because alcohol is already harmful to your body, it can lead to health problems. If you ever experience these symptoms, immediately consult a doctor. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can a Hangover Last Two Days?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Usually, a hangover lasts 24 hours, although there are some situations when the hangover lasts longer. Hangovers vary from person to person. If you are the sick person type or suffer from diseases that may over accentuate the alcohol effects, you can experience a longer hangover. Drinking more than you can carry will add to the hangover period.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hangover Risk Factors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people are more susceptible to hangovers than others because genetic variations affect how alcohol is metabolized. So this means some people can become ill even after drinking a tiny amount of alcohol.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides genetic variation, factors that can make a hangover more severe are as such:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Not Resting Enough after Drinking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are not going to sleep after a night of drinking, the hangover symptoms may become more severe as your body does not have enough time to reboot. Try to rest as much as possible while avoiding short sleep cycles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Not Eating before Drinking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not eating before drinking leaves your stomach empty and allows your body to absorb alcohol much easier. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Nicotine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smoking is already dangerous, but when paired with drinking, it is even worse. Nicotine intake affects your hydration, sleep schedule and immune system. This can turn your simple hangover into a more severe one. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Darker Colored Alcoholic Beverages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Usually, darker alcoholic beverages contain higher levels of alcohol and congeners, leaving you with a more powerful headache and sorer muscles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hangover Remedies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people think they have found the cure for hangovers, such as gurgling coffee right as you wake up or drinking a magic smoothie. But this is not the case. What truly cures your hangover is time. You have to wait it out, but there are things you can do that may speed the curing process.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay Hydrated: Hangover Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Staying hydrated is essential when talking about curing a hangover. For example, matcha tea is an excellent choice because it contains antioxidants and caffeine. Caffeine will reduce your headaches, and the antioxidants will detox your body. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another great tea is the turmeric green team, which is famous for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This tea helps calm your headache and encourages blood flow. It also soothes your irritated digestive system. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay Hydrated: Hangover Juice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although there is no such thing as a hangover-curing juice, certain smoothies can help. Unfortunately, people add the most random ingredients to their magic smoothies, like pickle juice and coffee. But there is a better way. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try making a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ourplantbasedworld.com/hangover-juice-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;smoothie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with pineapple, cucumber, parsley, green gapers, lemon and green apples. Because all of these ingredients are full of antioxidants, your body will return to normal. In addition, the smoothie will keep you hydrated and detox your entire system and for more flavor, you can add some ginger. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hangover Pills &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A hangover pill is a medicine packed with vitamins, amino acids and electrolytes, ingredients well known to help soothe your hangover. But keep in mind that these pills do not cure your hangover completely. The hangover pills only help you get through your hangover a little better and faster, but they are no miracle. Some of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://observer.com/2021/02/the-5-best-hangover-pills-2021-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the best hangover pills&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cheers;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Flyby;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AfterDrink;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NoDaysWasted;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Purple Tree.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When talking about drinking alcohol, you have to be careful. Keep moderation in mind and avoid extremes. Learn your limits and try not to cross them for your own good.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Hangover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/what-causes-hangovers/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17918</ID> <title>Being Treated, Heard and Understood: An Interview with Dr. Camesia O. Matthews, DDS</title> <publishDate>2022-06-26 19:48:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_318 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_357"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_369 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_396 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being successful in the medical world requires more than treating the human body. It also means understanding the mind that resides within that body. It means recognizing that a patient is a whole person—true healing addresses both body and mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Camesia Matthews, DDS, is a dentist who embraces this view and puts it into practice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My favorite part about my work is the patients," she said. "Each person that sits in the chair is unique. It's a new adventure each time."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_271 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_813 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_814 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_815 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_358"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_370 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_397 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Becoming a Dentist&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Camesia Matthews practices at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.universitydentalgroup.com/camesia-matthews-dds.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;University Dental Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in Worcester, Massachusetts. She did not grow up with dentistry in mind, but she knew early on that her career would involve healthcare. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always loved the biological sciences," she said. "I did clinical lab science as an undergraduate degree. Then, a teacher told me I should go to medical school, so I did some research. I looked at all of the health sciences and found that dentistry was perfect for me because I love using my hands."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Relating to Patients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A medical professional can cure a disease, heal an injury and even save a life, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/use-psychology-improve-patient-satisfaction" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the patient may still walk away dissatisfied&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. How is that possible? Does this mean the patient is ungrateful? It's more likely that the patient felt that the doctor, while effective with treatments, did not listen to their concerns. The doctor treated the body but did not acknowledge the needs of the mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As Dr. Matthews built her career, she developed a service-oriented, patient-centered approach to dentistry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's like learning the psychology of each patient," she said. "I've learned so much about the human body and mind over the time I've been a dentist. It enables me to deal with people better even outside of dentistry."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She recognized the importance of seeing each patient as an individual with their unique circumstances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are all very similar in that we want to feel safe," Dr. Matthews said. "But one person may be dealing with anxiety. If you learn the person's background, you learn why they are like this. And they're different from the last patient that I did the same procedure on. Every person has a custom-made situation."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Matthews deals with each patient individually, understanding that their background, culture, family and other circumstances are relevant elements in their overall healthcare. Demonstrating empathy and listening to and discussing patients' concerns are vital for their treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Case in Point&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Matthews shared the example of a patient who had been afraid to see a dentist. When he finally arrived, she discussed his fear with him.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He confessed that he was so fearful because he wouldn't be in control. He said, 'It's when I'm in this setting that I feel the most helpless.' So for him, I was meticulous in making sure there were no surprises," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Matthews gave him plenty of information.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Having him understand every detail of what I was doing, and why, helped him relax," Dr. Matthews continued. "This was very important. He had been neglecting himself because of that barrier. But I learned his background and how he saw dentistry, and that was my opportunity to help him get through it."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Matthews wants her patients to ask as many questions as possible because she wants them to know what to expect and to put them at ease with the proposed treatment plan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Place of Empathy and Non-Judgment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's not unusual for patients to put off a trip to the dentist because of fear, lack of dental insurance or other personal reasons. That delay can make dental problems worse. When they finally reach her chair, Dr. Matthews believes it is essential to welcome her patients in a nonjudgmental environment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I try to come from a place of empathy and non-judgment," Dr. Matthews explained. "I don't start by going back in the past asking why they didn't come in or haven't been there in six years. It's not helpful, and it only makes that person feel worse about themselves. Instead, I approach it with empathy because I don't know what someone's home life is like."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Given her philosophy, it is not surprising that Dr. Matthews embraces a minimalist approach to her treatment plans. She begins with the least invasive treatment and only progresses to the more complicated procedures if the simpler treatment does not work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If a patient has a deep cavity maybe a few millimeters away from the nerve, some may immediately do a root canal," Dr. Matthews explained. "But I'm going to first remove the caries [the decay that results in cavities] and give it some time to see if that works. The patient may end up not needing a root canal. However, I make sure the patient understands that a root canal may still be necessary if the simpler treatment doesn't work or if they become symptomatic”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If the minimally invasive treatment does work, the patient has been saved a lot of pain, time and money. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sports Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3343409/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports dentistry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a growing, exciting approach to dentistry that involves preventing, treating and managing the oral injuries athletes suffer. It also involves the effect athletes' special diets and lifestyle can have on their dental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have the goal of becoming a sports dentist and serving that subset (the athlete and the active person)” Dr. Matthews shared. "It will be an arm of what I do in addition to general dentistry. It will be an educational endeavor. Athletes may not think they're different from the general population but they are—the practice routines, sports drinks and foods, dehydration. For example, there's more erosion because of what they drink and eat."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In March of 2022, Dr. Matthews founded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.clutchdental.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clutch Dental&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Media, where she shares her experiences as a dental professional, her knowledge (and love) of sports, and how the two are related. She is currently writing a book about the importance of dental fitness for athletes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Matthews' view of dentistry engages both body and mind. Her patients receive high-quality treatment for their dental issues and leave her office feeling heard and understood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You really can't group anyone at all. Understanding that, I have learned so much about people as a whole. That's been the most surprising takeaway from dentistry that I didn't account for going in. But I love it," she concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Matthews treats the whole patient, giving them both healthy teeth and peace of mind.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Camesia.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/being-treated-heard-and-understood-an-interview-with-dr-camesia-o-matthews-dds/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17909</ID> <title>How to Help Your Mental Health while Traveling</title> <publishDate>2022-06-26 19:07:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_319 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_359"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_371 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_272 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_816 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_817 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_818 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_398 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So many people are a part of the "travel team" to relieve stress, whether it's at the beach, mountain climbing or discovering the fascinating history of other cities. For others, traveling is more purposeful, such as attending a business meeting or your favorite cousin's wedding. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The word &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;travel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; springs up joyful memories for many of us. But for others, especially those experiencing mental health issues, traveling can be a problem.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can Traveling Affect Mental Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being that affects how we think, feel and interact with others. Good mental health allows us to lead fulfilling and productive lives. On the other hand, mental illness can interfere with our thoughts, moods and interactions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For people who are experiencing mental health issues, traveling can trigger episodes. A little day-to-day stress is always manageable, but when we travel, we experience different situations in unfamiliar environments, such as flight delays, getting lost in a new city or lacking necessary items.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Managing Mental Health Issues while Traveling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Traveling is a stressful event for people suffering from mental health issues, but it doesn't mean that it is not manageable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Make Sure to Get Plenty of Rest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However hard it might be to get a good night's sleep when traveling, it's essential to rest as much as possible. Fatigue can worsen mental health symptoms, so getting enough rest is crucial if you want to stay healthy while traveling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Stay Organized and Don't Overschedule Yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you're in a new place, it can be tempting to try and see as much as possible. However, an overly busy schedule can lead to stress and anxiety. Try to save yourself some downtime and make sure to leave some room for flexibility in your itinerary. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed while traveling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Eat Healthy Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be hard to stick to a healthy diet when you're on the go, but it's important to try your best. Poor food choices can make mood swings worse, so eating beneficial foods is key if you want to stay mentally healthy while traveling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Connect with Other Travelers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Traveling can be a great opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. If you feel like you're struggling emotionally, reach out to other travelers and talk about your experiences. They might be able to offer some helpful advice and support.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Don't Be Afraid to Seek Help if You Need It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health while traveling, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Many qualified therapists specialize in travel-related issues, and they can help you manage your mental health while on the road.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Benefits of Traveling for Your Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite potential challenges, traveling can also be beneficial for our mental health, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Expanding knowledge and experiences: Traveling allows us to learn new things and explore new places. This can lead to a greater understanding of the world and ourselves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Building relationships: Traveling forms new relationships with people from different cultures and helps build strong social connections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increasing self-awareness: Traveling can help us become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses and develop new perspectives on life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To maintain good mental health, we must enjoy our everyday life, especially whenever we are given the opportunity to travel. Traveling can be both challenging and rewarding for our mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As long as we take care of ourselves, it's a guarantee that you will have a good time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Mental-Health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/how-to-help-your-mental-health-while-traveling/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17519</ID> <title>Filling Multiple Roles for One Goal: An Interview with Dr. Beau Daniels, DC</title> <publishDate>2022-06-24 13:13:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_320 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_360"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_372 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_399 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We often admire actors who can play a litany of roles, each with distinct stories and characteristics. People in the real world can do this, too, and they are worthy of our deepest admiration because they are not playing a temporary role. This is their life. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Beau Daniels, DC, is one of those people. He wears multiple hats in the medical and sports arenas, integrating them all in a way that fills the holes he sees in the healthcare system for athletes. His tireless efforts are spearheading the way to a complete health system for both athletes and weekend warriors. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Beau Daniels, DC&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Extreme Multitasking in Action&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chiropractor Dr. Beau Daniels is a co-founder of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bdxsportsmedicine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body Dynamix Integrated Sports Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a multidisciplinary medical practice in Thousand Oaks, California. Body Dynamix is partnered with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sportsacademy.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports Academy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where he is Director of Integrated Sports Medicine and Human Performance and Director of Volleyball. In addition, Dr. Daniels provides chiropractic services to the Los Angeles Rams football team. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, he has begun collaborating with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/a-businessmans-passion-for-healthcare-an-interview-with-mr-restee-collins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Restee Collins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to bring a new DX machine to Sports Academy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But how does he do it all?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have a very definitive work ethic. I am the hardest working person. It's great to have all these different things to sink my teeth into. I love coaching and shaping the next generation. I enjoy my patients and traveling with the Rams. They all stimulate me," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_273 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_819 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_820 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_821 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_400 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;b style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;Career Path: From Athletics to Chiropractic&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels' 15 years of experience in sports medicine did not begin with a childhood desire to be a doctor. Instead, he was an athlete interested in engineering.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In school, I was very involved in athletics and was doing math, computer programming and engineering. That's how I saw myself progressing in the professional world. Anatomy, physiology and science resonated with me," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Biomechanics, in particular, resonated most.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This is the engineering of the body, and its changes over time make it more challenging. So, I switched my major to sports medicine. It was about understanding what happens in athletes, why it happens and how we train and understand the body during these processes that we put the body through," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels discovered holes in the healthcare system when it came to treating athletes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I felt there was this hole where nobody was considering the big picture. No one was developing relationships between orthos, physical therapists, chiropractors and massage therapists," he remarked.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, he chose chiropractic as the best way to play his part in filling those gaps. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I chose chiropractic because it has some unique tools, and it gives me the versatility to be a primary care provider in my clinic. I can employ a multidisciplinary environment," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sports Academy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels' chiropractic practice, Body Dynamix, is located on the campus of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bdxsportsmedicine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports Academy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in a 100,000-square-foot facility. The academy also includes multiple sports venues, a yoga and cycling studio, biomechanics and cognitive labs and an academic center. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We do performance training and treatment for athletes—chiropractic treatment, rehabilitation from repetitive injury trauma or sprained ankles and strains. We also coach. We always wanted a facility where we could have volleyball in the facility and then have the medical practice and the performance training. It just made sense to merge all my worlds into one place," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels points out the benefits of the Sports Academy concept. He describes a friendly environment where you can have your physical therapist, chiropractor, medical doctor, performance trainer and coach within a few feet of each other. The service providers can easily collaborate and work out what patients truly need.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm constantly walking back and forth and talking to coaches or trainers and saying, 'You have to back off of this or try these things.' It's that easy. We're bridging the gaps from one provider to the next quickly and safely," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;DX Machine: A Means for Service Expansion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Restee Collins brought his daughter to Dr. Daniels for treatment, a business opportunity presented itself for both men—a DX machine, which Collins sells. The DX machine is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.knowledgenile.com/blogs/medical-diagnosis-with-machine-learning-advantages-and-limitations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medical diagnosis machine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that quickly detects diseases and conditions that alerts practitioners about the need for medical attention. It can process substantial amounts of data to help accelerate the diagnosis process. As a result, it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://riskgroupllc.com/machine-learning-for-medical-diagnosis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;enhances the provider's decision-making&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, reduces costs and risks and saves time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels realized an important use for such a machine in his practice and Sports Academy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have thousands of people here on weekends," he explained. "And I can't offer them anything from the medical side. We're a repetitive care and orthopedic-based clinic, but the weekend visitors are transient. We've had people from San Diego, Sacramento and even British Columbia. They're here once and then gone."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After reviewing the available research, Dr. Daniels saw the advantages and decided that the DX machine was worth pursuing. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This points out the underlying disease that people don't know about until it affects their quality of life. It produces a detailed report with a ton of information about what's going on in your body. These things can be addressed much earlier. Plus, it's noninvasive and is covered by insurance," he added.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels and Restee Collins established a trusting relationship and determined the benefits to Sports Academy's patient population. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It finally gave me something to offer the transient weekend population. They can have this quick screening, and then we follow up with a phone call explaining the findings," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This device promotes preventative care and helps fill the hole Dr. Daniels sees in the healthcare system. The medical field recognizes more and more that numerous diseases, morbidity and death can be avoided by early identification. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That is huge. I come from a background of preventative care. That's what chiropractic mostly is," Dr. Daniels explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Daniels is working toward a more comprehensive, preventative approach to healthcare for athletes and others. With his practice integrated with the Sports Academy, his patients will benefit from his ability to collaborate with coaches and other providers. And with the addition of the DX machine, through his collaboration with Collins, he can reach more people.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's a lot of opportunities to help a lot of people," he concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Undoubtedly, Dr. Daniels will remain at the forefront of innovation, wearing his many hats.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/one-goal.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/filling-multiple-roles-for-one-goal-an-interview-with-dr-beau-daniels-dc/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17509</ID> <title>Changing Hormones Can Affect Your Workouts</title> <publishDate>2022-06-24 12:52:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_321 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_361"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_373 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_274 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_822 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_823 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_824 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_401 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We often think about our muscles' straining and our breathing when exercising. But what we don't usually consider is how our bodies' underlying mechanisms assist us. While we can't see it, our bodies support us by firing innumerable chemical reactions, including hormones. Even though they aren't as visible as muscles, one's ability to exercise can be significantly impacted when these hormones are affected. This is especially true for women, who often undergo hormone fluctuations as a part of their bodies' natural functions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Are Hormones?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormones are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forthedge.co.uk/knowledge/the-role-of-hormones-in-athletic-performance/#:~:text=Hormones%20are%20not%20only%20key,load%20and%20recovery%20is%20crucial" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chemical messengers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; created by the endocrine glands that are carried within the blood. Examples of hormones &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forthedge.co.uk/knowledge/the-role-of-hormones-in-athletic-performance/#:~:text=Hormones%20are%20not%20only%20key,load%20and%20recovery%20is%20crucial" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; thyroxine, cortisol, estrogen and testosterone. Your brain uses these hormones to send messages to your brain, telling it to perform various functions. You can imagine the hormones in the body a bit like a letter that gets sent in the mail. When the brain wants the body to perform a function, it sends a letter in the form of hormones to the proper mailbox or receptor within the body. The body then reads that message and knows what chemical function it needs to perform. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Hormones Affect Exercise &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These chemical messages can significantly affect your exercise by helping your body &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forthedge.co.uk/knowledge/the-role-of-hormones-in-athletic-performance/#:~:text=Hormones%20are%20not%20only%20key,load%20and%20recovery%20is%20crucial" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;build muscle or improve endurance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, hormone fluctuations can negatively impact your exercise and weight loss efforts unless you carefully account for them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such fluctuations naturally occur during a woman's natural cycle over their life, making it imperative that women adjust to such changes to continue exercising in a healthy manner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During menstruation, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/hormones-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;estrogen and progesterone levels are lower&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than expected, leading to greater fatigue and reducing the amount of exercise one can perform. Such changes are most dramatic during pregnancy, when the changing hormones will make the body &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/hormones-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;require more oxygen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The additional oxygen requirement can cause shortness of breath and make pregnant women more prone to injuries and ligament strains while exercising. Lastly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/hormones-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;during menopause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, women can often experience fatigue due to falling estrogen levels that will reduce energy, stamina and strength. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Minimize the Effects of Changing Hormones&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the easiest ways to handle changing hormones and still exercise is to shorten your exercise periods and use &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/hormones-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pain relief methods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as NSAIDS (Ibuprofen or Tylenol) or a heating pad. During periods of fluctuation, such as menstruation, these methods can efficiently reduce the pain you're feeling while still allowing you to exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, pregnancy will likely require more significant countermeasures. It is still very beneficial to work out during pregnancy, although you'll likely need to take it easy and be flexible with your body's changes. Lastly, during menopause, one should endeavor to fight the naturally occurring fatigue while engaging with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/hormones-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight training, pilates and strength training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to combat bone loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Exercises to Minimize the Effects of Changing Hormones&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just because your hormones are changing doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise. Indeed, by exercising, you can help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blog.nasm.org/weight-loss-specialist/hormonal-balance-metabolism-exercise-can-positively-affect-hormones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;balance the hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your body. However, for women, the exercises for balancing hormones differ according to each life phase. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/how-female-hormones-affect-exercise-at-every-age#teens" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the teenage years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sports and athletics can be an invaluable opportunity for the body to grow. However, you must be careful not to overly tax the body, especially during menstrual periods, or it may adversely affect the natural cycle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/how-female-hormones-affect-exercise-at-every-age#prenatal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;young adult and reproductive years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you should overlap your exercise routine with your natural cycle, prioritizing intense exercises when hormones are low at the beginning of the month while considering that ACL injuries are more likely at this stage. Be sure to protect the knee during squats, lunges and cardio. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During menopause, you should focus on resistance training and impact exercises, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/how-female-hormones-affect-exercise-at-every-age#perimenopause-menopause" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;including&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; pilates, yoga, dynamic stretching and foam rolling. The main thing to keep in mind is recovery. It is imperative to keep rest days consistent and properly stretch and roll out muscles before and after use. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though we can't see them, hormones present a fundamental in our bodies and their ability to exercise. Keeping hormone changes in mind while exercising is critical for women who regularly experience hormone changes and fluctuations due to their natural cycles. While it may seem like hormones can be your enemy at times, through careful planning, you can keep your workout routine consistent and help your body regulate your hormones more effectively!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Changing-Hormones.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/changing-hormones-can-affect-your-workouts/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17502</ID> <title>Let's Look into the 'Food as Medicine' Trend</title> <publishDate>2022-06-23 12:22:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_322 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_362"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_374 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_275 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_825 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_826 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_827 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_402 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating organic and unprocessed foods has many benefits for your overall health. The 'food as medicine' trend can help you achieve this goal!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is 'Food As Medicine'?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While this trend is a relatively new concept in the Western world, 'food as medicine' is based on ancient philosophy. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates is famously quoted saying, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC318470/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This simple, yet powerful statement encapsulates the essence of the 'food as medicine' trend: that what we eat directly impacts our health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;'Food as medicine' has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years, as more and more people recognize the power of food to improve overall health and well-being. With its emphasis on nutrient-dense foods that can prevent and treat diseases, the 'food as medicine' trend advocates for eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods that nourish the body from the inside out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the key principles of this trend include incorporating nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet, thus using food as an alternative to conventional medicine when possible. Whether you're looking to improve your overall health or manage a specific condition such as diabetes or heart disease, following the 'food as medicine' trend principles can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is the 'Food as Medicine' Trend Effective?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Mediterranean diet perfectly encapsulates the 'food as medicine' trend. This diet, which consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish, is heart-healthy and beneficial for preventing diabetes and other chronic diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some research supports the idea that food can be used as medicine. For example, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/seven-easy-to-find-foods-that-may-help-fight-cancer#:~:text=Studies%20suggest%20that%20people%20who,and%20mutations%2C%20says%20Jed%20W." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-11-2011/fish-reduces-alzheimers-risk-health-discovery.html#:~:text=People%20who%20eat%20baked%20or,America's%20annual%20meeting%20in%20Chicago." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that eating fish may help improve cognitive function and protect against Alzheimer's disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition, several specific foods can effectively treat or prevent certain conditions. For example, ginger effectively treats nausea, while garlic is effective in treating high blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is substantial evidence to support the idea that food can be used as medicine. However, it is essential to remember that food is not a magic bullet. It is only one part of a healthy lifestyle. Other factors, such as exercise, stress management and getting enough sleep, are vital for maintaining good health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Use 'Food as Your Medicine'&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The 'food as medicine' trend is all about using food to improve your health. This means eating more nutrient-rich foods and avoiding processed and junk foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some tips on how you can start using this approach in your own diet:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat more whole foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Whole foods contain minimally processed ingredients that haven't lost any of their natural nutrients. They include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Avoid processed and junk foods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: These foods are often high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. They can also lack essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Some foods are particularly good for providing essential nutrients that can improve your health. These include items like wild-caught fish, leafy greens and berries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Consider using supplements&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If you're not getting enough of certain nutrients from your diet, you may want to consider taking supplements. This is especially important if you have any specific health concerns that need to be addressed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Speak with a healthcare professional&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If you're not sure how to incorporate 'food as medicine' into your diet or if you have any specific health concerns, it's always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help you create a customized plan that's right for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Foods Can I Eat with 'Food as Medicine'?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several different ways to eat 'food as medicine.' One way is to focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods. These foods are typically rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which can help protect the body against diseases. Another way to eat 'food as medicine' is to focus on specific foods with proven health benefits. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/Fulltext/2014/09160/Neuroprotective_effects_of_berry_fruits_on.13.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that certain berries can help improve brain function, while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32010325/#:~:text=Garlic%20supplements%20have%20shown%20effectiveness,levels%20and%20blood%20'stickiness'." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;other studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that garlic can help lower cholesterol levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the most commonly recommended foods include fruits and vegetables, lean proteins like fish and poultry, whole grains, nuts and seeds and healthy fats such as olive oil or avocado. Based upon the principles of 'food as medicine,' these foods will help you regain your health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While food can be a powerful tool in the fight against illness, it should not be viewed as a cure-all for every health issue. Instead, it should be used as one part of a holistic approach to wellness that includes diet and other lifestyle factors. If you're interested in exploring the 'food as medicine' trend, plenty of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.grocerydive.com/news/5-ways-grocers-can-harness-the-food-as-medicine-trend/607182/#:~:text=There%20are%20five%20key%20ways,programs%2C%20according%20to%20the%20report." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;resources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are available to help you get started. You can also speak with a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist to get customized advice on making the 'food as medicine' approach work for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Food-as-Medicine.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/lets-look-into-the-food-as-medicine-trend/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17494</ID> <title>A Businessman's Passion for Healthcare: An Interview with Mr. Restee Collins</title> <publishDate>2022-06-23 12:06:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_323 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_363"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_375 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_403 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Restee Collins is an experienced businessman with a passion for healthcare. By collaborating with key people within the medical industry, he applies his sales savvy to enable preventative diagnostics and medical services for people across the country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm pretty eclectic," he said. "I'm pretty much a serial entrepreneur with different products."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A highlight in his career is introducing to practitioners a diagnostic device that quickly scans patients and detects illnesses and other medical conditions. He recently collaborated with &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/filling-multiple-roles-for-one-goal-an-interview-with-dr-beau-daniels-dc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Dr. Beau Daniels&lt;/a&gt; to bring the life-saving early detection device to his practice and sports facility. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Collins is a businessman with a valuable device and a positive, uplifting message.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mr. Restee Collins&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Many Irons in the Fire&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Collins spent about 20 years in sales, investing and foreclosure remediation in the real estate world. For several years, he was a national sales representative for Xerox. He is also on boards involved in international trade, including the Pacific Rim Chamber of Commerce. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When an opportunity with Top Doctor presented itself, Collins became Vice President of Business Development. With his sales and business background, he was a perfect fit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Collins also lends his talents to the creative world. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm a musician; I sing. I want to record a single this summer. I am also writing a book," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spreading a Positive Message&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to all of his enterprises, Restee Collins runs a nonprofit organization—the Blueprint Project. This organization focuses on faith, family, finances and fitness. It's an opportunity for men to get strengthened in those areas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everything that I strive to do is about bringing awareness and trying to help people live at their best level and meet their best self. My style is definitely solution-based. It's being able to see the good in bad situations," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Collins preaches the message that all can turn out well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You may have had some losses. A lot of people over the past couple of years have lost people, businesses, drive and impetus. But if you don't lose hope, there's always an opportunity. I teach my children to own their good and own their bad. As an owner, you will have a better chance of correcting some of those things that went wrong in your life. So often we act as an employee with our own emotions and actions when we should become CEOs of everything—good and bad," Collins explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Venturing into the Healthcare Industry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Collins' interest in healthcare and his Top Doctor role as the Vice President of Business Development was inspired by personal experiences. His mother had diabetes and passed away from renal failure when he was 23. His father also passed away from a long illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My mother didn't get a chance to see her grandkids or to see me become the man I am. My dad progressively continued to get too sick himself, and he passed away two years ago," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthcare became a mission for Collins, a passion that kept knocking on his door. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I don't want to see anybody else die without having the proper tools and information they need to stay alive. I want to be involved in the whole process of healthcare. I want to help people and the community," he explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor provided that opportunity, and he took on a DX machine as his product.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This work gives me the ability to use my business mind and work on my passion for healthcare," Collins explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_276 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_828 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_829 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_830 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_88"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/thumbnail_IMG_1704.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_IMG_1704.jpeg" class="wp-image-17497" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_404 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The DX Machine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/topdocdx-diagnosing-chronic-disease-in-asymptomatic-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DX machine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a medical diagnostic device that rapidly screens for diseases and other conditions. The large volume of data it processes accelerates diagnoses, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://riskgroupllc.com/machine-learning-for-medical-diagnosis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;helps the provider's decision-making&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, reduces costs and risks and saves time. It can detect problems the patient hasn't yet noticed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It gives a level of predictive health. It's that ounce of prevention. That's what intrigued me about it. Usually, people get tests because they're having a problem. But with this, even if there is no apparent issue, the patient can walk away with a two-page report and find out what's happening in their body," Collins explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With just a 15 to 20-minute test from a non-invasive device, people can get an early start on a plan to get their symptoms in check and restore their health. For doctors, using the machine can help promote other services they offer. And it is covered by insurance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It should be part of the protocol because you're able to dive deeper into the patient's health and offer other services they need. This is great preventative medicine," Collins said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Sports Academy Collaboration&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recently, Collins took his daughter to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sportsacademy.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sports Academy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in Thousand Oaks, California, for a sports-related injury. She was treated by chiropractor Dr. Beau Daniels, whose practice resides within the larger sports facility. The visit resulted in Collins introducing Dr. Daniels to the DX machine and its many benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/filling-multiple-roles-for-one-goal-an-interview-with-dr-beau-daniels-dc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Dr. Daniels found a valuable use for the machine&lt;/a&gt;, as it could benefit his regular patients, but he recognized that it could also open up new opportunities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, thousands of people visit the Sports Academy on weekends while in town for a few days. Since his services were primarily repetitive care, he had nothing to offer the Academy's transient visitors. But with the DX machine, Dr. Daniels can offer a quick health screening, then follow up and give results via phone. He can offer early detection of potential health risks and help patients on their way to getting the treatments they need.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I saw the opportunity to help Dr. Daniels scale his practice. The DX machine could also help his work with the Rams. A predictive health device can help the athletes and the Rams organization," Collins said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Bright Future Ahead&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Restee Collins plans to increase the doctors' awareness of the DX machine and its value to their patients and practices. He is also working on expanding Top Doctor Clinics across the country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We might purchase failing clinics or open up new clinics with multiple services. It's partnering with Top Doctor to set up wellness clinics around the country. We can also create events and opportunities to educate doctors and expand to mobile clinics and centers," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Undoubtedly, Collins' hard work will continue to help grow the much-needed availability of preventative healthcare and quality medical services for everyone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Businessman.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/a-businessmans-passion-for-healthcare-an-interview-with-mr-restee-collins/</url> </article> <article> <ID>18649</ID> <title>Can Depression Affect the Immune System?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-22 20:44:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_324 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_364"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_376 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_277 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_831 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_832 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_833 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_405 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People are vulnerable to many disorders throughout their lives, such as depression, which can alter and harm your immune system and overall health. But how does depression affect the immune system?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is a Depressed Immune System?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We usually talk of the immune system as being 'depressed' when it is weaker and more prone to infections. Many disorders can lead to a depressed immune system. Some are with us from birth, but others we develop throughout our lives. They can be either mild or severe, but they have the same effect on the immune system. Aside from the higher risk of contracting an infection, people with a depressed immune system can also experience severe symptoms and rougher outcomes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A depressed immune system can lead to higher risks of contracting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324930" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis and numerous infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, appearing more frequently as the immune system is too weak to fight them off. Also, a depressed immune system can lead to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324930#_noHeaderPrefixedContent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;autoimmune disorders, inflammation of organs, digestive issues, blood disorders and developmental delays in children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Link between Depression and the Immune System &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1696348" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A new study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and the only one of its kind, has finally confirmed a connection between the overtime effects of depression and changes in the immune system regarding its function. Researchers performed a test that helped determine a cell's ability to alter its shape. The test uses healthy blood samples monitored during body changes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The study found that raised stress hormones caused by a depressive disorder cause cells to deform and become injured in the long term. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effects of Depression on the Immune System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A depressive disorder's physical symptoms show first and foremost in the body's immune system. Researchers found that the connection between depression's physical effects and the immune system is quite strong. Depression is well known to impact the body's sleep schedule, appetite and immune system's ability to function. So, if the elements that keep the immune system's ability to function intact are affected and impaired, it is only natural that the immune system will suffer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Illnesses Caused by Depression &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depression can have other dangerous effects in the long term. Besides weakening their immune system, people experiencing depression can also become more prone to illnesses and disorders such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The immune system is known to protect the body from infection, which is why a weakened immune system is more susceptible to contraction infections and viruses. Because the immune system is not as strong as before depression took its toll on it, infections are more likely to develop. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1696348" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that 62% of people hospitalized with severe infections are more likely to experience mood disorders such as depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Heart Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depression affects your sleep schedule and, therefore, your energy levels. Low energy levels increase the risks of developing heart diseases and problems such as high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Autoimmune Diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People experiencing depression or other mood disorders are more prone to end up in the hospital because of their autoimmune diseases. Also, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dispatchhealth.com/blog/how-depression-affects-your-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;45% of people already having an autoimmune disease are more likely to become depressed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Disorders such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dispatchhealth.com/blog/how-depression-affects-your-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lupus, psoriasis, arthritis and Graves disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are caused by a weak immune system, causing long-term pain, disability and depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Managing a Weak Immune System &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping yourself healthy when experiencing a depressed immune system is essential. You should contact a doctor about your mood disease because they are the only ones that can genuinely help you. But in the meantime, you can do something about your immune system's health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Avoid Sick People&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because your immune system is already fragile, it's essential to avoid people who can infect you with different viruses and bacteria. In addition, it will be harder to regain your immune system's strength if you keep getting sick and develop infections. So, avoid meeting with sick people, but if it's impossible to avoid a particular sick person, refrain from close contact such as handshaking, hugging and kissing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Maintain Strong Hygiene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping your immune system healthy is directly correlated with good hygiene. Even the simple act of washing your hands can spare you an unwanted disease. Try to wash your hand as many times as possible:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before eating;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After using the bathroom;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After sneezing, blowing your nose or coughing;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After close contact with a sick person;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After, while and before preparing food;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After touching garbage;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After petting an animal ;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After helping a child use the bathroom.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Proper handwashing can work wonders and reduce the risk of developing illnesses by a landslide. Also, teaching your child to regularly wash their hands can save them from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pneumonia and diarrheal diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Stress Management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When going through depression, stress is a huge factor that weakens the immune system. Excessive stress gets people sick and more prone to different illnesses. Taking the matter into your hands is essential to avoid any diseases you can develop. Practicing meditation, yoga, massages, hobbies and staying around your loved ones will lower your stress levels and help your immune system regain its strength. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Don't Forget to Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting insufficient amounts of sleep can obstruct the production of white blood cells, one of the main components of the immune system. In addition, the lack of sleep can result in the same effects as stress does. So, try and achieve at least seven hours of sleep a day, and don't be afraid to take a nap from time to time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping the immune system healthy is essential as it protects you from viruses, illnesses and infections. If you are experiencing a mood disorder and notice that you have some of the symptoms listed above, you might have a depressive immune system. Don't be afraid to see a specialist; your health always comes first!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Depression.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/can-depression-affect-immune-system/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17485</ID> <title>Your Gut Communicates Regularly with Your Brain</title> <publishDate>2022-06-22 11:46:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_325 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_365"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_377 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_278 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_834 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_835 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_836 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_406 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Did you know that your gut is constantly talking to your brain? Just think of how many times you've relied on the so-called 'gut feeling' before making a life-changing decision. Does the gut own the gift of foresight, telling us which road to take when at a crossroad?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The brain and gut are strongly connected. Your intestines contain more than 100 million nerve cells, almost as many as your spinal cord, which is why scientists call the large intestine the "second" brain. In fact, when it comes to understanding human behavior and development, the digestive system may serve a far more significant role than we previously thought.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How is the Gut Connected to the Brain?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human gastrointestinal tract is lined with more than 100 million neurons. This dense concentration of nerve cells, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), can operate independently of the brain and spinal cord. The ENS regulates digestive motility and secretions and communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) through the vagus nerve, enteric plexuses and blood-borne signaling molecules.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ENS is often referred to as the 'brain in the gut' because it can function independently of the CNS. In fact, many reflexes that regulate digestion are mediated by local circuits within the ENS. For example, when you eat something too hot, your gut sensors signal stomach wall muscles to expel the food before it burns you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ENS also coordinates complex digestive processes, such as peristalsis (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the wavelike muscle contractions that push food through the gastrointestinal tract) and nutrient absorption. In addition, it regulates blood flow and fluid secretions in the gut and plays a role in immune function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Together, the ENS and CNS coordinate digestion through a complex network of signals, hormones and neurotransmitters. The gut-brain connection is crucial for maintaining digestive health and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does the Gut Communicate with the Brain?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The gut produces about 95% of the body's supply of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in mood, sleep regulation and appetite control. If you have poor gut health due to intestinal inflammation or bacterial imbalances, you can develop&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; depression and other mental disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a result.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, is responsible for carrying information between the two organs. If your gut is in distress, you can experience anxiety, headaches and other physical symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your gut bacteria also communicate with your brain by producing metabolites that influence mood and behavior. So, an unhealthy gut can significantly impact your brain, potentially leading to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your gut communicates regularly with your brain and affects many aspects of human behavior and development.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping Your Gut Healthy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is essential to maintain a healthy gut for overall health and well-being. This is because your gut communicates regularly with your brain through a series of signals carried by the vagus nerve. This communication between your gut and brain can have a major impact on how you feel both mentally and physically.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can do several things to keep your gut healthy and ensure that this communication functions correctly. Start by eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals and probiotics. In addition, you should avoid foods high in sugar or processed ingredients as they can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another key component of keeping your gut healthy is exercising regularly. Physical activity helps reduce inflammation in the body and can boost the activity of neurotransmitters and hormones needed for proper digestive function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By keeping this relationship healthy through proper diet and healthful lifestyle choices, you can improve your mood, sleep better, reduce anxiety and depression and manage weight more effectively!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While research is uncovering more about the link between gut health and mental health, there are some steps you can take to promote a healthy gut and ensure that this communication is functioning properly. Such steps include eating a diet rich in whole foods, avoiding processed foods with added chemicals and additives, getting regular exercise, managing stress levels and reducing overall inflammation in the body. With a bit of effort and dedication, you can ensure that your gut stays healthy and strong to enjoy good physical and mental well-being for years to come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Gut-Communicates.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/your-gut-communicates-regularly-with-your-brain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17470</ID> <title>What are the Best Vegetable Protein Sources?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-21 17:00:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_326 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_366"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_378 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_279 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_837 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_838 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_839 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_407 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet is a critical part of your overall health, and the meals and snacks you eat play a huge role in the quality of your physical well-being. In addition to these foundational insights, many people understand that different foods provide different kinds of sustenance for the body. However, what if the general understanding of protein was mistaken? Is meat the only reliable source of protein, or can other foods supplement protein intake?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research on the characteristics of vegetables has revealed that vegetables can provide significant portions of protein to your daily diet. While it will take some effort to determine which vegetable options will be most helpful to you, rest assured that the effort you put in will be worth it— understanding how to optimize your diet is a major step forward for those who want to take charge of their health. So, what are the best protein sources in vegetables?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein Sources in Vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first option, no doubt familiar to fans of soups, is the lentil. When boiled, 1 cup of lentils can provide &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables#19.-Avocado" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;17.86 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! In addition to this high vegetable-based protein offering, lentils are appealing in that they take very little time and effort to prepare! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another culinary delight that functions as a vegetarian protein source is the pinto bean. Necessary additions to burritos, chilis, soups and salads, pinto beans bring &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables#19.-Avocado" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15.41 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; per cup. Not a bad amount of protein for a small vegetable!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few more varieties of beans deserve a special shout-out. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are prominently featured in hummus. They can be roasted and snacked on all on their own or added to different recipes, but either way, you can get almost &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/10-foods-that-are-higher-in-protein-than-you-think-243495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15 grams of vegetable protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Mung beans, which are also significant for their plentiful iron and fiber content, also provide nearly 15 grams of protein, making them one of the best options for plant protein.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lima and fava beans, which have also been incorporated into many delicious recipes, will give you around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables#19.-Avocado" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;13 and 12 grams of protein per cup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So, the next time you make a trip to the supermarket with your vegetable protein intake in mind, give the bean section a little extra attention!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Green peas, which chefs praise for their versatility across different recipes, bring around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/10-foods-that-are-higher-in-protein-than-you-think-243495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to the table per cup. Another ubiquitous vegetable that will be easy to track down is the potato, which needs no introduction when it comes to deliciousness and the incredible range of uses. On top of the potential boost to your kitchen creativity, a single baked potato with skin can give you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/10-foods-that-are-higher-in-protein-than-you-think-243495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 grams of vegetable protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about Protein Sources in Other Plants?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Considering the astonishing variety of plant and animal life inhabiting our planet, you won't be surprised to hear that the protein sources in vegetables are not limited to beans, peas and potatoes. Healthy amounts of protein can also be found in nuts like pistachios and almonds, so it's important to recognize that these delicious snack foods - which are not a staple of everyone's diet - might deserve a place in yours. A single ounce of either pistachios or almonds will deliver nearly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables#19.-Avocado" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when dry-roasted, so it might be worth picking up a can next time the opportunity arises.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Back to vegetables! One of the vegetables many people associate with jokes about bad taste is the Brussels sprout, but it deserves a second chance. Even if you disliked its flavor as a child, the vegetable's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables#19.-Avocado" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5.5 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; per cup could greatly boost the quality of your diet. Try roasting, steaming or shredding them to add to an entree or salad. Don't be surprised when they turn out to supplement some of the protein you may be missing!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can easily integrate many of these protein-rich vegetables into lunch or dinner recipes, but what about breakfast? The avocado is one of the best high-protein options to fill that early-in-the-day menu slot. Delicious on its own or as part of a recipe, a single, medium-sized avocado will give you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://loveonetoday.com/nutrition/protein-in-avocados/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 grams of vegetable protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why is Protein from Vegetables So Important?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is possible to get delayed in this research by marveling over the many recipe options for those who want to integrate more vegetable protein into their diet. Still, you must also take time to consider the importance of protein to health in the first place. Maintaining a healthy diet without protein is like trying to row upstream without a paddle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/protein" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is critical to your body's ability to build and repair muscles, not to mention the production of hormones. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can call protein &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the fuel of your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Many physiological functions require the presence of protein in order to be carried out, and it's a mistake to ignore this component of a healthy diet. While it is accurate to say that humans can get enough protein through their diets, it's also true that not all foods are created equal when it comes to protein. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When considering the question of proper protein consumption, you should also take the amounts of protein you eat at different points of the day into account. The healthiest recommendation is to eat &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/protein-per-meal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;small amounts of protein at each meal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; since your body will simply excrete any excess protein. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, small amounts at breakfast, lunch and dinner will give your body a chance to get more value from the appropriate amount of protein you eat. This is why it's such good news that vegetables, beans and nuts are viable protein sources—because you can integrate them into so many different recipes and meals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Much Vegetable Protein Should I Eat?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer to this question will depend, to some extent, on you. The correct amount of protein for your diet will vary based on your diet itself. In other words, if your total daily intake comes to 2,000 calories, then between 200 and 700 of those calories should come from protein. That's a specific example, but the general rule is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/are-you-getting-too-much-protein#:~:text=How%20much%20protein%20do%20you,per%20kilogram%20of%20body%20weight." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;between 10% and 35% of your total calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; should come from protein. It might sound like a lot at first, but remember how vital protein is to your body's functioning!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This truth becomes evident once the downsides of protein deficiency are factored in. These &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ndtv.com/food/7-surprising-signs-and-symptoms-of-protein-deficiency-1955421" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include an increased risk of bone fractures, a loss of muscle mass, problems with your skin, hair and nails and an increased risk of infection. In addition, a lack of protein could lead to a bigger appetite and result in increased calorie intake - even though your body doesn't need it. So, instead of empty calories meant to replace protein, give your body what it needs!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meat and poultry products are not the only legitimate sources for your body's protein requirements. Take some time to investigate the dietary benefits of beans, nuts, avocados and other vegetables you might not have considered. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ndtv.com/food/7-surprising-signs-and-symptoms-of-protein-deficiency-1955421" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eggs, dairy products and seeds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are also protein-rich options worth exploring. They might provide the protein you need to take your diet to the next level!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Protein-Sources.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/what-are-the-best-vegetable-protein-sources/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17463</ID> <title>Will Free Weights Hurt Your Body in the Future?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-21 16:31:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_327 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_367"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_379 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_280 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_840 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_841 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_842 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_408 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're like most people, free weights aren't the wisest approach to bodybuilding. After all, you're lifting heavy objects and straining your muscles, so it's only natural to worry that you might hurt yourself!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the truth is, free weights are safe when used properly. In fact, they can help reduce your risk of injuries in the future. This is because lifting free weights forces your body to stabilize the weight and, consequently, helps build strength in the muscles and connective tissues around the joints. The result: improved joint stability and less chance of injuries in the future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do I Risk Hurting Myself with Free Weights?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Of course, there is always a risk of injury when lifting any weight, but free weights can be one of the safest ways to train. As long as you use proper form and don't lift more than you can handle, free weights can help you stay strong and healthy for years to come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But, with any activity, there are risks of injury. The most common injury in weightlifting is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100330115925.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dropping weights on your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Fortunately, you can avoid this type of injury by using a spotter or lifting lighter weights.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weightlifter's Elbow or Tricep Tendonitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another common injury from free weights is something called "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.osc-ortho.com/resources/elbow-pain/triceps-tendonitis-or-weightlifters-elbow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weightlifter's elbow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" or tricep tendonitis. It's caused by repetitive elbow motions, like those occurring when lifting weights. When afflicted by this condition, the tendons in your elbow become inflamed and painful. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weightlifter's elbow is a serious condition that can cause long-term damage to your elbow joint. If you start to feel pain in your muscles or joints, take a break from lifting and see a doctor if the pain persists.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few things you can do to prevent the weightlifter's elbow or any other free weight injuries:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make sure you warm up before lifting weights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: warming up helps loosen your muscles and joints and prevent injury.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Use the proper form when lifting weights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: if you're unsure how to do an exercise correctly, ask a trainer or another experienced lifter for help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don't lift more weight than you can handle&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: it's tempting to lift heavier weights as you get stronger, but this approach increases your risk of injury. If you're not sure how much weight is safe to lift, ask a trainer or your doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Free weights can be a great way to get strong and fit, but like any type of exercise, they aren't risk-free. However, you can help prevent free weight injuries by taking precautions and using proper form.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Benefits Outweigh the Risks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even with the possibility of injury, weightlifting with free weights is still considered a reliable way for people to stay in shape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the benefits of lifting free weights is preventing sarcopenia, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the loss of muscle mass and strength. It's one of the most common age-related diseases. You can help prevent the loss of your muscle mass by doing regular weightlifting exercises with free weights. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another great benefit of weightlifting is increasing your bone density. When you lift weights, your bones have to work harder to support your body. This extra work strengthens your bones and can help prevent osteoporosis later in life. So, if you're looking for a way to keep your bones healthy and strong, free weights are the way to go! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Free Weight and Weight Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most people think of free weights as a way to bulk up, but they can be great for weight loss! The key is to focus on body composition, not just weight. Free weights help you build muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat. So, even if the scale doesn't budge, you could still lose fat and gain muscle!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mobility and Balance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Free weights are a great way to stay in shape and improve your body mechanics and balance, especially as you get older. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3634155/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that balance is dependent on muscle strength. A regular weight training regimen can be a great way to keep the elderly from accidental falls and reduce the risk of developing mobility problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Injury Prevention while Weightlifting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are now convinced that lifting free weights has more long-term benefits than risks, you should familiarize yourself with these tips before lifting those irons:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use proper form.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start with lighter weights and gradually increase the amount you lift.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't try to lift too much at once.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use a spotter when necessary.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warm up before lifting and cool down afterward.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take breaks as needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Listen to your body and don't push yourself too hard.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you're looking for a way to keep your muscles and bones healthy and strong, free weights are always a great option!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WEIGHTS.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/will-free-weights-hurt-your-body-in-the-future/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17455</ID> <title>The Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine: Part 2, Extracellular Vesicles, Exosomes and Signaling</title> <publishDate>2022-06-20 16:04:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_328 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_368"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_380 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_281 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_843 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_844 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_845 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_409 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is not a subject traditionally found in the curriculum of U.S. medical schools. This gap in physician training has resulted in much confusion within the field despite the rapid growth of technological advances and an explosion in patient demand. Having spent over 20 years in academia and biotech studying regenerative medicine, I have noticed how the adoption of regenerative medicine has outpaced education and sound knowledge. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In part one of this three-part editorial, I described how the term "stem cell" has been assumed as a genericization for anything relating to regenerative medicine, much like the adoption of Kleenex to describe tissue paper or Xerox when referencing photocopiers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In part two, I aim to bring transparency to the subject of exosomes, extracellular vesicles, nanoparticles and signaling modalities currently being utilized in regenerative medicine as an alternative to cellular therapy. Finally, in part three, I will discuss the emergence of personalized, precision medicine as a strategy to deploy safe, effective and reliable regenerative medicine in modern healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_410 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Biological Signaling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In cell biology, eukaryotic cells communicate through direct contact (juxtacrine signaling) or by the secretion of soluble factors such as growth factors, hormones and cytokines. These soluble factors can act on the cell itself (autocrine signaling), neighboring cells (paracrine signaling) or distant cells (endocrine signaling). In the past few decades, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as the vehicles which facilitate intercellular communication, both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. EVs are membrane-bound nanoparticles released in an evolutionarily conserved manner by cells for the protection and delivery of multiple different messengers, collectively referred to as "cargo." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 1999, I graduated from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in England with a master's degree in Parasitology. I was interested in the mechanisms by which human prokaryotic parasites communicate with the host in order to hijack the immune system to avoid destruction and, in many cases, to establish a home. During the parasite-host interaction, those organisms release EVs with the potential to mimic the characteristics of host EVs to modulate the immune system and promote their survival. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leishmania &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can produce EVs taken up by phagocytic cells, enabling the delivery of immunomodulatory proteins contributing to the creation of a permissive environment for infection. These parasites inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine production (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, TNF-α) while promoting immunosuppressive cytokine production (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, IL-10) in human monocytes. To me, these details suggested a vast unexplored potential for the management of human autoimmune diseases and other immune-mediated medical conditions, such as wound healing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first indications of the relevance of EVs in medicine came in 1946 by the observations made by Erwin Chargaff and Randolph West, who described their procoagulant activity in normal plasma. These particles would later become known as "platelet dust" thanks to Peter Wolf in 1967. Decades later, Raposo and colleagues demonstrated that these nanoparticles, now termed exosomes, isolated from Epstein–Barr virus-transformed B lymphocytes, could induce T cell responses. By 2006, with the discovery that EVs contain RNA cargo, including microRNA, EVs acquired substantially renewed interest as mediators of cell-to-cell communication. EVs have now been isolated from most cell types and biological fluids such as saliva, urine, nasal and bronchial lavage fluid, amniotic fluid, breast milk, plasma, serum and seminal fluid. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exosomes are a sub-population of EV identified by the expression of specific surface markers (pan-EV markers) called tetraspanins (CD9, CD63, CD81). However, these proteins have recently been observed in apoptotic bodies and microvesicles, which are non-regenerative. As such, it has been challenging to identify the populations of exosomes that specifically contribute to regenerative medicine. The contents, size and membrane composition of EVs are highly heterogeneous and dynamic and depend on the cellular source and environmental conditions, contributing to significant confusion within the industry. Additional problems facing the field include a lack of standardization of both isolation procedures and methods for EV characterization. Proteomic profiles obtained from various EV populations highly depend on how EVs were isolated. Such methods may include isolation by filtration, differential ultracentrifugation, density gradient centrifugation (sucrose or iodixanol gradients) and size-exclusion chromatography. There is currently a major push by scientists to come to a consensus on isolation procedures and characterization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Extracellular Vesicle Biology&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;EVs function by triggering intracellular signaling pathways through simple interaction with the surface receptors or ligands of target cells or by undergoing internalization. EVs can induce changes in the cell phenotype by transfer to the target cell of biologically active proteins or RNAs, collectively referred to as "cargo." The presence of functional RNA within EVs was first described in 2006 from mouse stem cell-derived EVs. Cellular mRNA varies in size from 400 to 12,000 nucleotides, whereas RNA in EVs has a predominant size of &amp;lt;700 nucleotides. EVs can contain intact mRNA, mRNA fragments, long non-coding RNA, microRNAs (miRNA), PIWI-interacting RNA, fragments of tRNA and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). While most studies report the absence of ribosomal 18S and 28S in EVs (a typical cellular RNA), some recent studies report a substantial proportion of rRNA (up to 80%) in some EV sub-groups, including certain MSC-derived EVs. Its function, though, in EVs is currently unknown.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;EV miRNAs are ~21 nucleotide regulatory molecules packaged into EVs to allow those miRNA messages to circulate protected within the body and avoid degradation from blood RNAse activity. EV-mediated transfer of miRNAs has been described to have substantial immunological effects. For example, the transfer of some miRNAs (such as miR-335) from T-cells to antigen-presenting cells modulates gene expression in the recipient cells. In addition, EVs isolated from saliva have been shown to contain platelet tissue factor and the T cell activator, CD26. Platelet tissue factors may initiate blood coagulation, and it has been suggested that saliva EVs could be important in the process in which humans and animals lick a bleeding wound to promote coagulation, antimicrobial activity and subsequent wound healing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_89"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DrWhite_P9A2322-1-web1.jpg" alt="" title="DrWhite_P9A2322-1-web(1)" class="wp-image-17456" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_411 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Extracellular Vesicles and Medical Applications&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to proteins and RNAs, bioactive lipids, such as eicosanoids, prostaglandins, fatty acids and cholesterol, can be transferred between cells by EVs. Vesicle-bound lysophosphatidylcholine has been proposed to play a role in the maturation of dendritic cells and can trigger lymphocyte chemotaxis. Interestingly, for my current research, placenta-specific miRNAs are also packaged into EVs and mediate crosstalk between the fetus, placenta and the mother during pregnancy. In 2007, EVs were detected in the amniotic fluid (AF) of laboratory mice and four samples from women undergoing routine amniocentesis. It is believed that the origin of AF-derived EVs is from both the mother and the fetus. The fetal kidney releases EVs containing proteins, such as TIMP1, TIMP2, CD24 and annexin-I, which are of significant interest to medicine. Successful pregnancy relies upon EVs, which are constantly present in the maternal blood throughout pregnancy and influence the maternal immune system controlling both maternal adaptive and innate immunity during pregnancy. EVs from the amniotic fluid are thought to modulate the mother's immune response to maximize fetal survival. In this case, EVs from the amniotic fluid were shown to be captured by human monocytes and stimulate cytokine release in a TLR-dependent manner. Our research has seen EVs from AF modulate "cytokine storm" related cytokines in response to microbial challenges. This is very interesting, considering the current COVID-19 pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;EVs have also been defined as novel players in neural cell communication with pleiotropic physiological effects, both in the developing fetal nervous system and throughout the adult body. Cerebrospinal fluid has been described to have many functions as an intermediary between blood and the brain for the transport of nutrients and growth factors. CSF is also involved in the elimination of toxins and other metabolic by-products. Because of the potential importance of EVs in the context of the CNS and neurological diseases, the presence of EVs in human CSF is of medical interest. EVs have been proposed to neutralize the synaptic-plasticity disrupting activities of amyloid β-protein, primarily by sequestering Aβ oligomers by EV surface proteins, such as PrPC. These indicate a protective role of EVs against Aβ accumulation. In cardiac studies, using a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury mouse model, researchers found that EVs were responsible for observed cardioprotection, including neoangiogenesis. EVs from human liver stem cells have been demonstrated to accelerate morphological and functional recovery in a rat model of 70% hepatectomy, while EVs derived from human adult MSCs have been found to protect against ischemia-reperfusion kidney injury and lead to enhanced survival in a model of lethal acute kidney injury.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Summary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the first experiments that yielded identifiable EVs in the lab, we are still learning about the medical potential packaged into these nano-sized, lipid membrane-bound transport vehicles. Their protective shell allows RNAs to be transported around the hostile environment of the body (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the current COVID-19 RNA vaccines), and their receptor profile facilitates tissue targeting to sites of inflammation and injury. These robust packages of information and raw materials are immune evasive (to be distinguished from immune-privileged) and small enough to travel through the narrowest of capillaries and even pass the blood-brain barrier. We know from pre-clinical data and clinical trials that EVs derived from various cellular sources can dramatically affect inflammation and disease by stimulating the patient's innate regenerative cells. The road to universal acceptance of EVs as a modality for medical intervention has been long, but the future is bright. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the third and final part of this three-part series, I will discuss how EVs and other regenerative tools are currently being employed in medicine as I discuss the emergence of personalized, precision medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ian White is an expert in regenerative medicine with over 20 years of experience in both academia and the industry. Dr. White is the founder and CSO of Neobiosis, a perinatal tissue manufacturing CDMO, the scientific advisor to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and Vice President of The American College of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Alessandro Salerno is an expert in lipid metabolism, cell culture techniques and regenerative medicine. Dr. Salerno is the Director of Manufacturing at Neobiosis, where he oversees tissue production and quality control for clinical research and clinical trial grade perinatal tissue manufacturing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Regenerative-Medicine.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-emerging-field-of-regenerative-medicine-part-2-extracellular-vesicles-exosomes-and-signaling/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17448</ID> <title>Do I Have Good Genetics for Bodybuilding?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-20 15:54:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_329 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_369"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_381 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_282 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_846 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_847 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_848 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_412 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people believe that genetics play a prominent role in determining how successful someone can be in bodybuilding. While it is true that genetics can influence factors such as muscle size and bone density, many other variables come into play when it comes to building muscle. So, if you're wondering whether or not you have good genetics for bodybuilding, the answer is that it depends on a variety of factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone and Muscle Growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One factor that genetics can influence is muscle size. People with larger muscles tend to have an easier time gaining muscle mass than those with smaller muscles because they have more surface area for the muscles to attach to. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, people with larger muscles also tend to have higher testosterone levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-testosterone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has a lot to do with the growth of muscles, although its effects on muscle growth are not as straightforward. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone does not cause muscles to grow directly. Instead, it stimulates the production of proteins in your body which are then used for building muscle mass.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testosterone is a hormone that doesn't just play a key role in muscle growth, but is also involved in muscle tissue development, maintenance and repair.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A person's testosterone levels also play an essential role in bone mineral density. A high testosterone level can lead to increased muscle growth and, consequently, higher bone density. Having good bone strength can help with muscle growth, mass and strength. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have low testosterone levels, you may not have the same potential for bodybuilding. However, this doesn't mean that you can't bodybuild at all. You may just need to work a little harder to achieve your goals!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are various ways to increase your testosterone levels, including hormone therapy. Talk to your doctor first if you're considering such options, as they can help you understand the risks and benefits of each approach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Types of Muscle Fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your genes also determine the type of your muscle fibers: either &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/muscles-genes-cheats-2012-olympics-london/#:~:text=The%20human%20body%20produces%20two,they%20also%20fatigue%20more%20quickly." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;slow-twitch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/muscles-genes-cheats-2012-olympics-london/#:~:text=The%20human%20body%20produces%20two,they%20also%20fatigue%20more%20quickly." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fast-twitch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Slow-twitch fibers are geared more towards endurance activities and sports such as distance running or cycling, while fast-twitch fibers are better for explosive activities, such as sprinting or weightlifting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Generally speaking, people with a higher proportion of fast-twitch fibers tend to see better results from weightlifting and other forms of resistance training. So, if you primarily have fast-twitch fibers, you're more likely to build muscle mass effectively!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetic Testing and Bodybuilding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is now possible to know precisely how your body responds to weight training and dieting through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19538741/i-took-a-dna-test-to-maximize-my-workout-gains/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DNA genetic testing for bodybuilding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This field of genetic testing can help you know how your body responds to these factors and what kind of muscle growth, metabolism and testosterone levels you should be aiming for. However, this new genetic testing is an emerging field, and it is still not widely explored.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bodybuilding with Bad Genetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people are naturally gifted to build muscle quickly and painlessly. If you have this kind of genetics, you'll likely find bodybuilding relatively easy. But not having great genetics for bodybuilding doesn't mean it's impossible to gain muscle mass. You may just have to work a little harder to see results!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're trying to figure out if you have good genetics for bodybuilding, the best thing to do is look at your family history and see if there are any patterns. Do most of the men in your family tend to be lean and muscular? Or are they more on the overweight side? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first step to take when you want to build muscle is finding out your genetic potential. This will help you understand how much you can grow and how fast. Once you know this, the next step is working on the areas where your genetics are weaker. For example, if your metabolism is slow, try eating more calories than usual.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people are discouraged from bodybuilding because they think that they have bad genetics and can't build muscle. But that doesn't mean you should give up on your fitness goals. Here are some tips to help you train for bodybuilding with bad genetics:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Focus on compound exercises:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; These exercises work the most muscles in one go, so they're an excellent way to get the most out of your workout time. Compound exercises also increase testosterone levels, which are essential for muscle growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increase your protein intake:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; You need protein to build muscle, so make sure you're getting enough each day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don't be afraid of lifting heavy weights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Lifting heavy weights is a great way to build muscle and strength quickly and efficiently.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key is to find out what works best for your body and then stick with it. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to bodybuilding, so don't get discouraged if you don't see any immediate results. With time and patience, you can make great progress, no matter your genetics!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bodybuilding.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/do-i-have-good-genetics-for-bodybuilding/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17430</ID> <title>Healthy Aging: Sexual Drive in Men over 50</title> <publishDate>2022-06-17 15:29:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_330 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_370"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_382 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_283 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_849 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_850 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_851 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_413 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We often forget that we are not getting younger by busying ourselves with working and trying to make a living. This neglect often leads to us being sickly when we are older and alone. As we grow old, our bodies become fragile, and the activities that we do between our 20s and 40s take a toll on our health, especially our sexual drive. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our lifestyle and health management can influence healthy aging. Exercise, a healthy diet, regular visits to the doctor and good mental health contribute to healthy aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Do Older Men Lose Their Sexual Drive?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As per the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-do-you-maintain-sexual-health-after-50" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sexual health is equivalent to embracing and enjoying sexuality throughout our lives. Age inevitably takes its toll on the body, and as men get older, they may experience a decline in their sexual drive. This decline is caused by numerous factors, including changes in hormone levels, medical conditions and lifestyle choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men at any age can experience a low sexual drive, but men already in their 50s undergo both physical and environmental changes. Fortunately, there are steps men can take to improve their sexual health as they age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Testosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the key factors contributing to a healthy sex life as men get older is maintaining healthy hormone levels. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, and it declines with age. Unfortunately, this decline leads to a loss of libido, as well as other health problems such as fatigue, depression and an increase in body fat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are ways to boost testosterone levels naturally. Exercise, healthy eating and getting enough sleep can help keep hormones balanced.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Medical Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another factor affecting a man's sexual drive is medical conditions. Many common health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, can harm sexual health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle choices also play a role in a man's sex life as he gets older. Smoking, drinking alcohol and leading a sedentary lifestyle can negatively affect sexual health. Making healthy choices like quitting smoking, drinking in moderation and getting regular exercise can help improve overall health and well-being, including sexual health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Be Healthy in Your 50s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The right lifestyle changes can ensure healthy aging and prevent future health problems along the way. Some tips for keeping your libido up in your 50s include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Staying healthy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help keep your body healthy and functioning at its best.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Staying active&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: staying physically active can help keep you feeling young and full of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Taking care of your mental health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Keep your mind active and practice meditation and relaxation techniques to improve memory. Be informed of warning signs and always ask for help when struggling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Communicating with your partner&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Talking with your partner about your sexual needs and desires can help maintain a healthy and open relationship.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Seeing a doctor&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: If you are experiencing any problems with your libido, it's essential to see a doctor. There could be an underlying medical condition causing the issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are experiencing any problems with your sexual drive, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. They can help identify any potential causes and recommend treatments that may help improve your sexual health. You can enjoy healthy aging and a fulfilling sex life with the correct information and support.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Small changes in your daily life help with healthy aging. It's never too late to start making these changes and make yourself better because no matter how old we are, we should always take care of our health. It is always best to be old and healthy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Healthy-Aging.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/healthy-aging-sexual-drive-in-men-over-50/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17423</ID> <title>The 10 Best Exercises for Men</title> <publishDate>2022-06-16 15:24:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_331 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_371"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_383 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_284 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_852 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_853 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_854 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_414 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are times when we feel like we don't have a lot of energy to do what we need to do throughout the day. There are also times when we have a hard time sleeping or waking up on time, making us sluggish. The frequent reason behind these ups and downs is lack of exercise. People are often prompt to excuse our lack of exercise with their busy schedules. What they don't realize is they can bring the gym home with some simple exercises.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can Exercise Benefit Your Well-Being?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many benefits of exercise for men. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, improve your mood and boost your energy levels. It can also help you stay mentally sharp as you age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we exercise, our body releases natural hormones called endorphins that give us the energy to perform well in our daily activities. It also greatly improves our cardiovascular health and allows us to have greater endurance during activities and still have enough energy left after we're done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another benefit that we get from exercise is it improves our quality of sleep. After a good sleep, we feel refreshed and focused, both physically and mentally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The 10 Best Exercises for Men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How much exercise do men need? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most men need at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. However, even the smallest amount of exercise is beneficial to the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Jogging or Running&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jogging or running is an excellent exercise for overall fitness and cardiovascular health. It's easy to learn and can be done practically anywhere. Plus, it's a great way to get some fresh air and sunshine!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Weightlifting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weightlifting is a great way to build muscle mass and strength. It also helps improve bone density, a vital improvement as we grow older. You can perform weightlifting at the gym or home with free weights or weight machines.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Cycling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cycling is another amazing exercise for overall fitness and cardiovascular health. It's low impact, so it doesn't strain the joints and can be done indoors or outdoors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Swimming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swimming is a great exercise for overall fitness, cardiovascular health, and muscle tone. It's also a great way to cool off during the summer months!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Strength Training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;Strength training is a great way to tone your body and improve muscle mass. You can do it at the gym with free weights or weight machines or resistance bands or weights at home.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#6: Yoga&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga is a great exercise for improving flexibility, strength and mental clarity. It is a versatile exercise that can be done at home or in a studio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#7: Pilates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pilates is another exercise that improves flexibility, strength and mental clarity. It can be done at the gym or on a mat or machine at home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#8: Martial Arts &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Martial arts is a great way to improve overall fitness, cardiovascular health and muscle tone. They can also help improve self-defense skills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#9: Basketball &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Basketball is a great exercise for overall fitness and cardiovascular health. It's also a fun way to socialize with friends!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#10: Running or Walking in Place &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running or walking in place is great for overall fitness and cardiovascular health. You can do it at home without any special equipment.         &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are just a few of the many helpful exercises for men. No matter which one you choose, be sure to start slowly and gradually increase your intensity level to avoid injuries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is one of the most helpful activities that we can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The numerous benefits of exercising can take you one step further towards reaching your health goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's never too late to start! Pick an exercise that you enjoy the most or alternate between multiple exercises from time to time if the routine is not your cup of tea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EXERCISES.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-10-best-exercises-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17414</ID> <title>Why Divorce Can Be So Bad for Men's Health</title> <publishDate>2022-06-15 12:31:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_332 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_372"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_384 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_285 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_855 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_856 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_857 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_415 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although divorce has become a constant reality in recent times, we often overlook its harmful effects, especially on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;middle-aged men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate the impact of divorce on men's health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Physical Effects of Divorce on Men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the physical effects of divorce is inflammation. When unattended, certain levels of inflammation can cause far-reaching health impacts in the body, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hardened arteries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, increased risk of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stroke&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.elcaminohealth.org/stay-healthy/blog/causes-effects-of-inflammation#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20chronic%20inflammation%20can,disease%2C%20cancer%20and%20rheumatoid%20arthritis." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dementia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The study that followed inflation increases in divorcees found &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no increase&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in women's inflammation levels. This difference may be caused by men's tendency to have smaller social support networks than women. The absence of a healthy way to express emotions may lead to higher &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inflammation levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the body. Furthermore, higher inflammation levels are linked with poor lifestyle habits. Thankfully, there are ways to address these causes and promote health in divorced men. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Health Problems Associated with Divorce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, there are significant mental health problems that many divorcees experience. Separating from a life partner, regardless of how unhealthy the relationship was, can put a lot of strain on a person's mind and emotions. Divorced men are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jech.bmj.com/content/57/12/993.full#ref-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over eight times more likely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to commit suicide than divorced women. Experts think this may be attributed to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jech.bmj.com/content/57/12/993.full#ref-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lack of social integration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that many divorced men experience. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Differences of Divorce for Men and Women &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although divorce is mentally and physically challenging for men and women, there are differences between genders and their responses. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;negative impacts of divorce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are less significant in women due to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10388903/Divorce-bad-news-mens-health-study-reveals.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;higher levels of self-care and personal hygiene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including proper nutrition and exercise, than divorced men.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men who suddenly live on their own following a divorce stop prioritizing simple things such as basic nutrition and hygiene. This lack of self-care appears to be the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most significant factor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in why men's health suffers following a divorce. However, this also means that men can begin to turn their lives around and recover their health! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the time to make &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.elcaminohealth.org/stay-healthy/blog/causes-effects-of-inflammation#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20chronic%20inflammation%20can,disease%2C%20cancer%20and%20rheumatoid%20arthritis." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy meals, get enough sleep, maintain a work-life balance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and visit your doctor and dentist regularly in order to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.elcaminohealth.org/stay-healthy/blog/causes-effects-of-inflammation#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20chronic%20inflammation%20can,disease%2C%20cancer%20and%20rheumatoid%20arthritis." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lower inflammation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the body and take back control of your health. These simple steps could go a long way in helping divorcees to live happy and healthy lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beginning a new life after divorce can be intimidating and worrisome. It's tempting to fall into a pattern of isolation and unhealthy living. However, there are ways to mitigate being a divorcee that will lead to long-term health and happiness. Eating three balanced meals a day, getting regular exercise and making sure to schedule regular checkups with your primary care doctor are some of the simplest yet most important things you can do for your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're facing mental health struggles such as depression or anxiety following divorce, make sure to talk to your doctor about ways to deal with your health concerns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Divorce.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-divorce-can-be-so-bad-for-mens-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17407</ID> <title>Romantic Love and How It Affects the Male Brain</title> <publishDate>2022-06-14 12:18:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_333 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_373"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_385 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_286 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_858 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_859 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_860 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_416 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Humans are always surrounded by ever-changing emotions. The most powerful and influential emotion is love. It makes our hearts pound and butterflies fill our stomach, but the most affected part of our body is the brain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although love is still a mystery to science, we still can't help to ask ourselves: what is love? Why do we fall in and out of love? What makes us keep being in love with someone year after year? Science has never answered these questions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Men and Women Perceive Love&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women tend to understand and process emotions much better than men. Love can impair our judgment, cause a constant state of euphoria and change us for the better. There are pros and cons when it comes to love, and usually, women are more realistic and look at the bigger picture. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Significant differences between women and men are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men fall in love faster. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men change more dramatically regarding their personality and perceptions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although women seem stronger in relationships, they suffer more during breakups. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men like to live in the moment, but women are always thinking about the relationship's future. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men in Love&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Love affects us no matter what, both in a positive and negative way. Men in love tend to be excited and cheerful as the feeling of love floods their brains with dopamine. They will try to make as many positive memories with their partner while the surrounding people will fade away. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although some men try to hide their true feelings and emotions, their guard is not that up. Love manages to open men towards being more relaxed, trusting and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1550413107000691" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mentally stable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Men lean towards being overly careful around their partners and treating them like royalty. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20967200/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that love can increase our pain tolerance. Other changes that occur in the male body when love takes over are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A drop in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15177709/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;testosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/serotonin/guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serotonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; levels; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A massive increase in dopamine; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased sweat levels; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A temporary loss of appetite;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newswise.com/articles/guys-get-married-for-the-sake-of-your-bones-but-wait-until-you-re-25" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased bone strength&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When men are in love, their brain enters a constant state of euphoria. Euphoria, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; dopamine release into the brain, can change a man entirely. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16255001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; believe this euphoria state plays a crucial part in mating and procreation. By looking at this from a biological standpoint, euphoria is a crucial characteristic when it comes to finding a partner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Love makes men constantly think about their partners because the dopamine cycle recompenses the body with that euphoric state. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://web.mit.edu/fustflum/documents/papers/love.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also show that this can also happen because of the anterior cingulate cortex part of our brain. This brain region, responsible for obsessive-compulsive behavior, is linked with men's constant thoughts of their partners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another benefit of love is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://primate.uchicago.edu/2010Stress.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress relief&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, linked with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-men-should-never-skip-cardio-at-the-gym/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oxytocin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and dopamine levels. Being surrounded by love is a natural de-stressing method. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://primate.uchicago.edu/2010Stress.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggest that single people tend to be more stressed as they lack the dopamine levels a person in love has. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cortisol levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the so-called "stress hormone," are much higher with single people. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Love is one of the most powerful feelings that we can experience. What happens in our brain when we are in love can't be entirely explained due to its complicated nature. But the way love changes a person's brain truly is a mystery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Love.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/romantic-love-and-how-it-affects-the-male-brain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17401</ID> <title>Why Men Should Never Skip Cardio at the Gym</title> <publishDate>2022-06-13 12:06:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_334 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_374"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_386 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_287 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_861 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_862 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_863 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_417 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all want that gorgeous, well-toned summer body. But no matter how hard we try to work out in the gym, we still get frustrated at the difficulty of losing weight or gaining muscle mass. Men have this impression that they would lose weight if they do cardio or are often embarrassed to do cardio since they look at it as "not manly." But the truth is that cardio is vital for building muscle and toning your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Cardio? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardio is short for cardiorespiratory, meaning anything that involves the heart and lungs working together to provide oxygenated blood to the muscles. Cardio covers a range of different activities, but what they all have in common is that they'll raise your heartbeat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Heart Association research shows that genetics have a 20% to 40% influence over what you can do cardio-wise. This doesn't mean that your genes will improve your cardiovascular health. Many factors can influence how your body responds to exercise. Whether you're an endomorph (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/endomorph-diet#body-types" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a person with a higher percentage of body fat than muscle mass&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) or a hard gainer, cardio is still beneficial for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Benefits of Cardio Workout?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiovascular workouts strengthen the heart and lungs by increasing their capacity and reducing hypertension. The more fit you are, the more calories you burn even when you're not working out, thanks to an increased resting metabolic rate. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardio workouts help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and control diabetes better if done regularly. In addition, cardio workouts protect the heart from developing disorders such as coronary heart diseases and other chronic conditions. Cardio exercise can also reduce stress and release endorphins to improve mood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardio is good for burning fats since it provides a full-body workout. Along with resistance training, Cardio exercise enhances the process of lipolysis (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the breakdown of fat cells into energy).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Choose Your Cardio Workout? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Popular Types of Cardio Exercises&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Running&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A simple cardio exercise for both beginners and experts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;HIIT&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;(High-Intensity Interval Training)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: These workouts include sprints, hitting boxing bags, swinging the kettlebell or even light car pushes. What's important about this workout is that it is done in a short burst. You will need to have a proper meal for excellent results.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cycling:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It is considered a low-intensity training that burns less fat than running. You can cycle in the gym on a stationary bike or outdoors for 30 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Swimming&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: This activity engages your heart and lungs, making it a perfect cardiovascular exercise. Swimming works out your entire body while toning it for an added benefit. A swimming workout can include freestyle, backstroke and sidestroke.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Jump Ropes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: It's a fast and effective workout that provides both warm-up and a serious workout. Jump rope helps improve your coordination and metabolism while making you sweat like crazy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't skip cardio just because it sounds less "manly." Regardless of your body type, you can always choose a cardio workout that suits you best. Begin small and work your way up while also listening to your body; it will tell you if you're doing too much and need to reduce the intensity or the duration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with a proper diet with your exercise regime, you will be closer to the health and body you want to achieve with a little cardio added in. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Cardio.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-men-should-never-skip-cardio-at-the-gym/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17392</ID> <title>The Best Protein Powders for Your Individual Goals</title> <publishDate>2022-06-12 12:00:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_335 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_375"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_387 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_288 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_864 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_865 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_866 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_418 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/sports-nutrition/protein-powders-expanding-consumer-base" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;target market of protein powders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has spread across multiple consumer groups, from fitness enthusiasts to people looking to improve their overall health. If you are a consumer or have been eyeing protein powder for your diet, decide on your individual health goals first.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whatever your fitness and health goals, protein powders are available in a convenient and on-the-go form that is so easy to incorporate into your daily life. There are many different types of protein powder like dairy-based and plant-based.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soy Protein Powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soy protein is an excellent substitute for whey or casein for those who don't eat dairy. Soy is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320472" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;linked with more healthful cholesterol levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It can help lower the risk of heart disease. In 2015, researchers looked at several trials to see if soy affected people's cholesterol levels. They discovered that eating soy lowers total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the arteries. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A soy protein powder is suitable for you if your health goal is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320472" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;manage obesity, reduce the risk of breast cancer, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and treat osteoporosis or restore bone density.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several manufacturers produce soy protein powder and isoflavone supplements. Isoflavones are plant chemicals that resemble estrogen in structure. Soybeans are high in protein, vitamin C and folate, while being low in saturated fat. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whey Protein Powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whey protein is one of the best-studied supplements in the world. According to numerous studies, it can help you increase strength, gain muscle and lose extra amounts of body fat. It is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whey-protein-101#_noHeaderPrefixedContent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than just a protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; since it contains many other nutrients with potent biological effects. It contains an incredible range of essential amino acids that the human body easily absorbs.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whey protein is the liquid byproduct of milk that separates during cheese production. It goes through various processing steps to become a protein powder usually flavored in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Lactose intolerant people are generally tolerant of whey protein. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are a bodybuilder, gym enthusiast or need to lose weight, whey protein is a fantastic option. Whey protein offers numerous other health benefits, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-whey-protein" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lowering blood pressure and blood sugar and reducing symptoms of stress and depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Also, it can help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whey-protein-101#other-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protect against cancer, reduce symptoms of hepatitis, increase bone mineral density and improve the immune function of HIV patients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Casein Protein Powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Casein, a protein found in milk, is digested and absorbed much more slowly than whey protein. The slow process is due to the acidic environment in your stomach, which causes the casein to clot or form as a gel. As a result, it takes your body nearly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-casein#digestion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;twice as much to digest and absorbs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the same amount of casein as whey protein.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefit of casein powder is its slow-digesting properties. Consuming casein protein powder results in your muscles' gradual and steadier exposure to amino acids, thereby reducing the rate of muscle protein breakdown and promoting growth. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Casein powder has been shown to offer muscle-building effects similar to whey protein powder. You can build muscle while you sleep if you take it as a nighttime snack. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pea Protein Powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This is another plant-based type of protein with adequate levels of protein. Pea Protein Powder contains high levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to boost fullness hormones and strengthen muscles.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pea protein powder supplements are extracted from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pea-protein-powder#intro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yellow peas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It is known as a high-quality protein and a great source of iron. It can help in muscle growth, weight loss and heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pea protein is popular among vegans and vegetarians and people with allergies to dairy or eggs. It is absorbed slower than whey protein but faster than casein. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein powders are convenient for taking your daily protein requirements and keeping up with your health and fitness goals. Consult an expert before settling on a protein powder type and brand. With protein powders, you could be on your way to achieving your individual health goals!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Protein-Powders.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-best-protein-powders-for-your-individual-goals/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17383</ID> <title>Explanations for Erectile Dysfunction</title> <publishDate>2022-06-12 10:32:26</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_336 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_376"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_388 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_419 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/erectiledysfunction.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Erectile dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a sensitive issue for the men who experience it, but that's precisely why we should take a moment to learn about the causes and treatment of erectile dysfunction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A recent study suggests that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/erectile-dysfunction-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 10 men will have erectile dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at some point in their lifetime. While the ailment typically affects older men, there has recently been a rise in erectile dysfunction reported in younger segments of the population. This is why it is vital to understand this element of sexual health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Does Pornography Have an Impact?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some experts believe that the widespread use of pornography affects this dimension of sexual health. Recent studies indicate that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webroot.com/us/en/resources/tips-articles/internet-pornography-by-the-numbers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;40% of Americans regularly visit porn sites&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but does this impact the erectile dysfunction phenomenon? It seems like the answer is yes. Men who consume pornography &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317117#how-does-it-happen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;often require increased sexual stimulation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to achieve levels of arousal that used to be more easily attainable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the problem of erectile dysfunction is not simple enough to be solved by abstinence from pornography, it should be considered as a factor. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fightthenewdrug.org/science-behind-porn-induced-erectile-dysfunction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amount of dopamine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that the brain releases in an encounter with pornography is significant, and real-life sexual experiences that used to be profoundly arousing can lose their novelty when competing with internet pornography. If you or a loved one struggles with erectile dysfunction, consider addressing this aspect.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Physical Explanations?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While pornography use can be called a psychological factor, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction#causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many physical factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some of them can be resolved through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise adjustments, while others are more complex: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High blood pressure or high cholesterol;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress and anxiety, especially an unusual amount resulting from a life change;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive consumption of alcohol or tobacco products;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormone imbalances, such as low testosterone;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiovascular disease or kidney disease;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Damage to the pelvic area, primarily through injury or surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many of these physical factors can also cause problems other than erectile dysfunction. Therefore, any one of them is worth discussing with your doctor. In addition to a physical exam, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction#diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;multiple kinds of tests can be used&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to investigate any physical conditions relating to a patient's erectile dysfunction: ultrasounds, injection tests, urine tests and blood tests.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Emotional Health Play a Role?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While a doctor can run the tests listed above to determine any physical explanations, there may also be a psychological component to a patient's erectile dysfunction. The most common psychological culprit is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/ed-psychological-causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Men who have experienced erectile dysfunction in the past can become excessively worried about future occurrences, leading to what is commonly called performance anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another common emotional cause of erectile dysfunction is depression. Anxiety and depression can impact your body by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/how-depression-and-anxiety-can-lead-to-erectile-dysfunction" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reducing the amount of testosterone it naturally produces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another emotional dimension of erectile dysfunction for many men is relationship issues. It will probably come as no surprise that relationship troubles can affect sexual desire and sexual function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just as these emotional factors are more complicated than the physical conditions described above, their treatment options are unfamiliar to many. If depression is at the root of erectile dysfunction, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/psychological#treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a prescription medication designed to treat depression or anxiety might be the solution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Talk therapy also works for many patients seeking to resolve emotional health struggles, especially in relationship issues where a professional couples counselor acts as a facilitator of conversation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Erectile dysfunction can result from various health issues. Pornography usage, physical factors and emotional struggles all play a role in causing erectile dysfunction, and it often takes careful attention to determine the root of the problem. Stay informed about the causes and treatment options, and consult your doctor if you or a loved one is affected.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Erectile-Dysfunction.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/explanations-for-erectile-dysfunction/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17375</ID> <title>Why Men's Mental Health Is Often Forgotten</title> <publishDate>2022-06-12 10:10:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_337 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_377"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_389 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_420 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We always find new ways to stay healthy. We go to the gym, exercise at home, eat healthy meals and hydrate ourselves, but there is one aspect of our health that we often neglect -&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; our mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Humans can suffer from a mental health condition due to various factors, but mental health illnesses in men often go unnoticed. Unfortunately, many men, including those of celebrity status, can suffer from mental illnesses. Notable celebrities tragically lost to mental illness are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medium.com/the-insanity-journal/tagged/suicide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chester Bennington, Anthony Bourdain and Robin Williams&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Don't Men Talk about Mental Health Problems?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental illness is often seen as affecting women more than men. This misconception stems from the common belief in "male strength." Men are less likely to speak about their emotions or challenges due to the fear of seeming less masculine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our treatment of masculine mental health problems is another reason why men suffer from mental disorders more than women. They are often criticized, accused of being weak, and told to "man up." These responses can force men into thinking that mental illnesses make them inferior and hide any need for help. It could mean losing their families' approval and their friends and co-workers' respect. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Signs of Men Having Depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health issues are the most significant cause of disability worldwide, with about 5% of all global health disabilities due to mental health disorders. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death globally. Males account for nearly 75% of all suicide cases. It would then make sense that most people with mental illness are men; however, this isn't the case.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is believed that 1 in 4 people will be affected by mental health issues at some point in their lives. Mental illnesses range from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), personality disorders, etc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous factors cause mental illnesses. Someone with a family history of depression is more likely to develop it. Stressful situations, loss of a loved one, financial problems and complicated relationships are also factors. Mental illnesses can also occur to someone who has medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aggressiveness, anger, and irritability;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Changes in mood or energy levels;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Changes in appetite or sleeping habits;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Difficulty focusing;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feeling restless;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High consumption of alcohol;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Feeling sad, hopeless or numb;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aches, pains or other physical symptoms without a clear cause;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obsessive or compulsive thoughts or behaviors;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thinking or acting in a way that causes concern to others or harms work, social or family life;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contemplating suicide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can You Get Help?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ways to help a person who has a mental illness. Ask them how they are feeling. Look for changes in their behavior, especially if someone just experienced an event that could trigger depression. Keeping in touch or calling them can make a big difference. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Encourage them to talk to a mental health professional and participate in support groups. Having support from a loved one can significantly impact someone's recovery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helpful Organizations That May Be Helpful for Men with Mental Illnesses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nami.org/help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Alliance on Mental Illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, available at 800-950-NAMI (800-950-6264) or by free text for those in crisis (text "NAMI" to 741-741);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Suicide Prevention Lifeline&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, available 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.faceitfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Face It Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; provides support groups, peer support, and other resources for men with depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may never know that someone is suffering until it's too late. It's better to talk about mental health than to suffer in silence. We should also keep ourselves in check and make sure not to neglect our mental health as it is not just you who would suffer, but also our loved ones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another important reminder - &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;always be kind!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MENTAL-HEALTH-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/why-mens-mental-health-is-often-forgotten/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17366</ID> <title>The Best Colognes and Deodorants for Men</title> <publishDate>2022-06-11 09:34:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_338 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_378"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_390 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_421 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A man's life can get quite busy. So, he needs a refreshing cologne to smell incredible and a durable deodorant to last through the entire day. The key ingredient to finding the perfect cologne or deodorant is to know what you are looking for. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cologne for Men &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-make-cologne-4788297" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cologne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; consists of citrus, an aromatic base for a refreshing feeling. It is less concentrated than the usual perfume. There are millions of options to choose from, so finding the perfect cologne can get quite challenging. Some of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://us.cnn.com/2022/02/03/cnn-underscored/best-cologne-for-men/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;best options&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for men are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/bleu-de-chanel-eau-de-parfum-P394949?skuId=1695972&amp;amp;nrtv_cid=645188907135fca731153c2f9e86030f887cd78d02e4664b815ca6f67b2043eb&amp;amp;SubID=1093&amp;amp;nrtv_as_src=1&amp;amp;om_mmc=aff-linkshare-redirect-ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;c3ch=Linkshare&amp;amp;c3nid=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;affid=ty8NUtOSnl0-AqHp6j.YYlvGVLSkJ8OcrQ&amp;amp;ranEAID=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;ranMID=2417&amp;amp;ranSiteID=ty8NUtOSnl0-AqHp6j.YYlvGVLSkJ8OcrQ&amp;amp;ranLinkID=10-1&amp;amp;browserdefault=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chanel Bleu De Chanel Eau de Parfum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This simple yet sophisticated lifesaver is a clean, woody fragrance with notes of citrus and amber. You can use it for a select party or your everyday wear. If you're looking for a cologne that will never let you down, this is the one. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/acqua-di-gio-pour-homme-P12430?skuId=1046168&amp;amp;nrtv_cid=f69ef4089d94b5df29630ba0666f30e1ba9600d17083b6458fab207b348c351b&amp;amp;SubID=1093&amp;amp;nrtv_as_src=1&amp;amp;om_mmc=aff-linkshare-redirect-ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;c3ch=Linkshare&amp;amp;c3nid=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;affid=ty8NUtOSnl0-L9zNX_qNLIvxn1F14W4dmA&amp;amp;ranEAID=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;ranMID=2417&amp;amp;ranSiteID=ty8NUtOSnl0-L9zNX_qNLIvxn1F14W4dmA&amp;amp;ranLinkID=10-1&amp;amp;browserdefault=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Giorgio Armani Beauty Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme is a special cologne because of its main ingredient: rosemary. Such an unconventional ingredient made this cologne boom into the charts. In addition, the scent of the cologne is inspired by an aquatic option, making it super fresh and clean. This is the perfect choice if you aren't looking for overpowering scents. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/tobacco-vanille-P393151?skuId=1449289&amp;amp;nrtv_cid=f0ae956b4b2973b5ec5420bbf16ff6883f3c83703c4f3ba368ea4adcb07d7ae1&amp;amp;SubID=1093&amp;amp;nrtv_as_src=1&amp;amp;om_mmc=aff-linkshare-redirect-ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;c3ch=Linkshare&amp;amp;c3nid=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;affid=ty8NUtOSnl0-gKoqaSleE6JQAYvcs9vGng&amp;amp;ranEAID=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;ranMID=2417&amp;amp;ranSiteID=ty8NUtOSnl0-gKoqaSleE6JQAYvcs9vGng&amp;amp;ranLinkID=10-1&amp;amp;browserdefault=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With its hints of tobacco, cocoa and ginger, this incredible cologne is the perfect option if you're stuck between sweet and spicy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/eros-P382751?skuId=1513225&amp;amp;nrtv_cid=79a0500683fda00ae8d6535619f9370ae9ad11256b80da8f20db60d35498cd8c&amp;amp;SubID=1093&amp;amp;nrtv_as_src=1&amp;amp;om_mmc=aff-linkshare-redirect-ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;c3ch=Linkshare&amp;amp;c3nid=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;affid=ty8NUtOSnl0-uWbH2X5Ys0Vwk7UXgmNmHA&amp;amp;ranEAID=ty8NUtOSnl0&amp;amp;ranMID=2417&amp;amp;ranSiteID=ty8NUtOSnl0-uWbH2X5Ys0Vwk7UXgmNmHA&amp;amp;ranLinkID=10-1&amp;amp;browserdefault=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Versace Eros&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The energizing scent of the Versace Eros cologne is brought to life by mint leaves, lemon zest and green apple. Versace Eros brings a fruity and cheerful feeling to the wearer. Versace Eros still smells masculine without woody scents. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best Deodorants for Men &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's much easier to find a deodorant that will fit you compared to cologne. Nevertheless, you'll still have to consider some key elements. The scent, protection against sweat and residue marks are essential factors you must check before buying a deodorant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079MHQC2?ots=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Old Spice Classic Deodorant Stick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the name states, the Old Spice Classic Stick is a classic. This deodorant has the citrus and clove fragrance that made it such a big name. Besides the familiar scent, it is a reasonably priced deodorant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IOYICA?ots=1&amp;amp;linkCode=ogi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dove Men + Care Clean Comfort Deodorant Stick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This moisturizing stick is the best-selling deodorant from the Dove Men + Care line. The neutral fragrance and long-lasting protection gathered a solid following of loyal men. With no residue on clothes and low prices, men worldwide became obsessed with this deodorant. This is the best overall deodorant antiperspirant for men.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VTINTY?ots=1&amp;amp;linkCode=ogi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Degree Clean Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every gym rat needs a strong deodorant. The Clean Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant contains enough active ingredients to prevent sweat from staining your gym wear. Usually, clinical antiperspirants are pricier. However, their sweat protection is undeniable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schmidts-Natural-Deodorant-Sensitive-Skin/dp/B01FBKM9DO?ots=1&amp;amp;linkCode=ogi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Schmidt's Sensitive Skin Deodorant Skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some men can experience problems when it comes to their sensitive skin. This burden can be fixed by using Schmidt's Sensitive Skin Deodorant. This product does not contain baking soda, a common deodorant ingredient that causes skin irritation. It is also fragrance-free, another component that may cause inflammation and rashes. Although the product is a little expensive, it's the best choice for men with sensitive skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best choice for you is out there, and you can find it by paying attention to the ingredients of the product. If you have skin problems, consult a dermatologist. Countless colognes and deodorants are waiting to be bought and tried, each with unique components and different scents.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Colognes-Deodorants.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-best-colognes-and-deodorants-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17358</ID> <title>The Best Ways to Gain Weight</title> <publishDate>2022-06-11 07:09:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_339 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_379"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_391 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_422 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health dangers of obesity are widely known, but being &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/body/how-to-gain-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;underweight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also put your health in danger. If you are an adult over the age of 20 with a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5, you may be at risk of various health issues, such as weakened immunity, infertility and hormonal problems. In addition, nutritional deficiencies can lead to anemia and osteoporosis and an increased mortality risk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is the Ideal BMI?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthy and ideal BMI weight is between 18.5 to 24.9. If your BMI is under 18.5, you are considered underweight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/underweight-health-risks#weight-range" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;BMI calculations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are based on height and weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are some limitations to determining your health using BMI. For example, athletes have more muscles that weigh more than fat, and older adults may have lost some muscle weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reasons Why You Are Underweight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being underweight or overweight means you're &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-to-do-if-you-are-underweight" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;under or over the recommended weight range&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for your body to function correctly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a variety of reasons why people become underweight: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Unhealthy and Unbalanced Diet&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because they forget to eat or cannot afford nutritious meals, some people do not consume a healthy, balanced diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Genetics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people are underweight because of their genetics. They are naturally thin and have a lower BMI. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Metabolism&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A fast metabolism is why some people are underweight and find it difficult to gain weight, even when they eat an abundance of calories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Illnesses and Medications&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Some people cannot eat well because of illnesses or medications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Excessive Physical Activity&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: People who engage in excessive physical activity burn more calories than they can consume, resulting in an underweight condition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Gain Weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add Calories and Nutrients to Your Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't need to make significant dietary changes if you are underweight. All you have to do is add food with high-calorie content, such as nuts or seed toppings, cheese and healthy side dishes that might help you pack on the calories. Almonds, sunflower seeds, fruit and whole-grain wheat toast are all splendid options!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Popular &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16555-snack-ideas-for-weight-gain#:~:text=Examples%20of%20calorie%2Drich%20foods,whole%20grains%2C%20whole%20grain%20breads." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calorie-rich healthy food choices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for protein include red meats, pork, chicken with skin, salmon, beans, whole milk, eggs, cheese and full-fat yogurt. Look for potatoes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grains and whole-grain bread for calorie-rich carbohydrates. Add some calorie-rich healthy fats from nuts, nut butter, olives, avocado, butter, salad dressings, mayonnaise and high-fat cheeses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take Protein Supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protein supplements can help you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/18-foods-to-gain-weight#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gain muscle mass and weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, especially when combined with strength training. Athletes and bodybuilders are taking protein supplements as a common strategy to gain weight. Like meats and other animal products, they contain all the essential amino acids required to stimulate muscle growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can add protein powder supplements to your diet conveniently into a smoothie, ideally for breakfast.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating Small Frequent Meals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plan to eat smaller but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/underweight-health-risks#next-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more frequent meals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout your day. You can add some snacks as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try Some Avocado&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A large avocado can provide around 322 calories, 29 grams of fat and 14 grams of fiber. This fruit is calorie-dense and ideal for weight gain. You can add avocados to your main and side dishes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise to Gain Muscle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're planning to gain extra weight for your body, start exercising. Through this, you can gain weight by adding muscle to your body. At the same time, you may also help stimulate your appetite when you exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://familydoctor.org/healthy-ways-to-gain-weight-if-youre-underweight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weightlifting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help you gain weight by building muscle. This isn't the same as an aerobic exercise that will burn calories and may tend to work against your weight gain goal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focus on eating healthy foods rich in nutrients and calories that will help you gain weight. Avoid unhealthy foods consisting of too much sugar and salt. Speak to a doctor or a health professional for the best ways of gaining weight and rule out the underlying cause of being underweight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Gain-Weight.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-best-ways-to-gain-weight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17351</ID> <title>Viagra May Reduce Alzheimer's Risk</title> <publishDate>2022-06-10 06:32:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_340 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_380"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_392 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_423 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Imagine waking up one day and finding it difficult to make a list of things you need to get done for the day. You forget your appointments. You find it hard to do things you could normally do with ease. Unfortunately, this is a reality for people with Alzheimer's disease, and more seriously, with dementia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer's, people who have this disease sadly live with the inevitable truth that they will slowly lose their memory. People have researched for years to figure out a "cure" for Alzheimer's, and nothing has been found to stop it. However, research has yielded some encouraging results, including a potential way to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Viagra?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Viagra is a treatment for&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/12/06/viagra-use-may-reduce-risk-of-getting-alzheimers-by-nearly-70-study-suggests/?sh=4e18d3b13ad7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; erectile dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and some forms of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/12/06/viagra-use-may-reduce-risk-of-getting-alzheimers-by-nearly-70-study-suggests/?sh=4e18d3b13ad7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It was first created as a heart drug treatment to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/large-study-indicates-viagra-might-reduce-alzheimer-s-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dilate blood vessels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The first users of Viagra found that it was helpful in improving erectile dysfunction, which is also a blood pressure issue. As a result, it's commonly used in treating erectile dysfunction.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Viagra has also been used to treat pulmonary hypertension in both men and women. Viagra can also assist in treating vascular dementia, another blood issue caused by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/large-study-indicates-viagra-might-reduce-alzheimer-s-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduced blood flow to the brain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Viagra Reduces the Risk for Alzheimer's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alzheimer's is a brain disorder that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;slowly decreases brain function and causes memory loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It isn't easy to find cures or treatments to reduce these effects. However, there have been a few recent breakthroughs, including a study of over 7 million American Viagra users which found about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/12/06/viagra-use-may-reduce-risk-of-getting-alzheimers-by-nearly-70-study-suggests/?sh=4e18d3b13ad7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;69% had a reduced risk for Alzheimer's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, researchers caution that although research has noted an association between Viagra and a reduced risk for Alzheimer's, there is no direct causal link between the two. Therefore, clinical trials are necessary to determine how effective Viagra is. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Testing How Effective Viagra Is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is limited information on why Viagra is associated with a risk reduction for Alzheimer's. Still, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/23820-feixiong-cheng" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Feixiong Cheng&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Cleveland Clinic researcher, plans to conduct tests directly focusing on a potential link between the two. Cheng's study began by screening over 1,600 drugs by the FDA. The team studied drugs that target &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/large-study-indicates-viagra-might-reduce-alzheimer-s-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;beta-amyloid and tau&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are two proteins found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. The team determined that Viagra best targeted these proteins. The study also determined that many of the tested drugs and vaccines were not as effective as Viagra. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests that various factors cause Alzheimer's, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-viagra-reduce-alzheimers-risk#Hallmarks-of-Alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genetics and environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a result, researchers developed a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-viagra-reduce-alzheimers-risk#Hallmarks-of-Alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;model&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that considers these factors. When testing the use of sildenafil in Viagra users over a period of six years, the researchers noticed the risk of Alzheimer's was reduced. Researchers wanted to be sure that sildenafil was worth testing further, so they tested it on nerve cells that came from Alzheimer's patients. The result was a growth of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-viagra-reduce-alzheimers-risk#Hallmarks-of-Alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nerve projections and decreased tau accumulation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some preliminary clinical studies and laboratory tests have begun in order to determine how effective Viagra is in reducing Alzheimer's symptoms. So far, the tests have provided positive results, and sildenafil is a potential option for treating Alzheimer's. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers hope to come up, in the near future, with an answer that will help provide people the opportunity to lead healthier and fuller lives without the fear of Alzheimer's. Once the clinical trials provide a clear understanding of how Viagra affects the proteins in the brain, it will be easier to determine whether or not there is a direct correlation in risk reduction for Alzheimer's. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though understanding the link between Viagra and Alzheimer's disease is still unclear, there is hope even through association. Viagra has already had positive laboratory tests, and even some preliminary research has shown its effects on beta-amyloid and tau. The outcome is optimistic, and perhaps someday, Alzheimer's will be cured.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Viagra.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/viagra-may-reduce-alzheimers-risk/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17340</ID> <title>Charity Begins at Home: An Interview with Dr. Samer Othman, D.D.S., M.P.H.</title> <publishDate>2022-06-10 04:56:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_341 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_381"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_393 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_424 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everybody loves a good home improvement project and the benefits of the results—a home that meets and exceeds your needs better than before. What if that home is the entire town, the city in which you were born and raised and you had the knowledge and resources to strengthen it forever? Would you do it? Dr. Othman did, and still does.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A native of Macon, Georgia, Samer Othman, D.D.S., M.P.H., grew up in and now makes his living in the same city. He has operated his practice, Advanced Dental Arts, for the past eight years. Aside from managing his dental practice, Dr. Othman dedicates a large chunk of his days volunteering to make Macon and the middle Georgia area a greater place than it already is.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"As we better our community, it betters our lives and our families' lives," he shared. "There are only benefits to giving back to the place where you were raised and where you live. But, to improve things, you have to take action."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_289 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_867 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_868 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_869 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_382"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_394 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_425 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b style="color: #333333; font-size: 26px;"&gt;Homegrown Talent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman's father, Mufid A. Othman, M.D., has been a nephrologist for nearly 50 years. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I grew up around medicine. I used to read my father's old nephrology textbooks and learned about the parts of the kidney far earlier than other kids," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As he reached his teen years, though, Dr. Othman saw the heavy toll the job took on his father, who was his hero. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He was gone when I woke up in the morning and still not home before I went to bed at night. That wasn't what I wanted to do. I wanted to have a family and be able to go to my kids' activities," Dr. Othman shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He appreciated that his father made his best effort to get to football games, band concerts and theater performances. The job, however, still demanded much of his time. But that didn't deter Dr. Othman from medicine. A mentoring program in high school paired him with his childhood dentist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"She was an amazing person, and I thought hanging out with her all day would be a lot of fun. In those two weeks, I realized that I wanted to be a dentist," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By the way, the senior Dr. Othman is still practicing and working at least 40 hours a week! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Advanced Dental Arts&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My practice is general dentistry," Dr. Othman shared. "When I opened in January of 2014, I hung up my shingle and hoped patients would come. I saw a grand total of seven patients that first week, all friends and family."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman started Advanced Dental Arts, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.adamacon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a place for compassionate service and beautiful smiles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as so many entrepreneurs do, with a few people he knew. He gradually learned how to grow his business. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have one part-time and three full-time hygienists, three assistants and one administrator/insurance coordinator. Now we see about 30 to 35 patients a day. We've been voted Best of the Best in middle Georgia for five years and Best of Georgia this year," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman credits his staff and their expertise and the community support for the practice's success. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Community Focus&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman learned the value of community service from his mother. He took her lessons to heart while still in school, immersing himself in leadership roles and the university community. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was in the leadership of the Biology Honor Society and Vice President of Mercer University and the National Student Associations. I just enjoyed being involved in the university," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That passion became an integral part of his professional life. One of Dr. Othman's volunteering activities is lecturing at his alma mater. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The theme of my lecture is 'fail forward.' You sometimes fail, but you use that failure to propel yourself forward. It is not an excuse for failure, but instead is a reason to strive for success," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Macon Volunteer Clinic&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman's largest volunteer activity is his work at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://maconvolunteerclinic.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Macon Volunteer Clinic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which provides free primary medical and dental care for uninsured working adults. The clinic offers a wide array of services, including primary medical care, dental and eye care, diagnostic and testing services, mental health counseling and education. Dr. Othman is the Chairman of the clinic's Board of Directors. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've been volunteering there since 2008 answering phones, filing, being a medical scribe and now being a volunteer dentist. As Board chair, I'm hoping to lead the clinic to a successful 2022," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Value of Volunteering&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman focuses on volunteering to help others. His intentions are purely to help those in need. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Humanity. It's my hope that everyone becomes a healthcare provider to help people. We make people healthy. We can help them find jobs, get out of pain, find love. I feel that our duty as human beings is to give back. We offer pro bono treatment on a case by case basis and I set aside a certain amount that I give every year," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman points out that there are many volunteering opportunities, big and small, and the opportunities you choose don't have to be related to your profession.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm hoping to help provide affordable produce to people that live within these food deserts that don't have ready access to grocery stores. I learned gardening from my father. It will get me out of the dental office and still allow me to help the community that has supported me," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My family is the reason for everything I do. Through their actions, my parents taught me the importance of community and volunteering," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Othman has found a satisfying way to balance family, dental practice and giving back to his beloved community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I hope that I'm making my family proud. I hope my kids will be proud of me when they're older and  proudly talk about me," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And none doubt that they will.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dr.-Samer-Othman.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/charity-begins-at-home-an-interview-with-dr-samer-othman-d-d-s-m-p-h/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17306</ID> <title>Doctor-Patient Relationships and the Practice of Neurology: An Interview with Dr. Andrea Abousamra</title> <publishDate>2022-06-06 09:44:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_342 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_383"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_395 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_90"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dr._Andrea_Abousamra_2.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Andrea_Abousamra_2" class="wp-image-17312" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_396 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_426 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Developing an excellent doctor-patient relationship helps the patient in their journey to recovery. Dr. Andrea Abousamra, DO, has embraced this philosophy in her neurology practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Abousamra is a neurologist at the Michigan Institute for Neurologic Disorders (MIND), where her work focuses on headaches, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and dementia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mindonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MIND&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a premier provider of neurological care for diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain, spine and nervous system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Abousamra's entire career path has been in Michigan, where she grew up and was educated. She went to undergrad at Oakland University in Rochester and medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then did her clinicals in Clinton Township and residency at Beaumont Hospital at the Farmington Hills and Royal Oak campuses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It was during her clinicals that Dr. Abousamra fell in love with neurology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_384"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_397 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_427 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Practice of Neurology &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Abousamra decided that there was something exceptional about the practice of neurology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I find neurology in itself to be unique in the sense that you use your physical exam and your history-taking skills to make a diagnosis. Modern medicine has shifted away from physically examining patients and more towards relying on diagnostic tools and test results. I love that in neurology you have to combine both to reach a proper diagnosis,” Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a great deal of diversity in the patients she treats and their conditions. What she finds most fulfilling, though, is the relationships with them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I value the bonds that I form with my patients. That has been a highlight of my career. For me, explaining complex medical conditions to patients is challenging but I enjoy explaining evidence-based medicine and allowing patients to play an active role in their treatment plan," Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She ensures her patients' role in their own care, an empowering approach for someone trying to cope with a severe neurological illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"As a neurologist, I am present during some very challenging times for patients and it is being in these situations that allows me to form long-lasting relationships with patients and their families," Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;One Patient's Case &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Abousamra pointed to one patient who had a significant impact on her. This case required moving beyond the assumptions of others and getting to the real root of the problem. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I believe he was in his late 20s and he presented with acute psychosis. He had some history of mental health issues, so people just automatically chalked it up to that," she recalled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it was ultimately discovered that he actually had &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/11979/autoimmune-encephalitis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;autoimmune encephalitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy brain cells. It causes brain inflammation and various neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We were able to get past the bias of his history of psychiatric illness. We did a full workup and were able to discover and treat autoimmune encephalitis. It was a long, long haul for him. But eventually, he returned to baseline. He was able to live his normal life," Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Future of Neurology &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Impact of COVID-19 &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As it did in the medical profession worldwide, the pandemic created uncertainty in Dr. Abousamra's practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In the beginning, we didn't know what to expect. The resources were limited and it was challenging to provide the typical excellent standard of care for everybody. Every part of the staff was trying to navigate through that together," Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She acknowledged that the pandemic was very challenging, but it made everyone much stronger. Since the beginning, they have managed to alter their forms of practice. One thing that has emerged from the pandemic—and that will stay—is telemedicine (i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/kits/telemedicine-and-telehealth.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the medical practice which uses technology to deliver long-distance care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It was a great opportunity. It limited exposure, but still, we were able to provide patient care at a time when people were afraid to be out and about and see people in person,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;" &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;An Evolving Field &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In neurology, innovation is a constant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Neurology in and of itself is always evolving. One of the most exciting parts of neurology is all the research that goes into it. The new treatments that have come about in the past decade have been amazing. It's had such a positive impact on patients," Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There have been several significant &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/issue/vol21no1/PIIS1474-4422(21)X0013-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advancements in the field of neurology, including&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(21)00410-5/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances in stroke research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have stimulated fruitful discussions on organizing the stroke care pathway. Studies suggest the conventional approach of awaiting the stroke patient's arrival at the hospital might soon be outdated given that flying doctors, mobile stroke units or direct admission to the angiography suite are gaining attention. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The FDA granted &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/aducanumab" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;approval for Aducanumab (AduhelmTM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to treat Alzheimer's disease. This therapy addresses the disease's underlying biology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the last 10 years, scientists have enhanced &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(21)00425-7/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what we know about headaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This research has promoted the development of novel disease-specific treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Influenced by the pandemic, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(21)00426-9/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep telemedicine services&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have become valuable and popular for patients with sleep disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are new treatments coming out that are making quite a difference. There's a new Alzheimer's drug that's been a long time coming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have come a long way in treating multiple sclerosis and primary headache syndromes. So, there are always these advances and research going on. There are more options now and better outcomes for patients. They are living more normal lives as compared to 20 years ago. It's definitely evolving," Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With more options for treatment and a better chance at the best outcomes, Dr. Abousamra has even more to offer her patients and more with which to bond with them. She will continue to keep her patients well informed about their healthcare and help them understand what is available to them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her advice for others entering the profession: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;experience is key&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Learn, read and see as much as you can. Even if you're not in residency yet, shadow someone and do as much as you can in whatever area interests you. Stay motivated and you will achieve your goals,” Dr. Abousamra said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Abousamra believes her native Michigan has much to offer new neurologists. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Neurology is up and coming with lots of opportunities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're here in Michigan, neurology is an excellent field with plenty of opportunity, that’s for sure," Dr. Abousamra concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For more information about MIND, visit &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://mindonline.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MindOnline.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dr._Andrea_Abousamra_2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/doctor-patient-relationships-and-the-practice-of-neurology-an-interview-with-dr-andrea-abousamra/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17299</ID> <title>A Life Lived to the Fullest Starts with Your Health</title> <publishDate>2022-06-06 09:09:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_343 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_385"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_398 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_91"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sasha-freemind-frq5Q6Ne9k4-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="sasha-freemind-frq5Q6Ne9k4-unsplash" class="wp-image-17305" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_428 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of mental, emotional and physical health is vital to living your life to the fullest. Health is a vital component of life, and good health, by extension, leads to a good life. Many things can be done to increase health and live a happier, healthier life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is a Healthy Life?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-nutrition/healthy-lifestyle-benefits#healthy-lifestyle-definition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healthy life is described as a life that brings the most joy and happiness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. A one-word way to describe this is found through the concept of "balance." A balanced life involves moderation in all aspects of life, including relationships, work, food, etc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who live a healthy life experience many benefits that all add to living a full and happy life. A healthy life can lead to benefits such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-nutrition/healthy-lifestyle-benefits#how-to-start" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Disease prevention&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-nutrition/healthy-lifestyle-benefits#how-to-start" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saved money&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-nutrition/healthy-lifestyle-benefits#how-to-start" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A longer lifespan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://fortune.com/2015/06/21/the-secrets-to-a-healthy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More than 86% of the $3 trillion in annual U.S. health care costs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are due to preventable chronic diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fortune.com/2015/06/21/the-secrets-to-a-healthy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that lifestyle changes can lengthen telomeres, the chromosomes which control aging. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthier and balanced life involves making health-conscious choices and setting goals to achieve those choices. For example, exercising and eating healthy foods leads to a healthier body, reducing the risk for diseases or disorders caused by poor physical health. In addition, money will be saved since there's no need to pay for medicine or surgeries to remedy poor health choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Mental Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is an essential component of overall health, since it encompasses everything humans &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feel, think and act&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It can be easy to forget to take care of mental and emotional health due to life's chaos. While mental health issues such as depression are common, there are ways to help overcome these issues or even decrease them to live a happier life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Physical Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When they consider the word "health," the first thing people think of is physical health, which involves exercise and a healthy diet. However, physical health involves more than just that. Physical health also involves things like getting enough sleep and rest. Sleep, rest, exercise and healthy food choices all lead to a healthier body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Live a Healthy Life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many things to do to live a healthier life, such as sleeping, making health-conscious food choices, exercising regularly, relaxing and de-stressing and creating a safe and healthy community of people: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making healthy food choices can lead to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fortune.com/2015/06/21/the-secrets-to-a-healthy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decreased risk for certain diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxing and de-stressing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fortune.com/2015/06/21/the-secrets-to-a-healthy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce the risk for heart complications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough sleep &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fortune.com/2015/06/21/the-secrets-to-a-healthy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces the risk for disease and helps reset the body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who exercise often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-longer-life-secrets" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;outlive people with sedentary lifestyles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-longer-life-secrets" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that spending time with people can lengthen lifespans.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are so many components to living a full and happy life. Resting, eating healthy foods, sleeping, exercising and taking time to relax can lead to a disease-free life, a happy and clear mind and a fuller life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health, which is often pushed to the side, is&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vital and must be prioritized due to its effect on physical and emotional health. Resting and relaxation aid in a healthier and clearer mind. Exercising and eating healthy and balanced foods can lead to a healthier body which means fewer health complications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life is meant for sunny days. Don't let the dark clouds overshadow what can be a happy life. Live life to the fullest by prioritizing good health and enjoying the sunshine it has to offer!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sasha-freemind-frq5Q6Ne9k4-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-life-lived-to-the-fullest-starts-with-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17291</ID> <title>Virtual Fitness</title> <publishDate>2022-06-06 08:54:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_344 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_386"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_399 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_92"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/vfitness10.jpg" alt="" title="vfitness10" class="wp-image-17298" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_429 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise is a critical component of maintaining overall health. But with the pressure of work and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to find opportunities for serious exercise. Even if you can find time in your schedule to visit a gym, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.clubindustry.com/industry-news/22-percent-gyms-have-closed-292-billion-revenue-lost-covid-19-hit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;there's no guarantee that your local establishments will be open&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to visitors. But there is hope! Virtual fitness may be the definitive solution to these problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Virtual Fitness?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Virtual fitness takes the form of online classes. It's no surprise that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lek.com/insights/ei/covid-19-accelerating-digital-fitness-boom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the business of providing virtual fitness classes has boomed in recent years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. With a wide range of high-quality options to choose from, there's never been a better time to practice this type of personal fitness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, ensure that you have the materials necessary for a successful virtual workout session. In terms of space, the best practice is to identify a room in your house that will be most convenient for the workout. An area of privacy and sufficient lighting is preferable. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The other major ingredient is technology. Will you be logging on through a phone, laptop or television? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/10-tips-virtual-fitness-classes-during-covid-19-t192823" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some experts recommend using a TV&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; since it provides a larger screen to enhance the sense of participation with the other members of your class.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next, do some research before committing to a specific virtual fitness program. One of the greatest benefits of virtual fitness in this day and age is the communal aspect. Just because you're not all meeting at the same gym doesn't mean you should feel isolated from your classmates! Many programs will use the features of social media sites like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/10-tips-virtual-fitness-classes-during-covid-19-t192823" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instagram or Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to improve the community experience. A little bit of research will help you find out which programs are most successful in this area.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Will Virtual Fitness Fit into My Life?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the top benefits of virtual fitness is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterup.com/blog/virtual-workout" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it can suit even the most unpredictable of schedules.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Live classes will have a set time that you need to attend. Still, numerous virtual fitness companies record their sessions, enabling you to fit the workout into your day wherever a space opens up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If something comes up unexpectedly in the morning, you can move your workout to the evening. If you know you have a busy evening ahead, you can plan to squeeze your workout into the early hours of the day. The virtual fitness option removes the time commitment of a commute and makes it even easier to fit a workout in on the fly!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another benefit of virtual fitness–especially in these unprecedented times–is the distraction it provides from daily cares and anxieties. Just because the gyms nearest you are closed doesn't mean you should miss out on the mind-refocusing benefits of exercise. Virtual fitness is the key to adding these moments of single-mindedness to your daily routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are There Any Downsides?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The potential downside of virtual fitness is the opportunity for scam artists to deceive those of us looking for a legitimate program. The presence of such scams means that you should do a little additional research before signing up. Aside from the risk of getting scammed, underqualified trainers could lead you to forms of exercise that could &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/the-dangers-of-taking-a-virtual-fitness-class-say-experts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;injure you over time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, fraudulent individuals claiming to be "fitness experts" or "professional trainers" shouldn't deter you from pursuing virtual fitness that's right for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether in your bedroom, your living room or your garage, a home workout is better than no workout! There is an enormous variety of physical and emotional benefits to regular exercise, and obstacles like a busy schedule or the COVID-19 pandemic shouldn't stop you from enjoying these benefits in your own life. Research your virtual fitness options and get to work!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/vfitness10.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/virtual-fitness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17284</ID> <title>5 Foods to Eat Everyday</title> <publishDate>2022-06-05 08:29:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_345 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_387"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_400 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_93"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/foods1.jpg" alt="" title="foods1" class="wp-image-17290" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_430 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of eating healthy include improved energy levels, better mental clarity and a stronger immune system. But sometimes, it's hard to know which foods are the healthiest to eat. What we do know is that five foods are imperative to a healthy diet: berries, nuts, lean grass-fed beef, cruciferous vegetables and olive oil.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Berries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Berries are some of the healthiest fruits on the planet. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and they have a wide variety of health benefits. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068482/#:~:text=The%20most%20significant%20outcomes%20of,HDL%2Dcholesterol%20following%20berry%20intervention." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that the consumption of berries has a positive effect on cardiovascular health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Berries are a great source of fiber, which can help with weight loss and digestion. They are also a good source of vitamin C, boosting your immune system and helping fight off infection. Berries are also high in antioxidants, which help protect your body from disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Nuts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts are packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats, making them a perfect snack for people looking to stay healthy. In addition to being good for you, nuts are also delicious and versatile. They can be eaten on their own, added to salads and other dishes or used in baking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many different types of nuts, each with its own unique set of benefits. Some of the most popular nuts include almonds, walnuts, pistachios and cashews.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recent &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6417933/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has indicated that tree nuts are very beneficial for cardiovascular health. The study found that those who regularly consume tree nuts have a lower risk of coronary heart disease and other associated health problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Lean Grass-fed Beef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/expert-answers/grass-fed-beef/faq-20058059" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lean grass-fed beef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is an excellent source of protein that has many health benefits. Grass-fed beef is lower in fat and calories than grain-fed beef, and it has a higher concentration of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains more antioxidants and vitamins than grain-fed beef. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grass-fed beef is typically leaner than grain-fed beef, and it has a more tender texture. Grass-fed beef also contains higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is believed to help fight cancer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Cruciferous Vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cruciferous-vegetables" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many benefits to eating cruciferous vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Cruciferous vegetables, a member of the cabbage family, contain broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cruciferous vegetables are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins C and K and minerals like potassium and magnesium. Cruciferous vegetables also contain compounds called phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5989150/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;indoles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4002831/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;isothiocyanates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with proven benefits for health in preventing several forms of cancer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Olive Oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extra virgin olive oil is a type of olive oil made from pure, cold-pressed olives. It is the highest quality olive oil available and has many health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extra virgin olive oil is monounsaturated fat, lowering bad cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1800389" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that a Mediterranean diet with olive oil is better for cardiovascular health than a low-fat diet. It is also rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect against cell damage and reduce the risk of cancer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's essential to make healthy choices every day, including what you eat. If you're looking for something new to add to your diet, these foods might be an excellent place to start. So, eat healthily and feel great!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/foods1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/5-foods-to-eat-everyday/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17275</ID> <title>Honoring a Life Interrupted: An Interview with Dr. Parul Makkar</title> <publishDate>2022-06-05 08:02:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_346 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_388"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_401 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_94"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dr._Parul_Makkar.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Parul_Makkar" class="wp-image-17282" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_402 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_431 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In March 2021, a young, talented dentist passed away at age 34 from oral cancer. While battling this illness, he sold his dental practice and began writing a series of blogs about his experience. His writings made it clear that he had accepted what life had given him, found peace and offered his readers words of comfort and wisdom. After his passing, his sister, a talented dentist herself, compiled his blogs and published them in a book, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Interrupted-Duas-Survival-Guide/dp/1736058711/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VPSKEA9TG8Q1&amp;amp;keywords=dr+parul+makkar&amp;amp;qid=1645628702&amp;amp;sprefix=dr+parul+makkar%2Caps%2C54&amp;amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That incredible young man was Dr. Manu Dua, and his sister was Dr. Parul Dua Makkar. In the year since her brother's passing, Dr. Makkar has devoted much of her time to honor his memory. In addition to publishing the book, she advocates for awareness and early detection of oral cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have come to the conclusion that perhaps the best way to approach setbacks in life is to understand that they are simply new beginnings."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;~ Dr. Manu Dua, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_389"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_403 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_432 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Parul Dua Makkar&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Makkar has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pdmfamilydental.com/our-practice/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;practiced dentistry for over 15 years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. She currently runs her practice, PDM Family Dental, in Jericho, New York. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always wanted to be in the medical field," she said. "Dentistry afforded me a work-life balance that other medical professions did not have. I have the flexibility to be a mom and work as much as I need to."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Makkar greatly values the relationships she builds with patients and their families. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I treat a patient and their children or parents. It's not just teeth; we're talking about the person behind the teeth. I like to have my patients go home happier," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are far more capable and resilient than we can begin to imagine."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;~ Dr. Manu Dua, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Honoring a Courageous Man&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The pandemic limited Dr. Makkar's ability to be with her brother. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I couldn't help him as much as I wish I could have by getting treatment and getting the earlier diagnosis," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Dua did not fit the typical demographic for oral cancer. He was young and didn't use tobacco or drink heavily. However, he was diagnosed at a later stage, and the cause was a mystery.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After he passed, Dr. Makkar became involved in promoting oral cancer awareness among patients and the medical profession. She emphasized the importance of early detection. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We can prevent deaths if we get to treat cancer earlier. It can save lives," Dr. Makkar said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Somewhere between all the pain and suffering, all the loss and despair, I found peace and happiness that I had never attained while I was healthy."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;~ Dr. Manu Dua, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_95"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2.jpg" alt="" title="2" class="wp-image-17276" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_433 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Oral Cancer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Statistics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oral cancer is aggressive. In the United States, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://headandneck.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;54,000 people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are annually diagnosed with this disease. About half will not live beyond five years. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://headandneck.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Early symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include a sore throat that won't heal, a lump, red spots, swelling and hoarseness. Since they do not seem severe, the symptoms are usually dismissed. Unfortunately, this disease has a high death rate mainly because it is often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not discovered until advanced stages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, the survival rate jumps to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oralcancerfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% to 90%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when discovered early. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Demographics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For decades, the typical demographic was primarily men over 40 who regularly use alcohol and tobacco. But younger people have joined the demographic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown a causal link between the human papillomavirus version 16 (HPV16) and oral cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also, young people are using tobacco products and vaping. There is already evidence that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7233525/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vaping may contain carcinogens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;An Advocate for Early Detection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most significant factor in beating oral cancer is early detection. But there is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oralcancerfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;little public awareness and no national screening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; program. Dr. Makkar is working to change that.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://newdentistblog.ada.org/life-interrupted-lessons-learned-on-the-importance-of-oral-cancer-screening-early-detection-and-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent interview&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, she reminded people, especially the youth, that oral cancer is on the rise and that attention to symptoms is imperative.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spreading the Message&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've been doing a lot of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://myloupesareuphere.podbean.com/e/life-interrupted-part1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;podcasts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, writing articles and raising money for the Oral Cancer Foundation. Some of the proceeds of the book sales go to the foundation," Dr. Makkar said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Makkar wants patients to understand how important it is to see their dentist right away if anything looks or feels out of the ordinary. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; "Focus on good oral care, come to the dentist to be evaluated, do self screenings and pay attention to your body. Are you having a hard time swallowing? Does one side feel different than the other?" Dr. Makkar asked.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Obstacles to Early Detection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The pandemic has made it harder for many patients to access dental care and possible early detection. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Patients have shied away from coming to the dentist because they have to be without their masks. Also, insurance reimbursement rates have dropped," Dr. Makkar said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition, many dental practices are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentaleconomics.com/practice/article/14214763/the-staffing-shortage-is-limiting-dentistrys-recovery-whats-next" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;short-staffed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. About 30% to 40% of dentists were having difficulty hiring dental assistants and hygienists in 2021. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think after the pandemic, people started going back to school, or they changed their profession because they needed work," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The only manner in which we can survive the multitudes of adversity that are bestowed upon us is to implement an equally illogical and irrational resolve to persevere."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;~ Dr. Manu Dua, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Life Interrupted&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;: A Beautiful Legacy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the pandemic, Dr. Dua was immunocompromised and could not travel. So he used writing as an outlet and therapy. Dr. Makkar explains how the book came to be. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"He wanted to publish, so I put his writings together. I wrote a small forward and a longer epilogue. The latter was vital because it showed the reader that he was more than the disease that took him. This was his desire, his work. I just compiled it and made it a reality," Dr. Makkar said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One of the most important things that I have learned during these turbulent and difficult times is to accept the loss of control and continue to ride the wave day by day."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;~ Dr. Manu Dua, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Manu Dua reached beyond his pain and shared words of insight and comfort for those who may be dealing with physical or emotional pains of their own. To honor his courage, Dr. Parul Dua Makkar stepped past her grief, the depth of which we will never fully understand, and channeled it into spreading her brother's message. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This is Manu's story that has become my story. He started the journey, and I'm just helping him go on with it," Dr. Makkar said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In creating something of value that will outlast us, we will in essence take a first step of immortality."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;~ Dr. Manu Dua, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dr._Parul_Makkar.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/honoring-a-life-interrupted-an-interview-with-dr-parul-makkar/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17265</ID> <title>Highlighting the Importance of Recognizing Malnutrition</title> <publishDate>2022-06-04 07:41:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_347 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_390"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_404 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_96"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/malnutrition1.png" alt="" title="malnutrition1" class="wp-image-17271" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_434 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients can help you stay healthy and nourished. But what if you don't realize you lack the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need to maintain healthy body tissues and organ function?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition refers to energy and nutrient deficits, excesses or imbalances in a person's diet. People who are either undernourished or overnourished suffer from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/malnutrition#:~:text=About%201%20percent%20of%20children,States%20suffer%20from%20chronic%20malnutrition." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;malnutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Undernutrition results when not enough vital nutrients are taken or when they are eliminated faster than they can be supplied. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people overeat, consume the wrong food in their diets, don't exercise enough or take too many vitamins or other dietary supplements; they suffer from overnutrition. Being more than 20% overweight or eating a high-fat, high-salt diet increases the risk of overnutrition. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition in the United States&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition affects billions of people worldwide, and in the United States, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/malnutrition#:~:text=About%201%20percent%20of%20children,States%20suffer%20from%20chronic%20malnutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chronic malnutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affects about 1% of children. More children in the United States suffer from malnutrition due to dietary imbalances than from nutritional deficiencies.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition in the United States affects around 40 million Americans, including 12 million children. Malnutrition affects young and older adults as well as children. They are frequently compelled to skip meals in order to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.focusforhealth.org/malnutrition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;buy inexpensive, non-nutritious food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some families live in places where fresh, unprocessed healthful food is scarce or prohibitively expensive.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing governmental policies that assure increased utilization of federal nutrition programs broadly available to improve the well-being of vulnerable Americans is one step to solving the problem.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition vs. Malnourishment: What Is the Difference?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although both terms refer to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutricia.com.au/fortisip/faqs-list/are-malnutrition-and-malnourishment-the-same/#:~:text=3.,diagnosable%20condition%20and%20requires%20treatment." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nutritional imbalance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, they are different in meaning. Malnutrition is a diagnosable disorder that requires treatment when a person receives too much or too few essential nutrients. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, malnourishment is defined as a lack of nutrition that prevents the body from performing at its best. It is caused by a lack of food or a lack of food with the right nutrients.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition Types: Acute Malnutrition, Chronic Malnutrition and Acute and Chronic Malnutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Malnutrition types are acute malnutrition (wasted), chronic malnutrition (stunted) and a combination of both (thinner and shorter). Malnutrition manifests itself in two ways: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://conflict.lshtm.ac.uk/page_115.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;wasting and stunting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Stunting is a chronic condition whose causes are unknown. Stunting is rather prevalent in less-developed countries, and it usually poses no immediate threat to life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://actionagainsthunger.ca/what-is-acute-malnutrition/what-is-acute-malnutrition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acute malnutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a type of undernutrition induced by a drop in food consumption or illness, which causes weight loss or fluid retention. As a result, a person who is in acute malnutrition can appear thinner than usual. This can range from mild, moderate or severe and prolonged malnutrition can result in stunted growth.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic malnutrition results from inadequate nutrition over a long period, leading to linear growth failure. People who suffer from chronic malnutrition are shorter than average. However, people who suffer from both acute and chronic malnutrition are thinner and shorter than normal. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Prevent Malnutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing malnutrition requires &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/how-to-avoid-malnutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating the right amount of nutrients and calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some households have limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, protein-rich food and whole grains, and it will be hard for them to eat a healthy diet and avoid malnutrition. In addition, some people are not diet-conscious and eat large amounts of food that contain too much sodium, added sugars, saturated fats and calories but not the right amounts of nutrients. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choose the right food that limits sodium and calories from saturated fats, and be sure to consume a variety of foods that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, protein and low-fat dairy. Opt for healthy beverages without added sugars, such as soft drinks and fruit juices. The key is to choose drinks that provide nutrients. If you are a parent of picky kids, train them to eat healthy and nutritious food at an early age. Vegetables and fruits are best for them at an early age.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Security and Food Insecurity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Households are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;food secure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if all family members have access to enough food at all times to live an active and healthy life. Between 2019 and 2020, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;89.5%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of United States households were food secure. However, during the same period, 10.5% of households were unsure whether or not they would have enough food to meet the needs of all of their members due to a lack of money or other resources.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-food-insecurity-definition-impact-prevention-efforts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Uneven food distribution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a critical issue for the entire human population since it jeopardizes food security. Food insecurity occurs when a person is unable to receive a sufficient amount of healthy food on a daily basis because they do not consume enough food each day. People suffering from food insecurity experience persistent hunger and poor nutrition, making them less likely to live healthy and productive lives.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Combat Food Insecurity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food insecurity is a global problem, and governments and international organizations have tried everything to combat it. However, there are some possible solutions to food insecurity. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the solutions is to reduce food waste. Yearly global food waste amounts to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-food-insecurity.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.3 billion tonnes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Food is wasted because of inadequate food preparations and inadequate food storage. Without these problems, there will be more food security.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are ways to help people who are food insecure, for example, food donation in a collective way, such as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://uwcf.org/8-ways-to-help-people-who-are-food-insecure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;United Way of Central Florida&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, working with dozens of local organizations to fight against hunger. Food-insecure households rely on donated food from food pantries to help them stretch their budgets. To boost access to healthy food, focus your donations on healthy items like proteins and whole grains. There are a lot of organizations that accept food donations, especially non-perishable food items.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As an individual, you can contribute to the food-insecure population. Some people are less privileged when it comes to choosing the right kind of food rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lend a hand by food donation and avoid food waste in your own kitchen. Support an organization that focuses on helping against hunger and malnutrition. Your contribution to ending malnutrition and hunger makes a difference.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/malnutrition1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/highlighting-the-importance-of-recognizing-malnutrition/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17257</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-06-04 07:21:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_348 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_391"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_405 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_97"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/oladimeji-odunsi-AHBvAIVqk64-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="oladimeji-odunsi-AHBvAIVqk64-unsplash" class="wp-image-17263" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_435 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's more behind fashion statements, from hairstyles and clothes to tattoos and piercing. If we think about it, piercings nowadays are exactly like those crazy long hairstyles back in the 60's. The older generations might not understand it, but we know what it stands for in our hearts. It's much more than just a ring in our noses or ears.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A First Glance at the Piercing  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://pameladwilson.com/tatooed-and-pierced-millenials-in-the-workplace/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One in four young adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has a piercing in other areas besides the earlobe. Ear and nose piercings are a way of self-expression and a boost in self-confidence. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://easttennessean.com/2004/04/19/tattoos-body-piercings-forms-of-self-expression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beth A. Kapes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a professional in communications and an award winning writer, states that as with any fashion statement or aesthetics, piercings are a form of art shared by people from all generations, mostly the "youngsters."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/head/article/47840/1/these-glossier-style-gen-z-piercing-studios-are-steering-the-earscape-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The unique aspect&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of ear and nose piercings compared to other fashion statements is that people have been piercing their ears from the beginning of time. From primitive tribes to royalty, the practice is well-established as our ears have become another part of our body that we style and accessorize.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from aesthetics, nose or ear piercings can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pierceofart.com/blogs/magazine/ear-and-nose-piercing-the-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;enhance your physical health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Piercing your body resembles the practice of acupuncture. If you get some particular area of your body pierced, especially the left nostril, you will notice that some functions within the body regulate themselves.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Period Pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Piercing your left nostril can help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pierceofart.com/blogs/magazine/ear-and-nose-piercing-the-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce menstrual symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as cramps and nausea. If you don't want to pierce your nose, getting a piercing in the rook (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the cartilage area in the middle of the ear) has the same effects. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Migraines &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because it is a body area with more than 200 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/16/10/1905/2460295" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acupoints&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, piercing the ear has definite health benefits. For example, piercing the daith (i.e., the inner cartilage fold in the ear) is said to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relieve headaches and migraines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitality as a Whole &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The left nostril is quite the spot for relieving pain. Getting your left nostril pierced when you are run down can improve your mood and give you a boost of confidence. Maybe all you need is a change in your look. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nose and ear piercings are starting to play a big part in this world. Nowadays, it's a normal thing to see someone on the street with a septum or ear piercing. Piercings and their message encourage even more young adults to get one.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/oladimeji-odunsi-AHBvAIVqk64-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/ear-nose-piercings-not-just-aesthetics/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17250</ID> <title>11 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures for Men</title> <publishDate>2022-06-03 01:19:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_349 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_392"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_406 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_98"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mueen-agherdien-1vh3-VkG57w-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="mueen-agherdien-1vh3-VkG57w-unsplash" class="wp-image-17256" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_436 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plastic surgery is increasingly becoming an everyday occurrence in our society. Plastic surgery's applications are broad, ranging from purely cosmetic surgeries to correcting dangerous or impairing defects. While it is sometimes overgeneralized and associated with women, men increasingly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/most-commonly-requested-plastic-surgery-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;request plastic surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The demand by men for plastic surgery has increased to such a degree that in 2016, roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lansdowneaestheticcenter.com/blog/the-most-popular-cosmetic-procedures-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.3 million men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had cosmetic work done, which accounted for about 8% of 2016's procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rhinoplasty&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rhinoplasties are one of the most common cosmetic procedures requested by men. Commonly called a "nose job," rhinoplasties fix or alter the nose for medical or cosmetic reasons. They involve the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/most-popular-plastic-surgery-men-1234653631/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;breaking of the bone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to allow it to be reset in a preferred position. Such restructuring can allow patients to breathe better through their noses or improve their profile and confidence. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chin and Jaw Implants&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chin and jaw implants are also commonly sought after cosmetic surgeries by men. "Masculinity" is often portrayed physically as a strong jaw and chin line. By placing implants into the chin and jaw, plastic surgeons can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/most-commonly-requested-plastic-surgery-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;enhance the profile of the jaw&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, creating a more "masculine" image. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eyelid Rejuvenation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eyelid rejuvenation aims to help men restore a youthful visage by removing the wrinkles and other signs of aging around the eyes. This procedure &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/most-commonly-requested-plastic-surgery-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;removes surrounding fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and moves the tissue over the cheekbones to tighten the skin, creating a more youthful appearance. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Body Sculpting &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body sculpting is another popular cosmetic procedure for men. As men age, it's not uncommon for their abdomen and flanks &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lansdowneaestheticcenter.com/blog/the-most-popular-cosmetic-procedures-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to thicken&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Body sculpting can help reverse these effects by shaping and slimming these areas by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lansdowneaestheticcenter.com/blog/the-most-popular-cosmetic-procedures-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;removing fatty tissue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The removal of excess fatty tissue brings out an appearance reminiscent of one's youth. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Neck Lift&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another standard procedure for men is the neck lift. Neck lifts can help combat the loosening of the skin around the neck by tightening the skin &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/most-commonly-requested-plastic-surgery-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;around the neck&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Like the chin and jaw implants, a neck lift can help create a more traditionally masculine visage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gynecomastia Surgery &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This procedure works to combat men's enlargement of the chest that results from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/most-popular-plastic-surgery-men-1234653631/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overdeveloped breast tissue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Gynecomastia fights this condition by using targeted liposuction to remove the fat tissue that develops &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lansdowneaestheticcenter.com/blog/the-most-popular-cosmetic-procedures-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;within the chest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For many, this procedure can help restore their self-confidence and avoid the embarrassment of not having a traditionally masculine chest. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Brow Lift&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A brow lift combats the signs of aging in the face, particularly the forehead. Brow lifts tighten the forehead and upper face skin to grant a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/most-popular-plastic-surgery-men-1234653631/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more awake and youthful appearance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dermal Fillers/Injectable Treatments&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dermal fillers and injectable treatments create &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/most-popular-plastic-surgery-men-1234653631/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more volume and fullness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, often in the cheeks and lips. These fillers can be used in various places to combat the wrinkles and looseness that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lansdowneaestheticcenter.com/blog/the-most-popular-cosmetic-procedures-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;often come with age&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Facelift&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Facelifts tighten the skin on the face and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;remove the signs of aging&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This procedure commonly works to contour the face and create a youthful appearance. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fat Grafting&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unlike many standard cosmetic procedures, fat grafting adds fat instead of removing fat. This procedure is performed by moving fatty tissue from one part of the body to another to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/most-popular-plastic-surgery-men-1234653631/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;create more fullness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Buccal Fat Removal &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Buccal fat removal is most simply understood as liposuction for one's face, removing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/most-popular-plastic-surgery-men-1234653631/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;excess fat to create a more chiseled or sculpted look&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Like many of the cosmetic procedures we've mentioned, this treatment works against the effects of aging by fighting looseness and defining facial contour. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Far from past taboos, plastic surgery is increasingly accepted and sought after by men and women. While these 11 cosmetic procedures may be some of the most popular, they are by no means exhaustive. Instead, they only represent a small portion of an overarching trend: men increasingly seek cosmetic surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mueen-agherdien-1vh3-VkG57w-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/11-most-popular-cosmetic-procedures-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17243</ID> <title>Med Students Can Help Shape the Future of Health Care Policy</title> <publishDate>2022-06-03 01:03:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_350 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_393"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_407 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_99"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/med1.png" alt="" title="med1" class="wp-image-17249" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_437 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being a med student is hard. You're forced into a rigorous academic environment, often swamped with debt and entrenched in what can often feel like meaningless busywork. Amid all this difficulty, it is essential that med students not overlook the unique ways to help shape the future of health care policy. Given the proper motivation, med students have numerous opportunities to create health care policies long before graduation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Med Students Should Help Shape Health Care Policy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting involved in shaping health care policy benefits the professional development of med students. Furthermore, it will allow them to make a tangible impact even before they earnestly begin patient care. For professional development, students in the medical field gain invaluable experience with the way American health care works under systems like the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/why-premeds-should-engage-in-health-policy-advocacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Affordable Care Act&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Pre-med students can also gain a unique professional advantage by&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/why-premeds-should-engage-in-health-policy-advocacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; strengthening their medical school applications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by creating journal articles and other works. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beyond the professional opportunities this presents, students can voice their opinions to policymakers by working in health care policy fields and publishing reviews and articles on the subject. Something as simple as working with a single policymaker could domino into a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/why-premeds-should-engage-in-health-policy-advocacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;significant change in health care policy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Med Students Shape Future Health Care Policy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Med students are unique members of the health care community. Unlike doctors, they are not so deeply entrenched in research or patient care that they cannot spend a great deal of time examining the policies in the health care world. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, med students are new to the health care world. While this means they are inexperienced, it also means that they are examining health care policy with a set of fresh eyes. This fresh input enables them to provide innovative insights to help push health care policy forward. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The medical community is already recognizing how med students can shape future health care policy. According to a study from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2017/09000/how_can_medical_students_add_value__identifying.29.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, in 2016, 32 medical schools identified six key areas for medical education innovation. Most interesting among them was the current health systems design and culture. People directly involved in education have already identified that med students have a lot to offer in shaping the policies that create health care systems and their environments. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health care world wants medical students to engage in shaping health care policy. The only requirement is that students are proactive about getting involved. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Medical Association (AMA) is actively seeking to incorporate student voices in health care policies through programs like the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/federal-advocacy/tomorrow-s-doctors-can-help-shape-today-s-health-care-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Student Advocacy Conference&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This program allows students to meet with members of Congress and discuss key issues in health care policy. Such opportunities allow students to voice their concerns and insights for innovating health care policy's future and improve the medical community's ability to enhance patient care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Best Ways to Get Involved in Health Care Policy as a Student &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Internships at the Local, State and International Level &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best ways to get involved in shaping health care policy is to jump into an internship that allows you to get hands-on with the health care policy process. You can look for internships at the local level, like working as an EMT or local health departments. At the state level, you can look for internships with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://academic" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wplink-url-error="true"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medicaid programs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help you understand how statewide health care policies work. You can also look for opportunities to work in health care policy abroad to experience working with government-level health care policies in countries with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://academic" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wplink-url-error="true"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;less developed health care systems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These internships all let you showcase your experience working in health care policy and give you a valuable opportunity to shape health care systems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;On-campus and Off-campus Academic Involvement and Volunteering &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides internships, you cannot discount the value of actively involving yourself in campus clubs, publishing opportunities, coursework and volunteering. Getting involved in AMA-sponsored campus clubs can give you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://academic" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wplink-url-error="true"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;valuable leadership experience&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in groups that shape health care policy. Experts also recommend looking for opportunities to publish your work, take coursework outside the medical school and volunteer in clinics and other outreach to broaden your horizons. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Med students shouldn't discount the value of their input on the future of healthcare policy. While they might not have the medical expertise to treat patients, they can provide unique insights that can positively impact health care policy by innovating and improving patient care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/med1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/med-students-can-help-shape-the-future-of-health-care-policy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17234</ID> <title>Thinking about Rhinoplasty? 5 Things You Should Know</title> <publishDate>2022-06-02 17:48:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_351 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_394"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_408 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_100"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nose9.jpg" alt="" title="nose9" class="wp-image-17240" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_438 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't want the aesthetics of your nose, a rhinoplasty is the best option to take. Ranked the third most common facial plastic surgery procedure in the United States, a rhinoplasty can help improve your breathing and achieve a balanced facial appearance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are thinking about undergoing a rhinoplasty or a 'nose job,' there are some insights that you have to know before diving into the process.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Determine if Rhinoplasty Is the Right Procedure for You&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, ask yourself why you need a rhinoplasty. Aside from improving nasal aesthetics, one of the common &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/thinking-about-rhinoplasty-2019030616112" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medical reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for rhinoplasty is difficulty breathing due to nasal obstruction. This nasal obstruction can cause breathing problems during physical exercise and sleep, as well as snoring and sleep apnea. There are some medical treatments for breathing difficulties, such as a nasal spray. However, if the problem persists, rhinoplasty is the next big step. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rhinoplasties can be covered by health insurance when done for medical reasons unless they are cosmetic rhinoplasties, which aren't covered by insurance. So if you're considering a medical rhinoplasty, now is the time for you to correct a nasal hump, refine the tip of the nose and improve nose asymmetries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: The Aim Is to Enhance and Improve Nose Functionality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.realself.com/news/what-to-know-before-getting-rhinoplasty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;goal of a successful rhinoplasty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is to improve the appearance of your nose rather than to replace it. Surgery can improve the form and profile of the nose, as well as correct crookedness and drooping, but it won't give you perfect symmetry or a magazine-ready, superstar nose. Go in with realistic expectations and seek out a surgeon who will try to enhance rather than replace your nose. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: What Should I Look for in My Rhinoplasty Surgeon?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://theplasticsurgerygroup.com/2020/07/thinking-about-a-rhinoplasty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Training, reputation, and board certifications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are imperative when looking for the best surgeon to perform your rhinoplasty. Before classifying you as the perfect rhinoplasty candidate, your surgeon will assess your medical history, expectations, skin quality and the strength of the cartilage supporting your nose during your initial session.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Rhinoplasty Recovery Time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11011-rhinoplasty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Post-op&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; includes wearing a splint over your nose for at least a week. The recovery process may include some gauze bandaging to catch any drainage from the nostrils. Although recovery time may be painless due to pain medication, you can expect minimal discomforts such as congestion and a stuffy nose for the first two to three weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Planning to get a rhinoplasty procedure can mean that you need to take at least 10 days off from work. Bruising can last up to 10 to 14 days, although some patients report no bruising at all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Waiting for the Final Result&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because the final effect may not be visible for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11011-rhinoplasty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;up to a year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; following surgery, patience is essential for a successful outcome. However, you will see results when the splint is removed a week following surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although a rhinoplasty might improve your appearance, you must have reasonable expectations about the outcome. If you have a broken nose, a deviated septum or a nasal medical problem, rhinoplasty can help you regain proper breathing. Your nose, just like the other parts of your body, is yours, and with the help of cosmetic surgery, you can be proud of it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nose9.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/thinking-about-rhinoplasty-5-things-you-should-know/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17223</ID> <title>Can Your Stress Kill You?</title> <publishDate>2022-06-02 17:06:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_352 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_395"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_409 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_101"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mike-yukhtenko-wfh8dDlNFOk-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="mike-yukhtenko-wfh8dDlNFOk-unsplash" class="wp-image-17231" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_439 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress is more or less normalized in the lifestyles of most Americans. Whether it's college students or adults in the workplace, most Americans have seemingly accepted stress and seek to cope instead of rejecting stress as a necessary component of their lives. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/lower-stress-how-does-stress-affect-the-body"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in 2017 noted that 71% of people reported at least one symptom of stress over the past month. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our willingness to accept stress into our daily lives reveals how little we understand stress' effect on our lives. Stress is not a benign yet negative emotion; it's a serious mental illness with serious effects on our physical health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Connection between Mental and Physical Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental and physical health are not as separated as we believe. The mind affects the body and vice versa. Nowhere is this truest than with poor mental health and stress. Suffering from long-term or chronic stress can significantly harm one's physical health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our body is prepared to respond to stress but ultimately is not designed to sustain for long. When under stress, our body releases &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/lower-stress-how-does-stress-affect-the-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cortisol and other stress hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a response. This is also understood as your body's "fight or flight" system. However, staying in this "fight or flight" mode can be dangerous for your physical health. Our mental health, particularly our stress levels, severely affects our bodies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Stress Harms Your Body &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The adverse effects of stress are often manifested in physical conditions that most of us associate with physical illnesses, from digestive issues to headaches. Indeed, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body#Sexuality-and-reproductive-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress can negatively affect nearly every part of your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including your nervous, respiratory, digestive, muscular and reproductive systems. Chronic stress causes irritability and anxiety, breathing difficulties, soreness in your muscles, or even erectile dysfunction for men and missed periods for women. Furthermore, stress also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/lower-stress-how-does-stress-affect-the-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increases your risk for heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress's negative impact doesn't stop at the body's functional systems. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;review by the American Psychological Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; noted that high-stress levels are associated with a greater risk of contracting illnesses and a weakened immune system. When we allow stress to take over our lives, we not only incur the physical symptoms but also ravage our immune systems, making it easier for us to contract additional illnesses down the road. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Stress Affects Your Life Expectancy &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress can remove years from your life expectancy. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200311100857.htm#:~:text=Being%20under%20heavy%20stress%20shortens,expectancy%20of%20men%20and%20women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of risk factors for life expectancy found that, on average, stress takes about 2.8 years off the life of the average man and 2.3 for the average woman. By comparison, the study noted that the leading causes for men are smoking and diabetes, which take 6.6 and 6.5 years, respectively. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the average man, suffering from heavy stress will remove half the life expectancy of a heavy smoker. While heavy stress is still not as dangerous as smoking, just the fact that it is so close to the leading cause of life expectancy reduction should give us all pause. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tips for Managing Stress&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Heart Association notes some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/3-tips-to-manage-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;helpful strategies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Positive self-talk; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Developing stress-stopping strategies; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engaging in healthy habits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These tips are designed to reinforce yourself against anxiety, help you avoid down spiraling into stress behavior and build healthy habits to strengthen your body and mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress may be a mind game, but the best ways to combat it are not necessarily mental. By developing more than just mental strategies, exercising physically or simply closing down your laptop for a day, you can gain a valuable advantage in your mental war. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress is not something that we should normalize. It is just as dangerous as any other habit which can threaten our health, and we must treat it accordingly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/stormseeker-rX12B5uX7QM-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/can-your-stress-kill-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17216</ID> <title>Vitamin D: The Key to Health</title> <publishDate>2022-06-01 16:50:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_353 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_396"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_410 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_440 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's easy to be overwhelmed by the number of vitamins and supplements available on the market. Read the labels on a few of them, and you begin to get the impression that every single one is critical to your health! When caught in this avalanche of information, it can be challenging to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-vitamins-and-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;determine which vitamins will be most helpful to integrate into your health routine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Vitamin D?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D is naturally produced by our bodies when we come into contact with sunlight. You can add specific foods and supplements, which can boost the effects of vitamin D on your body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary benefits of vitamin D are healthy bone and tooth growth, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it also plays a critical role in regulating the function of your immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Vitamin D increases your body's ability to fight disease, especially severe flu symptoms or heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientific research suggests that vitamin D plays a role in our mental health as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-to-know-about-vitamin-d-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interpreting that research is tricky&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because it creates a chicken-and-egg situation. Suppose individuals who experience depression spend an unusual amount of time indoors. In that case, we should expect them to have lower levels of sunshine-induced vitamin D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the same time, though, would those lower vitamin D levels amplify symptoms of depression? Though the research is inconclusive at this point, it is safe to assume that vitamin D might be one of the reasons that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spending time outdoors is so beneficial to our mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Vitamin D Help Me Fight COVID-19?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although not a cure-all, vitamin D and its role in improving immune function have prompted many scientists to wonder if it might help ward off the COVID-19 infection. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-why-vitamin-d-levels-may-be-key" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent study from Israel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has examined the connection between vitamin D and COVID-19. After examining 253 patients in a local hospital, the study concluded that individuals who had Vitamin D deficiencies before getting infected were 14 times more likely to develop severe COVID-19. Individuals with high vitamin D levels were more likely to contract moderate cases of COVID-19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most research on the relationship between Vitamin D and COVID-19 is plagued by the same problem faced by studies of vitamin D and depression. It's challenging to find evidence that suggests vitamin D deficiencies have contributed to COVID-19 infections. Scientists might just be finding these qualities in overlapping populations without any relationship. However, without conclusive scientific evidence in these areas, we know that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/vitamin-d-vital-role-in-your-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin D is vital to our overall health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Get the Right Amount of Vitamin D?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most valuable piece of advice for determining the correct dosage of anything is to consult your doctor. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-vitamin-d-is-too-much" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ingesting too much of it via supplementation could ultimately be harmful&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. What's more, the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity don't show up immediately. Instead, these symptoms only manifest after months or years. The safest course of action is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-vitamin-d-is-too-much#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consume fewer than 100 micrograms per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before consulting your doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An alternative to supplements is to look for vitamin D in your diet. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-high-in-vitamin-d#_noHeaderPrefixedContent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;best foods for those looking to boost their vitamin D&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; intake are salmon, canned tuna, egg yolks and orange juice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you get it from a supplement, diet or spending time outdoors in sunny weather, vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for your overall health! Your immune system, teeth, bones and emotional health all have the potential for improvement. Although research is inconclusive for now, you might have a better chance of warding off COVID-19 with healthy vitamin D levels. So, consider integrating more Vitamin D into your health habits!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/vitamin-D.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/vitamin-d-the-key-to-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17207</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-05-31 16:26:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_354 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_397"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_411 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_102"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/supplementcover-1.jpg" alt="" title="supplementcover" class="wp-image-17210" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_441 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although it seems like COVID-19 has almost disappeared from the sphere of conversation, the battle isn't over yet. Lives have radically changed to the point where life will never be the same again. As the battle rages, research has shown that adding supplements and lifestyle changes and diet changes can work to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and slowly heal from its effects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests a reduced risk of developing COVID-19 and suffering from its debilitating effects by eating a proper and varied diet. Some scientists discovered a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210914/your-diet-could-cut-your-odds-for-severe-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9% decrease in the risk for COVID-19&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; just by eating fruits, vegetables and legumes. People who ate these foods had &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210914/your-diet-could-cut-your-odds-for-severe-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a lower risk at 41% of suffering from serious cases of COVID-19&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; compared to people who ate small amounts of these foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors offer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7306972/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;several recommendations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for staying healthy, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating nuts;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating whole grains, such as whole-wheat pasta;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating vegetables and fruits, especially leafy vegetables like lettuce;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating legumes such as black beans and lentils;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking at least 8-10 cups of water every day;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Limiting the salt intake to 5 grams/day;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating red meat once or twice a week and poultry 2-3 times per week;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating foods with unsaturated fat;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating fish;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cutting down on foods that cause increased anxiety or sluggishness, such as caffeine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A balanced diet guarantees a strong immune system, and a strong immune system is necessary to fight off COVID-19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When COVID-19 began spreading, researchers looked to figure out what could keep people away from the virus and help them heal from its effects. Lots of research substantiates that it is crucial to take in varying amounts of vitamins and minerals, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wcrf.org/links-between-coronavirus-nutrition-and-the-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;zinc, iron, copper, folate and selenium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and vitamins such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wcrf.org/links-between-coronavirus-nutrition-and-the-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A, B 12, B 6, C, D and E&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in order to maintain a functional immune system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220106/How-diet-supplements-and-lifestyle-changes-can-help-battle-COVID.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have found that a high dose of zinc salts can lead to significant improvements in only one day of treatment after contracting COVID-19. Research suggests the immuno-protection of many of these nutrients is based on their antioxidant capacity (oxidation is a chemical reaction that can damage cells), which is lost if consumed in excess.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While very little research shows which specific supplement can increase the immune system, Vitamin C has been proven as a great way to treat or prevent any viral infections. Vitamin C's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7306972/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daily recommended dietary allowance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is 90 milligrams for men and 75 milligrams for women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle Changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19 radically changed lives. It has been proven to cause significant impacts on health, including changes in eating patterns, sleeping habits and physical activity. Research has shown that COVID-19 has put a strain on mental, emotional and physical health. Doctors suggest several essential lifestyle changes to keep from serious effects and symptoms of COVID-19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7306972/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors suggest prioritizing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at least these three things:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A balanced diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise can significantly impact overall health, which is why it should be prioritized. However, it can also be a struggle to do something as simple as working out, especially since COVID-19 shut down the world, and the world is still recovering from its effects. Staying physically active is more difficult to do as a result but essential. The more physically active a person is, the lower their risk of contracting a severe illness. Sleep is also vital since it helps heal the immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7306972/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7306972/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Isolation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was proven to promote sedentary behaviors that affect mental and physical health, and fear and anxiety have also been linked to impacting overall health. Therefore, it is essential to sleep, exercise and eat the right foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests that even people who have recovered from COVID-19 still suffer from its effects, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthspan.co.uk/advice/long-covid-diet-and-lifestyle-changes-that-can-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fatigue, headaches and shortness of breath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthspan.co.uk/advice/long-covid-diet-and-lifestyle-changes-that-can-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;resting and eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can successfully battle these side effects. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While COVID-19 has significantly changed the world, people are adapting and trying to go back to the way life used to be. However, as businesses come back to life and schools are in session, it is still vital to stay healthy and do whatever is necessary to keep from contracting COVID-19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People stumbled through 2020 with confusion, sadness and anxiety, but now, armed with an understanding of the virus and what can minimize its effects, people can go through 2022 with a weapon. These weapons — a good diet, lifestyle changes, vitamins and supplements — are ones that can turn the tide in this battle against COVID-19.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/supplementcover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/diet-supplements-lifestyle-the-game-changers-in-the-battle-against-covid-19/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17192</ID> <title>Holistic Healing through Complementary Medicine: An Interview with Dr. John P. Salerno, DO</title> <publishDate>2022-05-31 15:12:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_355 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_398"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_412 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_103"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MG_5086bw2.jpg" alt="" title="_MG_5086bw2" class="wp-image-17202" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_413 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_442 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When facing persistent conditions that interrupt your life, sometimes you need help beyond what traditional medicine provides to get back to full health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. John P. Salerno, DO, is an innovator in the practice of complementary medicine. In his practice, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine in New York City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, he provides his patients with holistic therapies and techniques that, along with their traditional medical treatments, speed their recovery. His medical approach &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/first-visit/about-dr-salerno/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;treats the whole person&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;—mind, body and spirit—not just a list of symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Salerno spreads the word of good health in his three published books, as a lecturer, and as a popular media personality. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_399"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_414 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_443 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;From Baseball to Medicine: Dr. Salerno's Career Journey&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Finding His Career&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Salerno wanted to strengthen his body as an athlete in high school and college. So, his aunt introduced him to the value of nutrition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I liked the healthy, nutritional lifestyle," Dr. Salerno said. "Later, after injury, I couldn't go further with baseball. Meanwhile, I was a people person, and I liked science, so I decided to pursue medicine and take more of a nutritional approach."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/first-visit/about-dr-salerno/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;complementary medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses the best of traditional medicine with his alternative healing practices to give patients their best chance to live healthier lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My background was originally in traditional medicine because that's pretty much all they taught in school. Now it's mostly all complementary and integrative. It's fun and very different," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Developing His Practice&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Salerno has built a successful practice where patients come from across the country and as far as China and Abu Dhabi. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They come to see me in New York City for anti-aging, cancers, heart disease, preventative medicine and heavy metal detox. I had people from Switzerland who were toxic from the nickel in watchmaking," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Salerno worked with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Atkins_(physician)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Robert Atkins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, whose diet plan gained popularity in the 1990s, and he took over the practice when Dr. Atkins passed away in 2003.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_104"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9U2A8873.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="9U2A8873.JPG" class="wp-image-17197" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_444 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Salerno's Practice&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Complementary Medicine?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complementary and alternative medicine encompass a wide array of services and treatments not typically included in traditional medical practices. Depending on the doctor, they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21683-integrative-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; acupuncture, homeopathy, massage, herbs, nutrition, healthy diets, yoga, tai chi and meditation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The alternative approach replaces traditional medicine, while the complementary approach works with and adds to it. This combination is called "integrative medicine."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Does Dr. Salerno Treat?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine, Dr. Salerno and his team build a personalized treatment plan for each patient to cleanse the body and restore health. They treat chronic diseases (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis) and other conditions such as hair loss, digestive issues, menopause and heavy metal toxicity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My office does pretty much everything, including weight loss, anti-aging, arthritis, memory loss and chronic fatigue. You name it; we deal with it," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Are Dr. Salerno's Treatment Techniques?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Salerno has developed &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://expertfile.com/experts/drjohn.salerno/dr-john-salerno" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;new techniques&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; using bio-identical hormones, cutting-edge heavy metal treatments, powerful allergy lab work and stem cells. His &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;therapies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are designed to address specific conditions, such as nutrition, diabetes, stress and environmental illnesses. Many of Dr. Salerno's treatments involve changes in diet and lifestyle. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think of medicine as a last resort. I look at the whole patient, their lifestyle and their diet. What we put into our bodies, what we fuel our bodies with, is critically important for overall health," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;IV Therapy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One therapy that Dr. Salerno is primarily known for is IV vitamin therapy. The IV solutions are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/treatments/iv-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;personalized&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to address patients' specific conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have 30 different IV vitamin protocols that I developed that are disease-specific," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The intravenous delivery quickly directs vitamins, hydration and, if needed, detox agents into the bloodstream. It bypasses the digestive system to ensure maximum absorption. Dr. Salerno often uses it himself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I try to practice what I preach. I do a lot of vitamin drips on myself to stay healthy and as fit as I can. My patients will frequently see me do this," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/treatments/iv-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV therapy can benefit patients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with various conditions, including cigarette smoking, addiction, high stress, a weakened immune system or infections and toxification.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;TopDoc Clinics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We are pleased to say that Dr. Salerno will be adding his expertise to TopDoc Clinics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm doing the IV component and supplying them with my vitamin protocols," he said. "They'll have a menu of IV vitamin drips for energy, memory or any issues from arthritis to athletic performance."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;One Patient's Case&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A well-known celebrity came to me not feeling well. I discovered that he had been eating tuna and swordfish for every meal, following his personal trainer's advice. But those fish have the highest levels of mercury. So, he needed to get tested," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Test results showed the highest mercury levels Dr. Salerno had ever seen. His patient's life was in danger. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I advised him to stop eating fish and taught him how to detoxify his body. Treatment included IV vitamin drips and stem cells. Fortunately, he recovered and is doing well," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introducing Inspiritol&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I am co-developing Inspiritol, an all-natural treatment for COVID-19, long COVID-19, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic fatigue," Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Created with engineer George Hoag, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/2021/10/inspiritol-effective-in-covid-19-long-covid-and-me-cfs-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inspiritol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is inhaled through a nebulizer to treat respiratory distress. It comprises  antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial elements. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://salernocenter.com/2021/10/inspiritol-effective-in-covid-19-long-covid-and-me-cfs-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hallmark of Inspiritol-treated patients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a rapid increase of oxygen in their blood and decreases in fatigue and difficulty thinking, commonly referred to as 'brain fog,'" Dr. Salerno said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inspiritol is currently in the FDA-approval process to conduct clinical trials.Dr. Salerno developed it initially to be placed inside of vapes because the nutrient can cure lung damage. Inhaling it puts that nutrient straight into the lungs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" Now, it is going to the FDA for treatment by inhalation therapy," Dr. Salerno said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Salerno and his team at the Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine strengthen the effectiveness of their patients' healthcare through their natural treatments and therapies. Dr. Salerno firmly believes in a holistic approach, and they consistently produce long-lasting, health-restoring results.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I like to see the smiles and the results as people come in and tell me how good they finally feel. After 30 years, they're finally feeling like themselves again. Seeing their rejuvenation is very, very rewarding," Dr. Salerno concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MG_5086bw2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/holistic-healing-through-complementary-medicine-an-interview-with-dr-john-p-salerno-do/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17079</ID> <title>5 Energizing Foods for Spring</title> <publishDate>2022-05-22 14:17:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_356 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_400"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_415 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_105"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hossein-farahani-pqJ21tErTgI-unsplash-e1652452515648.jpg" alt="" title="hossein-farahani-pqJ21tErTgI-unsplash" class="wp-image-17080" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_445 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A new season is the best reason to try new and delicious food. Jumping from winter to spring can give you a big boost of energy. So why not try some foods that will provide you with that much-needed energy to start the new season?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Energizing Foods &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although technically water is not food, staying hydrated is essential because nutrition and health gravitate around drinking enough water throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The daily water intake differs from person to person, depending on your age, gender and activity level. But the old "8x8 rule" is always a wise choice. The "8x8 rule" consists of drinking eight ounces of water eight times a day. Plain water is enough, although you can mix your water with coffee or tea if you want to spice things up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are trying to keep yourself energized, keep your distance from sugar-laden drinks. Sugar is a fast-burning energy beverage. Drinks such as sodas, alcoholic beverages, sweet coffee drinks and fruit juices contain high amounts of sugar. Besides consuming your energy, sugar also adds “empty” calories to your diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark Chocolate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New holidays are starting to roll around, the most important being Easter. Easter is well-known for being the holiday when the most chocolate is consumed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark chocolate is a popular energizing food. Eating just one or two dark chocolate squares can work wonders for your mood and energy levels. This energizing food also carries heart-healthy flavonoids (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, various compounds found naturally in fruits and vegetables) that reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow to the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Greens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the arrival of spring, many new vegetables are ready to ripen. Spring foods such as asparagus, peas, zucchini and green beans are the best spring energizing foods to add to your diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Asparagus is the best choice when looking for spring food. Because of its health-boosting nutrients and fibers, asparagus can help lower your cholesterol and boost your vitamin K and folate levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Folate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a vitamin from the vitamin B family)&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is a mood-boosting vitamin that lifts your spirits and energy. And the fact that you can cook this energizing food in so many ways makes it so much better! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peas are a fantastic choice as well! Some benefits of eating peas are blood sugar and cholesterol management. In addition, peas contain plant-based protein and fiber, making them an excellent spring food. Zucchini and green beans have the same advantages as peas. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole Grains &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the warmth of the spring season rolls around,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fresh grains appear on the market. Whole grains are always a great choice. This spring food is an excellent source of energy that can power you an entire day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole grains are an energizing food because of the many key nutrients. Because of the many benefits, many people start their day by eating whole-wheat toast, quinoa salad or couscous. The carbs from whole grains supply your body with slow-burning energy. It also does not spike your blood sugar, giving you consistent energy levels throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cold-Water Fish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The fishing season usually begins in mid-spring. Cold-water fish can be highly beneficial for your nutrition and energy levels. This is because cold-water fish are full of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The acid lowers cholesterol and helps you process food more efficiently into energy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't be afraid to try something new as the spring season arrives. Energizing foods are always an excellent way to keep you going throughout the day. No one says you can't eat something healthy AND delicious!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/leigh-skomal-IOJL2GZTaAE-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-energizing-foods-for-spring/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17070</ID> <title>Blue Light Effects</title> <publishDate>2022-05-22 14:07:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_357 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_401"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_416 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_106"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/bluelight2.jpg" alt="" title="bluelight2" class="wp-image-17072" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_446 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Imagine finally getting into bed after a long day at the office. It's nice to wind down at the end of the day with a cell phone in hand, scroll through social media, watch a show and text friends. Scrolling through a phone can be a nice distraction from a racing mind, especially when falling asleep is a challenge. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, the time spent scrolling down the newsfeed or Facebook wormhole can be detrimental to your health. The blue light that radiates from items like phones, computers and other electronics can put your health in danger. But what exactly is blue light and its effects on overall health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Blue Light?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blue light is an example of electromagnetic waves emitted by electronic objects in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blue wavelengths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When it comes to wavelengths, the longer the wave, the less energy it transmits. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-blue-light#what-is-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blue light has short, high-energy waves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; almost as high as the sun's UV rays, which we know to cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/do-i-still-need-to-wear-sunscreen-in-the-winter/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;skin, eye and other bodily damage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effects of Blue Light&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many harmful effects caused by blue light, including damage to the eyes and skin, headaches and sleep disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effects of Blue Light on the Eyes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blue light can strain and decrease eyesight. This is because the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-blue-light#is-blue-light-bad-for-your-eyes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cornea and lens protect the light-sensitive retina&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at the back of your eye from damaging UV rays but not from blue light. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health#:~:text=Almost%20all%20blue%20light%20passes,related%20macular%20degeneration%2C%20or%20AMD." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on animals show that blue light has the potential to damage even the retinal cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blue Light and Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One Harvard &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicated that exposure to light can affect circadian rhythm and that people who are generally more exposed to light at night are predisposed to diabetes or cardiovascular issues. Blue light signals the brain to wake up. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that even minor exposure to blue light could slow down melatonin release. This is why people recommend turning off electronics at least three hours before sleeping. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Blue Light Cause Headaches?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/blue-light-headaches" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that blue light can worsen migraines and increase head throbbing and muscle tension. However, some researchers suggest that people prone to migraines may have nerve pathways and light receptors in their eyes that are particularly sensitive to light, so blue light may not be the culprit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effects of Blue Light on the Skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blue light can also negatively affect the skin, but some researchers have discovered specific healing properties attached to it. For example, some people use &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-skin#:~:text=Research%20shows%20blue%20light%20from,could%20also%20lead%20to%20pigmentation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blue light to treat acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, although other &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-skin#:~:text=Research%20shows%20blue%20light%20from,could%20also%20lead%20to%20pigmentation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that blue light from electronic devices can lead to rapid aging, skin cell death or swelling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While it's nice to end the day scrolling through text messages, catching up on television shows on a tablet or finishing up some work, blue light can disrupt numerous bodily functions, such as sleep, and harm your eyesight. Additionally, blue light can cause headaches and even harm the skin due to the electromagnetic waves it emits. Try to limit screen use and make sure to allot some time away from blue light before going to sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/blue_light1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/blue-light-effects/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17059</ID> <title>3 Spring Recipes to Get You in the Mood for a New Season</title> <publishDate>2022-05-21 09:58:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_358 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_402"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_417 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_447 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring is a time for renewal, the ideal moment to start eating healthier and feeling more energetic. To celebrate the arrival of a new season, we have three spring recipes that can help you get back on track after a harsh winter!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first recipe is a refreshingly light soup that skips cream for a healthier, vegan version. The second recipe is a tasty, juicy salmon with crispy skin, perfect for a dinner party! Finally, a traditional polenta dish with fresh herbs—comfort food to get you right back into spring cooking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_107"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_9479.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_9479" class="wp-image-17061" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_448 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring Recipe #1: Vegan Vegetable Soup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first recipe is a vegan light creamy soup with a delightful spring aroma. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-soup-healthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; come with numerous health benefits, including your daily needs for vitamins, minerals, plant compounds and fiber. This soup especially is packed with fresh vegetables and has a light and refreshing taste. The necessary ingredients for this vegan vegetable soup are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 onion;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 cloves of garlic;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 carrots; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 zucchini; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 potatos; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ teaspoon of thyme; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup shiitake mushrooms;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cups of vegetable broth;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons coconut cream;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;salt and pepper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To prepare the soup:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by chopping the onion and garlic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peel and chop the carrot and zucchini.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Peel and chop the potato.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add all of the vegetables to a pot.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chop the shiitake mushrooms and add them to the mixture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add the vegetable broth to cover all of the vegetables in their entirety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring everything to a boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft enough to easily be mashed with a fork. If you want your soup creamier, add 2 tablespoons of coconut cream to the soup before turning off the heat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Season with salt and pepper as needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_108"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_9408.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_9408" class="wp-image-17062" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_449 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring Recipe #2: Salmon with Crispy Skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The following recipe is for salmon with crispy skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-salmon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salmon is known to have fantastic health benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including being one of the best sources of vitamin B12. Salmon also has great amounts of vitamin D and potassium and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This salmon with crispy skin recipe is perfect for spring because it uses fresh, healthy ingredients and is quick and easy to prepare. The necessary ingredients for this recipe are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 pound of salmon filets;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;salt and pepper to taste; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 lemon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To prepare the salmon:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grease a baking sheet with olive oil. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Season the salmon filets with salt and pepper. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Place the salmon skin-side down on the baking sheet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the salmon. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bake the salmon for 10 minutes, then turn down the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue cooking for about 7-10 minutes, until it's crispy on the outside but still rosy on the inside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_109"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_9370.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_9370" class="wp-image-17060" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_450 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spring Recipe #3: Polenta with Fresh Herbs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The final recipe is a classic polenta dish with fresh herbs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319798#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Polenta&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a great gluten-free food with many benefits for your health, including being a great source of fiber, vitamin A and essential minerals: iron, magnesium and zinc. Polenta dish with fresh herbs is the perfect spring dish because it uses healthy seasonal ingredients and has a light and refreshing flavor; plus, it is easy to make! The necessary ingredients for this recipe are: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup of cornmeal;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4 cups of vegetable broth;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 tablespoon of olive oil;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;salt and pepper to taste;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To prepare the polenta:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the cornmeal, constantly whisking to prevent lumps from forming. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cook for 10 minutes or until the polenta becomes thick. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the polenta is thick, add olive oil and parsley. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Season with salt and pepper to taste.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Springtime is the perfect time to experiment with new recipes. Something about the spring makes cooking and eating fresh food so much more enjoyable, so experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your unique dishes. With these recipes, you'll be able to enjoy all that spring has to offer!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_9443.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/3-spring-recipes-to-get-you-in-the-mood-for-a-new-season/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17047</ID> <title>Rarest Health Conditions in the World</title> <publishDate>2022-05-21 09:38:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_359 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_403"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_418 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_110"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/icons8-team-6LZuSzSwso0-unsplash-e1652435066807.jpg" alt="" title="icons8-team-6LZuSzSwso0-unsplash" class="wp-image-17048" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_451 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The coronavirus has dominated the medical landscape for two years now. But COVID-19 is not the only disease we should be wary of. There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.genome.gov/FAQ/Rare-Diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than 6,800 known rare diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with unknown causes. Many of these rare diseases lack a cure or effective treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: The Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also known as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/progeria/symptoms-causes/syc-20356038#:~:text=Progeria%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;progeria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome is a progressive genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly, starting in their first two years. Babies born with the Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome appear normal at birth but manifest symptoms during their first year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Symptoms include slow growth, joint abnormalities, kidney failure, brittle, fragile bones and hair loss. The main causes of death for children with Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome are heart problems or strokes. However, some children may live up to 13 or 20 years. The Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome affects about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/08/04/5-of-the-worlds-most-ultra-rare-diseases.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one in every 8 million children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: The Stoneman Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also known as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fibrodysplasia ossificans, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the Stoneman Syndrome causes connective tissue such as tendons, muscles and ligaments to slowly turn into bone. The Stoneman Syndrome symptoms can be confused with fibrosis or cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The disease will start from the neck to the shoulders and gradually reach the lower parts of the body and the legs. People suffering from this disease find it hard to open their mouths and experience eating and speaking difficulties. No treatment options are available for this rare disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/five-rare-diseases/60001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One in two million people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are diagnosed with Stoneman Syndrome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Approximately &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.neurologylive.com/view/alice-wonderland-syndrome"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10-20%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the population are affected by the Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, which resembles the events experienced by the character of Alice in Lewis Carroll's famous story. People suffering from this disease experience &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/five-rare-diseases/60001/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;distortion of visual perception&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Kuru or Laughing Death&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This rare disease, exclusive to the Fore people of New Guinea, hit the headlines in the 1950s. Patients experienced a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/27/10.rare.diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sudden burst of maniacal laughter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Tests on the deceased showed the emergence of holes in the brain, known as swiss-cheesing. Patients begin to sway and stumble, lose the ability to stand, become cross-eyed and lose the power of speech before death.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Aquagenic Urticaria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Also known as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/27/10.rare.diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;water allergy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aquagenic Urticaria &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has affected only 30 people. This disorder occurs late in life due to a hormonal imbalance brought about by giving birth. Some patients develop a painful burning rash after drinking water or getting caught up in the rain. This disease is not strictly an allergy but a hypersensitivity to the ions found in non-distilled water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#6: Black Urine Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/five-rare-diseases/60001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alkaptonuria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or black urine disease is an inherited health condition that prevents the body from breaking down two protein building blocks or amino acids: tyrosine and phenylalanine. The result is the build-up of a homogentisic acid in the body, turning urine and parts of the body dark. People suffering from this disease have a lesser quality of life, although they can still have an average life expectancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.genome.gov/FAQ/Rare-Diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than 6,800 known rare diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; worldwide with unknown causes and ineffective treatment. Although rare, some of these diseases can affect each and every one of us. Remember to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you feel something is not right with your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/icons8-team-6LZuSzSwso0-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/rarest-health-conditions-in-the-world/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17033</ID> <title>Top 3 Reasons to Get a Rhinoplasty</title> <publishDate>2022-05-20 08:59:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_360 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_404"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_419 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_111"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/rhino2-e1652434051182.jpg" alt="" title="rhino2" class="wp-image-17034" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_452 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rhinoplasty, commonly termed a 'nose job,' is one of the most common types of facial plastic surgery procedures to change the shape of your nose by modifying the cartilage or bone. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.chicagocosmeticsurgery.com/3-common-reasons-for-getting-rhinoplasty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Society of Plastic Surgeons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, rhinoplasties are some of the top plastic surgery procedures in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of procedures performed every year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People usually undergo rhinoplasties to correct and improve the nose's appearance and change their lives with new and appropriate prominent facial features. However, these are not the only reasons why so many people consider rhinoplasties every year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: To Improve Look and Self-Confidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fixing the nasal hump, refining the tip of the nose and correcting asymmetries are primary reasons why patients opt for cosmetic rhinoplasty. But these aesthetic improvements are not the sole aim of rhinoplasty procedures. The nose plays a significant role in the overall appearance of the face. A naturally crooked, oversized or bumpy nose might hinder your self-confidence.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through rhinoplasties, people have a chance to improve their self-esteem and self-confidence with a new appearance of an ideal nose shape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: To Repair an Injured Nose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you accidentally got an injured and broken nose in the past, rhinoplasty can help you regain your nose's appearance. Injuries can happen for many reasons, such as a car accident or from playing contact sports. Injuries are frequently accompanied by discomfort, swelling, bruising and breathing problems. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://spectrumsurgical.net/blog/rhinoplasty-injury-correction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nose injury&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can cause chronic breathing problems leading to serious sinus issues or a persistent sinus infection.  It can also affect your sense of smell. As a result, you will have difficulty sleeping, throat irritation and trouble adjusting to a different climate. Sinus issues will worsen as you age, which is why rhinoplasty is the best option to fix your injured nose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: To Improve Obstructive Sleep Apnea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352090#:~:text=Obstructive%20sleep%20apnea%20occurs%20when,breathing%20is%20momentarily%20cut%20off." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obstructive sleep apnea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a sleep-related breathing disorder that causes patients to repeatedly stop and start breathing while sleeping. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healio.com/news/aesthetics/20150625/functional-rhinoplasty-alone-improves-obstructive-sleep-apnea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, rhinoplasties can improve obstructive sleep apnea by 63%.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring, mood changes, stoppage of breathing while sleeping and morning headache. A plastic surgeon can perform a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rhinoplastytoronto.ca/blog/about-rhinoplasty/can-functional-rhinoplasty-improve-my-sleep-apnea/#:~:text=Functional%20rhinoplasty%20can%20allow%20a,from%20developing%20into%20sleep%20apnea." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;functional rhinoplasty procedure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to clear the nasal passage, relieve congestion and reduce the effects of sleep apnea. If you encounter symptoms like mouth breathing, sinus infections and sinus pressure headaches, now is the best time to consult with a plastic surgeon for a rhinoplasty procedure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips on How to Prepare for Your Rhinoplasty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/rhinoplasty#preparation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;preparing for a rhinoplasty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the first step is to look for a reliable surgeon to examine your medical history and ask about any current medication and medical conditions. The consultation procedure may involve some blood or laboratory tests. Next, the surgeon will advise you on how to handle the medications or supplements. Various angles of the nose will be used for assessment. Make sure to ask about the cost of the surgery to help you assess yourself with your finances. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Is Rhinoplasty Done?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rhinoplasties are a simple procedure that can be performed in a hospital, a doctor's office or even at an outpatient surgical facility. Depending on surgery complexity, the procedure may take between one and two hours.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your surgeon will make incisions between or inside your nostrils and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about/pac-20384532#:~:text=Rhinoplasty%20may%20be%20done%20inside,and%20cartilage%20underneath%20your%20skin." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;readjust or remove the bone and cartilage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; underneath your skin. Cartilage from your rib and other parts of your body may be needed for more complex cases. After the changes are made, the surgeon will stitch the nose's skin and tissue. After a successful surgery is done, a plastic or metal split will be put on your nose to help retain its new shape while it heals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting a 'nose job' is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. The effects aren't just physical but emotional, too. So do your research about a trusted rhinoplasty surgeon before you dive into the process. You deserve to look your best and feel more confident with rhinoplasty surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/rhino3.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/top-3-reasons-to-get-a-rhinoplasty/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17026</ID> <title>Tea vs. Coffee: Which Is Better for Your Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-05-20 08:40:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_361 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_405"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_420 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_112"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/teacoffee.jpg" alt="" title="teacoffee" class="wp-image-17027" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_453 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee and tea are some of the most popular beverages in the world. Everyone has tried coffee or tea at least once in their life. You can enjoy these beverages with sugar, cold or hot, with or without caffeine — the possibilities are endless! But we have to look at the health upsides and downsides of drinking coffee and tea before deciding to become Starbucks regulars or tea aficionados. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking a Look at the Benefits of Coffee and Tea &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So many people can't imagine starting their day without a warm cup of joe or the inviting fragrance of tea. Are you on team "coffee" or team "tea"? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee and Tea Are Rich in Antioxidants &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17497435/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have shown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that both coffee and tea contain various powerful antioxidants called polyphenols (i.e., organic compounds) to avoid the additional relative clause. These antioxidants protect our organism from heart disease and prevent cancer cells from reaching the blood vessels. Antioxidants also help blood vessels relax, reducing high blood pressure and prevent cancer cells from reaching the blood vessels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight Loss Benefits &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The caffeine in coffee and polyphenols in tea can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14684395/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help burn more calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Regular caffeine intake is linked to lower body fat and weight loss. While its benefits still need to be studied, consuming black tea polyphenols can alter your organism's healthy bacteria that impact weight management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/why-does-coffee-make-you-poop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Digestion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both tea and coffee are proven laxatives. Caffeine contracts your intestine and stimulates your stomach's acid production. Drink the beverage on an empty stomach for a more powerful effect.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Energy Increase &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The only difference between coffee and tea is that coffee gives you an instant energy boost due to its increased caffeine composition. It also increases your dopamine levels for a better mood. Tea contains less caffeine but more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;L-theanine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a potent antioxidant that provides anti-stress benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Which One Is Healthier: Coffee or Tea?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28756014/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that immoderate coffee has more side effects, such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure and heart failure. Another downside coffee has is that you can get &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777290/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;addicted&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to it because of the chemical changes that the beverage produces in your brain. Keep in mind to drink coffee responsibly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of their similar health benefits, scientists can't really tell if coffee or tea is better than the other. Whichever way the choice falls depends on you. The choice between coffee and tea relies on your caffeine sensitivity and taste preferences.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your taste and caffeine sensitivity play the biggest role when choosing between coffee and tea. Both provide the same health benefits without one being healthier than the other. Be free to choose which beverage you want to drink without sleeping on it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/teacoffee.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/tea-vs-coffee-which-is-better-for-your-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17019</ID> <title>Self-Care May Relieve Joint Pain</title> <publishDate>2022-05-19 08:22:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_362 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_406"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_421 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_113"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/adrien-king-XzBluXxBoyQ-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="adrien-king-XzBluXxBoyQ-unsplash" class="wp-image-17020" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_454 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you experiencing joint pain? Soreness and muscle aches caused by joint pain may be relieved by over-the-counter medicines, but the pain could return as soon as the medicine wears off. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17752-joint-pain#:~:text=Viral%20infections%2C%20rash%2C%20or%20fever,is%20usually%20caused%20by%20overuse." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;common causes of chronic joint pains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, broken bones, sprains, viral infections, rash and inflammation of the tendons. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In some instances, joint pain can only be corrected with surgery or prescription medication. But before resorting to medical assistance, you can relieve mild joint pain by performing some simple self-care that you can do at home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At-Home Treatments for Joint Pain: Hot or Cold Therapy and Topical Treatments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try simple at-home treatments such as putting a heating pad or ice on the affected area. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-natural-relief#exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hot and cold treatments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help relieve inflammation and arthritis or joint pain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another treatment you can try at home is topical ointments that you can purchase over-the-counter. A component of some topical ointments, chili pepper, can provide warmth and soothe your joint pain. Other topical medications contain salicylates, menthol and camphor, responsible for the hot and cold sensations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Further at-home treatments include wearing a compression sleeve or bandaging the joint area. To avoid joint pain, straighten up your back when working on your computer to help align your posture and prevent excess strain on your joints, muscles and spine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise and Get More Active&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get moving and get enough exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-natural-relief#exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help you manage your weight, keep your joints flexible and strengthen the muscles around your joints. Light exercise suggestions include walking, cycling, swimming and water activities. In addition, try to add some gentle stretching exercises. Be sure to check with a doctor before you begin any exercise program.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/if-you-lose-weight-you-can-lose-joint-pain-too/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20weight%2Dinduced,and%20prevent%20further%20excess%20damage." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can lessen the strain on your joints. Although your body can't reverse arthritis or regrow cartilage, losing weight could be the key to losing joint pain. People who are overweight &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/if-you-lose-weight-you-can-lose-joint-pain-too/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20weight%2Dinduced,and%20prevent%20further%20excess%20damage." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are four or five times more likely to get arthritis in their knees&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamins and Supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some supplements, such as&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/over-counter-relief#supplements" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; glucosamine, vitamin D and fish oils&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, help relieve joint pain. Ask your doctor first about the appropriate vitamins and supplements suitable for your condition and joint pain problem.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consult with a Doctor If Self-Care Doesn't Help Your Joint Pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your physical therapist or a doctor can assist you with suitable options to ease joint pain. Your doctor will recommend a brace, cane or some orthotic device to support the joint pain and allow easy movement. Apart from these treatment modalities, your doctor may also point you towards a balanced fitness program to gradually help ease your pain and improve flexibility. For severe types of joint pains, the doctor may recommend surgery that involves joint replacement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Is the Time to See a Doctor?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is a must to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17752-joint-pain#:~:text=Viral%20infections%2C%20rash%2C%20or%20fever,is%20usually%20caused%20by%20overuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consult your doctor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if the pain is accompanied by a fever, you have an unexplained weight loss, and the pain is preventing you from walking normally. Don't let the pain interfere with your normal daily life activities! Call your doctor and schedule an appointment right away.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The starting point to joint pain treatment is seeing a doctor who will evaluate and help pinpoint the exact cause of the pain. While at home, you can start to research self-care tips and join a community of people who also suffer the same problem. You can control the pain and inflammation at the moment with self-care at home, but it is still best to get a consultation with a doctor, especially when you can't gauge the severity of your case. Your doctor can determine the proper diagnosis and recommend the best solution to your joint pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/adrien-king-XzBluXxBoyQ-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/self-care-may-relieve-joint-pain-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17010</ID> <title>Stressed? Try Decluttering Your Space</title> <publishDate>2022-05-19 08:05:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_363 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_407"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_422 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_114"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/declutter11.png" alt="" title="declutter11" class="wp-image-17011" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_455 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to health and well-being, we often focus on our own physical and mental state. But often forgotten is our environment's impact on our emotional, mental and physical well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bewell.stanford.edu/a-clean-well-lighted-place/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clutter can be a real stressor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, causing a sense of chaos. Our home is the one place where we can find comfort, safety and relaxation. A cluttered home can be the opposite of all those things.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering your space will make room for more clarity of mind and help relieve stress and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decluttering Your Space Can Make You Healthier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clutter not only makes it difficult to find what you need but can harm your health. When your surroundings are cluttered, your brain must work harder to process everything. This process can lead to anxiety, stress and even depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(18)30357-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A cluttered space can also be a breeding ground for germs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Clutter makes it difficult to keep surfaces clean and bacteria-free. Decluttering your space can help you to stay healthy and organized.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Declutter Your Space &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can achieve a decluttered space in various ways. You can start by sorting through your belongings and getting rid of anything you don't need or use or creating designated storage areas for your belongings and making a habit of putting things away after use.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be tough to let go of things we've accumulated over the years. Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you don't need or use. You'll be surprised at how much space you free up and how much lighter you feel when you're done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you have a lot of belongings, start by sorting them into categories. This approach will make it easier to decide what to keep and get rid of. Once you've sorted everything, create storage spaces for each category. Use boxes, baskets or bins to organize your belongings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best ways to help keep your space tidy is to use organizers. There are many different types of organizers that you can use, and each one can help you keep different areas of your space organized.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bin organizers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: These organizers are perfect for putting your kitchen or bathroom in order. They come in different shapes and sizes and can store everything from food to toiletries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Desk organizers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Desk organizers come in various shapes and sizes and can store everything from paper clips to pens.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Paper holders&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Paper holders are a great way to keep your papers in order. They can store letters, receipts, bills, photographs, etc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Shelves:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Shelves are perfect for storing various things in your home or office. You can get them as freestanding units or wall-mounted ones that add extra storage without taking up floor space.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Staying Organized and Keeping Your Space Clutter-Free&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a few key things to keep in mind in order to stay organized and keep your space clutter-free. First, make a habit out of putting things away as soon as you no longer use them. It's easy to let things pile up if you don't make a point to put them away.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, designate a space for everything. It would be best to have a place for your keys, clothes, paperwork, etc. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, be ruthless about getting rid of things. One of the biggest mistakes people can make is keeping everything, regardless of usage frequency. If you haven't used something in the last year, chances are you won't ever use it again. Donate or throw away anything that you haven't used in a year. It's okay to have sentimental items, but only keep those you love and use regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Clutter affects our mental state and has a physical impact on our bodies. It's time to start thinking about decluttering not just as a way to make our homes look nicer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201607/the-powerful-psychology-behind-cleanliness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but as a way to improve our health and well-being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When we take the time to declutter our space, we take care of ourselves in the best possible way.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/declutter11.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/stressed-try-decluttering-your-space/</url> </article> <article> <ID>17000</ID> <title>Activate the Life You Love</title> <publishDate>2022-05-18 07:45:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_364 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_408"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_423 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_115"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/activate6.png" alt="" title="activate6" class="wp-image-17001" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_456 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We're only given one life, and it's up to each of us to make the most of it. This might be an obvious thing to say, but we should take a moment to consider it, especially those of us who are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-the-glorification-of-busyness-impacts-our-well-being-4175360" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;so busy that we don't get a chance to sit back and reflect&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. What patterns of behavior or factors in your life are limiting you? Is your daily life made up of things you tolerate but don't enjoy? Are there things you can do to change these conditions? These questions all deserve serious thought.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are My Thoughts and Actions Limiting Me?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To make errors is human, so it doesn't make sense for us to beat ourselves up for mistakes that we've made. However, we should still spend some time reflecting on what habits we've formed that are holding us back. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the biggest limiting factors that many people can relate to is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/6-ways-to-stop-worrying-about-things-you-cant-control.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;focusing too much on things they cannot control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Whether it's decisions your boss has made, how your family members act or global news, spending too much time dwelling on these things is seldom a healthy idea. It would be one thing if you could control them, but you can't! Instead, your attention is better used on your own decisions and behavior.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to decisions we can control, we often practice self-destructive behaviors. Whether it's out of a serious sense of self-loathing or a preference for easier options, these behaviors need to be recognized and addressed to build enjoyable lives. It might be pleasant at the moment to indulge in fast food and avoidance of exercise, but these behaviors &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamesclear.com/junk-food-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;don't fit into a long-term strategy for self-improvement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Physical and emotional health are major components of a life you'll love, but fast food, lack of exercise and substance abuse will only get in the way.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Other Factors Are Keeping Me from a Life I Will Love?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about things outside of your immediate thoughts and actions? After a few moments of brainstorming the broader pieces that make up your life, you'll probably come up with two major areas: your job and your relationships. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you don't feel a sense of personal connection to your work, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/stop-doing-meaningless-work-today.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you shouldn't be surprised that your job keeps you from making your life everything it should be&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The simplest solution is to find a job that you do find meaningful, but such a significant change isn't always available.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What we can do, even without changing jobs, is remind ourselves of the value that the work brings to our lives. Why did you take on the job in the first place? Even if the answer is as straightforward as "to support myself and the people I care for," remembering your job's purpose can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://emergenetics.com/blog/workplace-appreciation-gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;profoundly impact your mindset&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Even if it's not your dream job, your current work has a place in the life you love.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For many of us, even more important is the nature of our relationships. Are they characterized by affection and peaceful interactions or by resentment and irritation? Difficult day-to-day interactions are a sign of necessary change. It might be a change within yourself or a change within the other person. The solution might be creating space between yourself and the loved one in question. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While intense situations sometimes warrant the consultation of a professional counselor or therapist, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-maintain-interpersonal-relationships-5204856" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many interpersonal relationships can be improved with an effort from the people involved&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Develop the courage to have open and honest conversations with the people you're in conflict with, and work to grow these relationships into the kind that fits into a life you enjoy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Should I Do?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We can improve our lives with some self-reflection and self-discipline. When we take the time to focus on what we can control, build healthy lifestyle habits and grow our relationships, we're well on the way to creating meaningful and fulfilling lives!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/activate2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/activate-the-life-you-love/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16990</ID> <title>Nature's Notifications: Paying Attention to the Outside World Can Remind Us to Live Healthier Lives</title> <publishDate>2022-05-18 07:20:57</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_365 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_409"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_424 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_116"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/daiga-ellaby-YnNczu62rdk-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="daiga-ellaby-YnNczu62rdk-unsplash" class="wp-image-16991" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_457 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The average person spends more time in front of a screen than doing anything else, which can negatively affect our physical and mental health. But there's one place where screens don't rule: the outdoors. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health#:~:text=These%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,reduce%20anxiety%2C%20and%20improve%20mood." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that spending time in nature is incredibly salutary for us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going outside and reducing our screen time gives us a ton of benefits. It can help reduce stress, clear our thoughts and fix our circadian rhythms.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Digital Minimalism and Walking Outside&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the book &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Digital Minimalism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by Cal Newport, there are a lot of interesting thoughts on how to make your life better by spending less time in front of screens.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Newport makes an argument for "Digital Minimalism" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;–&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the idea that we should spend less time staring at our screens and more time reading books, talking to people and walking outside.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Newport says that, in the past, it was customary for humans to spend a lot of time doing nothing at all, maybe an hour or two every day. We would have what he calls "slow time" when we could sit back and think without distractions.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking outside is a great way to get "slow time" and an excellent way to find creative ways to solve our problems. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2015/10/21/the-power-of-the-outdoor-office/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Newport&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, walking outside, along with nature's ability to fill your senses without demanding your attention, behaves akin to a performance-enhancing drug for deep work.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking over the Horizon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking over the horizon or broad vistas helps calm the mind and dramatically improve our work life. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vision-and-breathing-may-be-the-secrets-to-surviving-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Andrew Huberman&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Stanford University psychologist and ophthalmologist, looking at the horizon or a broad vista can relax us. This vision mode releases the vigilance and arousal mechanism in our brain stem.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The simple act of looking out the window can also improve your mood and decrease stress levels. The next time you feel anxious or stressed, try getting up from your desk and going to the nearest window.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For better work performance, look over the horizon instead of the computer screen all day long. Any exposure to nature can be helpful in a work environment. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0155614" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that exposure to more natural elements is associated with a more productive day at work.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going Outside First Thing in the Morning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going outside first thing in the morning is an excellent daybreak ritual. Not only does it help awaken you, but it also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/06/03/setting-your-biological-clock-reducing-stress-while-sheltering-in-place/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;helps with regulating your circadian rhythm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help us sleep at night.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your circadian rhythm is the biological clock that your body has, which dictates when you feel tired and awake. It's closely tied to your body's light cycle, so it makes sense that being exposed to more natural light in the morning can help regulate your circadian rhythm. In addition, being outside first thing in the morning can help you get a better handle on your mood for the rest of the day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being outside provides us with several benefits. It helps us reduce stress, strengthens our immune system, helps us think more clearly, resets our circadian rhythm and allows us to feel more connected to nature. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Technology can be a valuable tool in our lives, but if we don't take time to unplug every now and then, physical and mental health issues might occur. If you want to get the most out of your life, try going outside and appreciating life beyond our screens.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/benjamin-davies-Zm2n2O7Fph4-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/natures-notifications-paying-attention-to-the-outside-world-can-remind-us-to-live-healthier-lives/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16979</ID> <title>Worth 1,000 Words: The Art of Aesthetic Medicine with Dr. Barry DiBernardo, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-05-17 06:56:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_366 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_410"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_425 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_117"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Dr._Barry_DiBernardo.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Barry_DiBernardo" class="wp-image-16980" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_426 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_458 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Barry DiBernardo is the Medical Director of New Jersey Plastic Surgery in Montclair, New Jersey. He is not only one of the best plastic surgeons in the United States but also an accomplished artist. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to keep our practice at the forefront as one of the leading aesthetic plastic surgery practices in this country — &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newjerseyplasticsurgery.com/about/dr-barry-dibernardo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;striving for excellence in cosmetic procedures and in-patient care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," Dr. DiBernardo shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While working as a professional photographer in his teen years, he discovered a common thread among clients: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everyone wanted to be retouched. Adults didn't want to look the way they looked. I became interested in how people wanted to be changed," Dr. DiBernardo explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In about 1,000 words, we're going to create for you a picture of Dr. DiBernardo and how he unites science and art through his medical aesthetics practice.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_411"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_427 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_459 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Art of Science&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical aesthetics is a visual craft with the human body as its canvas. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You have to have a vision of what you're going to create at the end, not a list of cookbook steps. It's a work in progress to get that visual," Dr. DiBernardo added.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you look at a photograph, you see not only the subject and what surrounds it, but you also sense a mood, theme and unwritten message. It makes you feel something. Similarly, what a patient sees in the mirror is not only fewer wrinkles or thicker hair. They see rejuvenation and feel a renewed confidence. In the mirror, they see art.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From Dr. DiBernardo's view, "What we do is a mix of science and art. We combine the art part, changing the face and the skin, with the science and technology that make those changes possible and safe. We use a palette of ultrasound, lasers, injectables and other treatments and modalities, both surgical and non-surgical, to create sculpture on the skin, face, body, eyes or hair. It's all very visual."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://modernaesthetics.com/articles/2017-may-june/art-vs-craft-the-eye-knows" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modern Aesthetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; says of aesthetics, &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It is the art of recognizing the deeper impact that these procedures have on people; and we, as aesthetic physicians, have on the self-confidence and happiness of the patients we treat, and respecting and honoring that the impact is more profound than skin deep.”&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When he started using lasers in the early 90s, Dr. DiBernardo discovered that the physics of light coming into the camera through the lens hitting the film was exactly the same physics as light coming out of a laser and hitting the skin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“That's how I got started with lasers. That continued with research and development over the next 30 years. It's how photography and medicine came together," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Art of the Neck Lift: An Example&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DiBernardo and his team offer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newjerseyplasticsurgery.com/procedures/face/ellevate-neck-lift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MyEllevate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a minimally invasive procedure that adjusts the neck and jawline and tightens the skin for a more youthful appearance. There are no incisions or skin removal, so recovery time is brief. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It really is the culmination of many years of work toward getting a procedure to be minimally invasive and making the technology better and better. In the neck, there's fat, loose skin and muscle hanging. Using just a local anesthetic in the office, we can get a good-looking, youthful neck in about half an hour," Dr. DiBernardo shared, focusing on how MyEllevate replaces hours of surgery in a hospital.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This started with a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00451093" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;paper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; we wrote in an aesthetic journal in 1995 on minimally invasive neck lifts. As I was working on laser radiofrequency studies for skin tightening, Dr. Gregory Mueller made the neck lift less invasive. We later met and put it all together," Dr. DiBernardo continued.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This procedure has become quite popular over time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've done several hundred of these procedures. In the last year, about 165 doctors have come on board. In January, we will be training in London and Paris," Dr. DiBernardo added. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Art of Research&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to their practice, Dr. DiBernardo and his team run the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://njcrc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New Jersey Clinical Research Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. He shared that this is where the team works on innovations to move the field forward. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's ahead for Dr. DiBernardo? He says minimizing aesthetics procedures. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Energy has continued to be improved over the last 20 years with lasers, ultrasound, radio frequencies and plasma energy. Going forward, we're continuing to minimize things. We're even focusing on molecules—topical, penetrative, injected, or driven in with sound waves," Dr. DiBernardo explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another essential emerging topic is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4664309/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can restore tissues and organs affected by disease, age and injuries. It has already opened the door to new, FDA-approved therapies. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The worst situation is you do your procedure, and the moment you're done, the skin is still aging. If we can get the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin and the cells to become younger, it'll enhance and preserve the procedures we've done," Dr. DiBernardo said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Art of Benefiting Patients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever noticed something about the men who won US presidential elections? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Most of them had thick heads of hair. There was John F. Kennedy. Ronald Reagan was in his 70s, and he still had a full head of hair. The only presidents who didn't have hair were the ones who weren't elected, like Gerald Ford and Lyndon Johnson. Good hair means good confidence," Dr. DiBernardo shared.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DiBernardo shared highlights of some of his patients and their outcomes. His practice has long-term effects on the confidence and well-being of his patients which he proudly shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We had a 16-year-old patient who had lost 550 pounds and had a significant amount of hanging skin. After three surgeries, his life changed. He gives inspirational talks now. Another patient, a 15-year-old girl, had a large growth on one side of her face. After several operations, we gave her a normal look. She went on to become a nurse practitioner. We change lives and help people not only look good but feel more confident," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the science of aesthetic medicine comes the art. Dr. DiBernardo sculpts and restructures his patients' bodies to function better, look more youthful and unburden themselves of uncertainties and anxieties. He is happy to be the artist that makes that happen. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a practicing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bdphotographics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;photographer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. DiBernardo captures the beauty of nature around the world. As a doctor, he captures the natural beauty of his patients and brings it to the surface. For over 30 years, Dr. DiBernardo has enjoyed great success in aesthetic medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is an accomplished scientist. But he is also a great artist&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Dr._Barry_DiBernardo.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/worth-1000-words-the-art-of-aesthetic-medicine-with-dr-barry-dibernardo-md-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16971</ID> <title>A Checklist to Happiness</title> <publishDate>2022-05-17 06:37:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_367 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_412"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_428 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_118"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/notebook.png" alt="" title="notebook" class="wp-image-16972" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_460 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The catchy and upbeat tune emanates from the radio, instantly bringing to the listener's mind the lyrics to follow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Lately, I've been, I've been thinking, I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Marshmello and Bastille's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Happier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, released in 2018, is a well-known song whose tune and words are familiar to the preponderance of teens and young adults. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Happier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; holds widespread appeal because it echoes a profound truth about humanity: daily, we are engaged in a search for happiness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite this quest for happiness as a recurring theme throughout history and existing as an ever-present worry, humanity has yet to identify the universal holy grail that ensures happiness. But you can still take many small steps to improve your happiness, particularly in the realms of physical and emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Well-Being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise can do absolute wonders for physical well-being and overall happiness. Living an active lifestyle has time and time again been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.athletico.com/2018/04/09/exercise-really-make-happy/#:~:text=When%20we%20exercise%2C%20the%20body,that%20cause%20stress%20and%20anxiety.&amp;amp;text=Among%20the%20chemicals%20released%20are,to%20pain%20and%20depression%20emotions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;linked to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; decreased depression, improved health and an increase in happiness. On a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.athletico.com/2018/04/09/exercise-really-make-happy/#:~:text=When%20we%20exercise%2C%20the%20body,that%20cause%20stress%20and%20anxiety.&amp;amp;text=Among%20the%20chemicals%20released%20are,to%20pain%20and%20depression%20emotions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;scientific&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; level, the body releases chemicals such as serotonin, endorphins and dopamine with exercise, relieving stress and elevating overall contentment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's the beautiful thing about exercise: there are so many ways to go about it! Hate running? Then don't do it! Swimming, rowing, elliptical, jump rope and a myriad of other exercises can get the heart pumping and achieve that cardio goal just as easily. Exercise can and should be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-relationships/201503/5-simple-secrets-happier-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fun&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, not merely advantageous. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Healthy Eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cutting out unhealthy foods or opting for healthier alternatives makes the body happy and positively affects the brain! Diets that include lots of trans fats, sugar and overly processed foods result in an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2019/01/26/food-makes-you-happy-a-healthy-diet-improves-mental-health/?sh=3a341ba326f8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;imbalanced gut microbiome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, elevating the risk for physical and mental health issues. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2019/01/26/food-makes-you-happy-a-healthy-diet-improves-mental-health/?sh=3a341ba326f8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted in 2017 indicates that taking steps to improve one's nutritional health may be more meaningful than companionship for those struggling with mental health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Sleep &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep quality and consistency are undoubtedly linked to happiness. Most adults should be striving to get &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.happier.com/blog/the-magic-of-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7-9 hours&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of sleep per night to avoid irritability, negative thought patterns and focus difficulties. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's not just how much sleep a person gets, but also when they sleep. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.happier.com/blog/the-magic-of-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that people struggled with "repetitive negative thoughts" when they didn't get 7-9 hours of sleep, and even if they met that threshold but went to sleep later in the night, they still struggled. Heading to bed early and getting 7-9 hours of shut-eye can help stop those negative thoughts and contribute to overall happiness!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emotional Well-Being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Intentional Relationships&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During tough seasons of life, it can be tempting to retreat within oneself, alienating those closest to you. It is vital to head off this pattern early; engaging in intentional and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/315636" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;meaningful relationships&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can do wonders for happiness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/relationships-happiness-well-being-life-lessons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that followed 724 men over 75 years determined that positive relationships are potentially the single greatest contributing factor to emotional well-being. Being &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/relationships-and-happiness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intentional&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; about these relationships is equally important. Vulnerable self-disclosure and constructive response will help relationships withstand the test of time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Fulfilling Activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For type-A workaholics, taking a break and prioritizing alone time calls for an incredible amount of willpower. Make sure you do it! Engaging in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/315636" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fulfilling activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help one feel more accomplished and enthusiastic. These vary from person to person but can look like any number of things: sports, hiking, painting, photography, singing, etc.!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Practicing Gratitude&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you heard of a gratitude journal? It turns out it might be more than just a feel-good exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown that those who focus on and document things that they're grateful for report being happier and also pay fewer visits to the doctor than those who focus on downsides. Regularly practicing gratitude positively affects personal gratitude, physical well-being, and interpersonal &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relationships&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your Checklist&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While the positive benefits of these six emphases are firmly founded in science, they certainly aren't the only ways to improve physical and emotional well-being. Spend some time researching, self-reflecting and speaking to mentors to build your own checklist to improve happiness! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/checklist.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/a-checklist-to-happiness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16958</ID> <title>Rooting Your Calm: How Gardening Can Renew Your Inner Peace</title> <publishDate>2022-05-16 06:12:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_368 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_413"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_429 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_119"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/roots-e1652423457613.jpg" alt="" title="roots" class="wp-image-16959" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_461 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening is a beautiful hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/gardening-just-twice-a-week-improves-wellbeing-and-relieves-stress/#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20indicates%20that,wellbeing%20and%20lower%20stress%20levels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is an activity that offers relaxation and renewal, stress relief, tension release&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and so many other benefits. It can help you bond with nature or spend some time alone in quiet contemplation of life's mysteries, both natural and spiritual. These moments of contemplation in the garden can bring about inner peace.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening as Meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention on one thing. It can be a sound, an image or even a feeling. By doing this, you become more aware of what's happening in the present moment and more able to let go of the negative thoughts and feelings that cause stress and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditation is about slowing down and paying attention to the present moment. It's about being able to detach yourself from the constant, non-stop chatter in your head and focus on what's happening right now.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254256300_A_Pilot_Study_of_the_Benefits_of_Traditional_and_Mindful_Community_Gardening_For_Urban_Older_Adults'_Subjective_Well-Being" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening is the perfect place to practice meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because you have to slow down, be present, and think carefully about what you are doing. Gardening will give you a sense of purpose, calmness and mindfulness. It will also allow you to feel a deeper connection with your food by growing it yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Practice Meditation in the Garden&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20522508/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meditation while gardening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is one of the best ways to achieve inner peace and help you deal with negative feelings. It will help you release stress and become more grounded. By regularly meditating in the garden, you will develop a sense of peace and calm to help you throughout your day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focus on the sights and sounds of the garden and calm your mind. You will be amazed at how the little things that we take for granted in our lives can help us so much when it comes to stress and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you are out gardening, get into the habit of looking at the world around you with new eyes. What is growing? How tall is it? Is there anything else that you can see or smell? By using all of your senses, you are not only engaging in an activity that you enjoy, but you are also developing a better understanding of the world around you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Be mindful while doing each gardening activity, while digging, pruning, watering and harvesting. Be aware of your movements, actions and sensations, as well as the smells around you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Earthing/Grounding through Gardening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://gardencollage.com/heal/mind-spirit/everything-need-know-earthing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Earthing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, also known as grounding, has been around for centuries. The concept is simple: it's the act of connecting to the Earth itself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's much more to grounding than just walking barefoot. You can reap plenty of health benefits from being grounded: reduced inflammation and pain, improved sleep quality, stress and anxiety prevention and boosted energy levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With grounding as your practice, you will feel more connected to your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Grounding exercises are an excellent way to allow yourself to experience being present at any time of day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combining grounding with meditation will enhance the effects of the time spent gardening. It allows your body to release tension and makes it easier for you to let go of any negative feelings or thoughts causing stress or anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Try and create a plan for your garden that is reasonable to accomplish. Don't overwork yourself with too many things at once, or you will become overwhelmed and derail from the purpose of gardening. Instead, do a little bit each day so that your garden becomes your sanctuary from your hectic life. By adding a little meditation to your gardening, you can reap the benefits of becoming more calm and relaxed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/moreroots.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/rooting-your-calm-how-gardening-can-renew-your-inner-peace/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16948</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-05-16 05:50:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_369 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_414"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_430 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_120"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/alina-karpenko-VP1YuuSnmVQ-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="alina-karpenko-VP1YuuSnmVQ-unsplash" class="wp-image-16949" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_462 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you ever wondered about the process of planting and growing your very own avocado tree, this article will help you get started. Besides the amazing taste, avocados can bring surreal benefits to our health. So why not plant an avocado seed in your own garden or even in a clay pot? Not only will you finally have your personal avocado tree, but the beautiful scenery it brings alongside will make it all worth it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Path from Seed to Tree&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Growing your own avocado tree calls for patience. An avocado tree can take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado#Propagation_and_rootstocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;around five years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to grow enough and start producing the fruit. Are you ready to start growing your very own avocado tree? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;First Steps &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take an avocado seed and four toothpicks. Find the middle of the seed around its circumference. Poke and insert the toothpick about ¼ to ½ inches. Take the rest of the toothpicks and repeat the process, keeping in mind to place them at an equal distance from each other. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take your seed and place it over a glass filled with water. The toothpicks should be holding the seed dangling with just 1 inch of its bottom (the flat part) in the water. Give the seed some time to grow its roots by putting the glass in direct sunlight. Don’t forget to fill in the water that the seed will consume. Around every four to five days, you will need to change the water completely. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When the stem grows to around 6 to 7 inches tall, cut it in half. This process will let the plant focus its energy on growing.The stem should grow to around 6 to 7 inches tall after eight weeks. If not, you will need to restart the process with another seed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Planting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the plant grows multiple leaves and roots, you can finally take the seed and plant it in potting soil. The pot needs to be 10-inch-wide and have drainage holes. Don't forget to leave the top half of the seed uncovered. Water the plant deeply every time you feel the soil is dry until you can see the water running out through the drainage holes. Always keep the plant in partial sunlight, so the leaves don't burn. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The tree &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bhg.com/gardening/how-to-garden/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;needs to be pruned regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Each time the plant grows 6 inches, remove the top two sets of leaves. As it reaches 12 inches, trim it back to 6 inches and from 18 inches to 12 inches, and so on.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking Care of the Plant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fertilizing the plant with zinc and nitrogen during the summertime is necessary.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yellow leaves mean the plant has been overwatered, and it needs some time to dry. Always keep in mind the temperature of the environment where the tree is kept. The avocado tree, originating from Mexico, is in much need of warmth (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://californiaavocado.com/how-to/how-to-grow-your-own-avocado-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nothing less than 60°F&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Health Benefits of Avocados&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides the delicious taste and gorgeousness, avocados come with various health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Outstanding Source of Nutrients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some of the nutrients the avocado fruit holds are magnesium, folate, vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B2 which are some of the essentials lacking in many people's diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Wise Choice during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of its large number of nutrients, the avocado fruit is a very clever choice to consume during pregnancy. As we all know, pregnancy requires as many vitamins as possible for a smooth sail. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Body, Healthy Mind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you choose to follow a diet rich in fiber and vitamins, adding avocado to the list is a clever choice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hassavocadoboard.com/research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have found that avocados intensify weight loss and lower belly fat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395617305927?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; show that there is an existent link between folate levels (i.e., vitamin B in charge of metabolizing amino acids) and depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5601299/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Folate helps prevent the homocysteine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, common amino acids we obtain from eating meat) buildup. The excessive accumulation of homocysteine can prevent the production of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals that influence our mood, sleep schedule and appetite.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Thought &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you decide to embark on the adventure of growing an avocado tree, keep in mind that an exciting journey lies ahead of you. It is quite thrilling to watch an avocado tree grow. The rewarding feeling you will experience when the first avocado fruit appears is priceless!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/avo1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/health-benefits-of-an-avocado-how-to-grow-them/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16938</ID> <title>3 Ways Houseplants Improve Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-05-15 04:50:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_370 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_415"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_431 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_121"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/plants5.jpg" alt="" title="plants5" class="wp-image-16941" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_463 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping a houseplant isn't only a good hobby that will add beauty to any indoor space. Aside from the aesthetics, houseplants can also benefit your mental health. Plants are more than just decor or a hobby to keep; caring for them can give you a sense of purpose and help you destress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a study, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://getgrowingfoundation.org/blog/mental-and-emotional-health-benefits-of-indoor-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;active interaction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress. Taking care and nurturing houseplants involves our senses, especially touch and smell. Aside from this, houseplants can enhance your mental and emotional health in three fundamental ways. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Houseplants Reduce Anxiety and Depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The soil that keeps our indoor plants happy and thriving is rich with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://permaculture.com.au/why-gardening-makes-you-happy-and-cures-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mycobacterium vaccae&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a bacterium that can trigger the release of serotonin. The more serotonin our brain releases, the less stressed and prone to depression we feel. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Focus and Memory Retention&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoying the presence of nature produces a calming effect and helps us stay sharp. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.homeispenrose.com/blog/studies-show-houseplants-improve-your-mental-health-wellness#:~:text=Natural%20environments%20produce%20a%20calming,research%20project%20showed%20(Sewach)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from the University of Michigan, being around houseplants can improve memory retention by as much as 20%. The mere presence of plants in a workspace boosts one's ability to maintain attention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Increased Productivity and Creativity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Houseplants have been proven to aid in concentration, increase productivity, and boost well-being by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2519437/Houseplants-make-workers-40-productive-creative.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;47%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening Can Make You Happy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening and maintaining houseplants can do wonders for your well-being. This hobby involves digging and touching the soil with bare hands with the outcome of lifting your spirits. And, when harvest time comes, you will get excited with the produce of your labor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do Houseplants Purify the Air?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Putting any indoor plant in a room can improve the ambiance, but do plants act as air purifiers? Houseplants are usually advertised or understood as natural air purifiers. The science behind this is the effect of plants on our air quality through &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/do-indoor-plants-purify-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;photosynthesis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Plants convert the carbon dioxide we exhale. Therefore, houseplants can provide a promising solution to indoor air pollution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indoor harmful pollutants include trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and ammonia, which can cause dizziness, headaches, irritations and liver damage in high amounts. Some plants can help remove these pollutants, such as peace lilies, chrysanthemums and snake plants. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants can boost our mental health and make us feel better. Being amongst nature and greenery is relaxing and calming to the senses. Taking care of houseplants can also remove the harmful pollutants in the air.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping and maintaining houseplants is just more than a hobby. They can make a significant impact on people's quality of life. So, dig the soil and feel happy with your houseplants!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Houseplantscover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/3-ways-houseplants-improve-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16930</ID> <title>Spring Is in the Air! So Is Pollen: An Interview with Dr. Priya Bansal, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-05-15 04:25:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_371 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_416"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_432 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_122"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Dr._Priya_bw.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Priya_bw" class="wp-image-16931" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_433 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_464 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  ~ Benjamin Franklin&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are dozens of online videos of trees flinging massive clouds of yellow-green pollen into the air. Just looking at it will make an allergic person's eyes itch as they cower in a corner, clinging to a bottle of antihistamine and a box of tissues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are doctors in the world like Dr. Priya Bansal, MD, who not only treats your allergies but also puts in the time and effort to establish a relationship with and educate you and your family. She encourages the patient's active participation in their treatment choices.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I love working with both adults and children," she said. "With allergies, you have multiple family members who all see you. So, we work with the whole family."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bansal practices at her Asthma and Allergy Wellness Center in St. Charles, Illinois. An accomplished physician, she was recently elected to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aaaai.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Allergy Asthma &amp;amp; Immunology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; board of directors. She is also on the faculty of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_417"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_434 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_465 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dealing with Spring Allergies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;About &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-manage-spring-allergies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;20% of people have allergies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; ranging from mildly annoying to severe and debilitating. As a result, Dr. Bansal typically sees a long list of symptoms as she works with her patients to identify triggers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Mainly, we see nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itching, phlegm and postnasal drip. We might also see coughing, wheezing and itchy, watery, red or swollen eyes. Some have skin rashes or irritation, too," Dr. Bansal explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Causes Allergic Reactions?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common spring allergen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is pollen from trees and other plants. These tiny particles sometimes travel miles through the air to find other plants to fertilize. Some particles end up in your nose instead of a lovely tree on the other side of town. The immune system decides this means war and sends antibodies to fight the enemy. Unfortunately, this process causes the release of histamines, the culprit behind many of those unpleasant symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Are Allergies Diagnosed?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors often &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;test for allergies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by applying potential allergens to the surface of or under the skin. If a small red bump forms, there may be an allergy to that allergen. They may also use a blood test. But it's just as important to talk to the patient. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I try to focus on talking to them to figure out what the trigger is," Dr. Bansal said. "Sometimes, when talking about their history, they reveal that trigger. They say, 'I'm really bad in the spring and fall.' At that point, I have a suspicion that it might be trees or weeds. But it could be multiple things, so we still do the skin test."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With results in hand, Dr. Bansal can proceed to treatment, education and prevention measures.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_418"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_435 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_123"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/flowers2.png" alt="" title="flowers2" class="wp-image-16932" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_466 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Allergy Treatments&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Over-the-Counter Treatment Modalities&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can stand transfixed in a supermarket or drug store and be overwhelmed by the number of available over-the-counter (OTC) medications on the shelves. But if you can manage to find the right one, this is often all you need. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays—saline or steroid—that we recommend," Dr. Bansal said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Antihistamines and Decongestants&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Antihistamines reduce histamines and the accompanying symptoms. Decongestants reduce the swelling that promotes congestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Nasal Irrigation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Using a neti pot or squeeze bottle, you send a warm saline solution into your sinuses to rinse out allergens and accumulated mucus and remove what is causing the irritation. There is less nose-blowing, so less wear and tear on your sinuses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prescription and Stronger Treatment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, the OTC treatments aren't strong enough.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If patients come in saying, 'I've tried everything. I'm miserable,' then we may try allergy immunotherapy -sublingual or allergy shots," Dr. Bantal said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This immunotherapy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-manage-spring-allergies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces your sensitivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to the allergen. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Surgery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If allergies are severe or recur, there may be an underlying medical condition or sinus damage that needs to be fixed.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"These patients may be referred to an otolaryngologist, an ear, nose, and throat doctor. For example, I've seen children where they're turbinates are so swollen. The congestion may come from enlarged adenoids that need to be surgically removed. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis may be worsened to a deviated septum, polyps or other structural problems that require surgery," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;An Ounce of Prevention&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Changing Your Environment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatment can also involve adjusting your environment to reduce exposure to allergens. This is where the patient can get involved. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We delve into the patient's history," Dr. Bansal said. "Then we talk about avoidance or modification. For example, if dust mites are a problem, I might recommend pillow and mattress covers, washing the sheets in hot water once a week, and running an air purifier all day and night."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bansal recommends preventive environmental changes for spring allergies. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Close your bedroom windows at night to keep the pollen out. If you've spent time outside, take a shower when you come home to wash pollen off," Dr. Bansal recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;monitor your area's pollen levels online or via television&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, avoid lawn mowing or gardening, use high-quality filters for your air conditioning or stay inside as much as possible. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Early Intervention&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bansal emphasizes starting treatment early before spring allergy symptoms pile up. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Starting your medication two to four weeks in advance can help prevent more severe attacks. During the season, it's more bearable, and you can take less medicine. You don't want to start when you're already miserable. By that point, the cascade of symptoms is already going," Dr. Bansal explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Bansal considers it her mission to educate her patients to play a critical role in their own health. An informed patient can participate in selecting the best treatment options, change their environment to reduce exposure to allergens and understand and use prevention measures, such as beginning their medication regimen before the official spring allergy season begins. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I am proud of the relationships that I have established with my patients… I am focused on maintaining their trust and confidence, and I look forward to establishing lasting relationships with every patient I meet," Dr. Bansal said &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.priyabansal.com/about-us.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;on her website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She is excited about the explosion of innovation in the allergy field, but it's the relationship building and education that matter most. These are the keys to effective prevention and better health. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Dr._Priya_bw.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/spring-is-in-the-air-so-is-pollen-an-interview-with-dr-priya-bansal-md-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16906</ID> <title>How COVID-19 Vaccines Are Affecting Menstrual Cycles</title> <publishDate>2022-05-08 09:48:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_372 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_419"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_436 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_124"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/vaxcover.jpg" alt="" title="vaxcover" class="wp-image-16907" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_467 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since 2021, when widespread COVID-19 vaccinations began, multiple cases of women with painful cramps, delayed periods and other changes in their menstrual cycles were reported. Right away, researchers looked into the matter and found a correlation between the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-linked-to-menstrual-cycle-changes-11643902386" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19 shots and menstrual cycles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But how do COVID-19 vaccinations affect the menstrual cycle and how severe are the symptoms?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is the Menstrual Cycle?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The monthly set of changes that a woman's body goes through in preparation for a potential pregnancy is known as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;menstrual cycle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The ovaries release an egg once a month in a process called ovulation. If ovulation occurs but the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining sheds via the vaginal opening. This is the start of a menstrual cycle. As a female, you can track your start date and end date every month of your menstrual cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19 Vaccine on Menstrual Cycle: The Effects Are Temporary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Menstrual periods did shift after being vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/health/covid-vaccine-menstrual-cycles.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;published study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The authors found that women had slightly longer menstrual periods after receiving the vaccination than those who were not. Some women reported late periods, while others reported heavier and painful bleeding. Some women who hadn't had a period in years said they had menstruated again and reported exceptionally high flows and breakthrough bleeding. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The COVID-19 immunization can alter menstrual cycle timing. However, women's minds should be at ease; the side effects are temporary, similar to a sore arm rather than a significant adverse occurrence, and shouldn't deter women from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/06/1070796638/covid-vaccine-periods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;getting vaccinated&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Relationship between the Immune System and the Reproductive System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical experts are still baffled as to why the menstrual alterations occur. Some researchers pointed towards the link between the immune system and the reproductive system as the primary cause. Given this link, it's likely that stimulating the immune system through vaccination could alter a person's cycles, though only for a short time.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each human body organ belongs to 1 of 10 human body systems: circulatory, respiratory, nervous, muscular, skeletal, digestive, endocrine, immune or lymphatic, integumentary and reproductive. These &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://reverehealth.com/live-better/how-body-systems-connected/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;body systems are intertwined&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and work together to maintain internal stability and equilibrium, often known as homeostasis. However, homeostasis can be disrupted by disease in one body system, causing problems in other bodily systems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, if you contract the AIDS virus, which damages your immune system, you may develop pneumonia in your lungs and a yeast infection in your reproductive system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Does the Research at Oregon Health and Science University Say?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-covid-19-vaccines-affect-menstrual-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oregon Health and Science University&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; researchers in Portland, led by Alison Edelman, analyzed anonymized data from thousands of women who used the Natural Cycles fertility tracking app to record details about their menstrual cycles regularly. 2,403 of the 3,959 women who took part in the study were vaccinated, while 1,556 were not. The majority of people received Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women who got one dose of COVID-19 vaccination during a single menstrual cycle experienced a slight increase in cycle length of just over half a day on average. Those who received two vaccine doses during the same menstrual cycle had a two-day increase in cycle duration, while 10% of these women had a cycle length shift of eight days or greater. However, these side effects were immediately restored to normal during the following cycles, indicating that they were just transient.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The researchers found no population-level clinically relevant change in menstrual cycle length linked with COVID-19 vaccination. The researchers noted that the rise they detected was within the range of normal fluctuation—most women wouldn't notice if their period arrived half a day later than usual.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The findings confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccinations would have no significant impact on women's menstrual cycles. There's no reason to believe that such minor alterations in the menstrual cycle would impact fertility.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vaccination's side effects on women are just temporary. No hard evidence has yet been established that vaccinations affect menstruation and fertility. So, ease your fears about menstrual cycles and the COVID-19 vaccine!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/vaxcover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-covid-19-vaccines-are-affecting-menstrual-cycles/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16897</ID> <title>Healthy Aging: 3 Diet Changes Women over 50 Should Make</title> <publishDate>2022-05-07 09:14:26</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_373 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_420"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_437 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_125"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/women1.png" alt="" title="women1" class="wp-image-16899" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_468 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy eating should always be central to those seeking to protect their well-being and the integrity of their physical body. But, as they age, people leave their peak fitness years behind. Without the constant peer pressure and concrete athletic goals to provide accountability, the older demographic can lack the structure and guidance that encourages healthy eating. Additionally, the diets recommended for older adults are different from those recommended for athletes or young adults. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Older adults have different goals at different ages and stages in life, naturally resulting in different steps and diet choices to reach those goals.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strengthen Bones with Calcium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As age increases, so does the possibility of certain health complications, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;osteoporosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which causes bones to become fragile and susceptible to fractures. Because bones are a form of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tissue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; whose cells must be regularly replenished to maintain integrity, making dietary changes to aid the body in keeping pace with the rate of cell replacement is essential. Calcium plays a large part in this. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The average older adult actively &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6765074/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;loses bone mass&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; due to a negative calcium balance. Women are particularly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/3-diet-changes-women-over-50-should-make-right-now/art-20457589" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;at risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for developing osteoporosis, with one in three women over 50 in danger of bone breaks. Although forms of dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) are well-known forms of calcium, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/15-calcium-rich-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_12" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many others&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including seeds, canned salmon, beans and lentils, almonds and leafy greens, can supplement your calcium intake.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintain Muscle Mass with Protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The fancy medical term for losing muscle mass with age is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/preserve-your-muscle-mass#:~:text=Age%2Drelated%20muscle%20loss%2C%20called,muscle%20mass%20during%20their%20lifetimes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sarcopenia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This process is normal as we age. After 30, doctors estimate that people begin losing 3-5% of muscle mass every 10 years. This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/preserve-your-muscle-mass#:~:text=Age%2Drelated%20muscle%20loss%2C%20called,muscle%20mass%20during%20their%20lifetimes."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decreased muscle mass&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; increases the risk of falls and injuries and diminishes mobility. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thankfully, our bodies can rebuild muscle mass. One simple way to achieve this is by eating more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ndtv.com/health/5-protein-rich-foods-that-can-help-you-gain-muscles-and-lose-weight-2178587" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high-protein foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as eggs, nuts and seeds, soy foods, quinoa and salmon. The amount of protein one should add to their diet depends on weight. For women over 50, add &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/3-diet-changes-women-over-50-should-make-right-now/art-20457589" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1-1.5 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; per kilogram of weight (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protect Brain Function with Vitamin B-12&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with muscle mass and bone integrity, brain function suffers with age. Parts of the brain begin to shrink, fewer synaptic connections form, myelin loss occurs and the brain creates fewer neurotransmitters. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319185#Normal-brain-aging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can contribute to slower processing, reduced cognitive function and decreased dopamine and serotonin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/3-diet-changes-women-over-50-should-make-right-now/art-20457589" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin B-12&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which helps preserve healthy red blood cells and the brain, is a diet-essential nutrient for maintaining brain function and slowing this decline. Most women over 50 are advised to consume &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/3-diet-changes-women-over-50-should-make-right-now/art-20457589" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2.4 micrograms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of protein a day, found in eggs, milk, lean meats, fish, cereals and grains. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aging is an inevitable part of life. With aging comes a whole host of new challenges, obstacles and difficulties, such as weakening bones, loss of muscle mass and brain function decline. However, what is not inevitable is the rate at which these difficulties develop. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By talking to a doctor, conducting some research and making wise diet choices, such as implementing calcium, protein and vitamin B-12, you can stay strong and sharp long after the age of 50!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/women1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/healthy-aging-3-diet-changes-women-over-50-should-make/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16882</ID> <title>Women, Here Are the Best Exercises for Losing Weight!</title> <publishDate>2022-05-07 08:44:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_374 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_421"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_438 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_126"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hiit2-1.jpg" alt="" title="hiit2" class="wp-image-16890" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_469 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The market is flooded with exercises that claim to be the best exercises for losing weight. But which ones actually work? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best Exercises for Losing Weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Strength Training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strength training is a form of physical exercise that uses resistance to work the muscles. It can be performed with free weights, weight machines, bodyweight exercises and even elastic bands. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of strength training for women are well documented in research. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/86/3/566/4754063" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that strength training helps with preventing gains in percentage body fat and intra abdominal fat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strength training increases muscle mass, bone density and lean body mass while decreasing fat mass and body fat percentage. Strength training will not only help you lose weight but also provide you with the ability to perform more physically demanding activities such as running or climbing stairs easily. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIIT is a form of exercise that alternates between short bursts of intense anaerobic exercise and low-intensity exercise or rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIIT is more effective than traditional cardio for weight loss in women. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991639/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown HIIT to be far more effective than steady-state exercise, especially with overweight individuals. HIIT burns more calories during and after the workout, thus burning more fat and delivering better results in the long run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cycling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indoor or outdoor cycling is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss for women that helps with muscle building and toning while burning fat. Cycling doesn't put excessive strain on the joints and can be done at any age or fitness level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cycling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been found to provide many health benefits. It can not only help you lose weight but also improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and tone, and bone density. Plus, cycling doesn't strain the joints as much as running does.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1174469.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on indoor cycling classes has shown how cycling positively alters women's body composition. A stationary bike is also a cost-effective way to exercise at home, as you can use it in your living room or basement instead of having to go out and buy expensive equipment or join a gym.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's also great for people with injuries or joint pain who can't do other types of exercises since it doesn't put any strain on your joints.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hiking&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6993091/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a low-cost way to reap health benefits. One such benefit is that hiking can help you burn more calories than walking or jogging. When you hike, your body needs to use more energy and move in different ways. Dealing with different terrains creates variety and prevents boredom with the exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A second benefit of hiking for weight loss is that it helps strengthen muscles and joints while providing an enjoyable form of exercise that's often easier on the joints than running or other high-impact sports.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Swimming&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that can help in weight loss because of the intense and constant movement of the body. Swimming helps burn more calories than walking, jogging, cycling or any other aerobic exercises. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(10)00054-5/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the Metabolism journal has shown swimming to be more effective in weight loss than walking. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best exercises for losing weight can be performed with the least amount of equipment. It is essential for women to find a workout that they enjoy and can stick with in order to see long-term success. Women should try different workout types until they find one that works for them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/womenweight1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/women-here-are-the-best-exercises-for-losing-weight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16874</ID> <title>Closing the Health Gap between Men and Women</title> <publishDate>2022-05-06 16:15:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_375 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_422"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_439 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_127"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/menwomencover2.jpg" alt="" title="menwomencover2" class="wp-image-16876" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_470 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although the standard of life and average life expectancy have increased across the globe, the gap between the life expectancy for the average man and woman has increased. Generally, women outlive men in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prb.org/resources/around-the-globe-women-outlive-men/#:~:text=Biological%20differences%20also%20help%20to,stronger%20immune%20systems%20than%20men." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most countries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; around the globe, regardless of development level. This reality is especially true in the United States, where the health gap between men and women has increased over the past 100 years, from women living an average of two years longer in 1900 to roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;five years longer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in 2017. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The explanation for this apparent health gap is not due to men receiving less health care than women in the United States. On the contrary, health care provision has gotten much better over the last 100 years. Instead, researchers point to biological, behavioral and social factors. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Biological&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men and women differ from a biological perspective. Some researchers believe that male and female hormone differences may help explain why women generally live longer. Estrogen, a hormone more prominent in women than men, has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prb.org/resources/around-the-globe-women-outlive-men/#:~:text=Biological%20differences%20also%20help%20to,stronger%20immune%20systems%20than%20men." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;linked to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reducing cholesterol's circulatory levels and combating heart disease. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, testosterone has not been linked to such positive effects. Instead, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5538099/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;testosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been associated with a weakened immune system and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A study of Korean eunuchs found that castrated men, thus producing less testosterone, were likely to live about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5538099/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;14 to 19 years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; longer than uncastrated men. However, low testosterone levels &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5538099/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have been associated&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with heart disease. Testosterone is not necessarily a harmful hormone, but unlike estrogen, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5538099/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it does not serve a protective&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; function that elongates one's life. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Behavioral&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men have more behavioral influences to shorten their lives. They are much more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, drinking and being overweight, all of which can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5538099/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;negatively impact&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your life expectancy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In other countries, the disparity caused by such habits can be highly significant. For example, in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20151001-why-women-live-longer-than-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Russia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where men heavily drink and smoke, men die 13 years earlier than women. While these behavioral factors are not the only thing driving this health gap, it's clear that they're a major contributing factor. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Social&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous social factors contribute to women living longer than men. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stressful and dangerous work environments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are more prevalent for men than for women. Stress from such work environments increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Additionally, traits typically associated with men, such as type A behavior, stress, hostility and aggression, have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;linked to heart disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men have weaker social support systems which can contribute to the health gap. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lack of strong interpersonal relationships and support networks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can increase one's risk of developing conditions from the common cold to heart disease. Women often have larger and stronger social support networks and are often more in touch with fellow women than men are with other men. Such factors could help contribute to female longevity while explaining why men typically lag. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Can We Do to Close the Gap?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is no simple solution to the health gap between men and women. However, by following some simple health rules and trying to live the healthiest, you can reduce the gap as much as possible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The main things to keep in mind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Completely avoiding tobacco; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating a good diet; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding overly risky behavior; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing stress; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting enough sleep; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seeing your doctor regularly for checkups. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While these behaviors won't necessarily boost your life expectancy past the health gap, they can give you the best chance to live the longest life possible. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health gap between men and women is still being researched and understood by researchers. While there is not much anyone can do to overcome this gap, it is a sobering reminder of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Knowing about this gap may not cause you to change your lifestyle dramatically, but it should give you an idea of how important it is to eat healthily, exercise regularly and avoid stress and harmful behaviors.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/menwomencover2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/closing-the-health-gap-between-men-and-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16864</ID> <title>The Best Dating Apps for Women to Try</title> <publishDate>2022-05-06 15:45:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_376 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_423"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_440 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_128"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2.png" alt="" title="2" class="wp-image-16865" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_471 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gone are the days when men used to serenade women with love songs and woo them with shiny gifts and flowers. With the rise of online dating, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;love at first sight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is more likely to be replaced with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;love at first swipe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But like with everything else, online dating has its pros and cons. One friend might be planning her June wedding with the guy she met on Tinder two years ago, while another one might be traumatized by the "hot single doctor slash rugby player" who turned out to be a catfish. But hey, are you really going to let your friend's online dating horror story stop you from trying out these awesome dating apps listed below? Who knows? You might find your one true match!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hinge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever heard of an app that's designed to be deleted? Well, now you have. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hinge.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hinge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a dating app for people who are sick of dating apps and want to find real love. If you're skeptical, here's something to ease your mind - Hinge reports that 3 out of 4 people who matched on the app want to go on a second date.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's more to just looking at pictures on someone's profile on Hinge. This app collects data through a "machine learning algorithm," which selects one person a day as your "Most Compatible." This data is based on the unique answers and quotes on a person's profile, ranging from their favorite TV show to their political stance. Hinge's newest feature also allows its users to leave voice memos, allowing their personalities to shine through even more. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bumble&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ladies, the ball is in your court this time. In &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bumble.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bumble&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, women have to make the first move and send a message to the person they matched within 24 hours, or else the match disappears! Bumble's CEO Whitney Wolf Herd designed it this way to give back the power to women. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bumble has also expanded to cater to same-sex and heterosexual couples. It also proves to be more than just a dating app with Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF, where you can connect with like-minded folks and form a platonic relationship as business partners or travel buddies. With all these cool features, it's no surprise that Bumble has over 22 million users worldwide. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kindred&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When things start to get serious with someone, the inevitable question of "Do you want kids?" will be thrown out into the air, and depending on whether your answer is a "Yes" or "No" could ultimately make or break your relationship. Thankfully, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/kindreddating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kindred&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a one-of-a-kind dating app that lets you skip that awkward "children talk" because the app is tailored for singles who either don't want or can't have children.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The app, launched on February 10th, was created by two like-minded individuals, Eleanor Brook-Hatch and Philip Wassouf, who met on a dating app during the lockdown. These two realized that so many more people like them wanted kid-free relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://weareher.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is the world's leading dating app for LGBTQ+ women, with over 8.5 million users and counting. HER provides a safe space for lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, cisgender, and non-binary people to meet potential love interests and friends within the LGBTQ+ community.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This female-run app started as a lesbian dating app but has added more colors to the rainbow. HER is all about celebrating love in all forms and even hosts events and parties across 15 cities worldwide so that more and more people can connect. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WooPlus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body-shaming is so out of style, which is why &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wooplus.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WooPlus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has created a dating app to celebrate these big beautiful bodies. WooPlus is the perfect platform for curvy people to enjoy online dating in an inclusive environment without ever having to feel insecure about their voluptuous features.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In January 2022, WooPlus sky-rocketed after &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.elitedaily.com/dating/zayn-malik-dating-app-wooplus-rumor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reports of Zayn Malik using the app&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; surfaced online. With WooPlus claiming to have made over 50 million matches since their launch in 2015, it definitely seems like something worth trying out. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We know how scary it can be to put yourself out there. But being open and vulnerable to love will always be terrifying, regardless of whether you're doing it the traditional way or through online dating. So, if you're ready to jump in, go ahead and try these dating apps out for yourself. You'll never know; it might just work out for you!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/6.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-best-dating-apps-for-women-to-try/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16852</ID> <title>A Full List of Birth Control Options and the Upsides and Downsides for Each</title> <publishDate>2022-05-05 07:01:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_377 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_424"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_441 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_129"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/birthcontrol3-e1651822378315.jpg" alt="" title="birthcontrol3" class="wp-image-16853" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_472 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When deciding what birth control method is best for you, it's essential to know about each type of birth control and how effective they are. But you should also know the possible side effects of each option.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Birth Control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common forms of hormonal birth control are the pill, patch and ring. The pill, which contains synthetic versions of two essential female hormones called estrogen and progesterone, works by stopping ovulation from occurring. The patch and ring both release synthetic hormones into the body through the skin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The patch is placed on the lower abdomen, posterior or upper body (not your breasts). The ring is inserted into the vagina. Both of these methods work similarly to the pill by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Possible side effects of hormonal birth control are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/birth-control-pill-side-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight gain or loss, mood changes and nausea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IUD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped form of birth control placed inside the uterus. Women can use it to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/paragard/about/pac-20391270#:~:text=The%20copper%20IUD%20(ParaGard)%20contains,as%20a%20nonhormonal%20IUD%20option." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IUDs have become increasingly popular among women looking for a long-term solution to their birth control needs. They are safe, cost-effective and reversible. In addition, they don't require you to remember to take a pill every day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some women experience &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/iud-period#:~:text=IUDs%20may%20cause%20heavy%20or,after%20their%20device%20is%20placed." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mild bleeding or spotting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the first few months after insertion. It is typically not a cause for concern, as it resolves on its own over time or can be treated with a low dose of oral contraceptive pills.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Rarely, an IUD can perforate the uterus during insertion and may lead to severe infection, sometimes resulting in infertility. This risk is higher in women who have never been pregnant and women who have had children.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9678122/#:~:text=Pelvic%20inflammatory%20disease%20(PID)%20has,users%20compared%20to%20non%2Dusers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is higher in IUD users than non-users. In addition, the risk of PID increases with each act of intercourse while the IUD is in place. The infection can cause scarring that blocks the fallopian tubes and infertility.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal Contraceptive Implant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A contraceptive implant is a small, thin, flexible rod inserted in a woman's upper arm. The three main hormones in the implant are progestogen, estrogen and an anti-androgen which thickens cervical mucus and makes it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the uterus. It can last for three years. However, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Possible &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/contraceptive-implant/about/pac-20393619" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;side effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vaginal bleeding; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;headaches; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;breast tenderness and enlargement;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nausea; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;abdominal pain; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bloating; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight gain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sterilization&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. Its permanent character makes sterilization a very serious decision, one that people should thoroughly research ahead of time.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235069/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study by the National Research Council (US) Committee on Population&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, there are no important long-term adverse physiological effects of sterilization birth control methods. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Barrier Methods: Male and Female Condoms, Diaphragm and Cervical Cap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Condoms &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a variety of condoms available, including male and female condoms made of latex or polyurethane. Condoms are very effective at preventing pregnancy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/consumers/condoms/faqs.htm#:~:text=Only%20condoms%20reduce%20the%20risk,protection%20against%20STDs%20and%20HIV." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They are also the only method that protects against STIs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, condoms can break and slip off, so you should use them correctly every time you have sex. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diaphragms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim that fits over the cervix. The diaphragm works by blocking sperm from entering the uterus. It must be used with spermicide each time you have intercourse.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Risks associated with diaphragms include vaginal irritation and urinary tract infections (UTI’s). A diaphragm may also move out of place or be pushed into the vagina, causing a medical emergency. Women who use diaphragms must be examined regularly by a doctor and have annual tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STD/STI).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cervical Cap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cervical caps are a type of barrier to birth control. They are dome-shaped caps that fit over the cervix to prevent pregnancy. A cervical cap must be used with a spermicide for maximum effectiveness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cervical caps have several risks, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cervical-cap/about/pac-20393416#:~:text=Contact%20your%20health%20care%20provider,rash%20that%20looks%20like%20sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;an increased risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in women who are not adequately protected by the cap. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With so many different birth control options available, knowing which one will work best for you can be challenging. Make sure that whichever type of birth control you choose is compatible with your lifestyle and health needs. Always consult a doctor first to find out which form makes the most sense for you and will have the lowest number of side effects for your body.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/birthcontrol1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/a-full-list-of-birth-control-options-and-the-upsides-and-downsides-for-each/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16843</ID> <title>Why Taking a Mental Health Day Is so Important</title> <publishDate>2022-05-05 06:25:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_378 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_425"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_442 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_130"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/mentalhealth5.jpg" alt="" title="mentalhealth5" class="wp-image-16844" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_473 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our lives can get quite stressful from time to time, which is why it is essential to remind ourselves to take a break. Our work lives can drain our entire energy and lead to serious mental health problems like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-burnout-symptoms-and-causes-3144516" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;burnouts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/dsm-5-criteria-for-generalized-anxiety-disorder-1393147" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anxiety issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When you are starting to feel the stress taking its toll on your mind, it's time for a break.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Signs You May Need a Mental Health Day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are working yourself too much, it can be hard to notice the signs you need a mental health day. Symptoms such as excessive stress, insomnia, mood swings, high blood pressure, pessimistic outlook on most matters and fatigue are the most common signs of impending burnout. It’s time to take that well-deserved mental health day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking a Mental Health Day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scheduling the day off ahead of time can give you enough time to plan your absence from work or cancel some plans you made with your close ones. It is common to plan your mental health day on the weekend, but don't hesitate to take a day off from work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although you are prepared in advance, it is quite possible to wake up in the morning and feel stressed or anxious. Don't be afraid to take your mental health day spontaneously. Always listen to your body and give it everything it needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spending Your Day Off&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you decide to take a spontaneous or planned mental health day, the first thing you have to keep in mind is to relax. Every factor that can even spark a stressful feeling in your mind has to be avoided at any cost. You could spend your day alone, reading a good book, or go on a shopping spree with some of your friends. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to spending your mental health day, the nature of the activities you plan on carrying out doesn't matter. What matters is to relax your mind and feel good while doing it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Keeping Your Mind Healthy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you plan your mental health day, try to stay away from things such as alcohol, tobacco, harmful substances, unhealthy foods, overthinking and on social media. Keep in mind that this day is about your mental health, so stay away from anything that can harm it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some Activity Ideas &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depending if you want to stay indoors or go out and have some fun, maybe some of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://itsallyouboo.com/ways-to-spend-a-mental-health-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;these activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will come in handy: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going on a hike; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting a massage; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going on a shopping spree; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Catching up on some much-needed sleep; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Watching a movie or a show; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trying a new recipe; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Listening to a podcast; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking a long bath; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engaging in your favorite hobby. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It doesn't matter what you do as long as it makes you happy and relaxes your mind. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make Some Changes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can find yourself surrounded by stressors even after a mental health day. For your mental health to improve, you have to get rid of house stressors. By making these changes, you will find yourself in a much better environment for your mental health. By not bringing your work problems into your home, cutting ties with negative people and looking at your priorities, you can already see the environment around you cleansing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Never forget to take care of yourself, especially your mental health. Everybody needs a break from time to time, and it's not a shame to ask for it. Although it may seem like a day in the short term, it still can help you in so many ways. Nothing is as important as your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/mentalhealth5.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/why-taking-a-mental-health-day-is-so-important/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16828</ID> <title>Humidifiers Can Be Great for Hair Health</title> <publishDate>2022-05-05 05:48:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_379 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_426"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_443 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_131"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hair5.jpg" alt="" title="hair5" class="wp-image-16834" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_474 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture to the air, and they can be especially beneficial for your hair. Humid air helps keep your hair from drying out, which can lead to frizziness and split ends. A humidifier can also help improve the overall condition of your hair, making it softer and more manageable. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a way to improve your hair health, consider using a humidifier in your home or office. Humidifiers are a great tool to have, especially in the summer and winter. When our hair is exposed to high temperatures and the coldest chills, it isn't functioning as it should. A home humidifier, though, changes everything.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintains the Hair's Natural Moisture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chilly weather and central heating can suck the moisture from your skin, scalp and hair. This is because low humidity levels cause water particles in the air to evaporate more quickly, leading to a decrease in moisture on your skin and scalp. When this happens, your body works hard to replace the lost moisture by producing more oil, leading to an increase in acne breakouts, dandruff and dry scalp. A humidifier helps maintain your hair's natural moisture level, preventing it from losing too much hydration due to environmental factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prevents Frizziness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Frizzy hair is often the result of a lack of moisture in the air combined with high temperatures. When there isn't enough humidity in the air, the water in your hair evaporates and leaves the strands feeling dry, stiff and brittle. This is when you'll start to see frizziness form as your hair tries to hold onto any moisture it can find. A humidifier will add much-needed moisture back into the air and help prevent frizzy hair.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduces Split Ends&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most common problems associated with dry hair is split ends. The outer layer becomes dry and brittle when your hair lacks moisture, while the inner layer remains wet. This creates a perfect environment for splitting to occur, as the inner, wetter layer expands and stretches the outer layer until it finally snaps off. By keeping your hair hydrated with a humidifier, you can help reduce the risk of split ends.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stops Breakage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry hair is also more prone to breakage. The lack of hydration makes the strands weaker and less elastic, which increases the chances of them breaking off. A humidifier can help add moisture back into your hair, making it stronger and less likely to break.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Softens Your Hair&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry, brittle hair often feels rough and unmanageable. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can help soften your hair, making it easier to style and less likely to break. If your hair is feeling particularly dry, try using a humidifier along with a deep conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment once or twice a week. This will help add extra moisture and nutrients to your hair shafts, leaving your locks looking and feeling healthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a way to wake up to salon-like luscious and smooth hair, and to improve your hair's overall health, consider using a humidifier in your home or office. Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture to the air, and they do have tons of benefits for your hair. By using a humidifier, you can keep your hair from drying out, prevent frizziness, reduce split ends, stop breakage and soften your locks, all while keeping you healthy and comfortable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So if you're in the market for a new beauty tool to try this year - or want to make sure that your current one is up to snuff, consider adding a humidifier to your repertoire! They are great for hair health!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hair3.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/humidifiers-can-be-great-for-hair-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16820</ID> <title>Balancing Obstetric Anesthesiology and Family Life: An Interview with Dr. David Wallace, D.O.</title> <publishDate>2022-05-04 05:26:22</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_380 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_427"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_444 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_132"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/David_Wallace2.jpg" alt="" title="David_Wallace2" class="wp-image-16821" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_445 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_475 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Balance. So many people try to find that magical, often elusive point where a challenging, rewarding career, a fulfilling family, and personal life meet and complement each other. It can be complicated when that career is in the medical field. But it's not impossible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meet Dr. David Wallace, D.O., an obstetric anesthesiologist with the Midwest Anesthesia Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana. By making choices supporting his balance goal early in his career, he found that point. Since then, he has experienced success at work, where patients are drawn to his caring nature in addition to his medical expertise. And he made sure he had plenty of time devoted to raising five children with his wife.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It may seem impossible for doctors to achieve that balance when their careers demand so much of their time and mental and emotional strength. But Dr. Wallace's fascinating story about the world of obstetric anesthesiology will guide doctors towards that much-coveted balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_428"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_446 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_476 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Career Decisions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Wallace's interest in a medical career began in early childhood. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm told that ever since I was a little kid, I said I wanted to be a doctor. My mother and my second-grade teacher talked about it. I remember &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;M*A*S*H&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (the TV show) was very popular. I had read that it was a fairly decent description of what medicine was really like. I thought that looked like fun. So I thought I would like to do that," Dr. Wallace said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He followed the academic path from a pre-med major to medical school, eventually choosing anesthesia as his specialization. The science behind it appealed to him. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Anesthesia is applied physiology and applied pharmacology. We blend the two together to bring a patient to where they're able to have surgery or a procedure and then come back and have no long-term effects," Dr. Wallace said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There was one other reason for choosing this career path–lifestyle. He wanted to be an active parent and spend plenty of time with his children as they grew up. He decided this choice would allow for the balance he sought. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Obstetric Anesthesia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Specialty&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obstetric anesthesia plays an essential role during pregnancy and during and after childbirth. This specialty touches &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/129/1/192/18834/A-Review-of-the-Impact-of-Obstetric-Anesthesia-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;several medical disciplines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as obstetrics, neonatology and surgery. The anesthesiologists work closely with obstetricians, midwives, nurses and other team members to care for both mother and baby and to prevent and manage complications along the way. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I do obstetric anesthesia, so I do epidurals and C-sections on a daily basis. I have patients who are extremely grateful that I'm here and have been instrumental in their care. I see about 50 babies delivered per month," Dr. Wallace said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The obstetric anesthesiology specialty &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.asahq.org/-/media/sites/asahq/files/public/about-asa/component-societies/med-students/medical-student-guide/chapter_19_guide-to-a-career-in-anesthesiology-for-medical-students.pdf?la=en&amp;amp;hash=2B0FDD67CF6AFAB10C5EF8287A282CE2A5C6205E" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;usually includes a fellowship&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; lasting one or two years after residency. Fellows learn skills required to manage pregnancies at varying levels of risk, and they participate in research.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Wallace was fortunate to study under a highly accomplished anesthesiologist, Dr. Jerry Bassell. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I trained under an incredibly gifted anesthesiologist who was one of the authors in obstetric anesthesia. He was the chief editor of the magazine for the Society of Obstetrics, Anesthesia and Perinatology when I was a resident. I had the opportunity to focus my practice in obstetrics and took that opportunity. I've enjoyed it ever since," Dr. Wallace said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Patient Relationship&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Wallace's favorite part of his work is interacting with the patients. Because of the nature of his work– putting people to sleep–it’s not easy to build a doctor-patient relationship. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lot of patients don't remember the interactions they have with their anesthesiologist. But Dr. Wallace does make an effort to connect with them. As a result, many of his patients do remember him, and they are truly grateful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because he meets patients at a stressful point in their lives, he uses humor to help reduce their worries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They band the mom, dad, and baby with the same code number, so the babies don't get switched. I will tell my obstetrical patients that it means she has to take both of her children home, the oldest one and the littlest one. The moms get a good giggle out of that," Dr. Wallace said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Wallace offers important advice to the mothers about managing expectations. Too many new moms think everything has to be perfect, or they have failed. Dr. Wallace wants to dispel that harmful notion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Life is what happens in the midst of all of our plans. Some women feel like failures if they need an epidural when they want to go natural, have trouble nursing, or don't lose the baby weight fast enough. But nothing is going to be perfect. The reality is that you need to take what life gives you and enjoy the good times," Dr. Wallace said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Family Side of a Balanced Equation&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout his training and practice, Dr. Wallace and his family lived in several locations, including Michigan, Utah, Mississippi, and Indiana, where he and his wife eventually settled. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I tried to find positions to work where there was a good work-home balance. And so, I was able to coach my kids in soccer and help them in their schooling and things like that. I could do what I wanted to do &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; occasionally be an at-home dad," Dr. Wallace explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The couple's five children range in age from 23 to 35. One of them, a daughter, follows in his medical footsteps and is training to be an ICU nurse. All five were fortunate to have their father play an active role in their childhood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obstetric anesthesia has evolved since its &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/129/1/192/18834/A-Review-of-the-Impact-of-Obstetric-Anesthesia-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;introduction in 1847&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with the use of ether. Recent advancements in techniques and pain management have dramatically improved the pregnancy and childbirth experience. It has made possible more &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.asahq.org/-/media/sites/asahq/files/public/about-asa/component-societies/med-students/medical-student-guide/chapter_19_guide-to-a-career-in-anesthesiology-for-medical-students.pdf?la=en&amp;amp;hash=2B0FDD67CF6AFAB10C5EF8287A282CE2A5C6205E" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;family involvement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where the father can actively participate as a partner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But Dr. Wallace points out that progress has not necessarily followed a straight line. And new techniques and equipment are constantly being introduced that will continue to add to patients' safety and comfort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In a lot of ways, anesthesia has come full circle. When I was a resident, we limited the use of narcotics. In the 90s, the use increased until problems arose. Anesthesia is safer now with newer medications," Dr. Wallace said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Wallace figured out how to build a rewarding medical career without sacrificing family time. By creating the work-life balance he desired for himself and his family, he has taken his own advice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You need to take what life gives you and enjoy the good times," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/David_Wallace2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/balancing-obstetric-anesthesiology-and-family-life-an-interview-with-dr-david-wallace-d-o/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16806</ID> <title>Hope for Treating Infertility: An Interview with Dr. Catherine DeUgarte, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-05-04 04:56:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_381 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_429"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_447 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_133"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/gyno3.jpg" alt="" title="gyno3" class="wp-image-16807" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_477 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmdfertility.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Catherine DeUgarte, MD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, is an accomplished fertility specialist at CMD Fertility in Los Angeles, California. She is also a clinical professor at UCLA, where she teaches at the UCLA/Olive View Medical Center Infertility Clinic. In her years of experience treating infertility, she has seen thousands of healthy babies born.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Growing up in Romania, I lived in a family full of doctors. I'm the fifth generation of physicians in my family. I've wanted to be a doctor since I was three years old. Initially, I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I discovered that I really liked the field of OB/GYN and specifically helping families in their fertility journey. Obviously, there are a lot of ups and downs, but making a family's dreams come true is a pleasure," Dr. DeUgarte shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fertility is a high-stakes practice with a relatively brief history compared to other specialties. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The first IVF baby was born in 1978. I am also fascinated that this field is that it keeps evolving. So the things that we learned 10 years ago are not the same as what we're learning now," Dr. DeUgarte explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With Dr. DeUgarte as our guide, let's take a look at this specialty that plays a critical role in the lives of people who need help bringing a baby of their own into the world. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Problems of Infertility&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Infertility Rates&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/infertility.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Centers for Disease Control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, in the United States, 8.8% of married women aged 15 to 49 were infertile, and 12.7% of women aged 15 to 49 used infertility services between 2015 and 2017. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/births.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2020&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the fertility rate was 56 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/common" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Institutes of Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; estimates that 11% of women and 9% of men of reproductive age face difficulties with fertility, and 12-15% of couples cannot conceive without treatment. In addition, fertility declines with age, especially for women, and especially after age 35. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think the number one reason (behind infertility) is because women, such as myself, focus on career number one and then baby. It's important to have a balance but not wait too long to have a baby. Also, there are same-sex couples and single women who want to have babies. They have to go through fertility treatments," Dr. DeUgarte explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Causes &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Infertility has many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.upmc.com/services/south-central-pa/women/services/pregnancy-childbirth/getting-pregnant/fertility/infertility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;possible causes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, originating with the man, the woman or both. The problem can be anywhere in the reproductive process—sperm and egg production, fertilization, implantation and embryo viability. Other factors include age, hormones, disease and toxic substances or medical conditions. Evaluating and testing for infertility encompasses &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354322" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various tests and procedures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; examining the health of reproductive organs, checking hormones and ruling out disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of what I do is figuring out what the cause of infertility is, then figuring out the best solution. I individualize the therapy so that it's not a cookie-cutter approach. Every patient is unique. And it's important to add other things into the equation, like making sure that they avoid things like marijuana, alcohol and smoking, that they try to lead a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy and also taking supplements to improve pregnancy," Dr. DeUgarte explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Treatment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/understanding-infertility-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatments vary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; depending on the cause and may include surgery, medications and/or hormones.  The treatment most well-known is in vitro fertilization, or IVF, where the egg is fertilized in a lab with sperm, and the resulting embryo is implanted in the uterus. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Numerous cases are not so straightforward to require only one technique or ready solution. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's a continuum, a spectrum. Some people have only one issue, while others have 10 issues we have to fix. There are patients, especially after the age of 45, where it's very difficult to get pregnant with your own eggs. In the 20 years I've been doing this, I've had one 46-year-old patient who got pregnant with her own eggs. So definitely age is very important. Many 50 year olds have had babies, but not with their own eggs. When I do come across those &lt;span&gt;situations&lt;/span&gt;, I'm very honest with them, and I tell them what the chances are," Dr. DeUgarte explained.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeUgarte recalled her most memorable and challenging cases. Her care and compassion for these women, men and couples is evident.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I've had several patients with cancer. They have had babies either through fertility treatments or surrogates. That's been really rewarding for these patients that go through so much to see them so happy and healthy at the end," Dr. DeUgarte shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Genetic Testing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"More and more patients are using genetic testing for their embryos. Before implantation, you can check to see if the embryos are normal and prevent miscarriages," Dr. DeUgarte said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetic testing involves screening for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology_obstetrics/specialty_areas/fertility-center/infertility-services/genetic-screening.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;family and ethnic history&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that may point to genetic conditions common to those groups. These are recessive conditions, so both parents must carry the gene to affect the child. If this is the case, there will be a 25% chance of a child having the condition. In vitro embryos can then be screened to implant only those without the genes for the condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We do the genetic testing two ways. We check the couple's blood tests for any genetic disorders. If tests are positive, we check to make sure they don't have the same genetic disorder. If they do, you can select the normal embryos for implantation. The other thing we do is genetic testing of the embryos. This is called preimplantation genetic testing, where we check the embryos for chromosomal abnormalities," Dr. DeUgarte explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fertility is a rapidly developing branch of medicine. It has come far from its debut on the public scene in the 1970s and has given hope to people who, decades before, would have had none.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Technology's evolving, and I think things are getting better. Things like egg freezing weren't around when I was a fellow. It's only been around since 2012 and was considered experimental before then. Now some women wait too long to have a baby. But more and more are freezing their eggs when they're younger. It's great because they're going to have more possibilities for the future," Dr. Deugarte concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Deugarte is part of a future with more options for giving couples healthy babies and happy families. The happiest moments for her are when the couple gets what they desperately want after struggling with infertility. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My favorite part of my job is when patients either call me with their positive pregnancy tests or when they bring in their babies. It's also amazing seeing the heart rate for the first time on ultrasounds," Dr. Deugarte said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her mission to help solve infertility for each case is one to admire. Visit &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmdfertility.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Deugarte's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website to learn more about how she can help you through infertility. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/infertility5.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/hope-for-treating-infertility-an-interview-with-dr-catherine-deugarte-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16796</ID> <title>Is Being Vegan or Vegetarian Actually Good for Women?</title> <publishDate>2022-05-04 04:39:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_382 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_430"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_448 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_134"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/clay-banks-s-hw64ghWEA-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="clay-banks-s-hw64ghWEA-unsplash" class="wp-image-16797" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_478 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, many people choose to become vegan or vegetarian. From the decreased risk of health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer to overcoming obesity, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200122-are-there-health-benefits-to-going-vegan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;various health benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; accompany vegetarianism and veganism. These diets are popular as they are higher in fiber and lower in cholesterol, protein, calcium and salt. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Difference between Being Vegan and Being Vegetarian&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vegetarians do not consume the products or byproducts of animal slaughter. They do not consume beef, pork and other types of meat. They don't consume fish, shellfish, animal protein-derived food products, stock or fats from animal slaughter. Instead, they rely on eggs, dairy products and honey, which do not involve slaughtering animals. Compared to veganism, vegetarianism is generally less strict.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325478#veganism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Veganism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a way of living, which seeks to exclude and practicable all forms of exploitation of cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Accordingly, vegans strictly avoid consuming meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy products, honey, different types of animal-based protein, stock or fats. Strict vegans try to avoid any product that directly or indirectly involves the human use of animals, such as the use of leather goods, wool, silk, beeswax, soaps and cosmetics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Being Vegan or Vegetarian Detrimental to Women?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Iron Deficiency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientists believe that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/women-dairy-meat-free-diet-nutrition-b1995624.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;women's health is at risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; due to the rise in meat-free diets. Young women are more at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies than men because they are more sensitive to the messages about how bad meat and dairy products are for the environment. Consequently, young women who consume little or no red meat and dairy products are at risk of developing vitamin deficiencies. This can lead to health problems in their later life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who do not eat meat products are at a greater risk of developing an iron deficiency. Low blood iron levels are among the most common nutritional deficiencies in women and the primary cause of anemia worldwide.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/no-meat-no-problem-effect-veganism-vegetarianism-on-menstrual-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low iron levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can result in poor physical and mental performance, a compromised immune system, and a higher risk of pregnancy disorders. Fatigue, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, paleness, brittle nails and fissures at the corners of the mouth are all common signs of iron-deficiency-based anemia.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased Premenstrual and Menstrual Symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to one observational population &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/no-meat-no-problem-effect-veganism-vegetarianism-on-menstrual-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study in Australia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Vegetarians show increased premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, as well as irregular cycles and heavier periods. Researchers suggest that the increased premenstrual and menstrual symptoms are potentially due to the differences in iron levels.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vegetarian or vegan diet causes multiple nutrient deficiencies that affect period cycles. Certain nutrients, such as Vitamin A, Creatine, Vitamin B12, Carnosine, Taurine, Iron, Omega 3, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin K2, are not present in plant-based foods. In addition, low progesterone can cause amenorrhea (absence of periods), anovulation (irregular periods), or heavy periods due to iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A deficiency. On a plant-based diet, zinc can deplete rapidly and cause irregular periods and skin problems. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scientific Benefits of a Plant-based Diet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Below are some of the scientific benefits of a plant-based diet:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lower BMI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200122-are-there-health-benefits-to-going-vegan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A lower BMI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Body Mass Index) can translate into low blood pressure. According to several studies, a plant-based diet can reduce blood pressure, curving the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. People who followed a vegetarian diet had lower blood pressure than those who followed an omnivorous diet. In addition, vegetarians had a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/scientific-benefits-following-plant-based-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;34% lower risk of developing hypertension&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than nonvegetarians.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cutting back on meat and loading up on plant-based foods can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/scientific-benefits-following-plant-based-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 16%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Meat contains saturated fat, which contributes to heart issues, especially when consumed excessively.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing Type 2 Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes since plants are lower in saturated fats than animal foods. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decreased Risk of Cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to source cancer-protective nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, is to eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, grains, beans, nuts and seeds. A plant-based diet promotes a healthy weight and lowers the risk of certain cancers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Help You Live Longer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a Journal of the American Heart Association study, a plant-based diet lowers the risk of all causes of mortality rate by 25%. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you intend to jump on the bandwagon of veganism or vegetarianism, the first few weeks might be stressful, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Talk to your doctor or dietitian if veganism or vegetarianism is appropriate for you. You can start slow with a few plant-based meals and stock up on healthy plant-based foods. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember that the transition takes time. It will not happen overnight, so be patient. Just stick with your goals of becoming vegetarian or vegan. Ask some advice from other vegetarians and vegans on how they do it. Keep up and be gentle to yourself as your body becomes acquainted with plant-based foods.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/vegan1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/is-being-vegan-or-vegetarian-actually-good-for-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16784</ID> <title>The Best Probiotics for Women</title> <publishDate>2022-05-03 04:19:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_383 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_431"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_449 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_135"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2-e1651811751945.jpg" alt="" title="2" class="wp-image-16785" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_479 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.byrdie.com/best-probiotics-for-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trillions of microorganisms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; live inside the human body, and we can support their thriving existence with supplemental probiotics. Probiotics can be naturally found in foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha drinks. Currently, the market is loaded with probiotic products for women.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Are Probiotics Good for Women?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a woman, it is better to understand why you need probiotics because, in the United States, more women are affected by hormone fluctuations and higher stress levels than men. According to Hippocrates, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/best-probiotics-for-women-digestive-health-supplements-fermented-foods-drinks-kombucha-kefir-diet-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;all diseases begin in the gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Probiotics are good bacteria that promote a healthy digestive system by creating a strong gut lining, helping proper digestion, reducing infections and inflammation and enhancing the immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are Probiotics and How Do They Work?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary function of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to keep your body in a healthy equilibrium. Think of it as maintaining a state of neutrality in your body. When you become ill, harmful bacteria enter your body and multiply, putting your body out of balance. The good bacteria in your body fight out the harmful bacteria and restore balance.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Best Probiotics for You?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because different bacteria do different things, the ideal probiotic for women is determined by their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-probiotics-for-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;health goals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lactobacillus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bifidobacterium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are both friendly bacteria, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lactobacillus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can assist vaginal health, whereas &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bifidobacterium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; improves digestive health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is the Right Time to Take Probiotics?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to some experts, taking your probiotic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a35999079/best-time-to-take-probiotics/#:~:text=Some%20experts%20believe%20taking%20your,and%20large%20intestines%20before%20breakfast." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;before breakfast&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is better for your gut health. This is because, before breakfast, probiotics can make it into your small and large intestines. After all, stomach acid production is likely at its lowest in the morning. However, you can take a probiotic at any time of day as long as you are consistent.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Is It Not the Right Time to Take Probiotics?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics can be used by people of all ages and in any situation. In a few cases, your doctor may advise against probiotics as a medical condition or another drug may contraindicate them. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should see their doctor before taking probiotics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for specific benefits, look for a friendly bacteria supplement that has been studied for this reason. Consider a product that comprises well-researched strains if you're searching for vaginal health support. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before purchasing any items, it is always best to consult with a healthcare expert about taking a probiotic. This recommendation concerns people who have a health condition, as their doctors may want to closely monitor their health if they take probiotics.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The undeniable benefits of probiotics make supplements a popular choice for everyday gut and intimate health maintenance. However, probiotic supplements cannot replace actual medication or lifestyle changes. Probiotic supplements may or may not improve a person's digestive health, and they should not be used in place of a healthy lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-best-probiotics-for-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16776</ID> <title>Gynecology and Women's Health: Dr. Rachel Spieldoch Shares What You Need to Know About It</title> <publishDate>2022-05-03 03:58:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_384 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_432"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_450 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_136"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MMG_2016_041.jpg" alt="" title="MMG_2016_041" class="wp-image-16777" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_451 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_480 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The practice of gynecology and women's health is highly personal for many women. It covers menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, gynecological cancers and treatments for gynecological issues. For many women, these are subjects they don't easily share with their partners or even their doctors. As a physician specializing in gynecology and women's health (and someone who truly understands it all), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-spieldoch-md-facog-ba39b234" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rachel Spieldoch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shared her knowledge and insights with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;on what to do if you're feeling worried about any of these subjects.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exploring Gynecology with Dr. Spieldoch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A board-certified &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/what-is-gynecologist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gynecologist&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with more than 20 years of field experience, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mmgyn.com/contents/meet-our-providers/meet-dr-spieldoch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Spieldoch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; specializes in minimally invasive surgery, including advanced laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery and vaginal and pelvic floor restorative surgery. She has completed Advanced Masters training in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.davincisurgery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daVinci® robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and is a Center of Excellence Physician (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.registrypartners.com/registry/center-of-excellence-in-minimally-invasive-gynecology/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COEMIG&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_433"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_452 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_481 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Spieldoch began her career in biochemical engineering and then branched into biochemistry and molecular biology before turning to medicine and gynecology. She has always shown care for people around her that many of her friends have firmly expected her to become a physician.  After witnessing how much she could impact the health and happiness of women by offering her expertise, Dr. Spieldoch was inspired to specialize in gynecology.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the variety and full scope of healthcare offered in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.umhs-sk.org/blog/what-is-an-obgyn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Spieldoch felt the inclusivity of the specialization. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"With OB-GYN, you offer a continuity of care. You get surgeries, you do deliveries, treatments and post-operative care, so it is inclusive of just about every piece of medicine," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through training, Dr. Spieldoch realized that she had a more surgical aptitude; therefore, she ended up not doing the OB component and went into focusing on minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making a Difference in Women's Lives&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Spieldoch, the greatest reward as a doctor is helping women through difficult times and making a difference in their lives. She recalled one instance where she had a gynecology patient who had several large &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.uclahealth.org/fibroids/what-are-fibroids" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fibroids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a challenging uterus and was desperate to have a baby.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I did a myomectomy on her and removed several pounds of fibroids from her uterus, and about a year later, she wrote me just the sweetest letter about how she was pregnant. Then she just came with her family and her new baby to the office to personally thank me," Dr. Spieldoch said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gynecology and Women's Health Over the Years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since gynecology has been around for centuries, it has seen many changes over the years. The gynecology tools used today are up to par with the latest technology, making it minimally invasive. The field has also grown more specialized, with physicians now having the option of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acog.org/career-support/medical-students/medical-student-toolkit/subspecialties-of-ob-gyn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;specializing in one area&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; rather than choosing the general OB-GYN.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Back in the day when I graduated, pretty much everybody was required to do OB-GYN. I was one of the first allowed to do just gynecology. Shortly thereafter, the specialties of urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery came along. So now you're just seeing a lot more specialized care," Dr. Spieldoch explained. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Spieldoch sees multiple disadvantages in the rise of various specialties in the gynecological field. One potential challenge for the patients is the need to hop from one doctor to another in order to find specific answers. This is where the skills and experiences of the gynecologist are needed. Dr. Spieldoch proudly said that her office has the versatility to do many of those specialties under one roof.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minimally Invasive Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most significant changes in gynecology that Dr. Spieldoch has experienced during her career is the increased use of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/minimally-invasive-gyn-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minimally invasive surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This involves making small incisions and using miniature instruments to perform outpatient procedures.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Minimally invasive surgery is a relatively new development in gynecology, and it has many benefits for patients and doctors alike. For patients, it means shorter recovery times, less pain and often the ability to return home the same day as the surgery. This type of surgery also tends to be less risky than traditional surgery, allowing doctors to perform complex procedures using miniature instruments.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Robotic-assisted Surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.davincisurgery.com/procedures/gynecology-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Robotic surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is quickly becoming one of the most common ways to perform gynecologic surgeries. It allows greater precision and accuracy during surgery, reducing trauma and reducing the likelihood of complications for patients. As a result, many gynecologists are now proficient in using robots to assist them in their surgical procedures. Dr. Spieldoch is one such gynecologist, and she is impressed with the capabilities of robotic surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What I found with robotic surgery is its great contribution to laparoscopic surgery. For somebody who may have a lot of adhesions or prior surgeries, robotics can really help by getting into those finer tissue spaces easily," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3-Point Gynecological Advice by Dr. Spieldoch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Understand the Value of Regular Screening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most important things that women can do to maintain their gynecological health is to take preventative care seriously. This means seeing a professional for routine screenings to ascertain the level of their gynecological health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It is really important for women to get a good gynecologic evaluation, at least once a year, to catch any problems early on and prevent them from becoming bigger issues," Dr. Spieldoch shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't Be Afraid to Talk about It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Talking about gynecology can be a little bit tricky. Although hard for some, it's essential to have those conversations with a gynecologist, but it's essential to have those talks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People are having a hard time with conversations about things that they've never had talked about before. In my field, we hear a lot about issues with sexuality, sexual intercourse or other vaginal issues. If there are topics that perhaps were once considered taboo, just know that the gynecologic office is a private, professional and confidential space where you have the ability to discuss everything so we can come up with plans and solutions," Dr. Spieldoch said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do Your Own Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding the perfect gynecologist is an important but challenging task. One of the best things to do is not to be afraid of asking questions and getting an honest opinion about gynecologists.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If you're not getting the answers that you need from somebody, then I encourage you to get a second opinion. There's never anything wrong with that. Try to search for somebody who can help you. I guarantee you that if you shut the door on gynecologists, you'll miss out on so many amazing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.usa.gov/doctors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physicians and surgeons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; out there that really want to provide the care that's needed," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Tip for Everyone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a gynecologist, making a difference is now a way of life for Dr. Spieldoch. She shared with us her favorite quote from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6536026-whatever-you-do-do-it-well-do-it-so-well"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walt Disney&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which has been one of her foundations in building a great career.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others to show them how well you do what you do," Dr. Spieldoch shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Connect with Dr. Spieldoch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With advancements in technology and specialization, gynecologists can offer their patients the best possible care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mmgyn.com/contents/meet-our-providers/meet-dr-spieldoch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Spieldoch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a perfect example of this, and her passion for gynecology shines through in everything she does.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gynecology can be a sensitive subject to approach, but doctors like Dr. Spieldoch make the conversation much more comfortable. Visit her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mmgyn.com/contents/meet-our-providers/meet-dr-spieldoch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to learn more about what she does and how she can help you! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MMG_2016_041.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/gynecology-and-womens-health-dr-rachel-spieldoch-shares-what-you-need-to-know-about-it/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16754</ID> <title>What You Eat May Improve Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-05-02 08:53:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_385 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_434"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_453 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_137"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/annie-spratt-upj1U602v_8-unsplash-e1651223038884.jpg" alt="" title="annie-spratt-upj1U602v_8-unsplash" class="wp-image-16756" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_482 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food is fuel for us to function, and consuming different kinds of foods and drinks determines the nutrients we store in our body, hence the saying, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you are what you eat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people may wonder if what they eat affects their mental health. The answer is yes – the foods we eat can positively or negatively impact our mental health. It is easy to forget food can be eaten for enjoyment rather than just weight loss. We often forget to include food for mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Science behind Foods for Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food has a profound effect on our cognitive function. Nourishing foods can help improve our mood, increase our energy and boost our productivity while fighting depression, anxiety and stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is important to note that no one "magic" food can cure mental health problems. Instead, you need a healthy, balanced diet that includes various nutritious foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different foods can help improve cognitive function, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and fatty fish. These foods are packed with beneficial nutrients for our mental health. They can help improve mood, cognitive function and overall brain health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beneficial Foods and Nutrients for Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Omega-3 Fatty Acids &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy fats and monounsaturated fats are important for overall health as they help protect the brain from damage and regulate hormones. They help improve mood, reduce anxiety and promote better sleep. Fatty acids are found in salmon, tuna and other cold-water fish. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics are helpful bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods. They help support the gut-brain axis, vital for mental health. In addition, yogurts are high in potassium and magnesium, two nutrients that help oxygen reach the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark Leafy Greens &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are high in antioxidants and minerals like magnesium. They help improve mood, reduce stress and promote better mental clarity. Additionally, greens high in folic acid significantly reduce the chance of dementia.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antioxidants &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antioxidants help protect the brain from damage caused by stress and pollution. They can be found in fruits and vegetables like berries, sweet potatoes and bell peppers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark Chocolate &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark chocolate helps fight the cognitive decline in adults, enhancing moods and boosting attention and memory.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips on Eating Healthy for Your Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat various foods: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If we only ate fries or steak or salads, we would not be getting the nutrients the body and the brain need.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Do not eat in distracting areas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Find a relaxed place where you can properly sit and enjoy your food.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat slowly and pace yourself&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Eating slowly helps you thoroughly chew the food and makes it easier for the body to process food. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Create a list of healthy foods for mental health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that you can incorporate into your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don't go grocery shopping on an empty stomach&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to avoid the impulse to buy imbalanced foods for your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We can help support our mental health and improve our overall well-being by eating healthy foods. But this is not enough as you still need to be physically active to stay healthy and avoid bad habits as much as possible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though it is important to consume healthy foods for mental health,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you don't need to rethink your diet right away, as enjoyment is a vital piece of your mental health. Instead, you can easily incorporate these foods and nutrients into your current diet to ease the process. Making healthy eating habits a priority is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/mahdi-chaghari-GyOp3TmaP-o-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/what-you-eat-may-improve-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16746</ID> <title>Most Women Suffering from Postpartum Depression Do Not Receive Adequate Care</title> <publishDate>2022-05-02 08:30:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_386 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_435"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_454 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_138"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/jenna-norman-B4kC77aTxrE-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="jenna-norman-B4kC77aTxrE-unsplash" class="wp-image-16748" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_483 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Significant life changes can cause increased mental health struggles. Switching jobs, moving across the country, the death of a loved one or ending a long-term relationship are all changes that can prompt periods of depression. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Childbirth, a tremendous change in the life of a mother, is no exception. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While up to 80% of women report an underlying sadness termed the “baby blues,” the statistic for new mothers experiencing clinical levels of postpartum depression is closer to 20%. Treatment for the wide range of emotional changes after childbirth is imperative and severely lacking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Postpartum Depression?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's helpful to think of postpartum depression as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/postpartum-psychiatric-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one point on the spectrum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This spectrum stretches from the “baby blues” to the rare extreme of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/postpartum-psychosis-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;postpartum psychosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While the majority of women land closer to “baby blues,” it’s important to take all symptoms and states seriously. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Factors contributing to postpartum depression include: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical demands of caring for a newborn;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle learning curve;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormonal imbalance;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emotional tolls of motherhood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most cases involve imbalances of both body and mind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The estrogen and progesterone hormones both significantly decrease after birth, and the absence of these hormones can contribute to feelings of sluggishness, exhaustion and sadness. In addition, feelings of inadequacy, tiredness and identity confusion all complicate the emotional landscape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Are Women Receiving Inadequate Treatment?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, access to medical care does not guarantee the proper treatment of postpartum depression. One contributing factor of inadequate care is the condition’s sheer complexity. Furthermore, several elements of care can complicate the treatment process. For example, many mothers are hesitant to try antidepressants because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/breastfeeding-and-psychiatric-medication/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;some medications can be harmful to breastfeeding babies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In these circumstances, providers can help guide and counsel the patient through different options for the most effective, personalized treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to physical treatment and medication, mental health counseling also offers support. The more widely-used therapeutic approach is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6188757/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cognitive behavioral therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which involves one-on-one appointments with a counselor to help the patient identify and understand harmful thought and behavior patterns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second kind of therapy many women use is called interpersonal psychotherapy. Over 12 to 16 weeks, the patient meets with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://postpartumprogress.com/8-types-of-psychotherapy-for-postpartum-depression-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a counselor who walks her through understanding four different areas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes and interpersonal deficits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to logistical issues, some women have difficulty getting adequate care due to their ethnicity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/postpartum-depression-in-women-of-color-more-work-needs-to-be-done#2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; suggests that postpartum depression is more likely to occur in women of color. Treatment for these women may be complicated by the cultural stigma surrounding mental health or cultural misunderstandings between these new mothers and their healthcare providers. This risk is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/postpartum-depression-in-women-of-color-more-work-needs-to-be-done#5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exceptionally high among immigrants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increasing awareness and education of postpartum depression can shed light on the necessity of accessible care. Fortunately, there are already some established care options to build upon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Does Adequate Care Look Like?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many healthcare providers specialize in treating postpartum depression, and most new mothers do make a full recovery. The success rate for women receiving treatment is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.postpartumdepression.org/resources/statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The problem is not ineffective treatments but barriers to receiving that treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The more we understand the symptoms and causes of postpartum depression, the better we can recognize it in our friends and family. If we're willing to have honest conversations with new mothers and help them find treatment strategies that are right for them, they stand an excellent chance of moving beyond their symptoms and thriving as parents.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/jenna-norman-8ybZT29CaoA-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/most-women-suffering-from-postpartum-depression-do-not-receive-adequate-care/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16736</ID> <title>Which Antidepressants Cause the Fewest Sexual Side Effects?</title> <publishDate>2022-05-01 07:58:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_387 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_436"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_455 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_139"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/antidepressants3.jpg" alt="" title="antidepressants3" class="wp-image-16737" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_484 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dealing with depression is hard enough on its own. The crushing feeling of darkness and fear can hinder even the most basic tasks. Antidepressants are typically an effective way for depression to ameliorate. However, while they can help someone return to a sense of normalcy, antidepressants can interfere with one's ability to perform intimately. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But that doesn't mean you have to stop taking antidepressants or that there aren't options. Instead, there's still a good chance of balancing antidepressants with your sex life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Are the Antidepressant Side Effects?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both depression and the usage of antidepressants carry several possible &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reduce-sexual-side-effects-1067490" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sexual side effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as low libido, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction and difficulty climaxing. These symptoms result from a lack of interest in people with depression and naturally decrease one's ability to perform intimately due to an overall decrease in life enjoyment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antidepressants seemingly make this matter worse. People with depression have an average &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reduce-sexual-side-effects-1067490" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;65%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; chance to develop sexual dysfunction, while those treated with antidepressants had a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reduce-sexual-side-effects-1067490" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;71%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; chance. However, it is misleading to think that all medication affects sexual functions equally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Medications Have the Most Side Effects? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The medications with known sexual side effects are also the most common prescriptions. These &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/antidepressants-without-sexual-side-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/antidepressants-without-sexual-side-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Examples of these medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SSRIs: escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft);&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SNRIs: duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While often effective antidepressants and frequently prescribed, these medications carry a high risk of sexual dysfunction as a side effect. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Medications Have the Fewest Side Effects?  &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medications with the fewest sexual disfunction side effects &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants/faq-20058104" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR), Mirtazapine (Remeron), Vilazodone (Viibryd) and Vortioxetine (Trintellix). Unlike the SSRIs and SNRIs, these antidepressants are called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;atypical antidepressants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because they do not fit into one of the other categories for antidepressants. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These medications are not commonly associated with sexual dysfunction and may allow those suffering from depression to treat their illness while minimizing sexual side effects. Bupropion, in particular, is frequently associated with maintained sexual function. By choosing one of these antidepressants, those suffering from depression and sexual dysfunction can minimize their symptoms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tips for Dealing with Depression and Sexual Dysfunction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other than simply changing one's medication, you can implement other practices to limit the effects of antidepressants on your sex life. While you can swap your medication or even talk to your doctor about lowering your dose, you can also time your medication to be taken after you have sex. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also talk to your doctor about taking &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reduce-sexual-side-effects-1067490" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;periodic breaks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from your medication, but it's imperative you only do so if your doctor allows it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lastly, it is critical to keep open communication with your partner. Sexual dysfunction is a touchy subject, but you must be honest with your partner, even if it means doing such communication under the umbrella of relationship counseling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, it is natural to feel discouraged by sexual dysfunction. However, by carefully choosing your medication, using it wisely and communicating with your partner, you will reduce the effects that depression has on your sex life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/antidepressants1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/which-antidepressants-cause-the-fewest-sexual-side-effects/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16728</ID> <title>Why Men Are 3 Times More Likely to Commit Suicide Than Women</title> <publishDate>2022-05-01 07:44:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_388 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_437"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_456 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_140"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/andrew-neel-JBfdCFeRDeQ-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="andrew-neel-JBfdCFeRDeQ-unsplash" class="wp-image-16729" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_485 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Suicide is a subject that puzzles many of us, motivates researchers and directs the development of many medical strategies and treatments. The motives behind such behavior are not usually visible, or they might even seem incomprehensible to those left behind. Suicide rates vary according to age and gender: women attempt suicide three times more than men, yet men end their lives three times more than women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Do Men Commit Suicide?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A person with a mental illness usually hides from friends and loved ones as they are afraid of being judged. They face people like a normal, happy person most of the time. However, when that person is alone, depression and suicidal thoughts take over.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Suicide remains a significant public health problem worldwide, with 1 million estimated deaths per year and 10-20 million people attempting it worldwide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. 25% of these attempts pertain to young adults between 20 and 24 years old. Suicide is among the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-causes-of-death-for-ages-15-24-2223960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three leading causes of death&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for this age group, along with traffic accidents and homicide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Is the Male Suicide Rate Several Times Higher Than the Female?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The reasons why there has been such an imbalance between genders can be surprising. One theory correlates suicide attempts with how often men resort to professional psychiatric help. Another theory focuses on alcohol and substance abuse as relief for troubling events in an individual's life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whatever the reasons, the suicide rate for men is a severe problem. The best way to reduce the number of suicides is to increase awareness of the issue and provide resources for men struggling with mental health problems. Suicide is preventable, and we need to do everything we can to help save lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Are Men Reluctant to Ask for Help?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several reasons why men may be reluctant to ask for help, but the most common is that they don't want to be seen as weak. Men are often taught that they should be strong and independent from a young age and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. As a result, some men feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit that they need help and often try to deal with their problems on their own.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men are also reluctant to ask for help because they don't know how to ask for it. Many men are raised in households where emotions aren't discussed openly, and as a result, they may not feel comfortable talking about their feelings with other people. This can make it difficult to ask for help when they need it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, some men are reluctant to ask for help because of a lack of trust. This situation is widespread among men who have been victims of abuse or violence or who have had a negative experience with mental health services in the past. As a result, men feel that they are better off dealing with their problems on their own and that asking for help is not worth the risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regardless of why men are reluctant to ask for help, it's important to remember that seeking assistance is not a sign of weakness. Admitting that you need help is often the first step towards getting better. If you're struggling with mental health issues, don't be afraid to ask for help. Many people can provide you with support and guidance, and there is no shame in admitting that you need help. You are not alone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We should always be concerned for each other's well-being, especially regarding mental health issues. The best we can do is educate ourselves about mental health issues and help people suffering from them. If you suspect that someone is going through a difficult time, you could always talk to them, convince them to see a specialist and help them out while going through a tough time. Sometimes, all you need to do to save a life is ask.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;1-800-273-TALK (8255)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/andrew-neel-JBfdCFeRDeQ-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/why-men-are-3-times-more-likely-to-commit-suicide-than-women/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16720</ID> <title>Psychedelics Are Edging towards Mainstream Therapy</title> <publishDate>2022-04-30 06:54:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_389 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_438"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_457 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_141"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Psychcover.jpg" alt="" title="Psychcover" class="wp-image-16721" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_486 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychedelics have long been associated with hippies, nightclubs and the 60s. However, new research and loosening regulation could move psychedelic usage away from illicit nightclubs and college parties and into clinical therapy for mental illnesses and battling addiction. This process, while slow, indicates that psychedelics are edging into more mainstream modes of psychiatric and clinical therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Legalization of Psychedelics &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychedelics are hallucinogenic drugs that cause the user to experience euphoria and often visions. These drugs range from&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/psychedelics-drugs-psygen-calgary-1.6245793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; LSD, certain mushrooms and MDMA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the active ingredient in the street drug "molly." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychedelics are not new. LSD and MDMA during the 50s to 60s were considered at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20211206/magic-mushroom-drug-edges-toward-mainstream-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;edge of psychiatric research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Nevertheless, they are often restricted and controlled substances banned for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/psychedelics-drugs-psygen-calgary-1.6245793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recreational use&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The laws surrounding the clinical research of such psychedelics have recently relaxed, allowing psychedelic research start-ups like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/psychedelics-drugs-psygen-calgary-1.6245793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psygen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to pick up where the 50s and 60s left off. They began researching whether psychedelics like MDMA benefit those with PTSD and mental illnesses.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This new legal pathway for psychedelics is opening up a new world of possibilities for innovative treatment and an emerging market for psychedelic research companies. Companies such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/psychedelics-drugs-psygen-calgary-1.6245793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psygen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are seeking to create new treatments for existing illnesses. Furthermore, they follow the path of startups like Atai Life Sciences and Compass Pathways, dubbed "unicorns" due to their ability to rapidly develop into companies valued at over &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/psychedelics-drugs-psygen-calgary-1.6245793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$1 billion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The market for investors is huge, allowing researchers to quickly and easily fund the production of their treatments for therapeutic usage by working with psychedelic research funds like the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/psychedelics-drugs-psygen-calgary-1.6245793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Noetic Fund&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in Canada. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therapeutic Benefits of Psychedelics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since psychedelics are edging their way into mainstream therapy, here are some of their primary applications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most promising applications for psychedelic-assisted therapy is in the realm of mental illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psychedelic-therapy#uses-and-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have indicated that those suffering from depression and anxiety can potentially be treated with psychedelics even when other forms of treatment prove ineffective. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, psychedelics have also shown promise in treating treatment-resistant depression. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psychedelic-therapy#uses-and-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2017 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of those with depression that resisted treatment exhibited a substantial reduction in symptoms five weeks after being administered psychedelics, with some even experiencing remission of their depression. Further research into psychedelics could enable the treatment of previously untreatable mental illnesses.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PTSD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychedelics have also shown great promise in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2021, researchers conducted a study that used MDMA in conjunction with trauma therapy to assist people with PTSD. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/26/psychedelics-can-change-humanity-for-the-better-its-time-to-unlock-their-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The result&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was that 88% experienced reduced symptoms while 67% no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment. This MDMA supplemented treatment was significant for many of the participants as it treated their PTSD in ways they had &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/26/psychedelics-can-change-humanity-for-the-better-its-time-to-unlock-their-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not experienced before.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Terminal Illness &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those suffering from terminal illnesses can also benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy. With a diagnosis of terminal illness often comes fear as the person is forced to face the reality of their own rapidly diminishing mortality. Psychedelics can help alleviate these fears by providing them with semi-spiritual experiences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psychedelic-therapy#uses-and-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to multiple studies of patients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; diagnosed with terminal cancer, those who were administered psychedelics experienced significant improvement in their fear relating to their illness, with these effects persisting six months later for about 80% of participants. This resulted from the psychedelics triggering spiritual experiences that gave the patients a view of death or the divine, which helped them cope with their fear of death. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Addiction &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychedelics can also be used in addiction therapy to create a sense of mystical significance which aids the quitting of an addictive substance. Studies from Johns Hopkins indicate that after six months, 80% of smokers did not have a cigarette for at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johns-hopkins-scientists-give-psychedelics-the-serious-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;least a week&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While the exact reason for this effect is unclear, researchers believe that this may be rooted in:  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The psychedelic fostering a sense of unity and significance; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The hypothesized ability of the drug to facilitate better control of the body's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johns-hopkins-scientists-give-psychedelics-the-serious-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reward system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a strong correlation between the usage of psychedelics and the treatment of addiction that is spurring further research and usage of psychedelics in therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cautions around Psychedelic Usage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While psychedelics show some promise, their potential has to be weighed against the possible dangers of increasing the usage of compounds that are often abused. Unfortunately, the 60s were full of examples of people either misusing or abusing such drugs, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20211206/magic-mushroom-drug-edges-toward-mainstream-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which led to significant harm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a result, pharmaceutical professionals' usage of psychedelics must be carefully controlled and monitored to ensure minimal abuse.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, given the adequately controlled studies and careful distribution, psychedelics could quickly make their way into mainstream therapy if the promising research is revealed to be more than just a hallucination. Psychedelics' inclusion into mainstream therapy could lead to innovative treatment modalities of complex illnesses and create new economic opportunities for startups and investors. This would move psychedelics out of its stigmatized association with countercultural movements, seedy nightclubs and dangerous street drugs and into the limelight as the future of psychiatric research.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Shroom_Brain.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/psychedelics-are-edging-towards-mainstream-therapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16713</ID> <title>Pets Can Improve Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-04-30 06:38:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_390 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_439"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_458 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_142"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/petsaltcover.jpg" alt="" title="petsaltcover" class="wp-image-16714" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_487 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets are an integral part of our lives. The joy they bring to everyday activities is infectious. With &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;almost 40% of U.S. households having dogs and just over 25% owning cats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, this feeling of joy is experienced by about 70 million households across the country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But if you had to put your finger on how exactly pets improve our lives, what would you say? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Building Healthy Routines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for our pets adds structure to each day. Whether it's as simple as setting out food and cleaning out the litter box or as involved as taking the dog on a long walk, the structure that pet needs build into your day is beneficial for maintaining mental health. For many people struggling with mental illness, such &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rwapsych.com.au/blog/structure-routine-tips-for-managing-anxiety-and-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regular routines are indispensable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for our pets also provides the opportunity to exercise! This is especially true for dog owners who find themselves running to keep up with their pets' energy levels, but any pet that gets you outdoors and moving can provide this benefit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is not a cure-all for mental health struggles, but studies have shown that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exercise helps manage mental illness symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Not only is it engaging enough to take your mind off of some worries, it naturally releases feel-good chemicals in your brain. These endorphins provide &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#:~:text=When%20you%20exercise%2C%20your%20body,similar%20to%20that%20of%20morphine." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a positive sensation in the body similar to morphine but without the risk of addiction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing Responsibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets help our mental health by providing companionship. Feelings of loneliness are often a tough aspect of mental health struggles, and anything that alleviates these feelings can go a long way! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm#:~:text=Pets%2C%20especially%20dogs%20and%20cats,valuable%20companionship%20for%20older%20adults." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many pet owners are in the habit of thinking out loud to their pet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as a sort of willing audience to hear out their troubles. Enjoying this built-in audience, not to mention coming home to a wagging tail, can make a big difference!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets contribute a sense of responsibility to our daily lives. Our pets depend entirely on us for what they need. Although some people feel that they don't have anything to offer the world, this experience of being personally responsible for a pet can alleviate such feelings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce Stress Hormones, Anticipate Panic Attacks and Meet New People&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets can improve your mental health because they affect your hormones positively! The stress hormone cortisol has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;been shown to decrease simply by petting a dog&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Casual interactions with our furry friends also increase oxytocin, a hormone that significantly lifts one's mood. Aside from mood boosts, the lower cortisol and higher oxytocin levels help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keep blood pressure at healthy levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The next element of mental health care is trained assistance with anxiety issues, which makes a huge difference to the individuals who benefit from these animals' training. Service animals can be trained to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322784#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;notice signs of an anxiety attack before it happens, retrieve someone to help their owner or distract their owner during a lack of immediate care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This training takes a lot of discipline but is critical for those who struggle with anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The final significant way pets can improve our mental health is by encouraging us to meet new people! Taking pets on walks to community areas is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pets-can-help-their-humans-create-friendships-find-social-support-201505067981" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a great way to make friends with your neighbors in a stress-free environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Unlike other social situations, community parks provide a low-pressure opportunity to bond over the animals you're taking care of and the area you live in. Taking your pet out for some exercise is the first step to making that connection happen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you're taking your dog on a walk or cleaning up after the cat, the routines and structures that pets add to our lives can be a big boost to our mental well-being. All pet owners know the work they have to put in to take care of their pets, but we should also appreciate everything that pets do for us! New social interactions, frequent exercise habits and a daily sense of companionship are great ways to maintain mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/petsaltcover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/pets-can-improve-your-mental-health-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16706</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-04-30 06:21:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_391 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_440"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_459 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_143"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Exercise_cover.jpg" alt="" title="Exercise_cover" class="wp-image-16707" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_488 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For anyone who has suffered from depression or anxiety, you know just how difficult it is to get up and move on most days. However, on those days that you're able to pull yourself out of bed, put on your workout clothes and go for a nice run or sweat session, you'll notice that there's a clear shift in your mood, and you might think to yourself, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;today's not so bad after all&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising is not just for keeping yourself physically fit. It can keep you mentally healthy as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has proven&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that exercises such as running, cycling, walking, swimming, dancing and even gardening (yes, digging holes and carrying bags of dirt is a workout, too) reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can Exercise Make Us Feel Better Mentally?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anyone who exercises regularly knows just how good you feel after completing an intense workout. But the mental benefits of exercising extend to far more than just a boost in serotonin levels, especially if you do it regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the ways regular exercise can improve your mental health:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising releases feel-good hormones in your brain, such as serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising regularly can help you sleep better, which, in turn, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Mood-and-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;allows you to manage your mood better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you're in the zone of your workout, you forget your worries, and negative thoughts dissipate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accomplishing exercise goals or challenges, even tiny ones, can increase your self-esteem. Plus, getting in shape can make you feel more confident in your skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising offers an opportunity to socialize and meet different people – whether it be exchanging a friendly smile or hello as you take a stroll around your neighborhood or getting coffee with your new gym buddy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical activity is an excellent outlet for your frustrations. Tough day at work? Had a fight with your loved one? Argued with someone? Try exercising to relieve the negative emotions inside of you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For individuals dealing with anxiety and depression, being more physically active is also a healthy coping strategy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only does working out benefit your mental health, but it's also better for your cardiovascular health and overall well-being. This is critical because individuals with mental health issues are more likely to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;develop chronic physical conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and asthma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Often Should I Exercise for My Mental Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If exercising isn't already a part of your daily habit, you might be curious as to how much physical activity is needed to improve your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The great news is working out doesn't have to be so challenging or take a long time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/more-evidence-that-exercise-can-boost-mood#:~:text=Ideally%2C%20to%20prevent%20depression%20you,such%20as%20walking%20or%20housework." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that low to moderate-intensity exercise is enough to ignite a positive effect on your mood and concentration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spending 30 minutes or more of your day exercising three to five times a week can significantly improve anxiety and depression symptoms. Going for a stroll, tending to your garden, practicing yoga, dancing or even doing housework can already give you a mild workout and boost your mental state.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High-intensity exercises like running, cycling and HIIT workouts can improve your mood in less time. It only takes as little as 10 to 15 minutes of your day, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;voilà&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, your mood has lifted to higher vibrations!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Do I Start Exercising and How Do I Stay Motivated?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know how challenging it can be to start exercising and even harder to stay motivated to do it regularly. So below are a few tips to help you get moving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find a Physical Activity That You Enjoy Doing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You're more likely to follow through and stick to an exercise routine if you have fun while doing it. For example, if you don't like running, there's no point in trying to torture yourself to do that as an exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps you would prefer to learn a new sport such as boxing or tennis. Or maybe you would like to enroll in a dance studio or spin class. Whatever it may be, make sure it sparks joy so you don't see exercise as a chore but rather as a sweaty therapy session that will leave you feeling so much better afterward!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start with Small Goals and Work Your Way Up&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't overwhelm yourself by setting unrealistic goals like working out five times a week for an hour each day. You're trying to lessen your anxiety, not add to it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Assess your body's capabilities first and begin with small goals that you know you can achieve. For example, you can start with 15-minute light workouts three times a week and gradually work your way up from there. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get Support from Someone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether it be your therapist, gym coach or friend, make sure you have someone who will support you and push you to get your body moving, especially on the days when you don't feel like it. Words of encouragement can go a long way and help you stay on track.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Believe in Yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, setbacks happen. You skip a day of exercise, and suddenly it becomes two, three, a whole week of no exercise! Don't be too hard on yourself! Acknowledge all the progress you've made and see just how far you've come. Believe in your ability to get back into the groove because you absolutely can!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a sign to start exercising, this is it! In the words of Olivia Newton-John, "Let's get physical!" and the mind will follow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;2016 study&lt;/a&gt; demonstrated that participants who attended even just a three-day relaxation regimen with meditation components displayed increased brain connectivity as opposed to participants who attended a relaxation program without meditation components. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/?sh=53a76c461465" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research inquiry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, data showed that those who trained memory and concentration through meditation for a couple of weeks scored 16% higher in the GRE (a standardized test for graduate and business schools).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Exercise_cover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/exercise-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16695</ID> <title>The Benefits of Meditation on the Brain</title> <publishDate>2022-04-29 05:48:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_392 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_441"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_460 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_144"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Meditation.jpg" alt="" title="Meditation" class="wp-image-16696" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_489 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For thousands of years, monastic groups from all different religions have practiced spending time alone - isolated from the outside world and any interaction with it. Despite the admiration and respect that many hold for the dedication and focus of these monks, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4330241/?version=meter+at+null&amp;amp;module=meter-Links&amp;amp;pgtype=article&amp;amp;contentId=&amp;amp;mediaId=&amp;amp;referrer=&amp;amp;priority=true&amp;amp;action=click&amp;amp;contentCollection=meter-links-click" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2014 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicates that the majority of people do not share the monastics’ desire or ability to spend time alone with their thoughts. In fact, according to the aforementioned study, many participants would prefer administering electroshocks to themselves rather than spending six to 15 minutes alone with only their thoughts to entertain them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite the troubling results of this study, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a set of practices centered around enhancing awareness and sharpening focus (and which often involves spending time alone with no exterior stimulation), is being hailed as a technique to mitigate stress and increase mindfulness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Science: Mindfulness Meditation on an Anatomical Level&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although there are a variety of meditation exercises, a commonly practiced and studied one is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/well-being/science-behind-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mindfulness meditation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, where the practitioner concentrates on maintaining awareness of the present moment while not passing judgment on their success or thought patterns. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies indicate that mindfulness meditation facilitates growth in certain areas of the brain - like a muscle, it strengthens and grows as it is used. Over time, meditation can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/well-being/science-behind-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;promote the growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/what-is-grey-matter-in-the-brain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;grey matter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the hippocampus and frontal region of the brain, which is responsible for motor function, memories and emotions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness also aids in soothing the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/well-being/science-behind-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sympathetic nervous system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the body’s framework for initiating the “fight or flight” decision process in stressful situations. Consistently practicing meditation can aid in dampening this response and instead activate the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/parasympathetic-nervous-system.html#:~:text=The%20parasympathetic%20nervous%20system%20is,voluntary%20control%2C%20therefore%20being%20automatic.&amp;amp;text=The%20parasympathetic%20nervous%20system%20leads%20to%20decreased%20arousal." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;parasympathetic nervous system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which reverses the reaction set into motion by the sympathetic nervous system and helps the body relax. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Benefits: Mindfulness Meditation on a Practical Level&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because of its ability to jumpstart the parasympathetic nervous system, meditation has been shown to positively affect mental health, mitigating the effects of depression and anxiety. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/?sh=53a76c461465" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; determined that meditation had 0.3 effectiveness in combating mental illness - a number matching that of some antidepressants. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Concentration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The attention and focus demanded by mindfulness meditation help train the brain in concentration skills. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2016 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; demonstrated that participants who attended even just a three-day relaxation regimen with meditation components displayed increased brain connectivity as opposed to participants who attended a relaxation program without meditation components. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/?sh=53a76c461465" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research inquiry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, data showed that those who trained memory and concentration through meditation for a couple of weeks scored 16% higher in the GRE (a standardized test for graduate and business schools).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Addiction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Similar to how the brain can grow in focus through practicing meditation, it can also strengthen self-control through fighting impulses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation#8.-May-help-fight-addictions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown correlations between meditation and discipline for resisting alcohol dependence and instincts to binge-eat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/?sh=53a76c461465" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smokers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who undergo meditation mindfulness programs are more likely to quit than those who undergo traditional treatments, both immediately after and up to 17 weeks following the program.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only does mindfulness meditation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation#1.-Reduces-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decrease cortisol levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (the hormone that contributes to elevated stress levels), but it also helps mitigate the practical consequences of stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), post-traumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Implementation: Mindfulness Meditation on a Practical Level&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although mindfulness meditation is simple enough to practice, it may be more difficult to maintain concentration than one might expect, given that some people would rather shock themselves than spend six minutes alone with their thoughts. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/less-stress-clearer-thoughts-with-mindfulness-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a 4-step process to practicing it at home!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="list-style-type: none;"&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sit straight in a chair or couch, palms resting on the thighs, with upper arms resting relaxed at your side.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With eyes closed, begin focusing on your breathing, how the chest and belly rise and fall. Rather than controlling its flow, center yourself around your natural breathing pattern.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you begin to become distracted, refocus on your breathing, but without passing any judgment on your propensity to become distracted.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although 20 minutes twice a day is recommended, mindfulness meditation can also be practiced for only 10 minutes - anywhere and at any time of day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though it may initially take some extra focus, mindfulness meditation will richly reward the time and effort by decreasing stress, mitigating food cravings, combatting depression and boosting concentration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/kevin-laminto-432HbzkfxCw-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-benefits-of-meditation-on-the-brain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16678</ID> <title>What Is Mental Health and Why Is It Important?</title> <publishDate>2022-04-28 04:55:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_393 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_442"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_461 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_145"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/raimond-klavins-jZuIwS3VBME-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="raimond-klavins-jZuIwS3VBME-unsplash" class="wp-image-16681" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_490 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health issues are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one of the most significant issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in America. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed in 2018 that mental health is a factor that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;15% of Americans struggle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with each year. Unfortunately, many mental illnesses cannot be prevented, but there are early warning signs and ways to help their mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Mental Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is mental well-being. It is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the everyday stresses of life, can work productively and can contribute to their community. It includes how people perceive themselves, handle social situations, deal with stress and cope with difficult situations.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;factors that contribute to mental well-being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include an individual's ability to have healthy relationships, develop meaningful life goals, set realistic expectations for oneself, control dangerous behavior and maintain a balanced view of their abilities.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Is Mental Health Important?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/mentalhealthandbehavior.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Any mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can cause severe damage to the person struggling through it, both mentally and physically. Suffering from a mental illness also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalhealthcenter.org/how-does-family-life-affect-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;impacts family members in negative ways&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Whether it's the family member caring for someone with mental illness or the individual struggling with mental distress, it will have lasting effects on the surrounding people. Because mental illness can wreak havoc on a person and their loved ones, it is critical to understand how it works to help individuals struggling with it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By keeping their mind healthy, one can live life as they were meant to live it, take care of themselves and trust those they surround themselves with. Mental health helps individuals perform daily tasks such as going out with friends or family, grocery shopping, work and other day-to-day activities.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of our mental health should be taken just as seriously &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-does-mental-health-affect-physical-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;as our physical health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Our mental state affects how we function in our daily lives. One's mental state also affects their overall mental wellness, such as sleeping habits and the ability to focus on tasks, which can lead to not landing certain jobs done or achieving goals set forth for themselves because they were too focused on their mental struggles.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Early Signs of Mental Illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, some mental illnesses develop during childhood while others are not seen until the teenage years or adulthood. It's important to remember that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;early signs of mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can vary depending on what mental illness is being experienced.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warning Signs in Younger Children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Children can be highly mentally distressed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/mental-health-illness-in-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some mental illnesses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in children may result in the child not eating, struggling with sleeping habits or doing things such as talking about death or dying. Early signs of mental illness also vary depending on the mental disorder and include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Behavioral problems at school and/or home (e.g., arguing, fighting, pushing other kids) &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Frequent temper tantrums&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme mood changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Problems making friends or keeping friends over a long time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Excessive worrying and fearfulness &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're wondering if your child is experiencing mental health issues, it's vital to watch their mental health for early signs of mental illness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some examples of mental illnesses often found in younger children are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;a href="https://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Learning Disabilities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Learning disabilities occur when an individual has trouble processing information. Professionals can detect them through speech therapy or another type of testing and assess how well someone can process new information. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ADHD makes it difficult for individuals to control their impulses, concentration levels and focus on their given tasks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Autism Spectrum Disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Autism spectrum disorder is a mental health condition in which the individual may have abnormal social interaction, sensory processing issues, repetitive behaviors or restricted interests.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_443"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_462 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_146"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/mi-pham-_zQULEllQS0-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="mi-pham-_zQULEllQS0-unsplash" class="wp-image-16680" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_491 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=separation-anxiety-disorder-90-P02582" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Separation Anxiety Disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Separation anxiety disorder occurs when individuals find it difficult to separate themselves from their caregivers, whether at home, school or elsewhere.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537155/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reactive Attachment Disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reactive attachment disorders can occur when individuals lack proper affection from their primary caregiver(s) before the age of five.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If your child has experienced any of the above issues, you should speak with a mental health professional. It's essential that you take mental health seriously and don't wait to get help when dealing with mental distress because it can lead to severe consequences down the road.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warning Signs in Adolescents and Adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now let's look at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4953734/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental illness found in adolescence and adulthood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Some early signs of mental illness include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having difficulty concentrating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased levels of aggression or agitation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme changes in eating habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased feelings of anxiety or restlessness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping disturbances&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Changes in mood such as feeling perpetually hopeless, depressed, sad, tearful, tired, irritable or angry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other mental ailments that may appear during adolescence are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide/frequently-asked-questions/how-do-other-mental-health-conditions-relate-to-substance-use-in-adolescents" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;substance abuse problems or drug addiction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which can exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental illness in adulthood may develop after being exposed to traumatic events, whether war-torn areas with physical injuries or not handling mental distress caused by mental illness. Mental disorders may include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;personality disorders&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in which the individual has trouble controlling their emotions and mental distress.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other mental issues to look out for in adulthood are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/phobia-simple-specific" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Phobias&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: fear of anything, whether people, places, things&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd#:~:text=Obsessive%2DCompulsive%20Disorder%20(OCD),to%20repeat%20over%20and%20over." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: mental health disorder related to perfectionism and getting everything "just right"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Panic Disorders&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: panic attacks that cause mental anguish to the individual by feeling like they're losing control or having difficulty breathing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia#:~:text=Schizophrenia%20is%20a%20chronic%20brain,thinking%20and%20lack%20of%20motivation." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Schizophrenia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: hearing voices in an individual's head telling them what to do or seeing images that aren't there&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Depression&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: high levels of sadness often lasting weeks at a time with symptoms such as changes in sleep patterns, fatigue, irritability, loss of interest, lack of pleasure in activities and feeling like nothing matters&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder#:~:text=Bipolar%20disorder%20(formerly%20called%20manic,day%2Dto%2Dday%20tasks." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bipolar Disorder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: extremely high levels of happiness and increased activity followed by low levels of energy and mental anguish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Illness Treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All mental health disorders should be taken seriously as they can lead to mental distress if not appropriately treated. Mental disorders are treatable with the help of professionals such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry-menu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;psychiatrists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/about-psychologists" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;psychologists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Many treatment options include:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychotherapy (talking therapy related to mental distress)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medication where the individual takes medicine directly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health appointments with mental health professionals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental exercises to help individuals manage mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Health Care Access&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dw.com/en/the-pandemic-harms-the-mind-helps-an-industry/a-58076059#:~:text=In%20the%20US%2C%20the%20market,as%20well%20as%20online%20therapies." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental health industry is booming&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and will only continue to grow as mental illnesses become more commonplace. Every individual should have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92265/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;access to mental health care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if they are experiencing symptoms of mental illness or come in contact with someone who has mental distress. This can be done by having mental health teams available at each place that cares for people, such as schools, workplaces, hospitals and recovery centers where individuals may recover from addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, early signs of mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are often overlooked, allowing symptoms to worsen and require more difficult treatments later on.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strengthening the Response to Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/mentalhealth.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a vital topic that deserves more attention. Whether you're a mental health professional or just someone who wants to learn more about mental health, it's vital to understand the different aspects of mental health and how they can affect your life. Though it can be challenging to talk about, mental health is essential because it affects everyone, from children to adults of all ages. Therefore, we must take the time to learn about mental illness and what we can do to prevent it from affecting our loved ones.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're interested in helping make a difference in mental health, consider donating your time or money to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/leading-mental-health-charities-and-organizations-4147842" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;an organization&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that provides mental health services or education. Together, we can positively impact the lives of those who have a mental illness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mental_Health_Profile-01.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/what-is-mental-health-and-why-is-it-important/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16669</ID> <title>How Your Heart Impacts Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-04-27 04:32:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_394 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_444"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_463 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_147"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/heartbrain2.jpg" alt="" title="heartbrain2" class="wp-image-16670" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_492 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/mentalhealth.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coronary illness and mental illness &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are some of the leading causes of death. However, they could be much more related than previously thought. As it turns out, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mind over matter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is more than just a saying— it is science. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental illness and heart health are intimately connected. Your mind's health can positively or negatively affect your heart's health, potentially increasing your risk of everything from stroke to heart attacks. Likewise, if your heart is unhealthy, any strokes you experience could increase your risk for mental illness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Link between Heart and Mind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many researchers have found more evidence to connect one's mental health and heart health. According to a study published by the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Library of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, people with severe mental illness, such as bipolar disorders and schizophrenia, are more likely to suffer from heart illness. The study also notes that PTSD and anxiety also increase the likelihood of heart illness to a lesser degree. This indicates that mental and heart illnesses are very likely linked. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, the link between mind and heart is still challenging to know. It is clear for most researchers that a fight against stroke or a heart attack can produce additional &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;depression or anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/chronic-illness/heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;65%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of those who suffer from heart disease experiencing some form of depression. This is often the result of one having to face their mortality, which can cause patients to either fear a potential heart attack in the future, foster anxiety, or entrench them in their own sadness, leading to depression. Thus, heart disease can often lead to mental illness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The same is not necessarily valid for mental illness leading to heart disease. While patients who suffer from heart disease often experience mental illness, including anxiety or depression, it is unclear if the mental illness is causing the heart disease. Despite the studies documenting the correlation between mental illness and heart disease, according to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Nieca Goldberg,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a medical director at NYU's Langone Medical Center, research has not been able to firmly link them. Instead, a more accurate statement would be that mental illness can be a risk factor for heart disease and vice versa. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Risk Factors for Heart Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you're likely familiar with the lifestyle hazards for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and smoking, depression can also be a significant risk factor. Indeed, studies have indicated that depression can be as dangerous a risk factor for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heart-disease-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heart disease as smoking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers believe that depression can likely lead to an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heart-disease-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;unhealthy lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, people with depression are more likely to make poor dieting decisions, consume more alcohol and exercise less. These factors can harm your heart and make it more likely for you to suffer from heart attacks or stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Depression increases the risk of developing a heart illness and makes it harder to recover from. This is due to the downward spiral most patients experience as they fear their next attack or develop a sense of depression or isolation. As a result, patients with a heart illness who suffer from depression are at an increased risk of worsening &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/chronic-illness/heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heart attacks and strokes later&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart Risk Factors for Mental Illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The CDC notes that heart illness can also increase the risk of mental illness. According to the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/mentalhealth.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; CDC's research,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; depression, anxiety and PTSD can develop after cardiac issues such as heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. Such development is likely the result of the shock, pain, fear and financial difficulty which often follows &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/mentalhealth.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dangerous cardiac events&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These risks are not equally distributed either. Instead, certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing mental illness after heart attacks. According to the CDC, women, veterans, racial and ethnic minorities, and couples with a person who has PTSD have a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/mentalhealth.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;higher risk of developing mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, the link between mental health and heart health is clear. What is unknown is the degree of causation between heart and mind. Poor mental health is a severe risk factor for heart disease because it leads to an unhealthy lifestyle. On the other hand, heart disease can lead to the development of mental illness, which can then prevent successful healing and increase the risks for future attacks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The health of your heart can prevent heart attacks and strokes. Taking care of your mind can help you maintain a healthy heart by reducing the key risk factors for heart illness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/heartbrain1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/how-your-heart-impacts-your-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16641</ID> <title>The Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine by Dr. Ian White</title> <publishDate>2022-04-24 14:31:34</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_395 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_445"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_464 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_148"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DrWhite_P9A2709-1-web-1.jpg" alt="" title="DrWhite_P9A2709-1-web (1)" class="wp-image-16643" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_465 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_493 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is the fastest growing and most dynamic field to evolve out of the contemporary allopathic method of medicine. The current trajectory of medical evolution is unprecedented in our history and regenerative medicine is the driving influence guiding our advancements. But what is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In this three-part editorial, a basic introduction for physicians interested in learning more about this field since many believe in representing the future of personalized, precision medicine in the United States. In part one, terminology and basic concepts will be introduced along with the basic concepts of regenerative medicine, with an introduction to stem cells and how the human body can be stimulated to repair itself after receiving regenerative therapies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_446"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_466 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_494 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;On the Origins of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing to clarify is that regenerative medicine is NOT "stem cell" therapy or tissue engineering. Stem cells are studied in the laboratory but not used without prior differentiation in the clinic (excluding BM reconstitution). Tissue engineering uses stem cells to manufacture, grow or print tissues derived from differentiated, tissue-specific stem cell populations. Regenerative medicine is the practice of using various regenerative cells, EVs, matrices and growth factors to help repair damage by activating endogenous, tissue specific stem cells and other regenerative cells within the body of a patient.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is a Stem Cell?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A stem cell is a type of cell that can proliferate (divide) to make more copies of itself or can differentiate (mature) into other types of cells within the body. There are different stem cell hierarchies and functions within the body and these will be discussed below. An important note is that exogenous (transplanted) stem cells are not the cells responsible for the medicinal effects we see in the practice of regenerative medicine. Indeed, most of the products used successfully in regenerative medicine do not contain stem cells at all, but rather a heterogeneous population of mature cells with potent biological activities relevant to immunomodulation and tissue repair. These transplanted cells signal (communicate) with endogenous, tissue-specific stem cells and other regenerative cells within the patient's body to orchestrate regenerative and reparative outcomes. We already know that the human body exhibits a robust capacity to replace aged cells within organs and tissues, daily (homeostasis) and in response to injury (repair). Collectively these activities are referred to as "regeneration". Some dynamic tissues and organs (skin, intestine, blood etc) are more "regenerative" compared to others (brain, heart) with a capacity to replace hundreds of millions of cells every hour throughout an entire lifespan. The problem we face as a species is that over time, as we age, our endogenous ability to regenerate declines from a robust and sufficient level at birth to a depleted and insufficient level, which ultimately precipitates age-related disease and death.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When an average person hears the words "stem cell" they typically think about one of the main types of stem cell in biology called embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which are isolated from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst (a multicellular product of the sperm and egg coming together). These cells are NOT used by physicians in clinical regenerative medicine (AKA cellular- or cytotherapy), rather they are a tool used in medical research and for the purposes of tissue engineering. In other words, ESCs, which if injected live into patients can form multi-cell-type tumors (teratomas) are used to understand stem cell biology in the lab or are differentiated into a terminal tissue for use in transplantation. These cells have a controversial history in science and medicine.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The stem cells we talk most about in regenerative medicine are adult stem cells, which are tissue-specific and reside within our organs and tissues. In the developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all types of specialized cells. In the adult, stem cells and their immediate progeny – progenitor cells, maintain adult tissues by repairing and replacing dead or damaged cells within their local neighborhood. Some parts of the body are limited by the extent they can regenerate, such as the brain and the heart. Conversely, other body parts (organs and tissues) require constant and consistent regeneration, such as the skin, blood, intestine, liver and even the epithelial layer that covers the cornea of the eye. In fact, if all stem cell activity stopped in our body, we’d have just a few hours to live. Stem cells are critical for our day-to-day survival, our response to injury and our ability to fight infection. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What makes a stem cell a stem cell?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Potency” refers to the differentiation potential (the potential to differentiate into different cell types) of the stem cell and is a fundamental trait of stem cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Totipotent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;omnipotent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stem cells can differentiate into all embryonic and extraembryonic cell types. Such cells can make a whole new person from head-to-toe. These cells are the result of an egg and a sperm coming together. Cells produced by the first few divisions of the fertilized egg (within the blastocyst) are totipotent. In addition, science has provided a novel source of totipotent stem cells. These cells are derived from adult keratinocytes (skin fibroblast cells) and directed back into an embryonic state using specific transcription (DNA activation) factors. These are referred to as induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), but are in fact totipotent just like ESCs (well, very similar). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pluripotent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stem cells are the descendants of totipotent cells and can differentiate into many different cell types, but not all. They are limited to one of the three germ layers (mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Multipotent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stem cells (including HSCs - stem cells of the blood) can differentiate into a number of cell types, but only those of a closely related family of cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is cellular therapy?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When a part of the body that has limited regenerative ability becomes damaged or sick it is unable to sufficiently activate endogenous (native) stem cells to help with repair.  Currently there are hundreds of clinical trials underway at clinics around the world using cellular therapies to address this issue for dozens of conditions broadly ranging from Alzheimer's to Multiple Sclerosis to cardiovascular disease and many more. Hundreds of millions of dollars of federal and private money is being leveraged to test the efficacy of transplanting various "types" of cells into patients to support compromised endogenous cells. For more information about these trials visit https://clinicaltrials.gov. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What cells are being used in therapy?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cellular or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cytotherapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can be broadly split into two main approaches. The first relies on the body’s own regenerative cells and is known as "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;autologous"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; cell therapy. The second utilizes cells from an unrelated adult or neonatal donor, referred to as “allo” or "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;allogeneic"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; cell therapy. These cells are primarily obtained from umbilical tissue, which is typically discarded as medical waste following birth. This tissue can be collected by appropriate tissue banks with consent from the mother and transferred to a cGMP-compliant manufacturing laboratory for the isolation of the various regenerative components, including cells, EVs, extracellular matrix and growth factors (to be discussed in part 2).  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are currently three main sources of autologous cells for use in regenerative medicine - &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;1. Bone marrow&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which requires extraction by drilling into bone, typically the iliac crest of the pelvis, and subsequently aspirating several milliliters of marrow. This can be both painful and time consuming, but depending on the age of the patient, can yield a very large number of cells. The majority of the cells derived from bone marrow are hematopoietic (blood) stem cells  (HSCs) and about 1 in 10,000 cells being MSCs. As patients age it becomes increasingly more difficult to harvest large number of regeneration-competent cells, and those which are collected have relatively short telomeres (a part of the chromosome that allows cells to keep dividing - as we age they become shorter and shorter, until they reach a point where they are too short to allow further cell division and the cell dies). MSCs are very generalized cells that cling to the outside of blood vessels throughout the entire body (pericytes). They modulate immune reactions, mediate angiogenesis and facilitate tissue repair. These, together with endothelial cells, epithelial cells and leukocytes (blood cells) are the cells that primarily facilitate regeneration and repair throughout the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;2. Adipose tissue&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (fat) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF). This product is harvested by liposuction. Because fat is heavily vascularized (has lots of small blood vessels and capillaries) and because MSCs adhere to the outside of blood vessels, lipo can yield a large number of MSCs. That said, adipose requires rendering to extract the cells, which can damage the cells and also risks contamination from external bacterial, viral or fungal sources. This is one reason the FDA has issued warnings concerning the use of adipose-derived MSCs and SVF. Among those seeking cellular therapy, SVF is a popular treatment option mainly due to the large number of clinics that offer this minimally invasive service. Issues with patient age and decreasing telomere length and regenerative efficacy are an issue with adipose and SVF, just like bone marrow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;3. Peripheral blood&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is collected the same way a blood donation would be collected. The erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBCs) are then separated by density gradient and the remaining mononuclear cells (white blood cells) are infused back into the patient. This method is the least invasive but yields the fewest regeneration-competent cells as the majority of cells in the periphery of an adult are hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) or mature cells, with a few circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and MSCs. The primary value of this product are the concentrated platelets, which is referred to as platelet rich plasma (PRP) and generally functions as an irritant to re-engage the host immune system in repair. All autologous products suffer from the same age-related decline in efficacy.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What alternative sources of cells exist for cytotherapy?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvesting tissue-specific stem cells comes with a multitude of challenges. For example, if a patient suffers from a compromised ocular (e.g. limbal) stem cell compartment it is not possible to harvest limbal stem cells from their conjunctiva and an alternative source of cells is required. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In many cases, cells obtained from umbilical cord blood (UCB) just after birth are a practical substitute. UCB-derived cells are primarily hematopoietic stem cells or progenitors with between 1-5% Mesenchymal Signaling Cells (MSCs). These cells are naive blood cells and have not matured to express HLA or MHC. As a result, they can typically be tolerated in a wide range of patients without immune rejection or adverse effects. By far the best source of MSCs is the Wharton’s Jelly, which is the connective tissue within the umbilical cord itself. A typical cord can provide over 400,000 MSCs compared to 1 out of 10,000 bone marrow cells. These cells can be grown in culture to expand their numbers. However, the FDA does not currently allow the use of cultured MSCs in the US outside of an IND-approved clinical trial. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Summary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is important to reiterate that cells used in cryotherapy products do not “cure” disease. The mechanism of action is perhaps different for each indication, but the results come from the ability of transplanted cells to interact with, and stimulate, the patient’s own regenerative cells. Cytotherapy is used by physicians to help improve symptoms, modulate the immune system, induce angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessel branching) and promote tissue regeneration. Transplanted cells, received as part of a therapeutic intervention, do not engraft into the patient, but rather they communicate via paracrine (local) signaling to help drive the body’s own repair mechanisms. For this reason, older patients or those with comorbidities may respond to a lesser degree compared to a younger, relatively healthy patient. In the next part of this series, alternatives to using live cells in regenerative medicine will be discussed along with a focus on cutting out the middleman (cells) and working directly with the paracrine messages transported within extracellular vesicles and exosomes.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ian White is an expert in the field of regenerative medicine with over 20 year’s experience in academia and industry. Dr. White is the founder, president and CSO of Neobiosis, a perinatal tissue manufacturing company, the scientific advisor to Top Doctor Magazine, and member of the Board of Directors for The American College of Regenerative Medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DrWhite_P9A2709-1-web-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-emerging-field-of-regenerative-medicine-by-dr-ian-white/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16626</ID> <title>Serving a Prison Population: An Interview with Dr. John S. Hodges, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-04-23 10:58:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_396 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_447"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_467 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_149"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_02382.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_02382" class="wp-image-16628" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_495 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing healthcare services in prison is challenging in ways most doctors never encounter. But the successes of doctors who pursue this practice are gratifying. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. John S. Hodges, M.D., is a Chief Physician Surgeon at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) in San Diego, California. Of the nearly 100,000 inmates within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system (CDCR), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/research/wp-content/uploads/sites/174/2021/11/Tpop1d211124.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;about 3,300&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reside in RJD as of Nov. 2021. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I get to provide excellent care to the patients who reside at RJD, and along with that I try to interact with them in a way that will hopefully positively influence their lives. To accomplish mine and my patient’s shared goals I need to collaborate with other doctors, my nursing and custody colleagues, and management," he shared with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hodges developed an interest in correctional medicine while he treated patients who were frequently in and out of the prison system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I saw this marginalized group of people who were in and out of prison and I wanted to try and reach them more directly to see if I could provide some sort of light in their life. I started initially seeing patients in the clinic as a family physician and began to realize I could effect even more positive change in these patients’ lives in management so I pursued and was later promoted to Chief Physician Surgeon," Dr. Hodges said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;An Underserved Population&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The correctional population has the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2661478/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;right to healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but it isn't that straightforward. Nationwide, correctional patients have high rates of chronic medical and mental illnesses as well as substance abuse. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are lucky to have our leadership at California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) who really work day and night to ensure staff have the resources they need to provide excellent access to care and make sure we have the tools needed to accomplish our jobs,” Dr. Hodges said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hodges also mentioned that they are focusing on a program to allow medical students and residents to work onsite. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“To help young doctors, who may not otherwise think about correctional medicine see the opportunities, CCHCS has started an Educational Partnerships Program (EPP), which teams us up with medical students and residents who then come and work with us onsite.  We can attribute one of our recent hires directly with this program," Dr. Hodges said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prison Healthcare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A More Challenging Population &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A rule of thumb says that long-term patients in correctional institutions are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healio.com/news/rheumatology/20201009/hard-time-and-health-care-challenges-in-caring-for-the-prison-population" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physiologically about 10 years older than their actual age&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition, overall prison populations are aging. In one study, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2018/07/19/state-prisons-and-the-delivery-of-hospital-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;percentage of inmates aged 55 or above increased&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by about 41% over five years.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doctors face medical issues as well as the stress of prison life itself. But as Dr. Hodges points out, there's no challenge that doctors cannot overcome. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"With inmate-patients, we are typically dealing with people that have never had regular healthcare throughout their lives. You have to set clear expectations and oftentimes take more time to educate them than you would someone who is used to having healthcare and knows how to navigate the system.  One example that comes to mind is a young patient with active tuberculosis. He refused treatment for some time and his condition continued to worsen but we eventually got him before a judge and with the assistance of our mental health colleagues we were able to prove that he did not have the mental capacity to make his own medical decisions.  This led to a court order mandating the patient accept treatment and this extra effort really ended up saving his life," Dr. Hodges shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Improving Prison Healthcare&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are very lucky to have had extensive training in the area of substance abuse treatment and I received my X waiver about a year ago.  It’s really one of the highlights of my career.  Now just about every provider in CCHCS has their X waiver and we’re able to give so many patients with addiction problems their lives back by providing them with medical treatment.  Not only that but we are preventing a lot of overdoses and deaths from overdoses by doing so.  I have also received training in HIV and Hepatitis C treatment here in the prison system. There really are a lot of opportunities for growth and upward mobility.  It’s amazing," Dr. Hodges said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncchc.org/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Commission on Correctional Healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; established standards for quality prison healthcare and now offers an accreditation program for institutions that adhere to those standards. Also, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://cchcs.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;California Correctional Health Care Services&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (CCHCS) produces care guides with suggested protocols for a wide array of symptoms and diseases. Other resources include formularies and lists for medications, medical supplies and patient orientation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We do have a number of measures that are better than what's seen in Kaiser or Medi-Cal patients, including diabetic control, blood pressure control and colorectal cancer screening," Dr. Hodges explained when discussing the improvements made in the prison system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cost Concerns&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing healthcare to a population of nearly 100,000 is expensive. Hospitalization costs include secure transportation, security while in the hospital and more expensive medical services. Any off-site visit to a specialist includes the costs for custody to transport them and guard them while out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, having more on-site options helps manage costs. With the resources available, Dr. Hodges is able to provide the needed services and save a tremendous amount of costs by not needing to transport patients to off-site locations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;RJD recently became the fourth designated dialysis treatment institution in CDCR, joining San Quentin State Prison, California Health Care Facility and Wasco State Prison. The clinic is able to accomodate incarcerated patients in the Southern Region.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, they offer on-site services with specialists in Optometry, Ophthalmology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, HIV treatment, HCV treatment, Radiology/Imaging and ISUDT.  They also have an excellent telemedicine department which allows them to work with all sorts of specialists, and they have recently implemented an e-consult service which provides them with quick access to many specialists online while also providing cost savings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_448"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_468 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_150"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/prison1.png" alt="" title="prison1" class="wp-image-16627" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_496 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Challenge of COVID-19&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A New Reality&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Imagine a large population living close to one another in an enclosed space, having a higher percentage of chronic illnesses and an increasing overall average age. Now add COVID-19. This becomes a nightmare of a situation for medical staff. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We've learned how vulnerable we are to this type of infection and how easy it is to transmit. Never once have we had an outbreak like this," Dr. Hodges explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The CCHCS and CDCR &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;issued protocols&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; based on recommendations of the California Department of Public Health and the CDC. Dr. Hodges and his team can now address any medical needs that come up, such as monoclonal antibody treatment, quarantine and isolation procedures, and testing protocols.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;In the Future&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think telemedicine will fill the gaps in medical access for rural and underserved communities," he shared. Dr. Hodges envisions medical advancements that will benefit incarcerated populations, including the growth of telemedicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You know in a lot of ways I think we're more advanced than the primary care I’ve seen outside of these prison walls.  Not only have we been using telemedicine for primary care and specialty visits for years before COVID changed our world, but we have very advanced dashboards and registries created by our Quality Management department that gives us real time data about our patients.  We know what screenings and follow up they are due for along with results, diabetes control, COVID status all in real time.  These are the tools that help me to be the best doctor for these patients that I can," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hodges believes that prison healthcare has much to offer to the future of medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being a doctor in a prison environment can be difficult, but as Dr. Hodges showed us, there are plenty of rewards. He and his colleagues take full advantage of available resources, and they educate this population so that they are more likely to accept care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dedicated to his patients, Dr. Hodges is living a unique, fulfilling career journey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_02382.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/serving-a-prison-population-an-interview-with-dr-john-s-hodges-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16619</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-04-22 07:40:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_397 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_449"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_469 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_151"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_Ben_Headshot.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Ben_Headshot.jpeg" class="wp-image-16620" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_497 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be hard to know what you should do when your healthcare company encounters legal troubles. For the most part, the intricacies of healthcare law are not something that most people have in-depth knowledge about, so it may seem easy to let a general practice lawyer handle everything. However, perhaps surprisingly for some, this is one area where lawyers with professional medical expertise and background can provide more value. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-t-dyches-dds-jd-4378139a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Benjamin Dyches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a dentist turned lawyer with a unique perspective on law, shared his expertise on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cpajournal.com/2017/10/30/u-s-research-development-tax-credit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research and development (R&amp;amp;D) tax credits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From Dentist to Attorney&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aegislion.com/benjamin-t-dyches" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Dyches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Case Western Reserve Dental School and went on to open a general dental practice in Colorado and later in Washington. He practiced dentistry for about 12 years and built up a group of practices he sold to a dental service organization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The relationship after the sale was not quite as easy or fluid as it was beforehand. We had a falling-out-from-a-business perspective that led to a number of interesting legal questions. I had a good team of attorneys that were representing me. They did not, however, really know healthcare law, or how some of the questions that were being asked might impact the healthcare professional's ability to build another practice or growth," Dr. Dyches said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After these experiences, he realized that his heart was in the law part of the job rather than dentistry itself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wanted to help other healthcare professionals have a much easier process in these legal aspects. I wanted to make sure that there is legal representation out there that understands what it's like to be a clinician, what the legal options are and how these options might impact your practice," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This change of direction guided him to law school, graduating from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University with a focus on business law, healthcare law and alternative dispute resolution. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I learned a lot in law school, especially about how things should be going for doctors," Dr. Dyches said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through his &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aegislion.com/benjamin-t-dyches" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;legal expertise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Dyches represented doctors at all levels, from the courtroom and state boards to just the flow of contract work regarding mergers and acquisitions of practices and specialized tax questions and consulting, especially for R&amp;amp;D tax credits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is the R&amp;amp;D Tax Credit?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Dr. Dyches, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cpajournal.com/2017/10/30/u-s-research-development-tax-credit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;R&amp;amp;D tax credit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is one of the most powerful tools for growth in healthcare companies. The federal R&amp;amp;D tax credit (also known as the Research and Experimentation [R&amp;amp;E] tax credit) was first &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cpajournal.com/2017/10/30/u-s-research-development-tax-credit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;introduced in 1981&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and became a permanent part of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/path-act-tax-related-provisions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tax code in 2015&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; through the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/path-act-tax-related-provisions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It was established and expanded to recognize innovation in US businesses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The tax credit is recognized when you bring in a new business technique or a new product, where you can receive an offset on the qualifying expenses against your taxes, reducing the amount of taxes that you owe," Dr. Dyches explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Qualifications for R&amp;amp;D Tax Credit?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i6765.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;substantial precedents and several thresholds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Internal Revenue Service (IRS)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; uses to identify what's a qualifying activity and what's not. Still, Dr. Dyches emphasized that one doesn't have to establish a new piece of research or knowledge to qualify for the R&amp;amp;D tax credit.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, if you are an orthodontist, you don't have to create something &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/subjects/orthodontics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;new to orthodontics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to qualify. What you have to do is bring some innovative technology—something that's new to your practice (at the practice level).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are a lot of doctors out there who go into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/continuing-medical-education-definition.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Continuing Medical Education (CME) classes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to learn a new technique, evaluate a new product, or invest in innovation. But they're also looking at this with questions: 'How do I reduce my negative outcomes?' 'How do I improve my patient care?' 'Let me try and bring X into my practice.' So, in essence, they're setting up these internal clinical trials where they can discover what the real outcomes look like in practice. We help identify which of these activities qualify for the R&amp;amp;D tax credit," Dr. Dyches said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;R&amp;amp;D Tax Credit Calculations: How Much Can I Get?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Dyches' team at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.drtaxcredit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tax Credit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; helps put together the extensive &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i6765.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;paperwork and calculations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to support the R&amp;amp;D tax credit. They have worked with all kinds of doctors and identified that one of the biggest qualifiers is the need to own a practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We see credits that can be anywhere from $8,000 up to $80,000 or more depending on the practice and the size of the practice and exactly what they do," Dr. Dyches added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few of Dr. Dyches' clients call the R&amp;amp;D tax credit "free money," but he says he doesn't see it that way because this is money they've already earned. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's not free. You're just getting a credit that you've already earned," Dr. Dyches explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;R&amp;amp;D Tax Credit: A Powerful Tool to Maximize&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Dyches suggests that if a healthcare company or doctor is interested in learning about and qualifying for the R&amp;amp;D tax credit, they should make sure their consultant understands what's involved and help them take advantage of this powerful tool. Identifying internal clinical trials, new business techniques, the qualifying activity, and consulting a qualified attorney can help make this process straightforward.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the Step to Innovation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The journey from dentist to lawyer may not be an easy one, but Dr. Dyches has found his way in healthcare law and helping doctors and companies resolve legal troubles. His expertise in the R&amp;amp;D tax credit has helped many companies and doctors grow and thrive. He has seen firsthand the impact that innovation and new techniques can have on healthcare companies or doctors who want to take advantage of the R&amp;amp;D tax credit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Dyches encourages us to think of the R&amp;amp;D tax credit as a tool that can help boost revenue and profits for any healthcare business or doctor looking to move forward, whether it's taking on more patients, acquiring another practice or buying an additional office building.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You ask any successful person about their secret for success, and they'll tell you it was all the things they learned along the way that made them successful. And I think that's what makes this credit so powerful—it rewards people who are willing to take risks and learn new things because through learning these new techniques, we're moving our industry forward," Dr. Dyches said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_Ben_Headshot.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/understanding-rd-tax-credits-with-dentist-attorney-benjamin-dyches/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16610</ID> <title>Lipid Markers Can Predict Cardiovascular Events 20 Years before they Occur</title> <publishDate>2022-04-20 07:27:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_398 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_450"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_470 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_152"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lipid4.png" alt="" title="lipid4" class="wp-image-16612" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_498 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People don't think about cardiovascular health until their 40s or 50s. Yet, most often, our decisions prior to this age can lead to cardiovascular illnesses. Unhealthy diets, smoking and other lifestyle habits that we make in our 20s and 30s, carrying into our 40s and 50s, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118#:~:text=A%20buildup%20of%20fatty%20plaques%20in%20your%20arteries%20(atherosclerosis)%20is,smoking%2C%20can%20lead%20to%20atherosclerosis." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;all increase the risk of cardiovascular disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But what if there was a way to predict the risk of a cardiovascular event 20 years before it occurred? According to promising research, it turns out that lipid markers may help do just that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are Lipid Markers?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lipid markers are variables, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16026290/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cholesterol and triglycerides&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, contained in the body's lipids. They are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-are-Lipids.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;composed of hydrocarbons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and make up the body's fats, oils and waxes. In fat cells, the lipid is called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-are-Lipids.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;triglyceride&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, created through the body's conversion of excess carbohydrates. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary function of lipids in the body is energy storage. However, an excessive build-up of cholesterol or triglycerides within the body's lipids can endanger one's cardiovascular system. As a result, lipids markers like cholesterol and triglycerides are commonly used to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16026290/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;predict vascular diseases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Lipid Markers Indicate Risks for Heart Attacks &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While these lipid markers have been known as predictors of vascular diseases, researchers have been studying their potential long-term predictive value for cardiovascular events as well. Researchers have found that high numbers of cholesterol low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) indicate an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Data-analysis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased risk of cardiovascular disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is likely what you're familiar with if you've ever heard that high cholesterol can lead to a higher risk of a heart attack. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More interesting is the new body of research on the usage of lipid markers that carry this type of cholesterol in predicting cholesterol events. Researchers focused on apoB and apoA-1 coding genes, which transport LDL-C and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), respectively. They found that patients with a higher ratio of apoB to apoA-1 were &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three times as likely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to have a heart attack than an average person. Moreover, the ratio of these markers could predict cardiovascular events &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;20 years into the future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ApoB Coding Gene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The reason for this predictive value lies in apoB and apoA-1's function in the body. ApoB is the body's mechanism for transporting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cholesterol to tissue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Thus, the higher the apoB value in a person's body, the higher the cholesterol is in that person's body. It indicates that the body is transporting the cholesterol faster to the tissue than usual. This helps predict the likelihood of a future cardiovascular event because as cholesterol builds up, the cardiovascular system eventually will become impaired by the high amounts of cholesterol in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the body's tissues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The ApoA-1 Coding Gene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, ApoA-1 is used to transport cholesterol &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;away from the tissues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. ApoA-1 is the body's janitor, cleaning tissue by removing cholesterol. The levels of apoA-1 in the body help researchers understand how effectively the body is removing cholesterol from its tissues. What this means for cardiovascular events is that the lower the apoA-1 value, the less effective the body is at removing cholesterol, allowing it to continue to build up and increasing the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk for cardiovascular events&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Essentially, apoB puts more cholesterol into the body's tissues while apoA-1 removes it. So if the apoB marker is much higher than the apoA-1 marker, the body will put more cholesterol into your body's tissues than it removes. This naturally increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Researchers can use these values to predict how quickly cholesterol will build up in the body and can use that data to predict &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipid-markers-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-time#Lipid-transportation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cardiovascular events in the future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lipid Markers Can Supplement Conventional Cholesterol Measuring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although promising, these lipid markers cannot replace conventional models for predicting cardiovascular events. Instead, lipid markers are best used to supplement the other methods for determining cardiovascular risk to create more accurate predictions. As researchers have noted, replacing total cholesterol screening with lipid marker tests does not improve predictions for cardiovascular disease; it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1187927" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may worsen them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The addition of lipid marker tests could &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1187927" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve the testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for certain forms of cardiovascular diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lipid markers have shown to be a promising cardiovascular predictor. While the research on lipid markers is still in its infancy, they show a remarkable ability to improve cardiovascular event predictions. These markers may not be able to stand alone. Still, lipid markers could predict cardiovascular events far enough in advance for individuals to make the right lifestyle changes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lipid3.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/lipid-markers-can-predict-cardiovascular-events-20-years-before-they-occur/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16600</ID> <title>Empowering Cancer Patients: Exploring Integrative Oncology with Dr. Heidi Rula, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-04-18 07:05:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_399 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_451"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_471 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_153"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Dr._Rula.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Rula" class="wp-image-16601" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_499 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you have a serious illness such as cancer, you often feel emotionally drained and helpless, as things are being done to you and well-meaning people tell you what to do. But there are integrative oncologists—doctors who can show you how to be a significant player in your own care! They help you ease side effects, understand what is happening to you, learn what you can do to feel better and increase your chance of regaining a healthy life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Heidi Rula, MD, is the Medical Director of Supportive Care Services at Ironwood Cancer &amp;amp; Research Centers in the Phoenix, Arizona metro area. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I am an integrative oncology physician. I support cancer patients as they go through and recover from treatment, and I also provide survivorship programs," she shared with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In over 20 years of practicing in the Phoenix area, Dr. Rula has been a local pioneer, playing a crucial role in introducing integrative medicine to the area and launching the center's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-dreams-chair-taking-the-fear-out-of-pediatric-dentistry-with-dr-sonia-santos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Integrative Oncology program&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. She helped develop a way to combine primary care and complementary therapies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rula's career path was inspired by her mother, who had terminal cancer about 20 years ago. She shared how,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"At that time, integrative oncology was just starting, and there were few supportive services for cancer patients. No whole-person experience of cancer care, just drug treatments. That motivated me to look at health and healing in a different way." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With Dr. Rula as our guide, let's explore integrative oncology—what it is and how it benefits cancer patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Is Integrative Oncology?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the Journal of the National Cancer Institute&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt; &lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/jncimono/article/2017/52/lgx012/4617827" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;integrative oncology is defined as&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments. Integrative oncology treats mind, body, and spirit, giving physical and emotional support as patients experience chemotherapy, surgery and primary care medications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I consult with patients, helping them with side effect management and recovery from cancer treatments. Integrative oncology is really about providing holistic support for patients during and beyond their cancer treatment—side effect management, overall wellness and lifestyle changes," she further expounds to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rula explains that "the goal is to bring these two worlds together—traditional and integrative—in a team-based model with various professions."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Complementary Therapies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.oncolink.org/support/practical-and-emotional/integrative-therapies-spirituality/all-about-integrative-oncology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Complementary therapies may include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mind-body techniques&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: mindfulness, biofeedback, meditation, relaxation, hypnosis, yoga, guided imagery and spirituality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Biologically based practices&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: diet, nutritional supplements, herbs, and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Physical techniques&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: acupuncture, Reiki, and Tai chi.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therapies also include support groups. Specific techniques used are based on what is safe and effective for each patient's needs and conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;All Phases of Cancer Care&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Integrative treatment parallels the entire range of cancer care, from diagnosis through completed treatment and prevention of recurrence. In a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ironwoodcrc.com/heidi-rula-lecture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent presentation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Rula outlined the practice: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We work with all phases of cancer care. We help decrease side effects, gear up for surgery, promote healing and address complications. We incorporate complementary therapies to help them better tolerate conventional treatment." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another essential role involves survivorship, where patients learn to take an active role in reducing the chance of cancer recurrence. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Once they've completed treatment, I help them deal with the after effects and show them how to get back to living again," Dr. Rula further explains to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lifestyle&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Lifestyle choices are the foundation for your health. Studies in pharmaceutical journals have concluded that only five to 10 percent of cancers are related to genetics. All others have environmental and lifestyle factors. This is where you can take ownership for your own care." Dr. Rula emphasizes the relevance of lifestyle factors in the development of cancer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 60- to 90-minute consultations, Dr. Rula discusses with each patient their personal goals and collaborates with them to develop a plan for ongoing health. During these discussions,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We get into lifestyle—nutrition, support systems, physical activity, sleep habits, supplements and medical history." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rula outlines steps patients can take to prevent a recurrence, starting with a healthy diet. She points out that, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"35% of cancers have a diet component." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decreasing the harmful toxin intake, such as smoking and alcohol, increasing daily exercise, getting ample sleep and managing stress levels contribute to a healthy lifestyle. And fortunately, they are all viable choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Empowerment and Involvement&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rula explains that integrative oncology is "very patient-centered. We really try to work with each patient to identify their health goals and their preferred ways of addressing their health issues. We educate, empower, and inspire them to take that active role."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As an example of how integrative oncology helps, she recalls one patient: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This woman with breast cancer was really overwhelmed with her diagnosis and couldn't imagine getting through it. She believed it was something she would never recover from, and she felt she was losing control of her life. So I worked with her, laying out all the different aspects and identifying how we could support her and help get her through it all. We talked about what we could do during her chemotherapy and recovery. It was great to see her start to feel like she would conquer this. She had a strong vision of her own good health in the end."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Future of Integrative Oncology&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rula sees a hopeful future for cancer care. Treatments will be less toxic and more manageable for patients. As for integrative oncology, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That is going to be more of a standard of care. You're seeing more and more centers around the country incorporating integrative oncology services. And so I think patients will expect these services to be available."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The integrative oncology field is growing and becoming more widely recognized. As a result, oncology providers are supportive of and refer patients to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.oncolink.org/support/practical-and-emotional/integrative-therapies-spirituality/all-about-integrative-oncology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;complementary therapies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/28/1/84" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, 46% of patients used complementary therapies because it gave them hope and more control over their situation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The growing field of integrative oncology is about helping patients cope, giving them options, and showing them that they are not helpless. When you know you can play a role in your own care, things improve—your outlook, your relationships with your doctors and the overall quality of your care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rula is happy to stay in the field: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's been incredibly rewarding to work with these patients. It's exciting to be able to change the cancer care experience."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This evidence-based approach, added to primary care treatments, treats the whole person. You know you are not alone. You have options. And you are empowered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Dr._Rula.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/empowering-cancer-patients-exploring-integrative-oncology-with-dr-heidi-rula-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16584</ID> <title>Microplastics: Do You Know How Much Plastic You Are Eating and Breathing?</title> <publishDate>2022-04-16 06:05:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_400 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_452"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_472 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_154"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/plastics.png" alt="" title="plastics" class="wp-image-16585" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_500 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We are living in a world of plastic. Plastic, a uniquely versatile material, plays a massive part in our everyday lives, from the cups and toothbrushes we use to our clothes. But it is also the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-plastic-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;number one cause of pollution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to marine life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In recent studies, scientists found another problem with plastic that could cause harm not just to animals but also to humans. These are tiny particles that are not visible to the naked eye called microplastics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Microplastic?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microplastic is a type of debris that exhibits both microorganisms and plastic properties. It has been defined as any piece of material under 5 millimeters in size. Common durable microplastic particles that can be found are Polypropylene and Polyethylene. These microplastic particles are used in grocery bags, lunch boxes and bottle caps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This micro debris has been discovered on every corner of the globe, both inside and outside homes, landfills and bodies of water. Various human factors help spread microparticles, such as production, disposal and unintentional fragmentation during various activities. Although microplastic is prevalent within our environment, scientists still do not know how it affects living organisms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microplastics in the Environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microplastic particles are linked to many adverse effects, including pollution, ingestion and possibly even death. They pollute waterways when washed off during bathing or when waste goes down drains and into water sources. This micro debris accumulates in lakes, rivers and oceans, damaging ecosystems. Microplastics neither support nor consume any living material.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microbeads kill marine life when fish, birds and other water-dwelling creatures ingest them for food. Microplastic particles not only upset their digestive tracts but can also become lodged within them, causing death by starvation or choking. Microbeads have even been found in zooplanktons, one of the primary food sources for commercially viable fish species such as tuna and swordfish. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dangers of Microplastics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These plastics can be found in oceans, rivers, the air we breathe, everywhere! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/key-facts-about-plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are 5 trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans, enough to circle the Earth over 400 times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These microplastics are being released into the environment from different plastic materials (tiny pieces of plastics used as exfoliants in beauty products) and fragmentation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microplastics are already in us, and we don't know the full extent to which they will affect us in the future. We can't see microplastics with our naked eyes because of their size, but they can be found everywhere despite their microscopic status. A study done by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://orbmedia.org/plus-plastic-text" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Orb Media&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; revealed an average of about 10 plastic particles per liter of tap water worldwide. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microplastics do not only end up in the water we drink. Microfibers specifically can be found in our food, such as fish, shellfish and the most common ingredient found in all households, table salt.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dangers of Microplastics in Humans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Based on the available data, it is believed that microplastics are hazardous to the human body. They act as irritants the same way as asbestos fibers, which inflame the lungs and cause cancer, metabolic disturbance, neurotoxicity and carcinogenic effects. Microplastics can also interfere with normal hormone function, potentially causing weight gain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Microplastics are just a tiny portion of the global pollution problem. There are a lot of ways to help our planet and lessen pollution. For example, use a reusable produce bag. Instead of a plastic straw, you can bring your metal straw and a reusable water bottle. You can use natural essential oils rather than beauty products with micro scrubs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the end of the day, we are still responsible for cleaning up our mess and making the environment a better place to live in. It's not too late to change our ways.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/plastics.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/microplastics-do-you-know-how-much-plastic-you-are-eating-and-breathing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16574</ID> <title>What Is Regenerative Medicine and What Does It Mean for the Future?</title> <publishDate>2022-04-15 15:41:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_401 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_453"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_473 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_155"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/regen4_2.png" alt="" title="regen4_2" class="wp-image-16575" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_501 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body is amazing. It's not only designed to heal its immune system but also to repair any sustained damages. We see this every day: when you get bruised during a fall, a broken bone in a cast, the body will not just heal but also repair the sustained damage. But not all ailments can be healed by the body, such as diabetes, degenerative disc disease or cardiovascular issues.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By introducing regenerative medicine, patients have a better chance to succeed in fighting these diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Regenerative Medicine?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is a process in which damaged cells are replaced with healthy cells to speed up the process of regeneration and restore normal function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of regenerative medicine include that it is non-invasive, and there is no chance of rejection because the stem cells employed are your own. Compared to other treatments, the recovery period is also shorter, and the dangers are minimal. The cells are taken from the patient's blood, bone marrow, fat, or other sources in order to grow new tissue in the lab before they are transplanted back into the body.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is Regenerative Medicine Effective?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the oldest concepts in medicine is the use of the body to cure itself. Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, used a rudimentary type of acupuncture to heal a dislocated shoulder in a patient as early as 400 BC. The discovery of stem cells in the late 1970s, as well as other medical breakthroughs during the last few decades, has propelled this field of medicine into mainstream use.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine has a track record of success that can be seen on millions of TV screens and in all of today's headlines. What sports fan hasn't heard about a star athlete who used PRP therapy to speed up his elbow or shoulder injury recovery? Notable athletes who went through regenerative medicine are Bartolo Colon, Jarvis Green, Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, and, some say, Tiger Woods.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Can Be Treated with Regenerative Medicine?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The body cannot manage long-lasting chronic conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis and heart disease on its own. Such conditions can be managed using very costly medication and medical equipment in the long run. Although regenerative medicine lends a helping hand in managing long-lasting chronic conditions, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed before it can be used more broadly.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some examples of the application of regenerative medicine are:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Breast Reconstruction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Plastic surgeons have pioneered the use of regenerative medicine by helping breast cancer survivors in regenerating new tissue layers on implants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Burn Injury&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: The treatment is used to regenerate the innermost layer of the skin after burn injuries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Degenerative Disk Disease&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Stem cells are injected into the damaged spinal disk to help develop healthy cells and repair the disk. It's a far better solution than an invasive surgery where the patient is at risk and has a long recovery time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cartilage Regeneration&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Cartilage can't heal on its own since it doesn't have a constant blood supply. This is ideal for active people 55 and older.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Regenerative Medicine Replace Surgery?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nowadays, many conditions can only be corrected with surgical procedures, while others can only be managed with medication. Whether it's a chronic condition or injury, these ailments can be addressed or cured with regenerative therapy. It also sheds a new hope, especially to those elderly patients who are not considered ideal candidates to undergo dangerous surgical treatments or even those who are just afraid to undergo surgery.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many challenges and studies lay in regenerative medicine's way to reach a broader use. Although the potential results are promising, it is best to ask an expert if you are a suitable candidate for regenerative medicine treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images/> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/what-is-regenerative-medicine-and-what-does-it-mean-for-the-future/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16566</ID> <title>5 Possible Wellness Benefits of IV Therapy</title> <publishDate>2022-04-13 15:06:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_402 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_454"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_474 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_156"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/iv2.png" alt="" title="iv2" class="wp-image-16567" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_502 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People are nowadays looking for the quickest way to make the most out of something, which is understandable, given our fast-paced lifestyle. One trend that has caught on in recent years is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://form-medical.com/blog/19608/IV-Vitamin-Therapy-Medical-Treatment-Health-Fad-or-Both-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intravenous Therapy or IV Therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If it sounds familiar to you, it may be because you've heard of celebrities like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ivboost.uk/top-10-celebrities-that-love-iv-vitamin-drips-infographic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Madonna and Rihanna swearing by this form of therapy's benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is IV Therapy?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV therapy directly administers fluids packed with specific nutrients and minerals to the body through blood vessels. Since it bypasses the digestive system, this express method of jamming our bloodstream with essential vitamins has recently become a popular alternative to taking oral supplements. IV therapy can either be given via injection or hydration drip. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV Therapy Makes Up for Nutritional Deficits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of IV therapy's benefits is it allows one to be very specific in choosing which nutrients and minerals enter one's body. You can choose whatever vitamins you desire when undertaking the therapy. However, it has to be noted that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/may/do-iv-hydration-therapy-and-iv-vitamin-therapy-really-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it is still a medical procedure at heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and must be performed by an expert in the medical field.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since it allows for the flexibility of hand-picking the nutrients and minerals to be infused, IV therapy can treat nutritional deficiencies such as iron deficiency. Complex disorders and malabsorption issues can also be treated this way. In addition, diseases such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://infusionassociates.com/infusion-therapy/crohns-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Crohn's, Celiac disease and cystic fibrosis can be potentially treated with IV therapy as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV Therapy Can Help Manage Weight &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going for IV therapy to help in weight management can be very beneficial for someone trying to reduce those pesky numbers on the weighing scale. Sometimes we all need a little help in this department and having a nudge from modern medical technology is nothing to be ashamed of. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choosing an infusion of key nutrients like carnitine, an essential amino acid that turns fat into energy, and alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that helps boost metabolism, can assist people with weight management. However, it has to be noted that IV therapy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://eghealthcare.net/integrative-medicine/iv-infusions/formulas/weight-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;should be used in a supplemental way&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; rather than an outright replacement to regular exercise and diet. IV therapy helps in weight management, but patients who opt for it must still exercise consistently and eat properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV Therapy Promotes Better Cardiovascular Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A healthier heart makes our bodies healthier, too! As we get older, it's only natural that our bodies begin to weaken. Therefore, we should be trying our best to improve our cardiovascular health. With IV therapy, keeping our hearts healthy should be more easily achieved. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Opting for IV therapy that improves cardiovascular health can include a mix of magnesium sulfate, calcium, tri amino and arginine, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6822653/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;these four compounds specifically assist in blood-related functions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Magnesium&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been observed to play a role in blood pressure regulation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Calcium&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regulates how blood vessels dilate and contract.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tri-amino&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;arginine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; assist in blood pressure reduction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV Therapy Can Boost Energy Levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you feeling a little sluggish? B-complex vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and B9, are a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&amp;amp;context=mahpls_fac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;go-to source for our bodies' energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. IV vitamin therapy focusing on the B family of vitamins can give one's body a more 'natural' boost of energy compared to ingesting sodas, coffee and energy drinks that could otherwise be unhealthy for one's body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The B family of vitamins are much-needed nutrients for the body, and a boost in the system can help natural energy levels rise. They're also a big help in curbing whatever cravings you have for unhealthy foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IV Therapy Can Enhance Immunity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Considering any nutrient or mineral can be used in an IV therapy drip, vitamin C and zinc can be utilized to provide an extra nudge in assisting with immune responses and overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin C is well known for being an antioxidant that promotes the well-being and health of one's immune system. On the other hand, zinc is a mineral &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/23B26245CF0F773E5F1AA19E9800B82B/S0029665100000781a.pdf/zinc_and_the_immune_system.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;observed to help strengthen the immune system via protection against infections&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While IV therapy is certainly a valid option in obtaining all these effects and benefits, one can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/iv-vitamin-therapy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consume the appropriate foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to receive the same benefits, albeit orally! So whether you choose to go for IV therapy as a supplemental addition to your routine or go the usual way of eating your vegetables and exercising regularly, the important thing is these are all keys to achieving a healthier and better you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/iv6.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-possible-wellness-benefits-of-iv-therapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16543</ID> <title>A Holistic Approach to Dentistry: An Interview with Dr. Yasmin N. Chebbi</title> <publishDate>2022-04-10 17:51:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_403 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_455"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_475 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_157"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/outdoorheadshot-e1648578774102.jpg" alt="" title="outdoorheadshot" class="wp-image-16549" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_290 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_870 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_871 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_872 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_503 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What if someone told you a dental problem could affect your heart? Skeptical? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://askthedentist.com/what-is-mouth-body-connection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's how that can happen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: bacteria on your teeth create an infection. The infection causes inflammation in your gums. The inflammation and infection weaken a barrier usually present between the teeth/gums and the rest of the body. The infection enters the bloodstream and travels to other body parts, possibly your heart. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Yasmin N. Chebbi, DMD, FAGD, D-ABDSM, practices dentistry at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.myflossery.com/dr-yasmin-chebbi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Flossery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in Waltham, Massachusetts. She is an alumna of Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she learned that thorough dental care means considering the total body. She carried this philosophy into her practice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The Flossery is a holistically based dental office, focused on the mouth-body connection,” Dr Chebbi said. “And total body dental includes oral microbiome evaluations, airway and sleep apnea management, and prevention beyond brushing and flossing."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Chebbi's Journey to Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Becoming a Dentist&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chebbi's childhood dentist sparked her interest in the profession. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I knew I wanted to be in healthcare and my childhood dentist seemed a perfect blend of healthcare, patient relationships, working with your hands, and being a business owner. I liked my childhood dentist and I liked going into his office. He seemed to enjoy working with his team and his office," Dr. Chebbi said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fast forward several years, and Dr. Chebbi had completed dental school, become a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (a rare honor given to 6% of dentists in the US and Canada) and a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. In addition, she has built a practice she enjoys. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I love seeing patients, especially for the ones that want a more holistic or total body approach. I love educating patients on prevention and home care beyond brushing, flossing and fluoride. Our patients come from far away to experience our special approach. We see a lot of patients who are anxious about dental care or who have been seeking alternatives to the traditional approaches. We also offer virtual consults for home care education and second opinions for those who do not live in the area." Dr. Chebbi said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connecting with Her Patients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I speak Arabic and Spanish. In school, I learned French, and I have a working knowledge of Portuguese. This is helpful in Boston because we have quite a large Brazilian population," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Chebbi, her polylingual self is a great advantage, as her patients speak multiple languages. Her patients appreciate someone who can speak with them in their most comfortable language. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It helps build trust with these patients and gives them a sense of calm. It's a nice way to connect with people, especially when they are nervous about their treatment," Dr. Chebbi said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her multilingual experience is also significant because she has another practice in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, where she focuses on sleep apnea management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Treating Sleep Apnea &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Expanding Dental Practices&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chebbi steps beyond teeth and treats sleep apnea as a related issue. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep apnea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a disorder in which patients stop breathing for short periods of time throughout the night. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/sleep-apnea-obstructive" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;airway narrows or collapses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, cutting off airflow. Risk factors for OSA include abnormal oral or facial features and obesity. It is more common among men and older people.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"About one in five Americans have some sleep-disordered breathing problem. Our society tends to be more overweight and obese, a factor for sleep apnea. Also, evolutionarily, our mouths are getting smaller," Dr. Chebbi said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep apnea is often treated with a CPAP machine, a device worn during sleep that forces air into the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We provide an alternative to the CPAP machine. Not a lot of people like the CPAP, for many reasons. They can feel claustrophobic, and it's tough to maintain. It needs wires, electricity, distilled water and cleaning every day," Dr. Chebbi said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A dentist such as Dr. Chebbi can create a customized &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21129-oral-appliance-therapy-for-sleep-apnea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oral mandibular advancement device&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It keeps the tongue from blocking the throat and pushes the lower jaw forward. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our oral appliance is discreet and fits in a pocket. It doesn't need wires or electricity," Dr. Chebbi said, “its FDA approved and recognized by medical insurance”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Growing Need&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is becoming &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aadsm.org/for_patients.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more popular among dentists&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to treat sleep disorders. The Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) 's educational programs support this trend. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's an underserved market," Dr. Chebbi observed. "The dental management of sleep apnea is becoming more well known in the U.S. Sedentary lifestyles create a prevalence of obesity, which also contributes to sleep apnea. I am establishing a practice for these patients."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep apnea patients can now be screened for risk factors and symptoms of sleep apnea in their dentists' offices and have access to a treatment that is more comfortable than the traditional CPAP machine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Mouth-Body Connection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In her book, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Sleep-Breathe-Oral-Health/dp/B08D4T8YXH" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eat, Sleep, Breathe Oral Health: Why Your Mouth Matters&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Chebbi explains that the mouth contains clues about our body's overall health. Oral health is often a cause of or is caused by issues in other parts of the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://askthedentist.com/what-is-mouth-body-connection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affected by the mouth-body connection are numerous and varied:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alzheimer's and dementia &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bacterial pneumonia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiovascular disease &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So many things fit into the puzzle," Dr. Chebbi said. "It's not just drilling and filling teeth now. There has always been evidence that having gum disease makes it harder to manage diabetes, or that gum disease could lead to cardiovascular issues. In fact, they have found bacteria that cause gum disease in the brains of alzhimers and dementia patients."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acknowledging this vital connection helps provide patients with more targeted therapeutic approaches to their treatment. It's essential to educate them on how to take care of not just teeth but the whole body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think that we have outdated information about what a healthy mouth is. A big part of our practice is going beyond brushing and flossing and honing in on diet and breathing. We are taking the next steps to help patients get the best oral healthcare," Dr. Chebbi said. “Many parents don't know you can reduce your child's risk of cavities, braces, and sleep problems by lifestyle changes as early as infancy.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chebbi's focus includes an airway-centered approach to dentistry, and she practices with the knowledge that, evolutionarily, mouths are gradually getting smaller and that is causing oral health and total body effects. . &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I am very excited about the trend towards more minimally invasive dentistry and prevention. As dentists we have many more advanced techniques in our toolbox to preserve teeth for longer.”   “Also, orthodontics and teeth straightening isn't just about aesthetics anymore. Orthodontics can help you sleep better and breathe better. We're focusing on making a bigger mouth. Expanding that space is more beneficial for breathing. Additionally, I am starting continuing education courses for fellow dentists to learn about sleep apnea, airway-focused dentistry and how to evaluate a patient or sleep disorder," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Chebbi advises her colleagues to put the mouth back into the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It is one system, and one thing always can affect the next. Looking at a patient as a whole person will make us better healthcare providers," Dr. Chebbi said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/outdoorheadshot.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/a-holistic-approach-to-dentistry-an-interview-with-dr-yasmin-n-chebbi/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16535</ID> <title>Are You A Night Owl? 3 Reasons Your Late Night Lifestyle Could Be Negatively Affecting Your Happiness</title> <publishDate>2022-04-10 17:36:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_404 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_456"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_476 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_158"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/agto-nugroho-wuDvhtaAYYI-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="agto-nugroho-wuDvhtaAYYI-unsplash" class="wp-image-16536" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_504 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do you find yourself tinkering around during the wee hours of the night? Would you say you're more productive when the sun goes down? Or is your mind more alert when the rest of the world is fast asleep? Well, hoot-hoot! You must be a night owl.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While one might argue that night owls tend to be more intelligent, creative and free-spirited, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have shown that people who stay active later at night may face more health and mental risks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's explore three reasons why burning the midnight oil (or just binge-watching the latest Netflix series every night until 3 a.m.) can be detrimental to your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reason &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Night Owls Are More Prone to Unhealthy Habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're a night owl, there's a biological reason why you can't fall asleep early. Your circadian rhythm determines your sleeping schedule, controlling sleeping and waking up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although there's nothing inherently wrong with being a night owl, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/410883" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recent studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have discovered that individuals who stay up late have higher body fat levels and a higher risk of developing health problems, such as diabetes and low muscle mass, than early birds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, staying awake late at night may lead to poor sleep quality, which can pave the road for harmful behaviors such as an inactive lifestyle, consuming alcohol and eating unhealthy late-night snacks. As a result, night owls are at an even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395617311652" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;greater risk of depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than early birds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reason &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;# 2: Night Owls May Get Less Sleep and Become More Irritable &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Night owls aren't sleepers; they are sleep-delayers. They try to sleep as late as possible and thus sleep less than their early bird counterparts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1167337" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by the University of Liege in Belgium, night owls averaged 4 hours 27 minutes sleep compared to 7 hours 31 minutes for morning larks. The sleep of night owls was fragmented, leading to sleep deprivation. When sleep-deprived, you tend to become more irritable, especially when dealing with people in the morning. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is also a growing body of evidence that sleep quality impacts mood, memory and thinking skills. As sleep debt increases, so do anxiety and depression. Eventually, those consequences will have long-lasting effects on different aspects of your life, such as your job and relationships.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reason # 3: Night Owls Receive Less Social Support Compared to Early Birds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;New research has revealed that individuals who are more awake and productive at night are frequently out of sync with typical work or school schedules and are seen as lazy or rude. As a consequence of their odd routines, night-owls receive less social support than morning people, who are associated with better well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsr.13520" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study published in the Journal of Sleep Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that morning larks receive higher levels of social support and are more satisfied in their social interactions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the researchers, lower happiness levels among night owls result from less natural light and insufficient sleep. They discovered, however, that social support is a strong predictor of health and well-being. Because night owls may find it more challenging to be functional in the morning, other people may perceive them to be grumpy, lazy or ill-mannered, consequently leading them to have less social support. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ways to Improve Your Sleeping Habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to try sleeping earlier and see what it's like to be an early bird, here are some ways to make the Sandman come quicker:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have a consistent bedtime routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make minor adjustments to your sleeping schedule.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid technology before bedtime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Melatonin (Make sure to check with your doctor first).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise during the day to boost energy levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid drinking caffeine late in the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If none of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/how-can-i-stop-staying-up-late" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;these tips&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; seem to work and you still have trouble sleeping, don't be afraid to seek help from a professional. But of course, that's only if you want to quit your night owl tendencies! However, if you're perfectly happy as a night owl, then carry on and do what you feel works best for your overall well-being!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_291 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_873 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_874 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_875 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/agto-nugroho-wuDvhtaAYYI-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/are-you-a-night-owl-3-reasons-your-late-night-lifestyle-could-be-negatively-affecting-your-happiness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16525</ID> <title>Skip the Gym and Sleep In: Why a Lack of Sleep May Be the Thing Keeping You from Reaching Your Fitness Goals</title> <publishDate>2022-04-09 17:23:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_405 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_457"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_477 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_159"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sleepin1.png" alt="" title="sleepin1" class="wp-image-16528" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_505 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The importance of getting enough sleep and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is no secret. Doctors, professors and parents all make a point of encouraging more sleep, particularly among the younger generations who tend to trade hours of sleep for completing homework, going out with friends or watching TV.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Despite regular reminders to sleep from all corners of society, Americans have been getting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep#:~:text=Poor%20sleep%20is%20associated%20with,leading%20to%20weight%20gain12" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increasingly less&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shut-eye over the last few decades. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it's a new year, and with another year comes the opportunity to make newer and better resolutions, with sleeping more among them. Even better, ensuring adequate sleep might also help one achieve another New Year's resolution: reaching fitness goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with many other areas of life, many studies show varied and significant benefits on fitness from sleeping the recommended amount (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7-9 hours&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a night for the average adult). Conversely, failing to sleep enough may inhibit athletic goals, even if those lost hours of sleep are used to wake up and hit the gym. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adverse Side Effects of Sleep Deprivation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On Weight Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although scientists are still trying to establish the nature of the connection between sleep and weight, many studies strongly support that such a connection exists. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep#:~:text=Poor%20sleep%20is%20associated%20with,leading%20to%20weight%20gain12" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicate a connection between insufficient sleep and metabolic disorders, weight gain and even obesity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For those beginning a weight loss journey, ensuring time for those recommended 7-9 hours is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep#:~:text=Poor%20sleep%20is%20associated%20with,leading%20to%20weight%20gain12" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;imperative&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is because a body suffering sleep deprivation must compensate by redistributing energy usage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20921542/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicated that, for overweight individuals trying to lose weight, sleep loss negatively affected the amount of weight lost as fat by as much as 55%.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On Eating Habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body's mechanism for jumpstarting feelings of hunger to ensure sufficient nourishment is slightly more complicated than it seems. Rather than stomach pains and growling being a response to lack of food, these functions are controlled by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep#:~:text=Poor%20sleep%20is%20associated%20with,leading%20to%20weight%20gain12" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;two neurotransmitters&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: ghrelin (which causes feelings of hunger) and leptin (which causes the person to feel full). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep#:~:text=Poor%20sleep%20is%20associated%20with,leading%20to%20weight%20gain12" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shown that a lack of sleep leads to decreased leptin and increased ghrelin, but people who are low on sleep tend to choose particularly unhealthy snacks high in calories and carbohydrates. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On Athletic Performance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep deprivation is especially detrimental for athletes functioning at the highest levels of competition. The consequences of failing to get enough sleep on competitive athletes are exceptionally well documented, serving as the main focus of various &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6988893/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from 1983 to 2017. These studies analyzed men and women, swimmers and weightlifters, cyclers, tennis players, volleyball players and more. Although the type and severity of effects varied depending on the demographic, the general &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6988893/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;takeaway&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was the same: reaction, strength, endurance and accuracy suffer whenever sleep does.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_458"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_478 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_292 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_876 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_877 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_878 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_160"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sleepin2.png" alt="" title="sleepin2" class="wp-image-16527" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_506 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Positive Effects of Increasing Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On Reaction Time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reaction time is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/sleep-deprivation-and-reaction-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;defined&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as the amount of time it takes for a person to respond to an external stimulus. Failing to sleep the recommended amount can drastically increase reaction time. For example, one night without sleep or severe continual sleep deprivation can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/sleep-deprivation-and-reaction-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lengthen reaction time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by 300%. Increasing sleep can shorten reaction times, making one a more alert coworker, nimbler teammate and safer driver. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On Muscle Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For those who regularly lift weights as a part of their exercise regimen, sleep is essential for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleep.org/how-sleep-works/how-sleep-adds-muscle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;healing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; all of those micro-tears that lead to muscle growth. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8627466/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;growth hormone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; secreted during deep sleep helps to increase muscle mass. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, protecting stage three of non-REM sleep isn't only for weightlifters. Sleep also promotes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleep.org/how-sleep-works/how-sleep-adds-muscle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;muscle coordination&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; through accuracy and speed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On Athletic Performance &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over time, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6988893/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with participants from many walks of life, from elite female netball athletes to healthy men in their 30s, have established the importance of regular and sufficient sleep for those involved in athletics. Some studies requested that participants institute naps, while others ensure nine hours of sleep a night. However, they all found significant athletic improvements: heightened alertness, increased speed and greater accuracy, to name a few.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone with fitness goals can benefit from instituting and protecting healthy sleep habits. Sometimes, as hard as it is to believe, you really should skip the gym and sleep in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/kinga-cichewicz-5NzOfwXoH88-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/skip-the-gym-and-sleep-in-why-a-lack-of-sleep-may-be-the-thing-keeping-you-from-reaching-your-fitness-goals/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16517</ID> <title>5 Ways to Get Better Sleep</title> <publishDate>2022-04-08 16:58:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_406 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_459"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_479 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_293 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_879 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_880 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_881 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_507 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever felt so unmotivated and distressed the day after a restless night of tossing and turning in your bed, trying to find a way to fall asleep? Most of the time, counting sheep doesn't do it. Occasionally, we all experience sleep issues, but it can be a real problem when insomnia persists. Besides making us tired and irritable, lack of sleep can negatively affect our health, leading to obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The number of hours of sleep tends to change and decrease as we age, resulting in more restless nights and weary mornings. Women often experience it during the time of menopause, when hot flashes and other symptoms awaken them. Your circadian rhythm also compensates for the change in dark and light. With age, it undergoes a shift, thus making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Is Getting Better Sleep Important?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The importance of sleep cannot be understated, just like the importance of exercise and a nutritious diet. This is because sleep is essential for our health and fitness–a lack of sleep is detrimental to hormone levels, exercise performance and brain function. Additionally, it can cause weight gain and increase disease risk in children and adults.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In contrast, good sleep can help you eat less, exercise better and become healthier. Therefore, a good night's sleep is crucial to maintaining and improving your health, as well as losing weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There has been a decline in both sleep quality and quantity over the past few decades. As a result, many people have trouble sleeping regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know better sleep is better for us. But better sleep doesn't just happen - it requires planning and preparation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 Things You Can Do to Get Better Quality Rest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is better for sleep than alcohol. So if you have trouble sleeping, try exercise instead of a nightcap. A new &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that people who exercised regularly slept better and longer than those who drank alcohol before bedtime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who work out often enjoy better sleep quality than those getting the same amount of rest from daily activities but not exercising at all, or worse – sitting on the couch binging Netflix! Exercise also helps boost body temperature (which can drop during our normal nightly "cooling" process), making us feel warmer when we go to bed - perfect for a better shut-eye! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Avoid Caffeine or Alcohol before Bedtime (or at Least Limit How Much You Drink) &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeine and alcohol are both stimulants that can keep you up at night. Try to avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol in the evening, especially if you have trouble sleeping. If you do drink caffeine or alcohol before bedtime, try limiting yourself to one serving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Both caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating, so they can also lead to restless sleep by making you wake up frequently to use the bathroom.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a better way to relax before bed, consider reading instead of having a drink. Or take a hot bath with some soothing aromatherapy oils like lavender or chamomile – these may help lull you into slumberland!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your bedroom should be cool, dark and quiet. It shouldn't be too hot or cold because the right amount of airflow will help keep you comfortable at night. And if your brain doesn't shut off because it's too bright in there, consider using a sleeping mask! Or maybe have black-out blinds installed? If you have trouble falling asleep because of noises outside your window, try earplugs or, better yet, invest in a white noise machine that can drown out distracting sounds so they don't wake you up.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Keep Electronics at Bay&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Turn off all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before going to sleep. Make sure to put your phone on "Do Not Disturb," too! The light from the screen will interfere with your natural circadian rhythm (the body's internal clock) by suppressing melatonin production while increasing cortisol levels. Additionally, having these items within reach might encourage us to browse social media or other stimulating sites, causing undue stress on our central nervous system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5. De-stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Daytime worries can indeed come to the surface at night. Stress is a stimulus. It activates the fight-or-flight hormones that work against sleep. Let yourself wind down before going to bed. In addition to improving sleep, learning some form of relaxation response can also help reduce daytime anxiety. Breathing deeply can help you relax. Take deep breaths and then exhale.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're having trouble sleeping, try some of these tips to help improve your rest. Better sleep will help improve your mood, energy levels and overall health! Exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, creating a comfortable sleeping environment, keeping electronics away from bedtime, and de-stressing can all help improve sleep quality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sleep.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-ways-to-get-better-sleep/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16508</ID> <title>The Better You Sleep, the Better Your Late-Night Snack Choices May Become</title> <publishDate>2022-04-07 16:36:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_407 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_460"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_480 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_294 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_882 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_883 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_884 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_508 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have all felt prone to midnight snacking. We can try to eat better dinners, drink more water or even lock our fridges, but somehow, we end up snacking. Unfortunately, these late-night snacks are usually unhealthy and leave us wishing we had made better snacking decisions. The answer to making better decisions regarding late-night snacks may be as simple as getting better sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dangers of Late-Night Snacking &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Late-night snacking, while enjoyable at the moment, is often a very unhealthy habit that can lead to undesirable results over time. The body's naturally rising and falling cycle of energy, called the circadian rhythm, can often mean that a snack in the afternoon is helpful to keep us engaged and productive. However, the same cannot be said about snacking late at night, especially when close to sleeping. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to dietician &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/sleep-deprivation-unhealthy-snacking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Melissa Rifkin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you should avoid eating a snack within two hours before going to bed to avoid disrupting your sleep and gaining weight. This is because your body is not meant to eat and sleep simultaneously. Thus, eating before sleeping disrupts your body's natural rhythm to calm down before bed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This disruption of your body's natural energy rhythm can cause several harmful health effects. First and foremost, this habit can disrupt your sleep, making it harder to get the rest your body needs at night. However, worse sleep is not the only downside, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.conehealth.com/services/sleep-disorders/late-night-snacks-and-better-sleep-how-what-and-when-you-eat-imp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;several studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have found that late-night snacking results in increased blood pressure and blood sugar, changes in metabolism, and weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These effects are worsened by most people's habit of choosing unhealthy snacks for their late-night cravings. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://wellandgood.com/sleep-deprivation-unhealthy-snacking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of 20,000 Americans, those who were not meeting the sleep recommendations of a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night, often chose sweets, alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages. This makes up two-thirds of their evening caloric intake. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers believe the correlation between poor sleeping habits and weight gain is explained through choosing poor snacking choices which result in poor sleep. This is a cycle of poor sleep leading to poor decisions and poor decisions leading to poor sleep and poor snacking choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Better Sleep Leads to Better Snacking &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, fixing our poor sleeping habits can mend our poor snacking habits. The key to fixing our poor habits is always creating healthy patterns and rhythms. Such patterns have been associated with healthier snack choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://wellandgood.com/sleep-deprivation-unhealthy-snacking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that participants who were meeting sleep recommendations typically ate lower quantities of snacks with greater nutritional value and lower calories. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to improve your lifestyle is to sleep at least seven hours a night and avoid snacking two hours before bed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best and Worst Snack Choices for Late-Night Snacking?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Good Snack Choices &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you should avoid large meals and snacks late at night before bed, if you are hungry before bed, it's not wrong to have a healthy snack so long as you make good choices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The key tip from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-late-night-snacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dieticians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is to avoid highly processed foods, sugary foods, alcohol and foods with more than 200 calories. Great foods for late-night snacking that won't negatively affect your body &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CS2txd0R9EYtD2Nlwnlwwl5V_hD3KVgCMgEpv8RtLEM/edit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fresh and tart berries like cherries, yogurt and foods that support healthy sleep by containing magnesium and tryptophan like pumpkin seeds, nuts and cheese. By choosing these foods, you will satisfy your hunger without compromising your sleep and health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Snack Choices to Avoid&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several foods you should be careful to avoid if your stomach starts rumbling late at night. Foods to avoid &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/bedtime-snacks-help-you-fall-asleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; ice cream, chocolate, potato chips and fried food. Because these foods are high in fat, calories and sugar, they can disrupt your body's ability to go to sleep and stay asleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, avoiding late-night snacks will help you sleep better and lead to making better snack decisions. However, if you're starving late at night, it's okay to snack so long as you make healthy decisions that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/better-sleep.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-better-you-sleep-the-better-your-late-night-snack-choices-may-become/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16495</ID> <title>5 Yoga Poses for a Better Night's Sleep</title> <publishDate>2022-04-05 16:01:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_408 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_461"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_481 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_509 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harmful Effects of Sleep Deprivation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not getting the prescribed &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleephealthsolutionsohio.com/blog/10-effects-of-long-term-sleep-deprivation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eight hours of sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; each night can negatively influence our health. Sleep deprivation has been linked to hypertension, heart attacks and strokes, as well as obesity, diabetes, melancholy and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga Can Help You Sleep Better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326414" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a well-known workout that emphasizes breathing, strength and flexibility. In addition, yoga may have various physical and mental health advantages. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A recent study by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/yoga-for-sleep?amp=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Johns Hopkins University&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that legally blind patients who participated in an eight-week yoga program noticed improved sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://swirlster.ndtv.com/wellness/suffering-from-insomnia-6-yoga-poses-for-deep-sleep-2252749" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;five yoga poses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that can help snooze for better sleep:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_462"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_482 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_295 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_885 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_886 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_887 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_161"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yoga1.png" alt="" title="yoga1" class="wp-image-16499" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_510 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Legs-up-the-Wall Pose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to try a simple, calming and effective yoga pose, this is the right place to start. You can simply flip your legs upwards on your wall to enable the blood to rush back down to the heart. The recommended time to hold this pose is five minutes. When doing this, keep your eyes closed and relax.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To assume this pose, you have to sit sideways against a wall with your legs straight out in front of you. Lower your upper body gently to the floor, with your back to the wall. Swing your legs straight up the wall at the same time. Your hamstrings and calves should be flat against the wall. Keep your feet relaxed (not flexed) and your arms comfortably resting at your sides, palms up. You can use a pillow to support your lower back while holding this pose.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_162"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yoga2.png" alt="" title="yoga2" class="wp-image-16500" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_511 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Standing Forward Bend Pose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Standing Forward Bend Pose can help get rid of headaches and insomnia. This yoga posture is also beneficial for lowering anxiety levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To assume this pose, stand with your feet about six inches apart and fold the chest to the ground, reaching for the flat surface. You can bend the arms and hold each hand to the opposite elbow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While holding this pose, you must sway a little side to side and inhale. To alleviate any strain, bend your knees as far as possible. The stiffness in the hips and legs will gradually dissipate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_163"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yoga4.png" alt="" title="yoga4" class="wp-image-16503" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_512 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Child's Pose &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://classpass.com/movements/childs-pose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Child's Pose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a beginner's yoga pose that stretches the thighs, hips and ankles. This pose is perfect if you want a gentle stretch of your back while calming the nervous system and facilitating a peaceful sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To perform the Child's Pose, you have to kneel on the floor with your toes together and your knees hip-width apart. Place your palms on top of your thighs and relax. Next, lower your torso between your knees and exhale. Extend your arms parallel to your torso, palms facing down. Finally, relax your shoulders so that they are parallel to the ground. Hold the pose as long as you need.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_164"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yoga5.png" alt="" title="yoga5" class="wp-image-16502" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_513 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Reclining Butterfly Pose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This pose is a variation of the basic butterfly yoga posture.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allow your knees to slip out to the sides while pressing the soles of your feet together while lying on your back. Support your knees with pillows if you like. Pay attention to how you're feeling in your body. Achieve a state of relaxation by breathing in and breathing out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_165"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yoga6.png" alt="" title="yoga6" class="wp-image-16501" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_514 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5. Corpse Pose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This yoga pose can get your body into sleep mode. First, you have to concentrate on your breathing to let go of all the worries. This way, you can distract your mind from the scenario that's causing you anguish and anxiety, allowing you to sleep soundly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can achieve this pose by simply lying on your mat with your hands and feet wide and comfortable. Your palms should be up, and toes pointed out. Keep this pose for five minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga Poses and Stretching&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hss.edu/article_stretches-before-bed.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stretching&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before bedtime can aid in getting to sleep fast. It is recommended to incorporate at least 10 minutes of gentle stretching with your bedtime routine each night. Stretching is a perfect way to relax your weary muscles to rest and sleep more comfortably. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yoga poses can calm our minds and relieve the tension of our bodies. It is an effective and natural way to invite doziness into our bodies and enjoy a good night's sleep. Everyone deserves a restful sleep to recharge for the following day. So keep calm and do your yoga poses!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Yoga.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-yoga-poses-for-a-better-nights-sleep/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16485</ID> <title>Power Naps: Helpful or Harmful?</title> <publishDate>2022-04-03 15:28:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_409 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_463"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_483 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_515 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever been going about your day, and you hit that mid-afternoon slump? Whether it's because you haven't had enough caffeine to combat the exhaustion of your day or you had a pretty restless night's sleep the night before, a nap can be a great way to offset your fatigue. However, if you've done some dabbling in the area of afternoon naps, you'll probably already know that not all naps are created equal. Sometimes you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the rest of your day, and other times, you wake up groggy, grumpy and ready for more sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thankfully, doctors and researchers have done some serious &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; into why naps can have such a different impact on your day. Knowing the do's and don'ts of napping will help you carefully plan out your next power nap to get all the benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Benefits of Napping Regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A short nap, between 30 and 90 minutes, has been shown to have some profound benefits. One of these is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improved brain function&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, some studies have shown that people who regularly napped between 30 and 90 minutes had better word recall and were better at figure drawing. These are both indicators of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a good memory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and good brain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cognition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A short nap has also been shown to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boost alertness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve performance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/power-naps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;creative projects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This increased mental sharpness and improved brain function have influenced a few companies to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50396297" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;encourage their employees&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to take brief naps on the clock. Although napping at work is still largely frowned upon, there is increasing evidence that there are some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&amp;amp;sid=5294318c-75ba-4f14-abc3-3f46533f0189%40redis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serious productivity advantages&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to allowing short power naps. Companies like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepadvisor.org/sleeping-at-work/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Google&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepadvisor.org/sleeping-at-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Uber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have some dedicated spaces to allow their employees to nap on the job. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Midday rest can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve relaxation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.novanthealth.org/healthy-headlines/the-dos-and-donts-of-power-napping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decrease stress levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Even if it's difficult for you to actually fall asleep during a nap, napping can be a great time to relax, unwind and allow your mind and body to rest. Aside from the short-term benefits of napping, naps may also be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-i-nap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;linked to improved long-term health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Problems with Long Naps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All of the benefits of napping are dependent on only spending between 30 and 90 minutes sleeping. Sleeping for more than an hour and a half puts you in a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/power-naps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;deeper part of your sleep cycle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, making it more challenging to wake up feeling refreshed. In addition, longer naps can produce &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/power-naps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep inertia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, making you feel more drowsy when you get up. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Naps over 90 minutes can have the opposite effect of shorter naps. While brief naps have been shown to improve brain function, longer naps can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;create cognition problems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and interfere with your ability to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;think, problem-solve and form memories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Long naps can also make it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more difficult to sleep at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and inhibit your regular sleep routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_296 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_888 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_889 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_890 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_166"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/powernap4.jpg" alt="" title="powernap4" class="wp-image-16488" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_516 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Do's and Don'ts of Napping &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping for longer than 90 minutes can actually have harmful effects on us. So, the first "do" of napping is keeping your rests short. If a power nap is your goal, sleeping for 20 to 30 minutes is ideal. If you're aiming for a more restorative snooze, then 90 minutes should be your goal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When taking a nap, try to make sure that you keep the room dark and minimize the noises and distractions. This will help you get the most out of your naptime. Research shows that sleeping in the dark is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleeping-with-the-lights-on#summary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;instrumental to the quality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of your sleep. Your brain's chemistry responds to light levels, and darker lighting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1855314/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;instructs your brain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to produce more melatonin, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1855314/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that helps you sleep soundly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you've woken up from your nap, give your mind and body a little bit of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;time to catch up&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before starting work again. Maybe try stretching or going for a brisk walk to make sure that you're completely awake before tackling jobs that require precision or a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;quick response time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is also important to make sure to nap &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-a-nap-boost-brain-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to ensure you get all the benefits without accidentally interfering with your regular nighttime sleep schedule. Research shows that this is the best time to catch a quick power nap as long as you can effectively darken your space and minimize distractions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're experiencing some occasional afternoon drowsiness, hopefully, this guide will help you plan out some effective and restful power naps. When done correctly, power naps can have tremendous benefits for your health and peace of mind. Just be sure to avoid sleeping past the 90-minute mark since the benefits of napping turn into problems past that point. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best way to maintain your health and stay rested is to ensure that you're getting at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.novanthealth.org/healthy-headlines/the-dos-and-donts-of-power-napping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;seven and a half to eight hours&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of quality sleep every night. If you regularly feel exhausted throughout your day and need to nap constantly, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to see if you have any underlying sleep disorders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Power-Nap.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/power-naps-helpful-or-harmful/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16474</ID> <title>The Art of Breathing</title> <publishDate>2022-04-01 14:46:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_410 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_464"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_484 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_517 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When people talk about habitual actions, they often throw around phrases such as, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it's become second nature to me – almost like breathing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But, little do they know, just because breathing is habitual doesn't mean they're doing it correctly. Although the average human takes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-info/breathing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;22,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; breaths in one day, clinical psychologist and mental health and fitness expert &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thebreathingclass.com/about-dr-belisa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Belisa Vranich&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; estimates that 9.5 out of 10 people do it incorrectly. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From birth through roughly age five, children are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-breath-right" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;horizontal breathers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; – pulling air through their nose and into their lungs and engaging their diaphragm, which causes their belly to expand as they inhale and collapse when they exhale. At some point after this, whether because of stress or the social pressures of having a flat stomach, nearly everyone switches to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-breath-right" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vertical breathing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This type of breathing disregards the diaphragm, relying on shallow breaths from the chest instead. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you wondering if you're a part of the 5% that breathes correctly? Place one hand on your chest, the other on your stomach. Inhale in for six seconds, and exhale for six, taking note of how each hand moves. If your shoulders and the hand on your chest rise toward your chin with the inhale and the hand on your stomach caves in a bit, falling back toward your spine, there's bad news: you're a vertical breather.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Does Proper Breathing Matter?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you do breathe vertically. So do 95% of other people! You might think, big deal! Well, it turns out, it actually is. Poor breathing habits have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-breath-right" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;linked to&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; high blood pressure, back pain and increased stress levels. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conversely&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the positive mental and physiological effects of proper breathing are well established, forming the basis for practices such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pranayama&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; yoga and leading physicians to create entire exercises designed to correctly regulate breathing. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The harmful effects of unnatural breathing patterns are especially apparent in people with acute breathing difficulties. The fear arising from any inability to breathe correctly often triggers a panic attack, increasing the rate and irregularity of breathing, which in turn causes more fear. This harmful cycle can have disastrous effects on mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies indicate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that some 60% of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffer from anxiety or depression. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The negative consequences arising from poor breathing are not only detectable on a psychological level but also on a biological level. Scientists have discovered a direct connection between breathing and the nervous system. In &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thebestbrainpossible.com/breathing-stress-brain-calm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, scientists discovered that mice stayed calm in high-pressure situations so long as certain neurons were silenced, maintaining normal breathing patterns and thus failing to trigger a panic response in the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Slow and rhythmic breathing stimulates the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vagus nerve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a part of humans' parasympathetic nervous system. The vagus nerve's activity directly influences specific internal organs. When active, the heart rate slows, blood pressure drops and tightened muscles loosen. Even the brain relaxes, causing the entire body to feel calm and tranquil.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_465"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_485 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_297 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_891 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_892 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_893 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_167"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/breathe2.jpg" alt="" title="breathe2" class="wp-image-16475" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_518 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Do I Regulate My Breathing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After exploring the centrality of breathing to the body's overall well-being and the severe consequences that can follow from unhealthy breathing patterns, the question naturally arises: what are some techniques to regulate breathing and mitigate these adverse effects? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember to practice correct horizontal breathing during all of the following exercises: deep breaths through the nose, engage the diaphragm and expand your tummy! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiac Coherence: 365 Breathing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An apple a day might not keep the doctor away, but some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;therapists suggest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that daily practice of this breathing exercise can significantly decrease stress and anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thebestbrainpossible.com/breathing-stress-brain-calm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;365&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regulates breathing through six cycles per minute, for five minutes, three times a day. Each cycle consists of a 10-second breath pattern: inhale for five seconds, exhale for five seconds. Continue this pattern for five minutes, then go about your day! For maximum results, therapists recommend completing the five-minute loop three times in one day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;478 Breathing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thebestbrainpossible.com/breathing-stress-brain-calm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;478&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; technique is similar to the 365 pattern but instead requires an exhale twice as long as the inhale. This is because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the heart rate slows&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; during exhalation and speeds up slightly during inhalation. To complete the 478 exercise, inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven and exhale for eight. Repeat this cycle between four to eight times.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pranayama &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Techniques&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pranayama-benefits#less-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pranayama&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is a type of breath regulation yoga that utilizes alternate nostril breathing, victorious breath, female honeybee humming breath and bellows breath to increase control over breath speed and regularity. Alternate nostril breathing improves cardiovascular and lung function, lowers heart rate and increases endurance. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start with a complete exhale. Then, push down on your right nostril with your finger. Inhale through the left side and then push down on your left nostril as you simultaneously release your right. Next, exhale through your right nostril. Breathe in through your right nostril, close it, open the left and exhale. This cycle can be repeated for up to five minutes, always ending with an exhale out of the left nostril. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When Do I Practice Breathing Exercises?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These techniques (and a myriad of others) can be practiced at any time – when you feel stress levels rise, before bed to decrease heart rate and prepare for sleep, before presentations to decrease stage-fright or even as a part of your morning routine. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So now that you've learned how to breathe correctly, why regulated breathing is central to your overall health and are equipped with three types of breathing exercises, you're well on your way to modulated breathing, decreasing stress and improving your overall health!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Breathing.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-art-of-breathing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16452</ID> <title>The Dreams Chair: Taking the Fear out of Pediatric Dentistry with Dr. Sónia Santos</title> <publishDate>2022-03-28 05:52:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_411 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_466"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_486 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_519 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Imagine yourself as a small child sitting in a dentist's chair. The chair is whizzing up and down, there are bright lights pointed at you, and a couple of adults with their faces half-covered are staring down at you with all kinds of noisy contraptions in their hands, poking at your teeth. It can be scary.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But what if you could be transported to a world where the dentist's chair is a magical place, and those scary instruments have been turned into something fun? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sónia Santos is a pediatric dentist in Lisbon, Portugal. With 20 years of professional experience, she has found a delightful way to ease children's anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I want to help children overcome their fear of the dentist, so in my storybook, I transform the scary dental instruments into animals," Dr. Santos explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the obstacle of fear out of the way, dental visits can be pleasant, and children are open to learning good dental habits and experiencing good health.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Story of Becoming a Dentist&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Santos came from a family of engineers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My father's a civil engineer, and my mother is a chemical engineer. So I see myself as the smile engineer of the family," Dr. Santos said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her journey to pediatric dentistry followed a unique path that began at a museum. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"When I was a teenager, I was in New York and went to the children's museum. There was a special exhibition there about children's psychology. I really loved the exhibition, and I felt something at that moment," she recalled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This museum visit focused her interest in the medical field. Then, taking her mother's advice, she narrowed that focus down to dentistry. Finally, she combined her mother's advice and her love for children, and a career in pediatric dentistry was born. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You know how mothers are always right. I have to thank her because I really love my work," Dr. Santos said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Outside Medicine, Dr. Sónia Santos interests are art and skiing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I have been skiing since I was a child, and what we learn as children stays with us forever,” she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Story of Pediatric Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helping Children&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Santos cherishes her role in improving children's lives, both physically and psychologically. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"With pediatric dentistry, I can combine the medicine with the psychology of children's behavior management that is so important during the dental visits. Treating children is very challenging," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treating children requires a lot of patience. Some are scared, while others may sit in a chair and refuse treatment. But with her 20 years of experience, helping children overcome these issues comes naturally to Dr. Santos. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always tell children, 'You know, adults are complicated people.' They can be scared, too," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Facial Orthopedics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One aspect of pediatric dentistry that Dr. Santos finds most fulfilling is facial orthopedics, a special opportunity to make a significant difference in a child's life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"When there is a bite problem that involves not only the teeth, but the maxillary bones as well, and we treat these, it's called facial orthopedics. We treat the malocclusion of the maxilla while the child is still growing. Without treatment, the child can develop facial asymmetry, difficulty chewing and even difficulty breathing. If the child can't breathe correctly, not enough oxygen will reach the brain cells. As a result, the child has difficulty concentrating and performing well in school," Dr. Santos explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She treats this malocclusion with appliances, braces, and enlarging the maxilla. Once the treatment is complete, the child can breathe correctly and be more comfortable and healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_298 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_894 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_895 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_896 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_467"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_487 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_168"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cadeira.png" alt="" title="cadeira" class="wp-image-16454" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_520 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Story of &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Dreams Chair&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Book to Take the Fear Away&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What we learn as children stays with us forever. This is why Dr. Santos is concerned about helping children overcome their fear of dental visits. To further this goal, she wrote a children's book called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://dra-sonia-santos.negocio.site/posts/1045734491917994758?hl=pt-PT" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Cadeira dos Sonhos,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or translated, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Dreams Chair&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; In her book's world, the dentist's chair is a source of adventure, and those scary dental instruments areanimals like giraffes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Yes, a child's dental visit is professional, serious treatment. But it should be a nice experience for the child. My philosophy is that it has to be something fun for the child, such as going to the zoo, a museum, or even a wonderland. You imagine that chair, with all its arms and buttons and going up and down. To me, it sounds like lots of fun! So that's why I wrote &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Dreams Chair&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," Dr. Santos said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The book does not miss the opportunity to provide practical information, too. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It also has some recommendations for adults, educators and parents to teach children how to brush their teeth. It also promotes a healthy diet and what to do before dental visits," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Santos sees her book as a valuable resource that she has made available for free to everyone. She wrote the book with another author, a patient that became a friend.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My book is free to download, and our national reading plan actually recommends reading it. It's free because I didn't want any profit. It's my present to all children," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Story of a Rewarding Career&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Santos was elected South Portugal representative of Portuguese Dental Association in 2012 and was a member of the Orthodontic teaching department of Egas Moniz Higher Education Dental School in Lisbon for five years. Dr. Santos won the Orthodontic prize by Jornal dentistry in 2015. In addition to her book, she authored several articles in professional journals, magazines and she is an author in one of the Portuguese national newspapers. She enjoys the best of both worlds—a combination of teaching and private practice. Most recently, the Board of Pediatric Dentistry invited her to be the South Portugal Director.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"But the most rewarding part of being a pediatric dentist, of course, is to see children's smiles and to actually make their futures better. I teach them how to brush their teeth and eat a healthy diet with less sugar," Dr. Santos explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Santos volunteers with a program from Colgate called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/community-impact/bright-smiles-bright-futures#:~:text=Since%201991%2C%20the%20Colgate%20Bright,a%20day%20with%20fluoride%20toothpaste.&amp;amp;text=Working%20together%2C%20we%20will%20reach,at%20www.ColgateBSBF.com." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bright Smiles, Bright Futures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That's an oral health program, one of the most successful oral health programs in the world. We provide free oral health education and free treatments in some countries. I go to schools and teach children about brushing and healthy eating," Dr. Santos added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Story Continues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The future is digital and the one day treatments like the treatments with veneers. I treat the whole family and as I am a perfectionist, being able to design the veneers just as we want in the computer, it is really rewarding,” said Dr. Santos.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Santos' primary goal is to make the future better for children. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Children are the future. I'm helping them, and looking at their smiles is the best reward. It is a privilege to work with children and to make their lives healthier and happier," Dr. Santos said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Her book and her work with children are an investment in the future because, as Dr. Santos says, "What children learn, they will keep it forever."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dream.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-dreams-chair-taking-the-fear-out-of-pediatric-dentistry-with-dr-sonia-santos/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16436</ID> <title>How Focus Helps You Cope with Stress</title> <publishDate>2022-03-27 04:58:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_412 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_468"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_488 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_299 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_897 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_898 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_899 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_521 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you scramble to get yourself ready for the workday, a good, refreshing cup of hot coffee is all you need to hit the ground running. Your plans are foiled, however, when you discover the coffee maker is broken. This situation distracts you from the cold weather, and when you finally leave the house to start your commute, you have failed to leave time to defrost your car. After waiting 10 minutes for the ice to melt off your windshield, you leave late for work. Your stress intensifies, and by the time you get to your challenging, high-stress work environment, you find it difficult to focus on the task at hand. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although you may be tempted to explain your inability to concentrate due to workplace distractions or the scarcity of time, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2017/12/break-the-cycle-of-stress-and-distraction-by-using-your-emotional-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress can also interfere with your ability to focus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This loss of focus can, in turn, create more stress about your inability to get work done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts agree that the best way to fight this vicious cycle is to change the things your mind is focusing on, either through various "focus-shifting techniques" or mindfulness exercises like meditation. By interrupting the body's fight-or-flight feedback loop, temporarily occupying your mind with something other than the source of your stress can increase productivity and significantly reduce anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Physiology of Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although stress begins in the brain, people experience anxiety and other stress-related mental health problems in their bodies as well. We are all familiar with the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; rapid heartbeat, tense muscles and rush of adrenaline&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; accompanying certain anxious moments. But did you know these aren't the only symptoms of stress overload? If you find your mind shifting from topic to topic every few seconds, or if you realize you are inexplicably restless, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/865529/how-to-focus-when-stressed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you may be experiencing stress-related anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But why does your body feel these symptoms of stress? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/865529/how-to-focus-when-stressed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer lies with the fight-or-flight response&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a series of natural, physical responses to tense moments initiated by the brain's emotional center, the amygdala. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The amygdala &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/865529/how-to-focus-when-stressed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contacts the brain's command center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the hypothalamus, which&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2017/12/break-the-cycle-of-stress-and-distraction-by-using-your-emotional-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; preps the entire nervous system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to make split-second decisions by flooding it with cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals inhibit essential cognitive functions, like memory. Long-term cortisol exposure damages the brain and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://hbr.org/2017/12/break-the-cycle-of-stress-and-distraction-by-using-your-emotional-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may cause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Alzheimer's. As Clinical Psychologist Stephen Fabrick &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/shift-your-focus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;summarizes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; it, clear thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills have to suffer when we're under a great deal of stress. Therefore, paying attention to the physical warning signs of stress is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the first step&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; towards cultivating healthy mindfulness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shifting Focus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since long-term stress is bad for your physical and mental health, developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential. One means of dealing with stress is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/shift-your-focus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the technique of "focus-shifting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;," or disengaging from the source of your stress for a while by focusing on something else. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several fruitful approaches to focus-shifting, the easiest of which is to distract your brain by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/shift-your-focus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;undertaking a simple, rewarding activity not requiring a lot of complicated thinking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You could, for example, watch a video from your favorite YouTuber or declutter your room. Alternatively, if you prefer stimulation to distraction, you can also practice focus-shifting in response to stress &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/shift-your-focus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;by directing your brain to something challenging but of minor importance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as a book or a puzzle game. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To maximize the effectiveness of your focus-shifting tactics, try balancing your focus-shifting periods with longer, productivity-oriented work periods. This technique, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/865529/how-to-focus-when-stressed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;known as the Pomodoro method&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, involves making deals with yourself. You could, for example, decide that for every 25 minutes of focused work, you will reward yourself with a 5 minute break. The length of your breaks and work periods is up to you, but experts agree &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/shift-your-focus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you should limit your focus-shifting periods to 20 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Longer periods of focus-shifting often result in distraction, derailing the necessary problem-solving activities that initially caused you stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another approach to mitigating stress is called mindfulness. Originally a Buddhist concept, mindfulness can be thought of as the opposite of multitasking. It is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the discipline of focusing on the events of the present moment and accepting these events without passing judgment on them&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Though it may sound more spiritual than clinical, mindfulness was pioneered as a treatment for mental illnesses like major depression by the University of Massachusetts' Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has been shown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to prevent relapses of depression, as well as the physical symptoms of anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Learning to be mindful is a fairly simple process. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Begin by "centering down&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:" sit cross-legged on the floor or a straight-backed chair. Next, focus on your breathing, the feel of the air going in and out of your lungs in particular. Once you've narrowed your focus to your breathing, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;widen your focus to more "outward" sensations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as sounds and feelings. If you start to feel panic again, return your focus to breathing. This is the gist of the mindfulness process, although other calming activities, such as going for a walk or playing piano, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can be integrated into your routine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Try to make mindfulness a daily habit, spending &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/focus-more-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;at least 20 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; working on these basic steps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking Back Your Mind, One Day at a Time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress and concentration have a close relationship: the other tends to decrease as one increases. If you find that symptoms of high stress impair your ability to focus, consider the focus-shifting and mindfulness techniques examined here as means to help you triumph over the anxieties of daily life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you look to mindfulness or focus-shifting techniques, remember that taking back your mind from stress is a process: you might not feel results right away, and if you don't, don't give up! Stress is an inevitable part of life, but through practice, everyone can learn to process it in a healthy manner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/focus3.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/how-focus-helps-you-cope-with-stress/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16424</ID> <title>The Olfactory System Is Our Body's Natural Warning System</title> <publishDate>2022-03-26 04:25:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_413 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_469"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_489 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_300 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_900 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_901 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_902 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_522 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At first blush, the smell is arguably the least essential of the body's five senses. Sight and hearing are central to completing everyday tasks, even simple ones like putting on makeup in the morning or updating a coworker on a project. Likewise, taste allows people to enjoy eating - something done at least three times a day. And where would people be without being able to feel a comforting hug or register the heat of a pan in time to drop it and avoid getting burned? On the other hand, the smell seems to function merely as a supplemental sense: elevating the taste of food and allowing people to experience intense objects in other ways besides sight. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And yet, memories and associations from smells have an uncanny way of sticking around. Anyone who has had an unfortunate encounter with smelling spoiled seafood might attest that, to this day, they have an almost visceral reaction to seeing a plate of oysters. Conversely, the smell of a lotion or perfume used by a loved one can elicit a profoundly emotional response. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, the smell isn't only good for the fuzzy feelings that arise upon smelling the boyfriend's cologne. A recent study carried out by Sweden's Karolinska Institutet indicates that the olfactory system is much more: the body's innate warning system.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Anatomy of the Olfactory System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The area of the body responsible for detecting smells is located inside the nasal cavity. It is composed of a group of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/smell/smell_animation.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;olfactory receptors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that grow tiny, mucus-covered hairs. When the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/smell/smell_animation.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chemicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that constitute a smell come into contact with the hairs, they are trapped by the mucus and detected by the olfactory receptors, which immediately contact the brain via the olfactory bulb.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Karolinska Institutet in Sweden&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most everyone is familiar with the conscious reaction to smelling smoke. The smell is registered, the thought comes, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;oh no - something is burning! Fire!,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the body springs into action to find the source of the smoke and either remedy the situation or run in the opposite direction. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, a medical research university, has recently &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014100139.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;discovered&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that the processes responsible for people's propensity to flee disagreeable odors happen on an unconscious level.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Tests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Using new technology, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet studied the finer workings of the body's olfactory system by conducting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014100139.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three tests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/our-nose-has-its-own-tiny-brain-that-gives-us-a-head-start-on-bad-smells" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;electroencephalographically monitoring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; participants' olfactory bulbs. When participants smelled especially unpleasant odors, the olfactory bulb sent a signal to the brain's motor cortex (the area that controls movement) in a mere 300 milliseconds. For reference, it takes longer than that, roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-do-we-blink-our-eyes-3879210#:~:text=Even%20though%20you%20probably%20don,medication%2C%20and%20certain%20health%20conditions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;400 milliseconds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, to blink. The brain's motor cortex then initiates a physical reaction, causing participants to recoil from the source of the smell.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interestingly, researchers discovered that the rate at which participants recoiled from the smell &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/our-nose-has-its-own-tiny-brain-that-gives-us-a-head-start-on-bad-smells" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;depended on its severity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If the odor was especially pungent and identified as potentially threatening, participants pulled away in a half-second. If the smell was unpleasant but not quite as potent, the recoil took longer. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Importance of Smell&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thanks to these studies, professors at the Karolinska Institutet are coming to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014100139.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;realize&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; just how essential smell is. Not only is it valuable in the rapid recognition of immediate danger, but it occurs on an extraordinarily unconscious level than the scientific community had realized - much more so than sight or hearing.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The smell may not enable the enjoyment of a beautiful sunset or aid in communication with others, but it is extremely efficient at detecting potentially dangerous substances and alerting the brain to the threat, solidifying its place as an essential sense!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Olfactory-System.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-olfactory-system-is-our-bodys-natural-warning-system/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16405</ID> <title>Why Telehealth Is So Cost-Effective</title> <publishDate>2022-03-24 03:49:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_414 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_470"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_490 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_301 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_903 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_904 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_905 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_523 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The idea of telehealth has received a massive spike in attention over the past few years. This is primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made an in-person visit to the doctor's office a riskier prospect than usual. Many patients have enjoyed easier access to professional medical and therapeutic advice due to telehealth technology, and the convenience factor is significant. But there's another side to the value of telehealth: it's cost-effective. So why exactly is telehealth so affordable, and will it be a better option for you and your family in 2022?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can Telehealth Treat Familiar Ailments?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Telehealth, for both its convenience and affordability, continues to grow more and more popular. In 2020 alone, the demand for telehealth services &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ahip.org/telehealth-growth-during-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;grew by over 60%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This substantial growth strongly suggests a connection to the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, but this is not all that telehealth is beneficial for. Illnesses that many of us experience often are the best reason to try telehealth out. The saved time, lower expense and reduced risk are all appealing advantages.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's take a simple example: you're pretty sure you have the flu since you're familiar with the symptoms. So instead of spending most of a day driving to and waiting for a doctor's appointment, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medcost.com/members/care/articles/telemedicine-affordable-convenient-and-reliable" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you schedule a telehealth appointment to discuss a treatment plan with a doctor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Not only have you saved the time that you would have spent commuting and waiting, but you've kept away from other illnesses present in the physical office, and you've kept your flu away from other patients!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are plenty of illnesses that require in-person examinations to diagnose, of course. Still, the flu illustration is a clear example of a situation that becomes much easier with the option of telehealth services.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Much Can I Save through Telehealth?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your exact savings will depend on what type of care you need. One study found that telemedicine services cost &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12419022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;an average of $335 per patient per year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is an especially low number compared to the figure the study found for routine care, which was $585. In addition, on-site care costs an average of $1,166 per year. Therefore, opting for telehealth could save patients around $700 per year!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What about telehealth makes it more affordable than traditional doctor visits? The study mentioned above described three factors. The first is cost-sharing — the price of the telemedicine infrastructure is distributed to all patients. The second is effective treatment, meaning the consultations patients receive via technology are genuinely helpful. The third factor is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12419022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients experience less loss of productivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Instead of spending half your day on an in-person doctor visit, a telehealth appointment is considerably more focused and brief.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another example of specific numbers that indicate significant savings can be found in a 2014 study, which found that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ajmc.com/view/telemedicine-the-cost-effective-future-of-healthcare" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the average price of a telehealth appointment is in the range of $40 to $50&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is, of course, much preferable to the $176 price that the study found for in-person visits. Attending a virtual appointment also eliminates the cost of commuting to a physical appointment, saving both gas money and calling off work time to visit the doctor for longer periods of time than just a call.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Telehealth Provides Long-Term Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We've already discussed some of the immediate benefits of telehealth, but what about the long-term consequences? Is telehealth still appealing when we're thinking many years down the road? The short answer is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because patients who wouldn't have gone to the trouble of an in-person visit can use telehealth services to treat minor health issues. Immediately taking care of those minor issues means that they won't turn into bigger, more expensive problems down the line.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The simple truth about the current job market is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/business/job-hopping-rise-should-you-consider-switching-roles-make-more-ncna868641" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;switching from one job to another is more common than it used to be&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Many Americans are moving from one location to another more often than they used to. This reality illustrates another advantage of telehealth: patients can stay in touch with their primary doctor despite geographical distance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If telehealth is right for you, it will be cost-effective and convenient both in the present and future. Instances such as broken bones or vaccinations must be addressed in person, of course, but many common ailments can be treated just as effectively through telehealth appointments. If these convenient and cost-effective features of telehealth sound right for you, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Telehealth.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/why-telehealth-is-so-cost-effective/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16343</ID> <title>Exploring the Ethics of Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Rathna Nuti</title> <publishDate>2022-03-19 15:41:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_415 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_471"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_491 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_302 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_906 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_907 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_908 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_524 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is a rapidly growing, innovative practice that applies regenerative medical techniques to treat or cure diseases. Most regenerative treatments are still under development, but regenerative medicine has already begun to change how we approach health care. Regenerative treatments can be utilized in nearly every field of medicine and for any medical condition. Because these treatments represent cutting-edge research, they require ethical considerations for both researchers and patients alike.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At its core, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/subjects/regenerative-medicine#:~:text=Regenerative%20medicine%20is%20the%20branch,the%20production%20of%20artificial%20organs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; seeks to understand health on a cellular level and bring newly regenerated cells into the body to help maintain healthy cell growth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ethical considerations surrounding regenerative medicine, but it is a promising solution for conditions once considered untreatable or fatal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rathna-nuti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rathna Nuti&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is here to let us in on her latest practice on regenerative medicine, with its underlying ethics, procedures and treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative Medicine: From Sports to Aesthetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Nuti is a member of several sports medicine organizations, including the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amssm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the NHL Team Physician Society (NHLTPS). She uses both family medicine and psychology to complement her approach to sports medicine. She also specializes in the aesthetics portion of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/theres-always-a-team-to-support-you-a-sports-medicine-overview-with-dr-rathna-nuti/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aesthetic regenerative medicine is a growing field that uses regenerative techniques to improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. While regenerative therapies have been used for many years to treat sports injuries and joint pain, regenerative therapies for aesthetic purposes are a relatively new development.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different regenerative therapies can be used for aesthetic purposes, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_prp-injections.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and stem cell therapy. Dr. Nuti has started helping patients to use these techniques.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Treating fine lines, wrinkles, or the 'turkey' neck nowadays does not only just involve BOTOX or fillers; there are chemical peels to help in skin rejuvenation and other treatments such as PRP for both facial rejuvenation and hair growth and microneedling for the improvement of the texture of the skin that I offer as well to help people achieve their aesthetic goals," Dr. Nuti said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She said she is exploring more into the body aspect of contouring, where tightening skin, trimming fat, and toning muscle can sculpt the body. Things are constantly evolving in the practice as doctors like Dr. Nuti try to help with whatever the patient's needs are.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; ​&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_472"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_492 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_169"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/botox4.jpg" alt="" title="botox4" class="wp-image-16346" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_525 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Knowing an Ethical vs. an Unethical Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with any medical field, ethical considerations are crucial to the well-being of both doctors and patients, and regenerative medicine is no different. For doctors, aside from the importance of abiding by ethics guidelines set forth by regenerative medicine associations such as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.isctglobal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it is vital that what they offer is science-backed, evidenced-based and is marketed with integrity to avoid "false hopes" for the patients. On the other hand, patients must completely understand regenerative medicine's risks and benefits before signing up for it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One of the biggest ethical considerations in regenerative medicine is to make sure the patient understands that we're not reversing what happened now to what you were 20 years ago," Dr. Nuti explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients mustn't undergo regenerative treatments with unrealistic expectations. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Patients must understand that regenerative treatments are not a quick fix," Dr. Nuti emphasized. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She also debunked the biggest myths in regenerative medicine at this time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It does not regrow tissue at this point. And it is not 100% guaranteed either. Unethical use of regenerative medicine would be to give that false sense of hope when there's no research that backs it up," Dr. Nuti said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/fda-to-crack-down-on-stem-cell-clinics-with-unproven-therapies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent crackdown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on clinics that offer stem cell treatments from amniotic fluids due to unethical use and patient fraud, it has become difficult for the doctors like Dr. Nuti to provide similar treatments as they are removed from the market. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174465/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amniotic products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; got pulled off the market. So companies and other clinics are now looking at how to utilize it appropriately. And of course, it's good that we have the FDA to govern it, but it does put the people who use it ethically like myself and other clinics in a tough position because now we can't offer that type of treatment," Dr. Nuti said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Challenging Part: Awareness and Education&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients must understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/the-art-of-medicine-a-look-into-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-ripu-arora/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and that each patient's treatment plan will be tailored specifically to their needs. However, not many individuals who want to have regenerative treatments realize this, especially if they only learned about it from other people who had gone through the same treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We do have patients coming in asking us, 'Hey, can you please do this? Can you please do that? We want this; we want that.' I've had patients walk into my office, tell me that they want PRP. They don't want to try anything else, so I have to take a step back and tell them that getting this or that treatment is not like a pharmacy or grocery store where you can go and get what you want and walk out. That's not how medicine works," Dr. Nuti explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The regenerative medicine field is constantly evolving as researchers explore new ways to improve the practice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/resources/cellular-therapies/facts-about-cellular-therapies/regenerative-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is here to stay. We have new evolving, exciting data to help out and show us of its potential and capabilities," Dr. Nuti enthusiastically shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the exciting future possibilities of regenerative medicine is having a long-term effect on treatments compared to the current ones. For example, PRP can have the possibility of longer outcomes in terms of pain control compared to what is offered by steroid injections.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regenerative medicine is definitely an innovative treatment plan that is constantly evolving for the better of the future of medicine. It is here to stay. It's just a matter of getting more information and robust data to help guide us into the future in terms of what treatment plans we can offer for our patients," Dr. Nuti said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is still in its infancy, but regenerative treatments will become more effective with continued research and development. If you are interested in regenerative medicine, it is essential to understand the ethical practices that should be followed. In this article, we have outlined some of these ethics and why they're so crucial for regenerative medicine practitioners like Dr. Nuti.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We thank Dr. Nuti for joining us in this interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. We appreciate her informative insights on the ethics of regenerative medicine. You may reach out to her and check her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dfwsportsmed.com/rathna-nuti-md-sports-medicine-specialist-mckinney-lewisville-tx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to know more about regenerative medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dr.-Rathna-Nuti.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/exploring-the-ethics-of-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-rathna-nuti/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16332</ID> <title>Caffeine and Acne</title> <publishDate>2022-03-17 15:21:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_416 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_473"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_493 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_303 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_909 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_910 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_911 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_526 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone loves a cup of coffee to start their day. It’s nothing to be ashamed of - in fact, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://olay.co.uk/skin-care-tips/dry-skin/how-caffeine-affects-your-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies show&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that caffeine consumption in moderation is a good thing, promoting feelings of well-being, alertness and sociability. However, four or more cups of either tea or coffee per day &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://olay.co.uk/skin-care-tips/dry-skin/how-caffeine-affects-your-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lead to symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as jitteriness, migraines, nervousness and sleep cycle interference. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More importantly, excessive caffeine consumption can affect your skin. Did you know that cutting down on your caffeine consumption can significantly improve certain forms of acne? Caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea cause your body to produce cortisol, the stress hormone, which leads to increased acne outbreaks even if you drink your caffeinated beverage without sugar or milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caffeination: Friend or Foe?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While caffeine doesn’t directly cause acne, it does everything to make it worse. Caffeine causes your body to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://olay.co.uk/skin-care-tips/dry-skin/how-caffeine-affects-your-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;produce extra quantities of cortisol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the stress hormone, which in turn stimulates your sebaceous glands. These glands begin to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overproduce sebum oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the excessive quantities of which clog pores, trapping germs and bacteria in the process. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body sends white blood cells rushing to the area to fight perceived infection threats. This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is called inflammation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which results in pimples. One study showed that a stressed person who consumed caffeine had &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clearstemskincare.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/caffeine-and-acne-why-coffee-is-bad-for-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a cortisol increase of 211%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Not only is the stress produced from excess caffeination bad for your mental health, but it can also send your sebum production through the roof, burying your pores in unneeded oils. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bad News for Morning Joe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately for all you coffee fiends out there, your favorite brew may be one of the worst offenders in terms of caffeine-related acne outbreaks. There are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a few reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; coffee tends to trigger acne outbreaks far more than other caffeinated beverages like tea: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea has more antioxidants, which fight acne outbreaks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee has more caffeine, making it more likely to increase cortisol production.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea contains a compound called L-Theanine, which promotes a healthier stress response. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, coffee typically does more harm than good for acne-prone people. Coffee &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clearstemskincare.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/caffeine-and-acne-why-coffee-is-bad-for-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contributes to dysbiosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a condition in which the growth of harmful bacteria in your gut microbiome outpaces the growth of good bacteria. This occurs because coffee happens to be highly acidic, which disrupts normal gut flora when you drink a lot of it. The resulting dysbiosis leads to poor absorption of nutrients like zinc, selenium and iron, all needed to fight acne. One study found drinking coffee an hour before or after meals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clearstemskincare.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/caffeine-and-acne-why-coffee-is-bad-for-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;inhibited absorption by 72%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! An unhealthy gut can also increase stress because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clearstemskincare.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/caffeine-and-acne-why-coffee-is-bad-for-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;95% of serotonin is produced in the stomach&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking Some Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tea tends to be a much healthier alternative to coffee when it comes to skincare. This is because all types of tea share the same plant and are differentiated only by different harvesting and preparation techniques. Generally speaking, tea’s relationship to acne &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;remains the same&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regardless of the specific type of tea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As mentioned earlier, tea is high in antioxidants, which &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help skin cells repair themselves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; if oxidation occurs. Oxidation happens when sebum oil on the skin goes bad, which happens for various reasons, including exposure to sunlight, hormones and environmental factors like smoking tobacco. Antioxidants help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prevent oxidized sebum oil from clogging your pores&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, minimizing the infections that form acne outbreaks. Tea also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lowers your insulin levels after meals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, fighting back hormonal acne. Studies also indicate it might &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduce dysbiosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by improving absorption of certain nutrients, such as zinc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Hidden Source of Fluoride?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That being said, tea contains caffeine, too, meaning that it’s important to choose a variety carefully and consume it in moderation. Caffeine in any quantity increases your cortisol production, which clogs your pores with sebum oil. But tea also has its own unique acne-related weakness, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;especially for people with thyroid-driven acne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. People with thyroid problems experience hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid fails to produce sufficient quantities of the thyroid hormone. People with thyroid issues try to avoid fluoride consumption as it exacerbates this problem to the point that those with high sensitivities have issues even with tap water.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What does this have to do with a warm cup of Earl Grey? It turns out that acne outbreaks are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a leading symptom of hypothyroidism&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and tea contains some fluoride. Though the fluoride deposits in tea are not particularly concentrated, those with thyroid issues need to be aware that tea could be contributing to their breakouts for this reason. Fortunately, the detrimental effects of fluoride in tea can be mitigated by consuming iodine, which&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is found in seafood, egg yolks or supplements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stick to the Golden Mean&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Balancing caffeine consumption and acne problems is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goodglow.co/can-tea-help-get-rid-of-acne-best-teas-for-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;all about quantity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As the old saying goes, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the dose makes the poison&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Unless you suffer from extreme sensitivities, experts generally agree that a little caffeine is rarely an issue. By &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://olay.co.uk/skin-care-tips/dry-skin/how-caffeine-affects-your-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;limiting your coffee or tea consumption to 2-3 cups per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you’ll avoid the worst acne-related side effects of caffeine consumption. As with so many things in life, moderation is the key to balancing caffeine and acne.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Caffeine-and-Acne.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/caffeine-and-acne/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16324</ID> <title>How Fear Affects Your Immune System</title> <publishDate>2022-03-17 13:31:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_417 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_474"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_494 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_304 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_912 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_913 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_914 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_527 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What do you know about your immune system and fear? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/impact-fear-and-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fear&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a human emotion sparked by the perception of danger; it's a basic survival system that tells our bodies to fight or flight when we're in danger. As human beings, fear can help us be safe, but we don't know that constant fear can lead to a weaker immune system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fear can have harmful effects in all parts of our lives and even threaten the balance of our immune systems if we live in continual fear, mainly from physical hazards in our environment or the threats we perceive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are You Living under Constant Fear?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Living under continual fear has major health implications. Below are some of the health consequences of chronic fear:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Your Body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Fear wreaks havoc on our immune systems, resulting in cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders like ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and reduced reproductive potential. It hastens the aging process.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Memory, Brain and Mental Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Too much fear isn't harmful only to your body but also your brain. It can hinder the formation of long-term memories and cause damage to particular sections of the brain, which might disrupt your memory. When long-term fear might lead to other repercussions such as weariness, sadness and PTSD, your mental health will be jeopardized. It can have a detrimental impact on our thinking and decision-making, making us more vulnerable to powerful emotions and impulsive behaviors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fear's Effect on the Immune System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We already know that fear has the advantage of assisting us in preparing to react to dangers. But when in chronic fear, our bodies generate hormones that can slow or shut down functions that are necessary for survival, such as our digestive system. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stileschiropracticchicago.com/health-articles/how-does-fear-affect-your-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tracey Stiles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the downside of fear is that it can reduce your immune response, leading to an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ajmc.com/view/the-effects-of-chronic-fear-on-a-persons-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;immune system dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is one of the potential consequences of chronic fear. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What is Immune System Dysfunction?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Immune system dysfunction means that you have an autoimmune disorder where your immune system causes abnormally low activity or overactivity. The body attacks and damages its own tissues. Immune deficiency diseases decrease the body's ability to fight invaders, thereby causing it to be vulnerable to infections. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/autoimmune-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Examples&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, psoriasis and vasculitis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Difference between Healthy and Unhealthy Fear&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Fighting-your-fears" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;neurological system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been conditioned to fear ever since we were babies. It instills in us the survival instincts we require to stay safe when in danger. Healthy fear is a normal reaction to danger, such as when you encounter a dangerous snake and run for safety. Unhealthy fear, on the other hand, can be harmful. An example of this is when you are afraid of meeting new acquaintances or people. This is a form of fear that prevents you from doing things you could enjoy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Deal with Fear and Anxiety?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The first thing to do is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/overcome-fear-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acknowledge and learn&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from your fear and take the proper measures:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take the time to exercise&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Because it requires concentration, exercise can help you take your mind out of fear and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take the time to relax&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Meditation and relaxation techniques can help you with the mental and physical side-effects of fear. Breathing techniques during yoga classes can help you drop your shoulders and breathe deeply. A good massage at the spa can also help you relax.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat healthily&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Choose to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables while trying to avoid consuming too much sugar, tea and coffee. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ask for help if needed; talk to someone if you feel anxious and fearful. Don't let fear take over and control your everyday life. Your doctor, friends, spouse and colleagues can help ease the burden of what you feel inside of you. Always remember that your health, mind and body matter more than your inconceivable anxiousness and fear. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/drew-hays-Kt8eGw8_S8Y-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-fear-affects-your-immune-system/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16312</ID> <title>How Food Can Affect Your Mood: The Psychological Importance of Eating Healthy Food</title> <publishDate>2022-03-15 13:08:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_418 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_475"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_495 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_528 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever wondered why food tastes different depending on your mood? Believe it or not, the food you eat can affect how your mind feels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The food we choose to put into our bodies has a significant impact on every aspect of our lives, from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional states. It's an integral part of life that should be taken seriously and given the right amount of attention. The food we eat should make us feel good inside and out – it is designed for more than just satisfying hunger pangs!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Link between Food and Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Becoming conscious of food's effect on mood is essential to becoming more aware of your mental health. Food is not just sustenance for the body but also for the mind. Therefore, better awareness about food will help you make smarter food choices that are infinitely healthier for yourself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food influences mood in many ways, from physical cravings based on certain foods to emotional comfort food when feeling down. When we're hungry, food becomes our source of nourishment that fuels our bodies with energy and optimizes our well-being. However, food should never be used as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/diets/emotional-eating.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a replacement for emotional support&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The food you choose to eat can considerably affect your mental health, so be careful about food's role in your life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4150387/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psychologists believe&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that food can influence mood because of the chemicals it contains. When food enters our bodies, proteins are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works#:~:text=After%20you%20swallow%2C%20peristalsis%20pushes,food%20with%20these%20digestive%20juices." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;broken down&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by enzymes and produce amino acids that supply the brain with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serotonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, one of the hormones responsible for regulating mood. However, while certain foods contain more serotonin than others (such as carbohydrates which boost serotonin levels), food may not always translate into mood precisely as we expect it to. This is because food doesn't just affect our mood right away; there will also be a delayed response from how food affects us later on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How the Foods You Eat Affect How You Feel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food can be broken down into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/important-nutrients-know-proteins-carbohydrates-and-fats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three main food groups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. All these food groups play a vital role in keeping us healthy and providing us with energy to get through the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How food affects your mood depends on what kind of food you eat. If you eat lots of foods made from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-refined-carbs-are-bad#:~:text=The%20main%20dietary%20sources%20of,mostly%20sugars%20and%20processed%20grains." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;refined carbohydrates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as white bread (sugar), white rice (sugar) and pasta (sugar!), it's no wonder that you feel like crashing out after eating all that sugar! Your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;blood sugar levels dramatically rise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when consuming large amounts of refined carbohydrates, which is why we often crave sugary food items because we want to crash out and sleep (to recover from feeling tired and sluggish).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the other hand, if we eat food made from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/whole-grains/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;whole grains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as brown rice and multigrain bread, the food will break down slower in our systems because of the high fiber content! This means that we won't experience a dramatic spike in blood sugar levels and therefore keep going for longer (without crashing out).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to stay happy and healthy, it's important to pay attention to your food intake. Eating food that takes a longer time to break down (such as whole grains) is a good idea – this ensures that you benefit from proper nutrients and minerals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_305 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_915 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_916 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_917 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_476"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_496 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_170"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/foodmood3.jpg" alt="" title="foodmood3" class="wp-image-16314" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_529 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Foods to Boost Your Mood and Energy Levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By eating foods that boost energy levels, mental performance, mood, and motivation, you will feel more uplifted and ready to face the challenges of today!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some healthy food suggestions to keep your mental health in good shape. It's a good idea to eat these types of food every day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lean Protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Proteins make up a large portion of our brains and mental health. Consuming lean protein from fish, poultry, pork, eggs and low-fat dairy products will help you feel better about yourself physically and mentally because your brain needs vital vitamins and minerals that only healthy proteins can provide. Foods such as fish tuna (rich in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Omega-3 fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;), turkey breast, chicken breast (lean meat is significant for mental performance), lean ham and pork tenderloin are all excellent choices for mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy Fats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The brain loves fats, so it's a beautiful idea to give it some essential fatty foods! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22435414/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Essential fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; nourish the brain and have been found to improve mental performance. Foods such as whole-grain cold cereals, avocados, olive oil, seeds, nuts (like almonds) and fatty fish such as salmon are all foods that boost mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Good Carbohydrates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't want to eliminate carbohydrates from your system because they boost energy levels! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy carbohydrates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, whole-grain bread or pasta for lunch and dinner.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin C and Antioxidants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This natural antioxidant protects our cells from damage caused by free radicals. Try eating more oranges, grapefruits, kiwis or strawberries because these types of fruit contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high quantities of vitamin C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fruits and Vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fruits and vegetables are good for mental health because they provide the body with the essential nutrients it needs. It's best to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/why-5-a-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eat at least five servings of fruit or vegetables per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so try incorporating these healthy food items into your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental performance is affected by dehydration, so it's a good idea to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-glasses-of-water-per-day#:~:text=Health%20experts%20commonly%20recommend%20eight,when%20you're%20not%20thirsty." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;drink at least eight glasses of water per day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, preferably more! If you're not a fan of water, juice and other healthy beverages will work as substitutes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the Road to Mindful Eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental health is just as important as physical health, so we should take the same care in nourishing our mental selves as we do in our physical selves. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The foods mentioned above are best for boosting mental performance, mood, and overall mental well-being. However, it's important to remember that food should never be used as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/diets/emotional-eating.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a replacement for emotional support&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; – good food choices and mindful eating will benefit your mental health while taking care of your body simultaneously.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556586/#:~:text=Mindful%20eating%20(i.e.%2C%20paying%20attention,carbohydrates%2C%20fat%2C%20or%20protein." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindful eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; helps you become more aware of why you're eating food; it's a way of thinking about what you eat instead of blindly eating food for an energy boost.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you take on the road to mindful eating, make sure to consider all these points when making decisions about what to put into your body – it's essential for both your mental and physical health!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Is-food-affecting-your-mood.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-food-can-affect-your-mood-the-psychological-importance-of-eating-healthy-food/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16293</ID> <title>The Effects of Gardening and Plants on Your Wellness</title> <publishDate>2022-03-13 12:24:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_419 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_477"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_497 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_306 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_918 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_919 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_920 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_530 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many of us found ourselves spending far more time at home than we'd anticipated during the past two years. Amid the global pandemic, research indicates that record numbers of people turned to gardening, cultivating their own "coronavirus victory gardens." People have increasingly turned to gardening for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;several reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: educating their kids, providing healthy food for their family amid grocery store shortages, and even keeping one's mind occupied. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whatever their initial motive, most people report that their wellness has improved. And what you've heard about the benefits of gardening isn't exaggerated: the science tells us that digging into horticulture significantly improves people's wellness and overall quality of life. But why?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of gardening are two-pronged. It provides exercise for the whole body in a healthy environment. And this exercise, in turn, improves mental health, helping you feel happier and think more clearly. Gardening is not only easy to get into, but it might be just the wellness habit you need to truly thrive amid the pressures of the new normal. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening: The Moderate-Intensity Exercise for High-Intensity Lives&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a22109/health-benefits-gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CDC classifies gardening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a "moderate-intensity exercise." If you've never gardened before, you might be surprised to hear this activity lumped in with a jog on a treadmill, but those with experience know that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gardening uses every major muscle group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. According to the CDC, working with a garden &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a22109/health-benefits-gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;burns up to 330 calories in one hour&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, more than walking for the same duration. Just 30 minutes of this moderate-intensity exercise per day is enough to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a22109/health-benefits-gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prevent or mitigate high blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The exercise of gardening has several other benefits, too. For instance, a University of Pennsylvania study found that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gardeners are more likely than the average person&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to get a solid seven hours of sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunlight: A Vital Nutrient?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You and your plants have something in common: you both use sunlight to produce vital nutrients. Believe it or not, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your skin uses light to manufacture a nutrient&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; called Vitamin D, so gardening might be just the excuse you need to soak up some sun. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Just &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;30 minutes in the garden produces between 8,000 and 50,000&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; international units (IU) of Vitamin D in your body, &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;depending on the degree to which your clothes cover your skin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your body &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a22109/health-benefits-gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uses Vitamin D to absorb calcium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strengthen your bones and immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Low levels of Vitamin D, on the other hand, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can lead to several ailments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including psoriasis flares, diabetes and dementia. So even if you're in a rush to acquire the benefits of having the sun on your skin, don't forget to apply sunscreen to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a22109/health-benefits-gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minimize your risk of skin cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Entering the Flow State &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This era of multitasking rarely leaves time to focus on a single thing for long. Experts warn that constant multitasking weakens our mental health by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/how-gardening-became-the-self-care-staple-i-never-knew-i-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;depriving us of the experience of "flow state,"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or deep concentration arising from a prolonged focus on a single project. Gardening helps you find this flow state, and as a result, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1lDwCPVNmaIG-Z3EJvkpi0iRcyYHIB9DSfaK3nViXzVo/edit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can help improve your attention span&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The mental stimulation of horticulture is particularly beneficial to the elderly. Several studies in various parts of the world have shown that those with age-related mental issues, such as dementia, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;experience better memory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; after gardening as little as 20 minutes per day.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Calm, Green Environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Charlie Hall, a Ph.D. at Texas A&amp;amp;M's AgriLife Extension Service, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2020/05/18/gardening-can-influence-and-benefit-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;says that&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; being outside increases self-esteem, reduces anger and generally improves individuals' mental health. Gardening has been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shown to decrease depression and anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The process of watching your hard work blossom and grow also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-gardening-affects-mental-health"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boosts your self-esteem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because you get to see your hard work paying off. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gardening is also beneficial for stress reduction. Gwenn Fried, manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone's Rusk Rehabilitation, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a22109/health-benefits-gardening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;notes that&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; people's cortisol levels tend to decrease in calm, green environments.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a 2011 study, gardening is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more effective than reading&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for draining cortisol from your brain after a stressful activity. Though not a treatment for mental health issues, gardening is the perfect supplement to other psychological treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Perfect Wellness Supplement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though gardening is not a cure for mental and physical issues, it is the perfect supplement to any wellness routine. As you get your green thumb ready for action, remember that mistakes often happen when gardening: a host of issues, from bugs to poor soil quality, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-gardening-affects-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;may lead to disappointing results&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But don't let this stop you - in fact, gardening can teach you that&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mistakes are a part of life! Learning to master these mistakes will deepen your psychological roots and bring mental wellness into full bloom. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Effects-of-Gardening.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-effects-of-gardening-and-plants-on-your-wellness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16284</ID> <title>6 Ways to Make Working a Desk Job Healthier</title> <publishDate>2022-03-13 11:58:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_420 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_478"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_498 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_307 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_921 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_922 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_923 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_531 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Too much sitting at your desk can have adverse effects on your health. There are a lot of health issues about sitting for a long time as it will affect your body posture, mental health and stress levels. In a Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://time.com/5459319/americans-sit-too-much/#:~:text=One%20of%20Them-,Most%20Americans%20Spend%20Way%20Too%20Much%20Time%20Sitting%20Down.,Avoid%20Being%20One%20of%20Them&amp;amp;text=One%20in%20four%20American,Control%20and%20Prevention%20(CDC)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one in four American adults sits for longer than eight hours every day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. On average, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/most-americans-spend-too-much-time-sitting-and-not-exercising-at-all-study-finds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Americans sit for about 11 hours each day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So how can you make your desk job healthier by eliminating the health issues such as the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health issues caused by sitting for long hours in the office? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take a Break, Walk and Stretch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make it a point to get up and stretch every hour. Our bodies are dynamic systems that require movement. Sitting at your computer for too long can cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Musculoskeletal_disorders_and_prolonged_static_sitting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;musculoskeletal abnormalities as well as other health problems, including heart disease, obesity and diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. On the other hand, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/standing-desks-help-beat-inactivity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have proven the benefits of regularly getting up from your desk to stretch and walk. So grab a cup of coffee, go to the restroom, check in with your supervisor, or simply go for a five-minute stroll!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every hour or two, a five-minute stretch and walk will do wonders for your body. Stretching your muscles and reorienting your skeletal system takes only a few minutes. The time away from work will also revitalize you and allow you to refocus on your tasks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the chance to walk when you answer your cell phone or talk with your co-worker. Through this, you can curb physical inactivity in the workplace. In addition, this is a great way to mobilize your body, burn excess calories and get a chance to boost your mental clarity and energy level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On your next working hours at the desk, make sure to get up, take a break every hour to do some stretches and try not to sit still for longer than one hour or longer!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stand Up while Working&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While working, get out of your chair and stand up. Your office should be a place where you can work while standing up for at least some time of the day. Many office workers now have cell phones and laptops, so why not make a few calls while standing up or write out a report while standing at the top of a filing cabinet?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take the Stairs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stair climbing can be your best friend if you have a desk job and spend long hours. You may find it challenging at first, especially if you work on the tenth floor of the building. Take the first two floors and ride the elevator up to your floor if you're a first-timer in stair climbing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aim for 10,000 steps every day and avoid using elevators. Using a tracker, keep track of your daily steps. To get more steps per day, take the stairs. Parking in a location away from your business and climbing up the stairs is a smart option. Make it a daily habit before and after going to work.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise Regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With adequate diet, sleep and regular exercise, everyone can attain a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise is always an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you work at a desk job, exercise at least three to four times per week for just 30 minutes to keep your energy up at work and to be able to last the entire day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look Away from Time to Time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To help your eyesight, take a break from your computer screen now and then. Your eyes deserve a break, too. Take roughly 15 to 30 seconds every 10 minutes to glance out the window. Who knows, maybe you'll finally notice the splendid view just outside your window!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't Forget Your Posture!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining a proper posture is essential to achieve excellent overall health. While staying at the desk, you should always keep your back straight and your feet on the ground. Make sure your chair supports your back and posture while not putting unnecessary strain on your back muscles and discs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Working at a desk for eight hours a day doesn't mean you have to go home and watch television for another eight hours. Figure out how to get active time into your schedule outside of work as well. For example, take a group exercise class, go to the gym early in the morning, or go on a family walk in the evening with your family.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if you're in good health, sitting all day isn't beneficial for you. However, with a bit of planning, you too can add extra exercise to your daily life!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/working.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/6-ways-to-make-working-a-desk-job-healthier/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16238</ID> <title>A Plant-based Diet Could Improve Urological Health in Men</title> <publishDate>2022-03-11 04:55:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_421 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_479"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_499 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_308 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_924 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_925 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_926 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_532 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men interested in preserving their urological health may benefit from eating more vegetables and fruits, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aua/94471" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;researchers reported&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Statistics indicate approximately &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts#:~:text=It%20affects%20about%2030%20million%20men%20in%20the%20United%20States.&amp;amp;text=Although%20erectile%20dysfunction%20(ED)%20is,health%20care%20professional%20about%20treatment." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30 million Americans suffer from erectile dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In 2019, the American Cancer Society &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;estimated&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; approximately 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer in men and around 31,500 cancer-related deaths. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aua/94471" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stacy Loeb, a Professor of Urology and Population Health at NYU Langone Health and prostate cancer specialist, reported that risk factors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as increased age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and history of stroke, were strongly associated with ED risk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A plant-based diet (PBD) can prevent and treat some of the causes of erectile dysfunction. Loeb noted that the environmental and health benefits of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aua/94471" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;plant-based diets recommend them for men concerned about prostate cancer risks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bad Dietary Choices Associated with Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunctions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some foods are commonly associated with men's urological issues. For Ali Mouzannar, MD, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aua/94471" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meat is associated with a high rate of aggressive prostate cancer, and high risk of recurrence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saturated fat and cholesterol found in animal-derived foods pose a risk for prostate cancer. Lower intakes of the most harmful components, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pbdmedicine.org/erectile-dysfunction-prevention-and-treatment-with-a-plant-based-diet/#Ass20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;red or processed meat and trans fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, were also associated with a lower risk of incident erectile dysfunction. Other risk factors include a higher intake of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pbdmedicine.org/erectile-dysfunction-prevention-and-treatment-with-a-plant-based-diet/#Min94" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;carcinogenic persistent organic pollutants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that result from consuming cooked, fried or barbecued meats. In older men, reduced blood flow into the penis due to atherosclerotic lesions of the internal iliac, pudendal and cavernosal arteries is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pbdmedicine.org/erectile-dysfunction-prevention-and-treatment-with-a-plant-based-diet/#Kra89" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most common cause of erectile dysfunction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So slow it down on the bacon and eggs! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/red-and-processed-meat-increases-risk-prostate-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Red and processed meats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, and studies have found that men who already have prostate cancer and eat &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/eating-eggs-linked-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eggs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, poultry and processed red meat increase their risk of death.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other foods to be on the lookout for include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/new-review-finds-dairy-products-linked-prostate-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;milk and dairy products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, linked to an increased prostate cancer risk due to the hormone insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), saturated fat, dairy calcium and protein. Men who consumed &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/dairy-decreases-survival-prostate-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;three or more&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; servings of dairy products a day had a 141% higher risk for death due to prostate cancer than those who consumed less than one serving. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/soy-decreases-cancer-risk-men-and-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soy milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown to be beneficial for the prostate! An analysis of 14 studies showed that increased intake of non-fermented soy products, such as soy milk, resulted in a 30% reduction in prostate cancer risk! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Switching to a Plant-based Diet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many advantages to plant-based diets. Plant-based diets were associated with a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aua/94471" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decreased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), lower PSA rates and possibly a lower rate of total and fatal prostate cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; among younger men. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/conference-highlights/aua-2021/vegetarian-diet-reduces-the-risk-for-advanced-or-fatal-prostate-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a study of 47,239 men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, those in the highest quintile of overall plant-based food consumption had a significant 19% decreased risk of dying from prostate cancer and a nonsignificant 22% and 17% decreased risk for advanced and lethal prostate cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://juniperpublishers.com/ctoij/pdf/CTOIJ.MS.ID.555813.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk of prostate cancer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in vegetarians is less than half of nonvegetarians. While plant-based foods have been shown to decrease the risk of prostate cancer, animal-derived foods increase the risk in a dose-dependent manner. As an overall dietary pattern, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/conference-highlights/aua-2021/vegetarian-diet-reduces-the-risk-for-advanced-or-fatal-prostate-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk of prostate cancer was 54% greater in the nonvegetarians (P=0.03) than vegetarians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/pizza-versus-prostate-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lycopene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the bright red pigment found in tomatoes, watermelon, red bell peppers and pink grapefruit, is especially beneficial in protecting against prostate cancer. Men who consume two or more servings of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/pizza-versus-prostate-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tomato sauce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; per week have a 23% less risk of prostate cancer than those with tomato sauce less than once per month. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Should the Diet Contain?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This dietary pattern includes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and eliminates animal-derived saturated fats cooked meats. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/conference-highlights/aua-2021/vegetarian-diet-reduces-the-risk-for-advanced-or-fatal-prostate-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy plant-based foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, vegetable oils, tea and coffee. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://juniperpublishers.com/ctoij/pdf/CTOIJ.MS.ID.555813.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cruciferous vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc., and green tea, tomato sauce and allium vegetables (onions, garlic and scallions) are vital to this diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pbdmedicine.org/erectile-dysfunction-prevention-and-treatment-with-a-plant-based-diet/#DiF17" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Erectile function can also improve after consuming a Mediterranean diet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rich in plant-based foods, olive oil, nuts and fish. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is fascinating to examine studies on the effect of nuts since some plant-based dietary patterns encourage nuts while others avoid them. One study investigated the effects of pistachio nuts on International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. To evaluate the influence of nuts on erectile function, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31248067/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;participants answered the 15 questions contained in the validated IIEF&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at baseline and the end of the intervention. Compared to the control group, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31248067/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;international index of erectile function (IIEF) saw a significant increase in orgasmic function and sexual desire in the nut-supplemented&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; group during the intervention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men interested in preserving their urological health may benefit from a plant-based diet. By cutting down on the meats and substituting them for healthier options like nuts, cruciferous vegetables and allium vegetables, men can lower their risk for erectile dysfunction and reduce the risk for prostate cancer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I see it as a win-win. There's not really a downside here. You're going to decrease your risk of aggressive prostate cancer and elevated PSA and increase your chances of preserving erectile function, and it's just better for the planet as a whole," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aua/94471" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Loeb said&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-plant-based-diet.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/a-plant-based-diet-could-improve-urological-health-in-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16229</ID> <title>5 Signs of an Unhealthy Gut</title> <publishDate>2022-03-09 04:37:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_422 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_480"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_500 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_309 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_927 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_928 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_929 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_533 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We're all well acquainted with the occasional upset stomach after eating something that doesn't quite agree with us. But chronic symptoms can be a sign of something else going on. Paying attention to how you're feeling and responding appropriately can save you some time and money and make you feel a whole lot better. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unhealthy Gut Symptoms &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are several ways to determine whether you have a healthy or unhealthy gut. Your microbiome consists of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;trillions of microorganisms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sometimes called microbes or microbiota, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;working together&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to ensure your body functions properly. When your gut's balance is disrupted, it affects other areas of your body.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The microbiome of billions of "good" and "bad" bacteria you have in your gut is pretty sensitive to its surroundings and responds to adverse circumstances by letting you know that it isn't happy. The "good" bacteria in your gut can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/signs-of-poor-gut-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overwhelmed by the "bad" bacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, causing an unhealthy system with severe side effects. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a myriad of signs that your gut is unhealthy. Here are a few of the most common and recognizable symptoms: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1: Consistent Digestive Issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These issues could present themselves as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/signs-of-poor-gut-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frederickhealth.org/news/2021/july/10-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/signs-of-poor-gut-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diarrhea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frederickhealth.org/news/2021/july/10-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;constipation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frederickhealth.org/news/2021/july/10-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heartburn&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and indicate that your gut &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frederickhealth.org/news/2021/july/10-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has difficulty processing food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2: Problems Sleeping or Unexplained Fatigue or Sluggishness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatigue can have many causes, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/signs-of-poor-gut-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it is indicative of an unhealthy gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in some cases. Your gut produces &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling#:~:text=Gut%20bacteria%20also%20produce%20hundreds,both%20mood%20and%20GI%20activity." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;95% of the serotonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your body, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone that affects your sleep and mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So maybe the reason you're still tired no matter how much sleep you get is related to problems in your gut.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3: Autoimmune Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3448089/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have consistently &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;found links&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; between gut health and the balance of your immune system. If you're suddenly having problems with your immune system, you may be experiencing some symptoms of an unhealthy gut.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4: Unexpected Weight Changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/signs-of-poor-gut-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether weight gain or weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, unexpected weight changes affect&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the efficacy of your gut's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ability to digest foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. An unhealthy gut can impair how your body &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;absorbs nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the foods you eat, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stores fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regulates your blood sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. All of these factors can affect your weight. When your gut's microbiome &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.giwebmd.com/blog/2019/8/7/is-your-gut-bacteria-out-of-balance-6-signs-it-is-and-what-to-do-about-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lacks bacterial diversity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it can be a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.giwebmd.com/blog/2019/8/7/is-your-gut-bacteria-out-of-balance-6-signs-it-is-and-what-to-do-about-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;precursor to obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5: Intolerance to Certain Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food intolerance is indicative of an unhealthy gut. When your gut cannot perform its digestive role properly, the balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria may be off. A food intolerance (an&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; immune system reaction to specific foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) is not the same as a food allergy. If you're wondering whether your food issues are an intolerance or an allergy, consider reaching out to your healthcare provider to get tested. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What You Can Do to Heal Your Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So now that you know some of the indicators of an unhealthy gut, what can you do to try and heal it? One of the first things is to look at your diet and possibly make some changes. What you eat has a significant impact on your gut health. If you're eating lots of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;added sugars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high-fat diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, your gut is going to react negatively. Making sure that you're &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.giwebmd.com/blog/2019/8/7/is-your-gut-bacteria-out-of-balance-6-signs-it-is-and-what-to-do-about-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating balanced meals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and getting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.giwebmd.com/blog/2019/8/7/is-your-gut-bacteria-out-of-balance-6-signs-it-is-and-what-to-do-about-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sufficient fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in your diet is a meaningful first step towards healing your gut.Staying &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hydrated&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout your day will also help balance your microbiome. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lowering your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also have a big impact on working towards a healthy gut. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High cortisol levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have intense effects on the whole body, including your gut. So maybe it's time to try some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/8133-stress-10-ways-to-ease-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;classic methods of stress reduction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like meditation, spending time with loved ones, taking your dog for a walk, yoga or other forms of exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another way to maintain a balanced microbiome is to take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-are-probiotics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;probiotics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This can easily be achieved by adding foods to your diet that naturally possess live bacteria. Plain yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir and kimchi are some examples of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/signs-of-poor-gut-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;natural sources of probiotics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Probiotics help heal your gut by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-are-probiotics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;adding "good" bacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to your microbiome and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-are-probiotics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;balancing existing bacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the balance of bacteria in your gut microbiome is an essential aspect of overall health. You can manage the symptoms of an unhealthy gut by taking precautionary steps to improve the balance in your microbiome. Healing your gut is a great way to improve your overall health. As always, if you have any questions about your gut health, feel free to reach out to your primary healthcare provider for specific recommendations. &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16220</ID> <title>The Benefits of Probiotics</title> <publishDate>2022-03-07 04:20:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_423 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_481"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_501 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_310 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_930 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_931 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_932 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_534 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of probiotics are vast. They help improve your gut health, they can be used in the treatment or prevention of allergies and ulcers and they also play a role in the production of specific vitamins like Vitamin K2. Probiotics can even be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But what exactly are probiotics, and what do they really do for you?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Exactly Are Probiotics?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed by eating fermented foods or taking supplements. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recent studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have shown that the balance or imbalance of bacteria in the digestive system is related to overall health and disease. Probiotics can help restore the natural balance of gut bacteria when taken in sufficient amounts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are The Benefits of Taking Probiotics?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics Help with Food Digestion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As probiotics keep your gut balanced and help maintain the healthy balance of bacteria in your gut, they can also repopulate the microbiome after conditions have disturbed it. For example, the use of antibiotics destroys many of your good gut bacteria. This occurs when antibiotics alter the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut. Therefore, taking a probiotic is essential for sustained health when taking antibiotics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is also widely known that probiotics can prevent diarrhea or reduce its severity. Probiotics can also help other forms of diarrhea that are not caused by antibiotics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics Can Improve Your Mood and Reduce Your Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neurotransmitters are the body's messengers produced in the gut by bacteria. They help you with several functions, from sleep to bladder control. However, gut bacteria are disturbed by stress, which may affect the quantity and function of neurotransmitters.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When stress is present, probiotic supplements can help repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria. These supplements have also been proven to improve mood, sleep and cognitive function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics Can Help with Certain Mental Health Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A change in microbiota composition is associated with depression and anxiety. Bacteria in the gut may be responsible for the majority of the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, the "feel-good" hormone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Study results show&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that healthy participants who took Lactobacillus Helveticus and Bifidobacterium Longum supplements experienced less anxiety and depression after 30 days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics Can Reduce Gas and Bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bloating and gas are common digestive problems. Bloating and gas can occur for various reasons, including an imbalance in your gut microbiome, yeast overgrowth and food intolerances. It can also indicate a more severe condition such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In addition to rebalancing the gut microbiome, probiotic supplements can also crowd out harmful bacteria.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies suggest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;probiotics may help treat these symptoms, particularly in people with digestive disorders like IBS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics May Aid in Weight Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics may aid weight loss through various mechanisms. Several probiotics prevent fat absorption in the intestines, for instance. Additionally, probiotics may help you feel full for longer, burn more calories and store less fat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight loss may also be directly affected by probiotics. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dieting women who took Lactobacillus Rhamnosus for three months lost 50% more weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than those who didn't take a probiotic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another study,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; taking even low doses of Lactobacillus gasseri for 12 weeks led to an 8.5% reduction in belly fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, not all probiotics help with weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies have found that some probiotics, such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus, may increase weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Further studies are needed to clarify this connection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics Can Boost Your Immune System and Speed Your Recovery from Illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you are ill, your gut bacteria are often out of balance, especially when you have a stomach virus, food poisoning or have taken antibiotics. Gut flora can be replenished with good bacteria through probiotics, strengthening the immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Should I Start Taking Probiotics?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Talk to your healthcare provider if you are interested in adding probiotics to your diet. You may be advised to give them a try to see if they benefit your overall health. Remember, not all probiotics behave and act in the same way. Each has different benefits, but in general, they are not harmful. You can begin by adding probiotic-rich foods to your diet, such as yogurt, or drink a small bottle of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.yakultusa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yakult&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; every day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're interested in taking probiotic supplements, speak to your healthcare provider before starting. They can guide you to the right probiotic and help you determine when to take it, how much and how often. Health matters always warrant a conversation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/the-benefits-of-probiotics.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-benefits-of-probiotics/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16207</ID> <title>How Does the Gut Affect the Brain?</title> <publishDate>2022-03-05 04:01:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_424 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_482"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_502 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_311 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_933 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_934 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_935 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_535 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People are what they eat! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is a common catchphrase of mothers and dieticians alike. It turns out they may not be far off the mark, though saying "people think and feel what they eat" might ring a little more accurate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The brain and spine constitute the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.emedicinehealth.com/anatomy_of_the_central_nervous_system/article_em.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;central nervous system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (CNS) and are the body's control center for nearly all daily tasks. However, as scientists study the relationship between the gut and the brain, it's becoming increasingly clear that the CNS is not the only controlling factor in digestion and emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Enteric Nervous System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/nervous-system-of-the-digestive-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enteric Nervous System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (ENS) is located in the lining of the gastrointestinal system and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://gut.bmj.com/content/47/suppl_4/iv15" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;functions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to control elements of digestion such as motor function, blood flow and immune and hormonal responses. The ENS can act independently and is so powerful that it is sometimes referred to as a second brain, though it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/nervous-system-of-the-digestive-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;usually collaborates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with the CNS. This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/health/2015/03/31/eat-properly-for-your-second-brain-the-gastrointestinal-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;network&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of more than 100 million neurons uses 30 neurotransmitters to send signals and continue its regulatory work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because the ENS is located throughout the gastrointestinal tract, the health of the gut microbiome directly impacts ENS functions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Located in the large intestine is an area called the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cecum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, home to over a thousand different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. These microbes constitute the gut microbiome. As people age and are exposed to new foods and environments, experience hormonal changes and sometimes suffer gut complications, the diversity and overall health of this gut microbiome &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodpath.com/learn/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fluctuate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The "Gut-Brain Axis"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although the ENS can act independently of the central nervous system, it is also inextricably connected to the CNS. This is because the ENS relies on neurotransmitters, just as the CNS does. Roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodpath.com/learn/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;50% of the body's dopamine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodpath.com/learn/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;90% of its serotonin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; originates in the gut. This collaboration between the ENS and CNS is known as the "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodpath.com/learn/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gut-brain axis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For years, doctors considered the relationship between the gut and brain to flow in only &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodpath.com/learn/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one direction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, they knew that mental troubles such as anxiety and depression affected gut health disorders, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016#:~:text=Irritable%20bowel%20syndrome%20(IBS)%20is,need%20to%20manage%20long%20term." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IBS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (irritable bowel syndrome), a common affliction of the large intestine that results in diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, recent research indicates that the gut-brain axis may &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.goodpath.com/learn/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;flow both ways&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: imbalances in the gut adversely affect the ENS, which has negative consequences for the brain. In addition, the gut microbiome imbalance associated with IBS has been linked to emotional fluctuations, even to the point where some victims of IBS develop mental disorders. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On a simpler and more observable level, the average person likely experiences the gut-brain axis on a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16358-gut-brain-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daily basis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For instance, those who dislike public speaking may be familiar with mild gut discomfort in the moments before taking a stage, often called "stomach butterflies." In more extreme cases, the mental strain of presenting to a crowd may even trigger diarrhea. Both of these are examples of the connection between the CNS and ENS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An Altered Medical Outlook and Approach&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that doctors have established a connection between gastrointestinal health and mental well-being, the medical approach to treating both is undergoing substantial changes, taking on a more holistic and integrative approach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Johns Hopkins Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a thorough comprehension of the gut-brain axis allows doctors to more successfully treat bowel disorders through CNS-centered medications and regimens such as antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medical hypnotherapy. For &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;example&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, some antidepressants may combat symptoms of IBS by soothing ENS nerves situated in the gastrointestinal tract. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining a Healthy Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To ensure a high-functioning ENS, thereby protecting the well-being of CNS actors such as the brain, it is important to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Here's the good news: a medical degree is not necessary to protect one's gut-brain axis! Here are two recommendations that are easy to implement:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;1. &lt;a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/health/2015/03/31/eat-properly-for-your-second-brain-the-gastrointestinal-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat Well&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: A healthy and balanced diet results in a balanced gut microbiome. Drinking lots of water and eating fiber-rich foods and probiotics will help you maintain that balance. Likewise, avoid overly fatty or processed foods. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;2. &lt;a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/health/2015/03/31/eat-properly-for-your-second-brain-the-gastrointestinal-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Move Regularly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;: Daily exercise positively impacts your health for several reasons, gut health among them. There is no need to run a half-marathon - even something as simple as taking 10,000 steps a day can increase blood flow to the gut and promote fluid digestion.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body is a complex machine composed of interconnected systems that impact others' functions. Thanks to recent scientific advances, the relationship between the gut and brain is becoming increasingly clear, allowing doctors to take a more prosperous and holistic medical approach. But remember, the first line of defense for the gut-brain axis is a consistent and healthy lifestyle; eat well and regularly move to protect your ENS and CNS!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/the-gut-and-the-brain.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-does-the-gut-affect-the-brain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16198</ID> <title>What You Drink Impacts Your Gut Health</title> <publishDate>2022-03-03 03:36:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_425 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_483"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_503 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_312 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_936 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_937 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_938 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_536 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When someone talks about addictive substances, certain beverages and items come to mind. Alcohol, methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and nicotine in cigarettes may all top the list of addictive substances. But there is another substance - one that is legal, consumed daily by the average teenager and adult, sold on nearly every street corner, yet still &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://uhs.umich.edu/caffeine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recognized by the World Health Organization&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to be addictive: caffeine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anyone who drinks coffee on a semi-regular basis is likely to be subject to a barrage of well-meaning warnings centered around the adverse effects of coffee. It may cause dependency, stain your teeth, heighten anxiety, etc. Here's one not often mentioned: coffee impacts gut health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Gut Health and Why Does It Matter?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee isn't the only drink that impacts gut health. There is a whole myriad of beverages that affect the gut's well-being, for good or ill. But what exactly constitutes gut health, and why does it matter? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Located in the large intestine is an area called the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cecum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, home to over a thousand different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. These microbes constitute the gut microbiome. As people age and are exposed to new foods and environments, their microbiome &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diversifies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and becomes stronger. This microbe diversification has four primary health benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improves Gut Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;shown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that an unhealthy or less diverse microbiome can adversely affect the gut, causing diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and increased bloating and cramps. Conversely, a healthy microbiome (particularly one containing Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli bacteria present in yogurt) helps close gaps between cells in the intestinal wall and prevent leaky gut syndrome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helps Regulate the Immune System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In today's day and age, when it seems that living with COVID-19 and all of its variants has become an ever-present reality, strengthening the immune system is essential. Microbes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in communicating with immune cells, regulating the body's response to infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contributes to a Healthy Heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While unsavory characters in the microbiome &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;produce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a chemical that increases the risk of heart attack or stroke by blocking arteries, other bacteria (such as Lactobacilli) have been shown to lower cholesterol.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aids in Controlling Brain Health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Serotonin - colloquially referred to as the "happy chemical", is a neurotransmitter that fights depression by boosting one's mood, and is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/microbes-help-produce-serotonin-gut-46495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;primarily made&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the digestive tract. Protecting the microbes that help to produce serotonin can help protect mental health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a healthy gut microbiome positively affects millions of nerves that connect the gut to the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinks to Avoid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through studying the different types of bacteria present in food and the microbiome, scientists have established a connection between what people drink and the health of their gut microbiome. Although it's important to note that none of these drinks are likely to destroy your gut health when drunk in moderate amounts, here are four that may have adverse effects when consumed in significant quantities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coffee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though it may be heartbreaking to see a widely-consumed and beloved beverage on this list, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/popular-drinks-damage-your-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;coffee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has regularly been linked to diarrhea and dehydration due to its tendency to increase "gut motility" (moving things down the gastrointestinal tract faster). Coffee can also worsen symptoms for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Energy Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A close relative of coffee due to its high caffeine concentration, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/popular-drinks-damage-your-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;energy drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such as Reign and Redbull have similar adverse side effects: diarrhea, gastritis and inflammation. It can also worsen acid reflux. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alcohol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unsurprisingly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://riahealth.com/2021/03/09/alcohol-and-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;alcohol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is also at the top of this list. In some cases, it exacerbates leaky gut syndrome by damaging intestinal wall cells. Alcohol is also particularly harmful to the delicate balance in the gut microbiome, killing good and necessary bacteria. This has many negative consequences, including digestive issues, weight changes, increased exhaustion and breakouts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Soda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides having no nutritional value and sending dentists into fits, the sugar in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sovereignlaboratories.com/blog/consuming-soft-drinks-can-affect-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;soda&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; prevents the production of a protein called Roc, which protects Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://sydneygastroenterologist.com.au/blog/how-too-much-sugar-affects-the-gut-microbiome/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; led by Yale and the National Institutes of Health found that the simple sugars glucose and fructose (both elements in the table sugar that ends up in sodas) halts the creation of Roc, which in turn prevents the successful colonization of B. theta. Deprived of B. theta, the digestive system struggles to process fiber-rich foods like vegetables. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, diet soda isn’t necessarily much better where gut health is concerned - studies have shown that the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas throw off the microbial balance in the gut by killing off E. coli.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinks That Bolster Your Gut Microbiome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking to go above and beyond by not only avoiding excessive consumption of these harmful drinks but also adding some beneficial beverages to your daily routine, here are three you might like to start with:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It turns out the most widely naturally occurring beverage is also one of the best for your health! Besides boosting hydration, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatist.com/eat/better-gut-health-drinks#2.-Midmorning-break:-Soothing-bone-broth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; helps maintain a balanced microbiome. Alkaline water can be particularly helpful as it promotes the development of probiotics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kombucha&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatist.com/eat/better-gut-health-drinks#5.-Sweet-dreams-with-ginger-tea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fermented drink&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is commonly found at most supermarkets, and like other fermented beverages, it contains many healthy probiotics. These probiotics can help treat and prevent gastrointestinal issues, have positive mental effects and aid in weight management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ginger Tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although tea is also a source of caffeine, certain types of tea can help improve gut health. For example, ginger is commonly used to increase the health of the gastrointestinal tract, making &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatist.com/eat/better-gut-health-drinks#5.-Sweet-dreams-with-ginger-tea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ginger tea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; perfect for digestive issues. Ginger is also a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/prebiotics-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prebiotic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, essentially serving as a source of nutrition for healthy bacteria.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One should be wary of high quantities of caffeine, alcohol and sugar in a daily beverage, opting instead for water and drinks containing prebiotics and probiotics to keep your gut happy and healthy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/what-you-drink-impacts-your-gut-health.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/what-you-drink-impacts-your-gut-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16189</ID> <title>Foods to Improve Gut Health</title> <publishDate>2022-03-01 15:17:06</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_426 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_484"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_504 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_313 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_939 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_940 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_941 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_537 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is vital to keep your gut healthy. Your gut is an integral part of your digestion because it releases vitamins, and the good bacteria produced in your gut prevents harmful bacteria from forming in your body. In fact, your gut contains about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/body/best-foods-for-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;70% of your immune system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Since the foods you eat have a massive impact on the bacteria produced in your gut, you must eat foods that create the good bacteria necessary for digestion. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Are the Benefits to a Healthy Gut?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since your gut is an integral part of your overall health, it's essential to keep it in good shape! Your food is broken down in your gut, making it possible to filter through the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/news/headlines/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important/2019/07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bloodstream and provide nutrients to your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies show that maintaining your gut health allows your nervous system to operate better. A healthy gut is beneficial to your overall health since it produces the bacteria and immune cells that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/news/headlines/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important/2019/07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ward off infectious agents like bacteria, viruses and fungi&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The best way to maintain your gut is to eat various foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Foods Should I Eat to Improve My Gut Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In order to increase your gut health, you want to eat foods rich in fiber and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bifidobacteria&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which are bacteria that prevent harmful bacterial growth in your gut. Below is a list of foods you should eat to keep your gut healthy!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vegetables&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vegetables like leafy greens, spinach and kale are fibrous and full of vitamin K and folate. Studies show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-foods-to-improve-your-digestion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leafy greens even contain sugar that fuels healthy bacterial growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So the more fiber you eat, the stronger your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-foods-to-improve-your-digestion"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gut microbiome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Yogurt &amp;amp; Other Probiotics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics produce healthy bacteria in your gut and decrease the number of unhealthy bacteria produced. Some probiotics to eat include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/body/best-foods-for-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kimchi (fermented vegetables), Kombucha (a fermented tea drink), and Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;).&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yogurt consumption can improve intestinal bacteria and decrease symptoms of lactose intolerance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. People who consume yogurt have fewer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enterobacteriaceae, a type of bacteria associated with inflammation and several chronic conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a side note, try to purchase probiotics that indicate active cultures. These probiotics have living bacteria that can be added to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/health/body/best-foods-for-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;community of living microbes already in your gut.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole Grains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The consumption of grains such as whole wheat, barley and rye provides various benefits, in the shape of fiber, good bacteria and inflammation reduction. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole grains contain carbs like beta-glucan that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are not absorbed in the small intestine and instead promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good bacteria being produced include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and Bacteroidetes in humans, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which aid in digestion and overall health. Studies show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;whole grains also increase feelings of fullness and reduce inflammation and certain risk factors for heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, whole grains can be harmful to some people due to the gluten found in these products. Make sure to consult your doctor if you feel negative impacts from whole grains.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low-Fructose Fruits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Low-fructose fruits like citrus fruits and berries reduce gas and bloating. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-foods-to-improve-your-digestion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bananas are another low-fructose fruit that is fiber-rich and contains inulin, a starchy substance that stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The lower the fructose, the better! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Impacts of an Unhealthy Gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many noticeable symptoms of an unhealthy gut, including&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/news/headlines/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important/2019/07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; digestive problems such as abdominal pain, bloating, loose stools, constipation, heartburn, nausea or vomiting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. These often uncomfortable and worrisome issues warrant further investigation. Talk to your doctor if you notice these symptoms increasing. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/news/headlines/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important/2019/07" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;if you notice continual weight loss without a good reason, blood in the stool, black stool (a sign of bleeding in the gut), severe vomiting, fever, severe stomach aches, trouble swallowing food, pain in the throat or chest when food is swallowed or jaundice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, let your doctor know! This could be a severe gastrointestinal issue caused by an unhealthy gut. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're uncertain about what to eat, trust your gut. Remember to eat probiotics, anti-inflammatory and fibrous foods. An integral part of your various anatomical systems, your gut needs to be maintained. So if you want to prevent gastrointestinal issues, eat the right foods! Happy eating!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Gut_Health_Plate.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/foods-to-improve-gut-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16180</ID> <title>Why Diets Don't Work for Everyone</title> <publishDate>2022-03-01 14:54:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_427 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_485"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_505 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_314 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_942 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_943 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_944 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_538 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight loss for health or aesthetic reasons is a common goal for many of us. In fact, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/when-dieting-doesnt-work-2020052519889" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over a third of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are on a diet at any given time. But have you ever experienced getting on some popular diet, working hard and seeing short-term results only to be disappointed when you gain the weight back?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, it turns out that this pattern is a common occurrence among people today. One study found that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mercycare.org/services/food-nutrition/why-diets-dont-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;95% of people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who lose weight on diets gain the weight back within one to five years when they return to their everyday lifestyles. So, what makes diets so ineffective? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Short-Term Focus vs. Long-Term Results&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diets typically have short time frames. They are often 30-day, 21-day, or 4-week ordeals that you struggle through to get the short-term results. Food regimens tend to be so popular because they have the quick results they promise when appropriately followed. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00577/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diets are predictors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of later weight gain. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;diets are designed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to get those quick and exciting results, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;they are not well-suited&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to incorporating healthy lifestyle changes into your day-to-day life. They often take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a lot of energy and focus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on trying and following for a short period. It may be wiser to take this energy and focus it on developing a healthy and balanced lifestyle surrounding food.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the Joy Out of Eating and Setting Restrictions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the biggest issues with diets is that they often require you to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;set limits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on certain foods or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;make caloric restrictions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This can strip the joyful and social aspects of food from your life. Food can be so much more than simple nourishment. For many people, food represents good times with family and friends, developing cooking skills and carrying on tradition and culture. Viewing food as something avoidable diminishes all of these positive qualities in pursuing unassured weight loss. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Setting restrictions on certain foods or labeling them "good" and "bad" has serious consequences. For example, making certain foods unavailable makes us &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hyper aware and hypersensitive&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to them, leading to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overindulging on these restricted items&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as soon as they are available to us again. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When dieting calls for you to cut out food without a medical necessity, it is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://nutritionstripped.com/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;causing more harm than good&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Instead, try focusing on balance and allowing yourself to eat all foods in moderation. When some food isn't entirely off-limits, it won't have the forbidden fruit appeal. In addition, permitting yourself to eat all foods will help you avoid overindulgence and the potential accompanying guilt. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diets Are One-Size-Fits-All, But They Don't Fit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diets are made to appeal to a broad range of people, so they are not personalized to your individual body, nutritional and emotional needs or genetic predisposition. Increasing evidence shows that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/calories/other_factors.html#:~:text=Top%20of%20Page-,Genetics,a%20person%20to%20be%20overweight." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;genetic predisposition is relevant to your ability to lose weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Diets cannot account for differences between people or any unique challenges individuals face on their weight loss journey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recently, there has been a push towards the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health At Every Size (HAES)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; movement, which focuses on health measures other than the scale. Unlike diets, this approach to weight and health allows individuals to pursue health regardless of their starting point. In addition, shifting focus from a scale-centric view of health to other determining factors like heart health, cholesterol levels and activity level allows for an inclusive, one-size-fits-all approach to food and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health-Minded Alternative to Dieting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If diets don't work for everyone, what's the answer? Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and regularly moving your body are integral to good health and preventative healthcare. One lifestyle approach to eating and moving that does not have the drawbacks of dieting is called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/what-is-intuitive-eating-tribole/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intuitive Eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This lifestyle is built on a set of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 principles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;honoring your body's hunger and fullness cues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;rejecting diet culture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The aspects of dieting that make it ineffectual, the restricting and short-term focus, for example, are not present in Intuitive Eating. This approach is about considering what &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your body needs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to be nourished and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;making peace with food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The diet culture that we live in labels foods as "good" and "bad" and makes us feel guilty for eating certain foods. But Intuitive Eating is all for listening to and trusting your body to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;communicate its needs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It has a long-term focus on health rather than the short-term focus and fleeting weight loss results of dieting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating and exercising are integral parts of overall health. Although promising short-term, the results brought by diets don't last and often lead to an unhealthy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mercycare.org/services/food-nutrition/why-diets-dont-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cycle of gaining and losing weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hopefully, this guide has cleared up some of the reasons why diets don't work for every person and shown why Intuitive Eating may be an adequate alternative. If you're looking for some more personalized recommendations on diet and your health, be sure to consult with a registered dietician or your primary healthcare provider.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Why-Diets-Dont-Work-for-Everyone.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/why-diets-dont-work-for-everyone/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15987</ID> <title>Engineering Medicine: Building Solutions with Dr. Derek Sakata, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-02-27 18:32:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_428 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_486"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_506 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_171"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC09687-2.jpg" alt="" title="DSC09687-2" class="wp-image-15988" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_507 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_539 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have the rare privilege of mastering two disciplines, you are in a unique position to use one field to benefit the other. With a capable, creative team, Dr. Derek J. Sakata, M.D., made use of his dual knowledge bases to develop medical devices that improve patient care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/fad/mddetail.php?physicianID=u0221752"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vice-Chair of Ambulatory Surgery and Perioperative Innovation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah Health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is responsible for more than 25 specialties, to include an emergency department and three primary care clinics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; He wasn’t always in the medical field though. "I studied engineering and wanted to build guidance systems. But the Cold War had just ended, and there were no more jobs," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_487"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_508 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_315 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_945 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_946 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_947 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_540 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So he switched gears and, with a nagging uncertainty, turned to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was fascinated by the medical sciences but still wasn't sure I wanted to practice medicine. But I liked the science of anesthesiology," Dr. Sakata shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What finally resolved that uncertainty was combining his engineering and medical expertise to find new ways to improve medical practices in anesthesiology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_488"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_509 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_172"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/QED-100_on_Blue_Background_final_mh.jpg" alt="" title="QED-100_on_Blue_Background_final_mh" class="wp-image-15990" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_541 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vapor-Clean&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Based on the ANEclear, Vapor-Clean is designed to help patients with malignant hyperthermia, a disease which can be triggered by inhaled anesthetics. It affects the body to the point where it starts breaking your cells down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anesthesia machines release anesthetic vapor after vapor is used in them. To make them safe, they have to be flushed with a fresh gas flow for quite a while. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dynasthetics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vapor-Clean&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; performs this function in less than 90 seconds. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We know from the literature that you have to get the anesthetic level to below five parts per million. There has to be nothing in a circuit. So we decided to build filters," Dr.  Sakata said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sales of this device are growing and benefiting patients around the world. Nearly 2,000 facilities in about 20 countries now benefit from this excellent device. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;VitalsBridge&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The VitalsBridge provides simulations of patient issues so that we can train better clinicians and healthcare providers," Dr. Sakata explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.vitalsbridge.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;VitalsBridge's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; realistically simulated vital signs for manikins and standardized patients are produced and updated on a commercially available patient monitor. Trainees learn to interpret vital signs on the same monitors used in actual practice. It displays nine types of data, including oxygen saturation, blood pressure and carbon dioxide. An app controls the simulation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Usually, you have to go to an expensive simulator center to do these things. It can cost about $80,000. So the team came up with this little box that basically can take anybody and hook them up to any monitor and simulate changes in the monitor, like having a heart attack or other scenarios for health providers to react to. And it's much less expensive," Dr. Sakata said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Next Device&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another device in development is an oxygen delivery device. Dr. Sakata said that he regretted not having it out before COVID-19 hit. It could have made a huge difference in the treatment of COVID patients since the device was better than a standard nasal cannula and monitors patients better than most other devices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This product has exciting implications for the future. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It could change the face of anything from how well we sedate patients to possibly home care in the future. Maybe not all patients have to be in a hospital. As hospital beds become more scarce because of the pandemic, this would have been an exciting device to have," Dr. Sakata explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata has found a productive and beneficial way to alleviate his uncertainties upon entering the medical field. He applies his engineering expertise to build new, better ways to practice medicine. The devices he and his partners create save time and money, bring doctors closer to their patients, and help achieve better outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking toward the future, Dr. Sakata sees improvements and more focus on medical prevention, teamwork among medical staff and patient education. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We need to understand who our audience is and who we are communicating with," Dr. Sakata concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata took a career shift necessitated by a crumbling job market and turned it into a career dedicated to creating new, innovative ways to serve patients better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr_SAKATA_PORTRAITS_2018-4.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/engineering-medicine-building-solutions-with-dr-derek-sakata-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15996</ID> <title>The Surprising Health Benefits of Walking</title> <publishDate>2022-02-26 18:48:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_429 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_489"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_510 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_173"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/walkcover.jpg" alt="" title="walkcover" class="wp-image-15998" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_316 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_948 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_949 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_950 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_542 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How often do you walk? Most people don't get enough exercise in their day-to-day lives. But who would have thought something as simple as clocking in a 15-minute walk every day would even have significant benefits? The good news is that walking can provide a surprising array of health benefits, and it's one of the easiest exercises to add to your daily routine! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Can Improve Your Mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best reasons to start walking is to improve your mood. Research shows that regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, releases endorphins and serotonin—chemicals in the brain that promote happiness and well-being. Walking also helps you take a break from work and other daily stressors and reduce anxiety and tension.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Can Increase Your Lifespan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to improving your mood, walking can also help increase your lifespan. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/even-low-levels-of-leisure-time-physical-activity-lowers-risk-of-death/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people who walked briskly for at least 30 minutes per day were less likely to die prematurely from any cause than those who didn't walk regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.today.com/health/6-lessons-centenarians-t18446"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on how centennials reach this impressive age milestone showed that their daily routine included long walks to keep fit and healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Eases Joint Pain and Promotes Weight Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for an effective way to ease joint pain or promote weight loss, look no further than walking! Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help strengthen muscles and bones without putting too much stress on your joints. Regular walking can even help reduce the risk of arthritis and other chronic diseases. And if you're looking to lose weight, consider adding a brisk walk to your daily routine—you may be surprised at how quickly the pounds start melting away!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Strengthens Bones and Muscles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking is a great way to strengthen bones and muscles. When you walk regularly, you're constantly using different muscle groups in your body, which helps keep them strong and healthy. Additionally, walking can help improve balance and coordination, essential for preventing falls as we age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Can Improve Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular exercise will help you sleep better at night. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is naturally boosted by exercise. In a study published on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20031104/morning-exercise-may-help-you-sleep"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WebMD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, postmenopausal women who are physically active snooze better at night than sedentary women. Another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2019/11/walking-more-during-the-day-can-lead-to-better-quality-sleep-study-suggests/#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%20walking,those%20who%20walked%20the%20least."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also found that daily walking had a significant effect on sleep quality and duration for healthy adults.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Reduces Your Sweet Tooth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from the University of Exeter found that 15 minutes of walking can curb chocolate cravings and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat during stressful situations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking Reduces the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to researchers, any physical activity can lower the risk of breast cancer. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; conducted by the American Cancer Society explicitly focused on walking found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer than those who walked three hours or less. Women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or taking supplemental hormones, also benefited from walking.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eager to Start Your New Walking Routine?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here's a program you could follow to incorporate into your daily habits:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beginners&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Monday to Saturday: Walk 10 minutes at a moderate pace.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunday: Take a stroll for 20 minutes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intermediates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Monday: Rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tuesday to Friday: Walk for 25 minutes at a moderate pace one day, 30 minutes the next.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saturday: Walk 20 minutes fast.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunday: Walk 45 minutes at a moderate pace.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advanced&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Monday: Rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tuesday to Friday: Walk 45 minutes at a moderate pace one day and 50 minutes the next day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Saturday: Walk 50 minutes at a fast pace.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sunday: Walk 60 minutes at a moderate pace.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Become a regular walker, and you will establish a routine. When you have a routine, you are more likely to continue the activity and adopt healthy habits. Sedentary behavior is unhealthy for our bodies. Any type of movement is better than none at all and finding a type of movement that works best for your age and fitness is key to feeling empowered and motivated to stick with it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_490"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_511 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child et_pb_column_empty"&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/krzysztof-hepner-R66DIsHWNEI-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-walking/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15976</ID> <title>Personalized Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Judi Goldstone</title> <publishDate>2022-02-24 18:11:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_430 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_491"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_512 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_174"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr._Goldstone_1.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Goldstone_1" class="wp-image-15977" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_543 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the medical world expands and develops, a fresh approach to patient care is becoming increasingly popular. Alternative medicine develops a personalized outlook on each patient and approaches each person as a unique individual.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Judi Goldstone, a hormone replacement therapy doctor, weight loss specialist and alternative medicine physician at the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uses her expertise to aid patients through this method. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She describes this approach as "functional" because it gives a flexible and holistic perspective to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had the honor and pleasure of talking with Dr. Goldstone and looking at her fascinating journey to alternative medicine. She shared her perspective on the effectiveness of this approach and her personal story of how alternative medicine benefited her life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone puts herself in the category of an alternative, functional medicine practitioner. Although she started in conventional medicine, Dr. Goldstone saw the need for a more personalized&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;approach to patient health. This need was especially apparent when dealing with aging and weight loss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started as a general internist, and I did that for several years. And then I went into weight loss because I was always interested in that field," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As she was working in conventional medicine, she noticed that some people, especially the older patients, were becoming increasingly frustrated with not seeing results or not being able to keep the weight off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"But then, I realized that people weren't really maintaining their weight loss, and a lot of them were struggling," Dr. Goldstone added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, she opened &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help her patients with the same symptoms she dealt with herself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On her journey towards better health, she was discouraged by the medical field's approach to aging and its effects as inescapable and irreversible. Through extensive research, training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and experimenting on herself, Dr. Goldstone found that she could live a healthy, productive and happy lifestyle through alternative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative medicine evaluates and treats the body as a whole rather than the conventional disease management approach to medicine. "It's looking at the patient as a whole"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and being able to take care of every person's individualized concerns. The current healthcare system is reactive and manages diseases with very little focus on prevention. Therefore, our current system of healthcare should be called disease care. Another important aspect of alternative medicine is that it attempts to prevent chronic illnesses and diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's preventive medicine. We're trying to catch the disease before it catches you," Dr. Goldstone concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone explains that "as we age, we're susceptible to chronic inflammation and degeneration which can lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, heart disease and worse." At her practice, Dr. Goldstone and her team use the latest medical technology to evaluate, treat patients and perform regular checkups as preventative healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_492"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_513 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_317 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_951 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_952 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_953 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_175"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/goldstone2.jpg" alt="" title="goldstone2" class="wp-image-15979" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_544 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Importance of Paying Attention to Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Replacing and balancing hormones was a game-changer in her journey towards health as well as her patients'. While working in conventional medicine focused on weight loss, she noted that many patients weren't able to keep the weight off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone noticed these people were typically menopausal women and men over 40. This discovery sparked her curiosity, and she began looking into possible links between hormones and health concerns such as maintaining a healthy weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So then I started getting really interested in it [hormone replacement therapy], and I began going to the meetings [of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine] and reading everything I could," Dr. Goldstone explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making this connection was a significant breakthrough for Dr. Goldstone in opening her own business. With the help of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, she found balancing hormones, eating an appropriate diet, proper exercise, supplements and stress control helped with reversing some of the effects of early aging, healing from burnout and getting rid of chronic fatigue in herself and her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to get everybody's body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health," Dr. Goldstone said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These patients have expressed how thankful they are for a doctor who "thinks outside of the box" regarding hormone balancing and considering metabolic influences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personalizing Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After Dr. Goldstone's realization of a more holistic approach to patient care, she began medical training. With this medical training and expertise, she could help patients with more than just her specialization. She committed to continuing education by attending conferences and keeping up-to-date on the latest medical techniques, research and technology. These factors combined allowed Dr. Goldstone to focus on alternative, functional medicine and significantly impact her patients' lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of anti-aging, holistic medicine is to help patients avoid degenerative diseases and extend their healthy life span. While traditional physicians focus on treating disease and managing chronic conditions with pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures, anti-aging doctors like Dr. Goldstone practice preventive health care that is truly multidisciplinary. They blend advanced technologies for detecting degenerative diseases with wellness and prevention therapies, including nutrition, supplementation, mind/body medicine, detoxification and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the critical aspects of alternative medicine is the focus on the whole patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's personalized medicine; it's treating the person as an individual," Dr. Goldstone shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone takes the time to truly listen to her patients and learn what they need and what they're looking for. This attention to the individual enables her to provide personalized and effective care. Her training and expertise as an M.D. also give her the advantage of knowing when patients need to be referred to a specialist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_493"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_514 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_176"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/goldstone3.jpg" alt="" title="goldstone3" class="wp-image-15980" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_545 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances in the Alternative Medicine Field &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are advances in various medical fields every day, including alternative medicine (the fastest-growing field of medicine today). Some of these advances include biomedical engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the use of stem cells, peptides, anti-aging drugs, 3D printing and more, enabling doctors to conduct better testing and treatment with the goal of helping people live healthier, more productive lives as they age. Dr. Goldstone utilizes various modalities that help her provide the best possible care to her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When asked if functional medicine was advancing in technology, Dr. Goldstone responded, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's constantly changing. There's always something new; there are many amazing new ways to evaluate and prevent degeneration of the body.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new technological advances help doctors such as Dr. Goldstone measure patients' cognitive function, cardiac function and mental status, among many other things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field is also becoming more popular among medical professionals as an approach to patients' health. Dr. Goldstone states she believes more and more doctors are moving towards alternative, functional medicine. It has become the fastest-growing field of medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The field is going to expand. It's expanding right now. And it's going to keep expanding. More people are going to jump into it," Dr. Goldstone concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;would like to thank Dr. Goldstone for taking the time to share her story with us. We hope her perspective on the expanding field of alternative medicine has been beneficial and intriguing to our readers. If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine or Dr. Goldstone and her practice, please check out her profile and website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr._Goldstone_1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/psychological-reasons-why-people-are-either-extremely-joyful-or-extremely-hateful-around-the-holidays-2-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15966</ID> <title>How Mindfulness Helps with Addiction</title> <publishDate>2022-02-24 17:52:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_431 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_494"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_515 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_177"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/mindfulness4.jpg" alt="" title="mindfulness4" class="wp-image-15967" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_546 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Combating addiction has always been one of the hardest things to face. Addiction often forces people to look for solutions in any place that they can. However, emerging research may suggest that mindfulness, something few people view as a cure for addiction, may be a powerful way to combat addiction. While mindfulness may sound like a vague concept to some, the science is clear that mindfulness can be a crucial tool to successfully battling addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Is Mindfulness? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-mindfulness-21854" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Elizabeth Hartney&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a former senior lecturer in psychology and counseling at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom, "Mindfulness is a state of mental awareness and focuses that have been traditionally used in meditation practices, and has recently become popular as an element of certain types of cognitive behavioral therapy, such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectic Behavior Therapy." Such mindfulness most commonly involves mental focus that allows individuals to increase their awareness of their sensations, surroundings and internal thoughts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness is divided into three separate elements which work together. As explained by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pinnacletreatment.com/blog/mindfulness-addiction-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pinnacle Treatment Centers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, "Mindfulness practices, in general, focus on three primary things: awareness, disengagement and perception." Pinnacle further notes that these elements involve developing awareness of one's surroundings and sensations, learning to disengage from some of those sensations and learning to then experience the world without those sensations clouding your perception. By using all three of these together, one can achieve a state of mindfulness, enhancing their situational awareness and viewing the world without the interference of strong emotions or desires. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does Mindfulness Help Combat Addiction?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness increases awareness and perception can allow those suffering from addiction to identify and adjust the behavior which enables their addiction. The methodology of creating mindfulness to combat addiction, according to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pinnacletreatment.com/blog/mindfulness-addiction-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pinnacle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, is training individuals to recognize environmental facts that facilitate their addiction, disengaging from emotions that drive them to their addiction and making rational decisions to accomplish their recovery goals. Thus, by incorporating mindfulness training into addiction treatment, those struggling with addictions can positively change their behavior by becoming more mindful. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness's positive impact on addicts seeking to change their behavior has already been scientifically documented. According to a review of clinical research regarding mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-018-0115-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Addiction Science and Clinical Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, "Studies indicate that MBIs reduce substance misuse and craving by modulating cognitive, affective and psychophysiological processes integral to self-regulation and reward processing." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The science is precise; people suffering from addiction can rewire their brains to avoid addiction-based behavior through incorporating mindfulness. One such method of mindfulness-based intervention that can be particularly helpful for people suffering from addiction is Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_318 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_954 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_955 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_956 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_495"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_516 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_178"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/mindfulness5.jpg" alt="" title="mindfulness5" class="wp-image-15970" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_547 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) Work?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;MBRP seeks to apply the principles of mindfulness to behavior in order to stop former addicts from relapsing into their addictions. As noted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-mindfulness-21854"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartney&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it has the following components:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Automatic pilot and relapse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Awareness of triggers and cravings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness in daily life and high-risk situations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Acceptance of whatever is happening and acting skillfully&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The role of thoughts in relapse&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of yourself as part of a healthy lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Social support and keeping your mindfulness practice going&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By utilizing these methods of MBRP, one can not only escape addiction through mindfulness-based intervention but also avoid a relapse by applying similar principles. This is because MBRP, like MBI, utilizes the connection between thought and behavior to help you regulate your behavior by becoming more aware and controlling your thoughts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does Mindfulness Compare to Other Methods of Combating Addiction?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to experts, mindfulness, particularly MBRP, may be more effective than other methods of combating addiction. As noted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_mindfulness_help_stop_substance_abuse"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Greater Good Science Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, quoting James Davis, an MBRP researcher at Duke University, "...mindfulness is likely an effective tool in helping people with addiction because it's a single, simple skill that a person can practice multiple times throughout their day, every day, regardless of the life challenges that arise." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness can be more applicable because, unlike other methods of combating addiction, you can practice being mindful at any time and in any place. Mindfulness is a form of thinking that teaches you to recognize a connection between your environment, feelings and behaviors. While some other forms of treating addictions may only be in place to cleanse someone of their addiction, mindfulness can stay with someone for a lifetime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, mindfulness-based intervention and relapse prevention are invaluable weapons in a person's battle against addiction. Addiction is primarily a behavioral problem. Thus, it is no surprise that by teaching people to identify the underlying causes of their behavior, they can learn to combat the tendencies that lead them toward their addiction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mindfulness may be a new method of combating addiction, but according to science, it may be one of the most effective. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/mindfulness3.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-mindfulness-helps-with-addiction/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15957</ID> <title>The Art of Making Time to Do Nothing</title> <publishDate>2022-02-22 17:33:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_432 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_496"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_517 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_179"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/artoftime3.jpg" alt="" title="artoftime3" class="wp-image-15960" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_548 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's often something that slips our minds in the crazy, hectic, busy lives that we live, but taking time for yourself is crucial to our health. Yet, on average, we only &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mhanational.org/taking-time-yourself#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;spend 15 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a day doing something self-care-related.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choosing to put your health and well-being as one of your top priorities can be difficult, but we've compiled some helpful suggestions to aid you on your journey towards unadulterated "me-time," as well as some pretty compelling reasons why you should. So here are some ways you can start putting your alone time first today:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips and Tricks to Do Nothing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care doesn't have to be all bubble baths and meditation, although these are also a great way to relax. Sometimes, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mhanational.org/taking-time-yourself#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;simplest things&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like brushing your teeth, moving your body every day, and making sure you're getting sound, sufficient sleep can make the most significant impact on how you feel. Although these may seem basic, starting small as you acclimate yourself to self-care is essential. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When was the last time you actually did nothing? No phone, no TV, no thoughts of work or responsibilities. Although it may seem counterintuitive, taking time to do absolutely nothing has terrific benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/prioritizing-time-for-yourself-for-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Schedule time for yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Take a page from your professional life, open up your calendar, and block off some "me-time." We're so used to making sure we attend meetings and meet deadlines, so why not put that same energy into cutting out specific time for yourself?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/prioritizing-time-for-yourself-for-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting up 15 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; before your alarm usually goes off will give you an excellent opportunity for alone time. Of course, this earlier rising time may mean that you need to make sure to go to bed a bit earlier too, but trust us, the time spent just for yourself (no phone, no distractions) will be well worth waking up earlier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Benefits of Taking Time for Yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sitting down with the express intention of doing nothing seems counterproductive in our busy culture. But it can be one of the most beneficial things with the least amount of work you can do right now. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from the health benefits, other ways of doing nothing can positively impact your life. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/22263/1/22263%20Does%2520being%2520bored%2520make%2520us%2520more%2520creativeV2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that when we're idle, we're prone to daydreaming, making us &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/smarter-living/the-case-for-doing-nothing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more creative and better problem-solvers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So maybe the next time you're stumped with a problem, take some time to do nothing and daydream. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting rid of all distractions will quickly lead to boredom. But don't be afraid of this boredom! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2020/02/the-actual-health-benefits-of-doing-nothing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tapping into emotions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is difficult to do when running around and keeping busy. Doing nothing can help you gain emotional clarity and lead to holistic well-being. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carving out time just for you can help you connect with yourself more deeply than you have in a long time. This will help you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;deal with problems more effectively&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/22263/1/22263%20Does%2520being%2520bored%2520make%2520us%2520more%2520creativeV2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;boost your creativity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve your productivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Spending alone time with yourself can also help you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;connect with your inner voice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and improve &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;concentration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;relationship with yourself &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can improve drastically by simply taking some time to intentionally be alone with yourself. This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;simple task&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can also help you improve your relationships with the people who matter most to you. Making a concerted effort to have time alone helps you reconnect with your inner voice and shows you what's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201202/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-stealing-little-time-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most important to you&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This revelation can help you communicate your needs and desires more clearly with the people around you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking time to be alone with yourself can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201201/6-reasons-you-should-spend-more-time-alone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;give your brain a chance to unwind&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When you're constantly working, your brain doesn't have time to rest and recuperate. Alone time gives your brain a much-needed break with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201201/6-reasons-you-should-spend-more-time-alone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;time to reboot&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_319 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_957 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_958 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_959 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_497"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_518 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_180"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/artoftime2.jpg" alt="" title="artoftime2" class="wp-image-15959" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_549 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Starting Your Self-Care Journey Today&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you're equipped with some practical ways to set aside time to do nothing, how can you get started today? One of the very first steps you need to take on your journey towards health and self-care is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://mhanational.org/taking-time-yourself#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;accepting yourself as you are&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Comparing ourselves to others and setting standards too high for ourselves steals joy and prevents us from believing that we deserve taking time to do nothing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Starting with simple, realistic goals is a great way to ensure you don't feel overwhelmed by cutting out time in your busy schedule to do nothing. If all you can do today is make sure that you get up and stretch and move your body in a way that feels good to you, that's great! You're still taking time for yourself, and the more you prioritize yourself, the more benefits you'll reap. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be difficult to do nothing regularly in today's ever-moving world. To start, it may be helpful to plan to sit and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/smarter-living/the-case-for-doing-nothing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gaze out the window&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the next time you're in the passenger seat or on public transport. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't have to suddenly block out three hours a day to sit on the couch and don't do anything. Instead, start with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2020/02/the-actual-health-benefits-of-doing-nothing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;five minutes at the same time every day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; when you choose to do nothing. At first, this may honestly be a difficult task to achieve. However, after a week or so of training yourself to be okay with five minutes that don't seem productive, you'll start looking forward to that time just for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking time for yourself in today's constantly busy culture may seem selfish or counterintuitive, but it is a crucial self-care decision. There are many ways you can carve out time, specifically to be alone and do nothing. Hopefully, this guide has given you some helpful suggestions on how to do that and why it is so beneficial. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking time for your mind and body to rest is vital for preventative healthcare. If you have specific questions about the best health choices you can make, be sure to reach out to your primary healthcare provider to get specialized recommendations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/artoftime1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-art-of-making-time-to-do-nothing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15947</ID> <title>Why Don't Doctors Prescribe Exercise to Their Patients if Exercise Is Medicine?</title> <publishDate>2022-02-20 17:06:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_433 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_498"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_519 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_181"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Exercise1.jpg" alt="" title="Exercise1" class="wp-image-15951" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_550 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising can be a chore sometimes, but it's super important for your overall health! Not only does it benefit each of your body systems, but it also is helpful for your mental health. Now, you're probably wondering, since it's so helpful, why your doctor doesn't just prescribe you exercise. Well, we have a few explanations for this, as well as information on how exercising&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is beneficial for you. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just the thought of exercising sounds like a ton of work. Nevertheless, exercising can have a lasting impact on your health. Not only will it keep you healthy, but it will also help you live a more wholesome life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several health risks are reduced through routine physical activity, such as cancer, dementia, other mental issues that come with age and cardiovascular issues. For example, studies show &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness/story/exercise-prescriptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;routine physical activity can lower the risk of colon cancer between 17% and 30% and breast cancer risk by 20% to 30%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising for at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30 minutes at least five days a week&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases since physical activity improves cholesterol levels and can lower blood pressure. Additionally, exercise reduces factors associated with metabolic disorders can be a combination of being &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overweight, having high blood pressure, low HDL, high triglycerides or high blood sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise on its own is essential. However, if you're looking to lose weight, it's important to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;balance calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, too. Studies suggest that exercising for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30 minutes at least five days a week can help with weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Aerobic exercises are among the recommended exercises for weight loss since they mix in the cardiovascular exercises necessary to get your heart pumping. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is also beneficial for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bone, joint and muscular health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; since they become strengthened when you engage in vigorous physical activity. Activities to strengthen muscles and bones include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;running, brisk walking, jumping jacks and strength training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The more you exercise, the healthier and stronger you'll be as you age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_320 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_960 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_961 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_962 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_499"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_520 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_182"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Exercise3.jpg" alt="" title="Exercise3" class="wp-image-15950" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_551 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise has been shown to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve cognition in children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; since it keeps the brain alert and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces anxiety and depression in adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Studies report &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;brain health improvement after physical activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Studies also show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness/story/exercise-prescriptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exercise can prevent or reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reasons Your Doctor Might Not Be Talking about Exercising&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physicians often forget to prescribe exercise to patients more often than not. Studies cite &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2018/12/why-dont-doctors-prescribe-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a lack of training at the undergraduate level&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The doctors' physical activity level is another reason&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; physicians fail to prescribe exercise to patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2015, the Canadian Medical Association noted that medical students and residents reported &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/Policypdf/PD15-12.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;insufficient competency in prescribing exercise to their patients upon graduation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, prescribing exercise has been effective in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthydebate.ca/2017/03/topic/exercise-medicine-dont-doctors-talk-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increasing how much people exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Communication barriers such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2018/12/why-dont-doctors-prescribe-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physician bias against overweight patients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and overweight &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2018/12/why-dont-doctors-prescribe-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;physicians feeling unqualified to communicate about exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; prevent healthy discussions about exercise. In addition, studies show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2018/12/why-dont-doctors-prescribe-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overweight physicians provided less generalized health advice than colleagues who were at a normal weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another issue doctors have come across is ensuring their patients follow their exercise prescriptions. Cardiologist David Sabgir, M.D., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness/story/exercise-prescriptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;noted that while he attempted prescribing exercise, he saw little success&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As a result, he founded Walk With a Doc, a group that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness/story/exercise-prescriptions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pairs patients with doctors for walks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to get patients to exercise and engage with physicians. President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Cate Collings, M.D., says doctors need to be more specific in their exercise prescriptions, so patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness/story/exercise-prescriptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;know what to do, how long and how often for their particular condition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising can reduce the risks for various complications, and the sooner you start, the better! As you age, your body will be susceptible to more health complications. However, you'll be healthier and feel better once you make a routine of engaging in physical activity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The communication barrier that causes doctors and patients to exercise can prevent patients from getting the push they need to engage in the physical activity they need. So, next time you're in your doctor's office, talk to them about your concerns. Take the first step and reduce that barrier!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Exercise_1.0.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/why-dont-doctors-prescribe-exercise-to-their-patients-if-exercise-is-medicine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15901</ID> <title>A Higher Intake of Whole Grain Could Reduce Cardiovascular Problems</title> <publishDate>2022-02-16 21:46:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_434 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_500"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_521 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_183"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/WholeGrain3.jpg" alt="" title="WholeGrain3" class="wp-image-15903" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_321 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_963 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_964 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_965 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_552 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you found out that there was a simple way to fight against the world’s leading cause of death simply by changing your diet, would you do it? Recent research indicates that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/greater-whole-grain-intake-may-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-factors"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;people who eat more whole grains have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Read on if you’d like to find out how such a small dietary change can lead to a better quality of life!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Am I at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The term “cardiovascular disease” covers numerous medical issues that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, irregular heart rhythm and heart attacks. While cardiovascular illnesses accounted for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;32% of global deaths in 2019&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it is equally important to note that lifestyle changes can prevent most of these issues!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We should also recognize that cardiovascular disease affects all groups of people, no matter their race. It’s a risk for almost half of Americans, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-is-heart-disease-on-the-rise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with some statistics suggesting that 45% will have at least one heart disease-related issue in 2035&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Nor does heart disease discriminate based on gender as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://towardsdatascience.com/heart-disease-prediction-73468d630cfc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from the whole grain question, which we’ll discuss shortly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease#risk-factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;there are five primary risk factors that we should look out for&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the first two. Smoking, the third, is controllable and avoidable with healthy lifestyle decisions. Other dangers include obesity and physical inactivity. Finally, heart disease is also a greater concern for individuals with diabetes, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-heart.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proper management of glucose levels can mitigate this risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Should I Change My Diet?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding whole grains to your diet is a big way to fight against cardiovascular disease. To be more specific, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/151/9/2790/6311830" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study from the Journal of Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that three servings of whole grains per day provided the maximum benefit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/eating-3-servings-of-whole-grains-a-day-may-lower-heart-disease-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individuals who ate that amount of whole grains saw healthier waist size, blood pressure and blood sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Why? Because whole grains contain fiber and heart-healthy nutrients, which are eliminated when grains are refined.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the words of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/greater-whole-grain-intake-may-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-factors#Reduced-risk-factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Caleigh Sawicki&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, who contributed to the Journal of Nutrition study, there are multiple elements of whole grains that contribute to our health. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The presence of dietary fiber in whole grains can have a satiating effect, and the magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants may contribute to lowering blood pressure. Soluble fiber, in particular, may have a beneficial effect on post-meal blood sugar spikes,” she says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What can we do with this research? First, we have to know what whole grains to look for to plan grocery lists, so here’s a shortlist of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;grain products to choose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from: whole-wheat flour, 100% whole-grain bread, high-fiber cereal, oatmeal, and whole-grain pasta. The least healthy grain products include white bread, biscuits, egg noodles, and buttered popcorn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another great way to improve your diet is to control your portion size. It sounds obvious at first, but in day-to-day life, it can be hard to remember that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/portion-control#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;taking seconds, using large plates, or eating until you feel full are all ways to accidentally overeat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you check serving sizes and use smaller plates, consuming the right amount of food will become very easy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last piece of nutrition advice we’ll leave you with that will also be beneficial in fighting cardiovascular disease is choosing low-fat protein sources! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lean-protein-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Knowing what types of protein to look for can make a world of difference to your physical health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The most beneficial options include eggs, fish, skinless poultry, and soy products. Items you should limit or avoid include sausage, bacon, breaded meats and full-fat milk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many of these dietary and lifestyle changes will be difficult for some, but we all owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to take responsibility for our health. If you’re at risk for cardiovascular disease, take a moment to ask yourself, 'How can I integrate healthy portions, more whole grains, and more healthy protein into my diet?' Carefully planning out your grocery lists for each shopping trip and paying attention to your portions at each meal will make a huge difference when it comes to taking care of yourself properly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/WholeGrains2.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/a-higher-intake-of-whole-grain-could-reduce-cardiovascular-problems/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15829</ID> <title>A Heart and Passion for Patient Care: An Interview with Dr. Shaghayegh Tavassoli</title> <publishDate>2022-02-14 19:16:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_435 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_501"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_522 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_184"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_4937_2.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_4937_2.JPG" class="wp-image-15833" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_523 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_553 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A heart and passion for patient care &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;— these are often repeated, trite words bound to be a part of every doctor's creed. But when backed by a staunch belief in one's mission, they become an endless reservoir of determination, resilience and dedication. Mix all of these ingredients and not just a superhero, but a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;supermom &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will rise, ready to achieve excellence on all fronts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm one of those people who, if you tell me something's not possible, I'm very motivated to make it possible," shared Dr. Shaghayegh Tavassoli, a Family Medicine Specialist in Los Angeles, California.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_502"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_524 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_554 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And she meant it. Between her current work at the &lt;a href="https://www.ummaclinic.org/"&gt;UMMA Community Clinic&lt;/a&gt; and raising five children, Dr. Tavassoli could make even Hercules and his 12 labors seem small. And, to make it more challenging, she's excited to welcome the New Year by starting her own private practice!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tavassoli works in the patient care field, with an emphasis in family medicine and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Her job has painted a troubling portrait of the relationship between medicine and uninsured or underinsured patients, which emphasizes the irony of how the former are more likely to receive medical care than the latter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An Air Traffic Controller, but in Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tavassoli turned her passion for medicine into a career path in the blink of an eye. From playing nurse with dolls, she exchanged a lively interest for a journey into family medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I realized that in family medicine, you can do a little bit of everything. You can see pediatrics and geriatrics, you can even deliver babies," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the key factor behind Dr. Tavassoli's choice resides in her usage of family medicine as a holistic approach towards patient care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I practice preventative medicine which helps me to keep my patients healthy so that we avoid any long-term diseases for as long as possible. I'm there to coordinate everything and reach out to the specialists to piece together the entire patient’s profile like a puzzle. I am the patient’s medical home," Dr. Tavassoli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for Our Cars More Than Our Bodies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although medical issues take their time creeping up on our bodies, only a handful of people understand the value of preventative care. And it's enough to look at the timing of our visits to the doctor to notice this concerning behavior. More often than not, patients skip annual visits, only to show up at the doctor's office when the damage has already been done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You take a car in for oil changes to make sure everything's running and working smoothly, but we don't do that for our own bodies," she said. “Instead of taking our bodies to the doctor for an annual tune-up, we allow factors such as stress, poor sleeping habits, and anxiety to wreak havoc and cause medical issues in our bodies without our knowledge. High-stress levels in our early years can turn into chronic health conditions as adults.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, as Dr. Tavassoli remarked, being insured is no longer enough to keep an eye on your health. Often, underinsured or uninsured patients, who don't qualify for specific treatments, steer clear of medical bills, thus hindering preventative care right off the bat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, is there a solution for such patients? Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) utilize outstanding efforts and resources to serve the underserved. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_322 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_966 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_967 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_968 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_503"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_525 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_185"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/patient1.jpg" alt="" title="patient1" class="wp-image-15838" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_555 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Working in a Federally Qualified Health Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/eligibility-and-registration/health-centers/fqhc/index.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health Resources &amp;amp; Services Administration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; defines FQHCs as "community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas." Such centers allow Dr. Tavassoli and her peers to treat patients from low-income areas (who frequently cannot afford comprehensive insurance plans) and receive equal treatment without discrimination.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regardless of what their insurance is, or even if they don't have insurance, all patients get the same treatment from me. I give them the same attention and try to give them the same care that I would for any other patient," Dr. Tavassoli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to an FQHC becomes vital for people who cannot afford insurance. Dr. Tavassoli shared a story of a patient who could not seek treatment for his cardiac issues after having lost his insurance. Entering her office for a physical turned out to be a lifesaver for this patient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I noticed that his heart rate was very low. I asked, 'Have you had any heart issues?' And he answered, 'Yes, I had a cardiopulmonary arrest,'" she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, Dr. Tavassoli was quick to listen to her instincts and conduct a thorough investigation on his cardiac health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We did an immediate EKG on him; he was in complete heart block. I sent him to the emergency room, and they took him to the OR that same day and put a pacemaker in. This was all within a matter of hours. When he came back, he said, 'You literally saved my life,'" Dr. Tavassoli joyfully recalled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even as she's busy starting her own practice, Dr. Tavassoli finds enough time to dedicate to her FQHC patients. Such are the bonds between her and these underserved patients, whose honest gratitude is Dr. Tavassoli's only reward, that she cannot let go of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm still keeping two half-days at the clinic because I can't walk away from those patients," Dr. Tavassoli confessed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Not in It for the Money"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patient care does not only focus on the present but also tends towards the future. For that reason, Dr. Tavassoli's new practice will serve both as a center for excellence in family medicine and as a starting point for her children who are already showing interest in their supermom's mission.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's getting harder and harder to start your own practice and have someone to guide you along the way. If any of my children want to go into the medical field, I can be there for them with the office up and running," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such selfless work, both inside and outside the office, expects only a grateful "thank you" in return, which is a testimony to Dr. Tavassoli's compassion and humility.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People randomly show up to my house or call me with medical issues, and I'm okay with that. I encourage my friends to come, and if I can help, then I will do it. I'm definitely not in it for the money," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sacrificial stories from doctors of commitment, selflessness and humility are the ones that encourage others the most. Thankfully there are doctors like Dr. Tavassoli, who teach us how everyone deserves the same patient care, regardless of circumstances! For more information about Dr. Tavassoli and her mission, please visit the following &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bevhillsmed.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_4937_2.JPG.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-heart-and-passion-for-patient-care-an-interview-with-dr-shaghayegh-tavassoli/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15890</ID> <title>Getting to Know Atrial Fibrillation with Dr. Saima Karim</title> <publishDate>2022-02-12 21:25:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_436 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_504"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_526 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_186"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9506.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_9506" class="wp-image-15891" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_527 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_556 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland native, Dr. Saima Karim, is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist practicing at the Cleveland Metro Health Center. She attended medical school at Ohio University and did her fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. When she’s not listening to irregular beating hearts, she likes listening to harmonious symphonies at local recitals and playing outdoor sports with her son.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_505"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_528 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_557 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's an Electrophysiologist and What Do They Do?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electrophysiology is a subspecialty of cardiology, which is defined as the internal medical specialty concerned with disorders of the heart. Electrophysiologists primarily focus on testing and treating problems that involve irregular heart rhythms, or what we call arrhythmias.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's [an electrophysiologist] someone who specializes in arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation," Dr. Karim explains. She has been specializing in the atrial fibrillation study and treatment for five years already, as part of her career as an electrophysiologist in Ohio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's Atrial Fibrillation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted that by 2030, around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Dr. Karim explains atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm that originates from the heart's left or, in some instances, from its right chamber. Atrial fibrillation can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Additionally, the irregular rhythm occurs in brief episodes, or it may be a permanent condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Who Is at Risk?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a broad range of medical conditions that may be comorbid with atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Dr. Karim, individuals with existing alveolar diseases, thyroid diseases and cardiovascular diseases have a high chance of developing atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atrial fibrillation is often experienced during acute episodes of respiratory failure, which often need to be managed (Vahdatpour et al., 2020). Dr. Karim explains that acutely or critically ill patients with thyroid problems at the hospital are likely to develop atrial fibrillation. However, so are patients who have recently undergone heart surgery. Fortunately, some studies show that this is preventable when utilizing appropriate prophylactic therapy (Maisel et al., 2001).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other candidates for developing these conditions are patients who suffer from sleep apnea and individuals who have a previous related medical history in their family tree. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atrial fibrillation may also occur in patients who exercise excessively. One study found that young men and joggers have an increased risk of developing the disease (Aizer et al., 2009). However, Dr. Karim reassures us that while atrial fibrillation may develop among athletes, they are less likely to get strokes compared to other patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_323 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_969 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_970 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_971 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_506"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_529 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_187"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dark-haired-male-doctor-looking-after-upset-serious-gray-headed-man-suffering-from-chest-pain.jpg" alt="" title="dark-haired-male-doctor-looking-after-upset-serious-gray-headed-man-suffering-from-chest-pain" class="wp-image-15893" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_558 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does COVID-19 Affect Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Respiratory illnesses have a high chance of developing arrhythmias. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of people do develop it acutely when they're in the hospital," Dr. Karim says. "They may even have it at home and not know that they're having symptoms."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you suspect that you may have atrial fibrillation, consider looking for these symptoms:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Irregular heartbeat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or pounding)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lightheadedness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shortness of breath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chest pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The key is early recognition," Dr. Karim advises. "Making sure that we recognize the symptoms earlier, [and] try to address any risk of stroke that there is. It's very important."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Atrial Fibrillation Management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Karim was excited to share with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the latest innovations in the management of atrial fibrillation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What used to happen a lot of times when people had atrial fibrillation, we just used to control their rates and observe them and how they did over time," Dr. Karim said. "But more and more literature is coming out [regarding] treating patients that are symptomatic with atrial fibrillation earlier in life, [which] prevents them from having problems."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She explains that the latest technology can now eliminate atrial fibrillation, which has been beneficial for patients. Dr. Karim has mentioned atrial fibrillation ablation to be "reasonably good" and "successful, (...) especially in monitoring patients over the long term". The treatment uses minor burns or freezes to cause some scarring on the inside of the heart to help break up the electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, that's just the tip of the iceberg. The future of atrial fibrillation management and prevention has seen promising research and technological advancement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The technology is evolving and we're developing newer tools," Dr. Karim said excitedly. "Compared to a decade ago, there has been a huge technological change. I predict that ten years from now, it's going to look entirely different again."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Current medical research and development have changed radically in the field of atrial fibrillation. With these new advancements, Dr. Karim is hopeful that the new treatments will address atrial fibrillation head-on. She advises, though, that prevention is still better than cure. Having a healthy balanced diet, quitting tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight and a moderate amount of exercise are the best ways to prevent atrial fibrillation from occurring early in your lifetime. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9506.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/getting-to-know-atrial-fibrillation-with-dr-saima-karim/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15881</ID> <title>Top Heart-Healthy Foods</title> <publishDate>2022-02-10 20:56:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_437 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_507"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_530 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_188"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/oats.jpg" alt="" title="oats" class="wp-image-15935" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_324 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_972 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_973 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_974 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_559 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do you ever find yourself struggling to decide what to eat? It can be challenging, especially when striving to make healthier decisions. Some foods also benefit different parts of your body more than others. For example, your heart benefits from various foods: green leafy veggies, whole grains and fish, to name a few. Whether you're looking for something to munch on while watching television, or hoping for something more substantial, here's a list of the top heart-healthy foods and their benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Leafy Green Veggies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many of these vegetables are rich in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamins, minerals and antioxidants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Green veggies have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vitamin K, which prevents blood clotting in the arteries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Doctors recommend eating vegetables like spinach and kale since they are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high in nitrates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which studies have determined to reduce blood pressure and improve cell function in blood vessels. Green vegetables were shown to lower your risk of heart disease, with studies showing a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;16% decrease of heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the higher your leafy vegetable intake.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole Grains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are a pasta fan, do not fear! You don't have to stop eating pasta in order to keep your heart healthy; switch to whole grain pasta! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whole grains, such as farro, quinoa and barley, are a great source of fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and help regulate blood pressure. Fiber reduces LDL, which is the bad cholesterol that leads to heart complications. Many studies show that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating three more daily servings of whole grains was associated with a 22% lower risk of heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Berries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These tasty fruits are full of&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that cause heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries improve &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cell function in the blood vessels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, decrease blood clotting and reduce LDL cholesterol. Berries are delicious snacks, and you can easily incorporate them into any dish. Throw them on top of some pancakes, granola, or just snack on them and reap the benefits!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fatty Fish and Fish Oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fish like salmon, mackerel and herring are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Omega-3s are healthy fats&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that decrease heart rhythm disorders and lower triglycerides and blood pressure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-foods-to-save-your-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Heart Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; recommends about two servings of salmon or other fish rich in fats each week. If you can't eat that much fish, try taking &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fish oil daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It has the Omega-3 you need to decrease your risk of heart disease and keep your heart healthy! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nuts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you looking for something to snack on? Nuts are a great snack due to their nutritional value! They're great sources of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;omega-3 fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and monounsaturated fats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies show that eating about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1.5 ounces of daily almonds can reduce belly fat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Walnuts are also full of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fiber and magnesium&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, copper and manganese, and eating them &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduces "bad" LDL cholesterol by up to 16%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and lowers blood pressure. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The bottom line is that nuts are both heart-healthy and delicious!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dark Chocolate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chocolate? You may be surprised, but dark chocolate is a healthy snack that can boost your heart health. Studies show that eating dark chocolate twice a week can have a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;32% decrease in calcified plaque clotting arteries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while eating dark chocolate five&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;times a week have a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heart-healthy-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;57% decrease in heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So if you were looking for another excuse for a sweet treat throughout the day, here's a heart-healthy snack for you.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Legumes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beans, peas and lentils are filling foods that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/product/upgrade-to-become-the-cover-of-a-general-released-top-doctor-magazine-issue-elite-listing-option/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;do not contain cholesterol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, making them a heart-healthy choice. Legumes have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;folate, iron, antioxidants and magnesium, which help lower blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ss/slideshow-foods-to-save-your-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;are rich in fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which decreases blood sugar levels and rids the body of toxins and cholesterol. Try beans paired with whole grain rice for your next delicious meal that will make your heart happy! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next time you walk into your kitchen uncertain about what to snack on, make a heart-healthy choice. Try to eat nuts, green leafy veggies, chocolate or berries when you want a snack. If you're looking to make a meal, try to eat fish, beans and whole grains. These healthy choices will ensure a strong heart and a healthier version of you! &lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/blueberry.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/top-heart-healthy-foods/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15871</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-02-08 20:37:26</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_438 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_508"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_531 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_189"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/red-wine-pouring-into-wine-glass.jpg" alt="" title="red-wine-pouring-into-wine-glass" class="wp-image-15874" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_325 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_975 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_976 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_977 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_560 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Special events like birthdays, holidays, graduations and other celebrations are often met with alcohol consumption. Many even believe that some of this may be good for the heart. You may have heard the saying, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This saying refers to the perceived health benefits of drinking alcohol, especially red wine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alcohol consumption is typical in our society. Indeed, most people consume at least a little alcohol throughout the year, especially around the holidays and special events and celebrations. However, are the health benefits of alcohol just an urban myth, or are they based on science? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Benefits Associated with Alcohol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The common wisdom of alcohol's health benefits may not be entirely misplaced. Alcohol has some association with improved health. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/alcohol-and-heart-health-2018070614199"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, alcohol can increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which keeps LDL (bad) cholesterol from clogging arteries by moving it to the liver, where it's broken down and removed from the body. Thus, some alcohol consumption may protect against harmful cholesterol levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In this way, alcohol can improve heart health by preventing the clogging of arteries. However, there is much more to alcohol's association with good cholesterol than meets the eye. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doubts Surrounding Alcohol's Heart Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The association between alcohol and a healthier heart is doubtful. While some studies have indicated an association between alcohol and health benefits, some of these effects might be related to the lifestyles of the people involved in the studies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/ask-a-cardiologist-alcohol-and-heart-health"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart&amp;amp;Stroke,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; area of residence, education level and income heavily influence our health. So while some studies have associated alcohol with good cholesterol, that likely tells us more about what kind of people experienced the benefits from drinking alcohol. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, while red wine may contain antioxidants and flavonoids that can reduce the risk of heart disease, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/alcohol-and-heart-health"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Heart Association&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; noted that they could also be found in grapes and blueberries. Indeed, the positive effects of alcohol are much better attained through safer living habits such as a controlled diet and regular exercise, which allow one to experience alcohol's benefits without its risks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dangers of Drinking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular alcohol consumption can have many adverse effects on your heart's health. These negative effects are hazardous with excessive drinking. Excessive drinking is defined as binge drinking, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consuming four to five drinks on any occasion, or heavy drinking, which is 8 drinks a week for a woman and 15 for a man. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such drinking can be extremely dangerous. As the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/alcohol.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CDC&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; notes, excessive drinking can lead to stroke, cancer, liver disease, heart disease and high blood pressure in the long run. You are also at risk of violent episodes, poisonings and other injuries in the short run. Thus, whether it's spread over a week or contained to a single evening, excessive drinking can very seriously harm one's heart health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If this doesn't convince you that alcohol can harm your heart, how about the effects of alcohol on our life expectancy? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As noted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/alcohol-and-heart-health-2018070614199"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harvard Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a 2018 study observed the drinking habits of almost 600,000 people without heart disease, and found that people who had 10 or more drinks per week died one to two years earlier compared with those who drank five drinks or fewer per week. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The study also found that having 18 drinks or more per week cut life expectancy by four to five years. So while alcohol may have some potential health benefits, the risks incurred by frequent consumption outweigh them. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Drink Safely &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is there a way to safely consume alcohol, or are we forced to abstain entirely from it? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer may not be what some hope, but the CDC has clear guidelines on alcohol consumption. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/moderate-drinking.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CDC&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; recommends that those who are not currently drinking should refrain from drinking. However, for those that already partake in alcohol consumption, the CDC recommends that men limit themselves to two drinks a day and women limit themselves to one. But the CDC's biggest tip for safe and moderate drinking is remembering that more rather than less alcohol consumption is always worse for your health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In summary, the wisdom surrounding alcohol's health benefits for your heart is more of an urban myth than science. While some studies have shown an association between alcohol consumption and better cholesterol, such benefits can be gained without taking the risk that alcohol consumption brings. The best way to protect your heart is to abstain from alcohol or very carefully limit its consumption. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Alcohol3.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/alcohol-heart-health-how-much-does-it-actually-affect-your-heart/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15861</ID> <title>5 Ways Romantic Relationships Impact Your Heart Health</title> <publishDate>2022-02-08 20:08:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_439 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_509"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_532 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_190"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Romantic2.jpg" alt="" title="Romantic2" class="wp-image-15864" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_326 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_978 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_979 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_980 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_561 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We're no strangers to love. You know the rules, and so do I!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Rick Astley, with his famous "Never Gonna Give You Up," was totally right. None of us are strangers to love. Whether it be giving love, receiving love &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;making love, we've all been at a point where we are interested in another human being enough to call it love. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From this feeling called love, romantic relationships emerge and can influence our lives in many ways. Let’s explore five ways romantic relationships can impact your heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Romantic Love Improves Blood Pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most significant benefits of having a healthy romantic relationship is the abundance of beneficial hormones you get whenever you're with your significant other. Hormones such as oxytocin, endorphins and vasopressin all flood your system. These hormones, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/vasopressin"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;vasopressin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; especially, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://living.aahs.org/heart-vascular/love-relationships-and-health-the-surprising-benefits-of-being-in-love/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve blood pressure, resulting in an overall healthier circulatory system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you have a healthy circulatory system, you can enjoy more out of life. For instance, you can appreciate a less restrictive diet and not feel bad about getting dessert when you're out on a date with your significant other. You can also enjoy vigorous activities like hiking outdoors without having trouble catching your breath, which means you and your partner can go on all the adventures you want.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Romantic Love Lowers Heart Disease Risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Couples in happy, healthy, loving relationships have been &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://living.aahs.org/heart-vascular/love-relationships-and-health-the-surprising-benefits-of-being-in-love/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;observed to have healthier hearts and a lower risk of heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. As it turns out, being in love reduces our stress responses and allows us to enjoy the pleasures that life has to offer more often. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moreover, if you have a supportive and loving partner, you're more likely to listen to them when they tell you to quit your bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking or when they tell you to take your medication or see the doctor. Having someone look out for your health will, of course, lower your risk for heart disease as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natural Cardio from Being in Love&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the best parts about having a significant other in your life is having your heart pound or skip a beat whenever they pass by or when you snuggle next to each other after a long day. But did you know that the zap of electricity you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-common-questions-about-sex-and-your-heart/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feel is also excellent for your heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another fun way to keep your heart pumping is getting intimate with your partner. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-common-questions-about-sex-and-your-heart/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Love-making with your significant other is incredibly healthy for your heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because not only is it great cardio, but it also releases feel-good hormones like dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine afterward -- all of which help your heart beat harder, faster and stronger. So go ahead and keep that heart rate up and the love meter high!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stressful Relationships Are Bad for You&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it isn't all rainbows and butterflies in romantic relationships. When romantic relationships take a turn for the worst, it can cause stress for the parties involved. If this stress continues to accumulate over time, it can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&amp;amp;ContentID=2171#:~:text=Studies%20suggest%20that%20the%20high,plaque%20deposits%20in%20the%20arteries."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;undeniably increase your risk for heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even small amounts of stress can trigger circulatory problems such as poor blood flow. In addition, prolonged exposure to stress and increased cortisol levels can increase the risk of strokes. A toxic relationship doesn't only affect your mental and emotional health, but it affects your physical health as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember to find a partner that will listen and communicate with you whenever turbulence hits your relationship.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Broken-Heart Syndrome&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As corny as it may sound, the broken-heart syndrome is a real thing that can happen when a romantic relationship ends on a gigantically negative note. Broken-heart syndrome, or medically known as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17857-broken-heart-syndrome"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;takotsubo cardiomyopathy,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can occur when an individual undergoes a sudden shock or acute anxiety. The mental and emotional stress of having one's heart broken can affect one in a dangerously physical way.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The immense emotional and mental stress can result in this disease, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17857-broken-heart-syndrome"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A severe case of this may eventually lead to heart failure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So maybe romance and your physical heart do involve each other after all! Taking care of your heart does not always mean just exercise and physical activity, but rather taking care of it emotionally as well. Romantic love impacts your heart health just as much as exercise, so be sure to take care of your emotional well-being this love season! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Romantic1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-ways-romantic-relationships-impact-your-heart-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15853</ID> <title>Video Games and Heart Health</title> <publishDate>2022-02-04 19:56:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_440 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_510"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_533 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_191"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Video_Game_3.jpg" alt="" title="Video_Game_3" class="wp-image-15855" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_327 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_981 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_982 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_983 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_562 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games are becoming increasingly popular, to the point where video game consoles are now found in almost every household. However, you may not know that video gameplay can be hazardous to your heart health, depending on how much time video game addicts spend playing video games. As a result, playing too many video games can result in problems with obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video Games Allow Sedentary Behavior&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment worldwide. They are enjoyed by people of all ages and have been around for decades. However, video games are not just a form of entertainment - they can also be addictive and have adverse effects on our health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One such effect is encouraging sedentary behavior. Video games lead to inactivity or sedentary behavior because they allow gamers to become sedentary as they do not require physical engagement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gamers can sometimes play for hours on end, reducing their physical activity. According to the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/10/28/can-video-games-help-you-level-up-your-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; American Heart Association,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; such sedentary behavior is always harmful to you and increases the risk of death from all causes. Sedentary behavior has been linked with many health problems like obesity and heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video Games and Obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Obesity is a severe result of video games fostering inactive behavior in children and others. If this sedentary behavior is allowed to grow, the player may become obese over time. Because video games occupy a person's time and attention, that person is less likely to go outside and engage in physical activity. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20040702/video-games-tv-double-childhood-obesity-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers have found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that video games and TV could double a child's risk for obesity. Furthermore, this increased risk for obesity creates a greater risk to the child's heart health as children who develop obesity become at risk for heart conditions later in life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video Games Can Trigger Heart Conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games and heart health don't just stop at obesity, though. Studies have also shown that video games can lead to heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) in young people. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20190918/intense-gaming-can-trigger-irregular-heartbeat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study of three&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; children from the ages of 10 to 15 found that pre-existing heart conditions could be triggered during intense video gaming. When a person plays video games for an extended time, the increased concentration and excitement can cause the heart rate to spike and irregular heartbeats to develop. This can be dangerous in children with underlying heart conditions and lead to cardiac arrest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video Games Can Increase Blood Pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to heart arrhythmias, video games have also been linked with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6647166/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased blood pressure levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. When a person plays video games for an extended time, that person's heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, causing a dangerous increase in blood pressure and leading to heart attacks and strokes. According to a study from the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6647166/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Library of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, video games increase the systolic blood pressure and heart rate of young men. Due to this increase, it's possible that playing video games could affect the future heart health of players.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips for Parents to Keep Their Children's Hearts Healthy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While video games can negatively affect our health, video games do not have to be harmful if gamers take breaks throughout gaming sessions, engage in physical activity and monitor their video game playing habits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games and heart health have been linked for some time now, with obesity and heart arrhythmias being the most common conditions associated with video gaming. Obese children are more likely to develop heart conditions as adults, so parents should watch video game playtime and video game habits to ensure that video games don't harm children's hearts as they grow up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games also increase heart rate and blood pressure, which is dangerous for anybody with an underlying heart condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some tips for parents to help keep their children hearts healthy:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Limit gameplay time to no more than two hours a day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Encourage your child to take breaks every hour and get up and move around.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make sure your child engages in daily physical activity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have gaming sessions with your child and be involved in playing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discourage your child from playing video games if they have any underlying heart conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Video games can have many adverse effects on our heart health. They can lead to obesity, inactivity, heart arrhythmias and increased blood pressure. While video games can be entertaining, it is essential to be mindful of their risks to our health. So gamers, please play video games responsibly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images/> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/video-games-and-heart-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15842</ID> <title>Can Your Period be an Indicator of Your Heart Health?</title> <publishDate>2022-02-02 19:35:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_441 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_511"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_534 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_192"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Period2.jpg" alt="" title="Period2" class="wp-image-15845" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_563 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are You Having Period Struggles?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maybe you find yourself sitting in bed in agony, wondering why your cramps hurt so badly. Or perhaps you wonder why your periods have been so irregular. Rest assured that these thoughts are not just confined to you. Women worldwide have period struggles. Your period pains may offer a look into what's going on in your body, specifically as it relates to heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Does Your Period Have to Do with Your Heart Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your period can indicate how healthy your heart is. Having &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/irregular-periods-women-heart-health-pcos-pcod-7541230/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regular periods is a sign of good overall health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Irregular periods, heavy periods or severe cramps can be due to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/your-menstrual-cycle-can-predict-your-risk-of-heart-disease-heres-how/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormonal disturbances, stress, weight gain or under-eating, unhealthy lifestyle practices or a combination of all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.upmc.com/media/news/101321-el-khoudary-menopause-cardiovascular" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Long and irregular cycles are&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; linked to heart issues like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/these-are-the-top-5-different-types-of-stretches-and-how-to-do-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cardiovascular disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Period issues are not uncommon, but regardless, they should be treated urgently. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/irregular-periods-women-heart-health-pcos-pcod-7541230/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Irregular periods signal that not everything may be right in the body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. For example, they can be caused by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/irregular-periods-women-heart-health-pcos-pcod-7541230/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;polycystic ovarian syndrome, otherwise known as PCOS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; While PCOS is primarily due to hormonal issues such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/irregular-periods-women-heart-health-pcos-pcod-7541230/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;excess male hormone levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in women, there seems to be a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/irregular-periods-women-heart-health-pcos-pcod-7541230/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;correlation between PCOS and a sedentary lifestyle and hypertension&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many studies show that when women miss menstrual cycles due to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/your-menstrual-cycle-can-predict-your-risk-of-heart-disease-heres-how/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;low estrogen levels, their blood vessel function is low. This is an early sign of heart disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/menstrual-cycle-length-during-menopausal-transition-may-influence-later-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Estrogen has long been known to be essential for protecting a woman's heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and is continually being studied. Still, researchers believe this can provide insight into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/your-menstrual-cycle-can-predict-your-risk-of-heart-disease-heres-how/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;how menstrual imbalances can negatively impact younger women's cardiac health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some other signs of heart disease occur when women have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/your-menstrual-cycle-can-predict-your-risk-of-heart-disease-heres-how/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increased chest pains&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; during their periods. One medical journal reported that women with less estrogen circulating in their bloodstream often have &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/your-menstrual-cycle-can-predict-your-risk-of-heart-disease-heres-how/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;low blood flow to the heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. A clinical study conducted by the Oregon Health and Science University sought to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01546454" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;determine why a regular menstrual cycle is associated with a lower risk of heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The researchers determined that the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01546454" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;estradiol and progesterone hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, common to periods and the normal processes in the follicle, are related to "good" and "bad" cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies have also found correlations between the age women had their first period and their risk for heart disease. One study found that women who had their first period around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/womens-age-at-first-menstrual-cycle-linked-to-heart-disease-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;age 13&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/womens-age-at-first-menstrual-cycle-linked-to-heart-disease-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;27% more hospitalizations or deaths due to heart disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/womens-age-at-first-menstrual-cycle-linked-to-heart-disease-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;16% more hospitalizations or deaths from stroke; and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/womens-age-at-first-menstrual-cycle-linked-to-heart-disease-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;20% more hospitalizations with high blood pressure or deaths due to complications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, studies found that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.upmc.com/media/news/101321-el-khoudary-menopause-cardiovascular" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;women whose cycle increased in length two years before their final menstrual period&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; were healthier after menopause. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_328 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_984 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_985 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_986 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_512"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_535 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_193"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Period3.jpg" alt="" title="Period3" class="wp-image-15846" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_564 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What to Do to Help Your Heart?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are concerned about your period and want to secure your heart health, and your menstrual health, there are several things you can do. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, exercise frequently! Research shows that performing aerobic exercises, resistance training and stretches several times each week can decrease heart complications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, remember to eat healthy foods! Foods such as nuts, green leafy veggies, chocolate, berries, fish, beans and whole grains provide Omega-3 oils and other vitamins that decrease cardiovascular issues. Remember to talk to your doctor if you want further information on the best approach to keeping your heart healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you notice anything odd about your period, make sure to alert your doctor. While not all period issues are signs of more significant health issues, any issues you might have can be quite telling of your overall health–especially your heart's health. As research shows, the more frequent your periods are, the lower the risk is for heart disease. Ensure exercising, eating well and resting to provide better care for yourself, and it will show in the often painful but beneficial period. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Period1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/can-your-period-be-an-indicator-of-your-heart-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15392</ID> <title>Sleep Debt: Can I Pay it Off?</title> <publishDate>2022-01-24 15:32:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_442 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_513"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_536 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_194"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tired-woman-working-home-concept-sleep-deprivation.jpg" alt="" title="tired-woman-working-home-concept-sleep-deprivation" class="wp-image-15393" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_329 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_987 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_988 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_989 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_565 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is no understatement that Americans are facing a crisis of sleep debt. For one reason or another, Americans struggle to get the rest they need, with roughly a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/sleep-statistics/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;third of adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; getting less than the minimum seven hours needed on a given day. Such sleep deprivation has resulted in sleep debt becoming a more and more common crisis across America. While Americans are familiar with the fatigue that results from not sleeping enough, the long-term health effects of each hour of lost sleep are far more significant than needing extra coffee in the morning.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WHAT IS SLEEP DEBT? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleeping enough every night can be difficult for many. Our society’s fixation on busyness and workaholics has led many of us to expand our schedules and reduce our allotted resting times to bill more hours, get promotions and perhaps ironically, accrue more vacation time. However, in doing so, we run the risk of acquiring sleep debt. As defined by the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-debt-and-catch-up-sleep"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, “Sleep debt, also called a sleep deficit, is the difference between the amount of sleep someone needs and the amount they actually get. For example, if your body needs eight hours of sleep per night but only gets six, you have two hours of sleep debt.” Thus, for every hour of sleep we miss, we gain an hour of sleep debt, which will weigh us down just like real debt. And sleep debt’s effects are often much more significant than fatigue. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WHAT ARE SLEEP DEBT’S EFFECTS?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While all Americans are aware of the fatigue which results from missing a few hours of sleep, sleep debt also has long-reaching adverse health effects. According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-debt-and-catch-up-sleep"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sleep debt can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and weight gain, among other negative health effects. Furthermore, the effects of consecutive days of sleep debt are even more elusive. A study led by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/abm/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/abm/kaab055/6314765?redirectedFrom=fulltext"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Soomi Lee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; seeks to address this by examining how multiple days of sleeping less than seven hours affects the body. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Consecutive sleep loss was associated with degraded trajectories of daily affective and physical well-being,” Dr. Lee says.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consequently, sleep debt, especially consecutive sleep debt, is far worse than simply feeling more tired the next day. It seriously harms our long-term physical health as well as our ability to function during the day. This is brutally ironic as sleep debt is often the result of a desire to get more done during the day. On the contrary, missing sleep to finish more work will result in less work done the next day and the next until we break our cycle of expanding our days instead of acquiring the rest we need. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CAN I SLEEP OFF SLEEP DEBT?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep debt’s drastic effect on the body naturally leads to the question: “How can I escape the sleep debt I’ve got?” Treating sleep debt is not as easy as sleeping it off. While it would be nice to sleep an extra hour the next day to treat a lost hour of sleep the night before, sleep debt is far more bothersome to relieve. A study from the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27775095/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Library of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found that each hour of sleep debt takes four days to recover. Thus, it takes at least four days of good sleep each night to recover a single hour of lost sleep. Unfortunately, many people do not take this strategy; instead, they hope to sleep off their sleep debt on the weekends. However, sleeping in on the weekend is insufficient to account for lost sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Inconsistent sleep habits can lead to several adverse health effects. According to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dr/sleep-deprivation/sleep-debt#risks"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthline&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, “Inconsistent sleep habits can increase your risk for various medical conditions, including diabetes, weight gain, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, delayed immune response, heart disease, memory problems.” Therefore, while many try to recover from the sleep debt they acquire during a stressful work week with a restful weekend, such efforts can be even more detrimental as they shock their system with inconsistent sleep habits. While the body may not appreciate limited sleep during the week, the body fundamentally requires a delicate balance built around consistent rhythms. Such efforts to make up for sleep debt only worsen the situation by preventing our bodies from having a healthy and consistent sleep schedule. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So if making up sleep debt when we get a chance is not the answer, what is the solution to sleep debt? Very simply, it’s about sleeping better, not simply sleeping more. The only real way to easily make up sleep debt is to avoid sleep debt altogether by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. While it may seem like shrinking your days to get more rest will lead to less productivity, it will allow you to work well and productively every day. In addition, this will allow your body to create an effective balance built on a consistent schedule which will keep you happier and healthier for the rest of your life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So the next time you’re feeling the pressure of the corporate culture, do not join the statistics of Americans running their sleep schedules into the ground. Instead, trust your body to give you the focus necessary to complete your tasks by giving it the invaluable sleep it needs. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tired-woman-working-home-concept-sleep-deprivation.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/sleep-debt-can-i-pay-it-off/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15384</ID> <title>Nowhere to Go But Up: Fitness Influencer Heads to Chiropractic School with Big Dreams</title> <publishDate>2022-01-22 15:14:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_443 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_514"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_537 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_195"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="image.jpeg" class="wp-image-15385" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_330 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_990 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_991 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_992 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_566 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carter Chapman, EP-C, better known by his IG handle &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/chappy_swole/?hl=en"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;@chappy_swole&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, is a professional health and fitness buff with a degree in Exercise Science from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is also currently studying for a degree in Chiropractic Care at the same school. Although his herculean physique was enough to garner him over 13,000 followers on Instagram, there is more to Carter than meets the eye. In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Carter gets candid about his life as a fitness influencer, faith in God, and plans for the future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Carter Became "The Chappy Swole"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Growing up, Carter was continually bullied for being the tall, skinny kid in class. In high school, he stood 6'2'' tall and only weighed 140 pounds. One day, Carter decided to join the football team, which led to the beginning of working out for him. Unfortunately, football didn't work out for him, so he quit during his sophomore year. However, his interest in sports didn't stop there as he continued to play golf throughout his four years in high school. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During his freshman year as an undergrad in Liberty, he started gaining traction on social media for his workout posts. Carter knew then that inspiring people to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle was his true calling. So with the help of his buddy, who was a social media marketing whiz, Carter tripled the growth of his Instagram page in a few weeks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Pros and Cons of Being a Fitness Influencer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that Carter is an official Instagram fitness influencer, more and more people recognize him on the streets every day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'll be at the gym, and I'll have some random kid walk up to me and be like, 'Oh, I follow you on Instagram. You've been a huge inspiration as to why I started working out,'" Carter shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, with the good always comes the bad. In Carter's case, one of the worst things he recalls was when a fellow Liberty grad followed his Instagram account. She reported it to student services, accusing his page of being highly inappropriate. And because Liberty is a Christian university, the woman thought that Carter's social media account was a disgrace to the Christian faith. Luckily for Carter, the head of student services was a fan of his work, so he got off the hook easily.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't Judge a Person by Their Selfies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The content we post on social media will always garner polarizing opinions from different people. While Carter may serve as an inspiration to thousands of young people longing to live a fit lifestyle, not everyone who sees his online persona is as easily impressed. Carter opens up about the difficulties he has to face regarding the prejudice against being a fitness influencer. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They see a guy that posts videos of him lifting, or pictures of him shirtless or whatever. And it's like the first conception is that that person's stuck up or they're arrogant that just wants to show off," Carter explains. "Majority of the guys that I've met through social media are the most humble, down-to-earth people. They found a niche in their own market, and they're just feeding off of that."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's such a cliche to say, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;never judge a book by its cover&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, but with the age of social media, this timeless teaching has never rung more true. Carter is all about forming connections, and he highly encourages folks to get to know someone before judging them based on their looks. That's why Carter is always happy to meet new people, especially those who come up to him, because it gives him the chance to break down the barrier between people's idea of him and who he truly is - a cool, laid-back, and God-fearing guy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nowhere to Go But Up&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another cliche Carter lives by is that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;everything happens for a reason&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Before he decided to pursue Chiropractic, Carter had set his eye on joining the Marine Corps. He went to Officer Candidate School and worked assiduously for three years to secure a coveted spot in the Marine Corps program. However, in 2019 and only four weeks in the program, Carter fractured his shin, which forced him  to give up on his dream of joining the Marine Corps. And to add more salt to the wound, Carter also went through a breakup with his long-term girlfriend of four years during the same time period. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"That was a pretty devastating moment in my life. It was very pivotal," he says.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, just when he thought he hit rock bottom, things started to look up for Carter again. No later than five months after his breakup, he met his now wife, Megan. And it was also around that period when he realized that chiropractic was his new calling after getting his acceptance letter (he had applied while he was in the Marine Corps program).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's one of those things—you don't see all the good that's gonna come out of a hardship until you see the other side, and you just keep telling yourself when you're going through it that you can do this. God has a plan for it,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carter shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What the Future Holds for Carter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Apart from his thriving career as a fitness guru, it's undeniable that Carter is enjoying his time in Chiropractic school. Seeing chiropractors when he was younger because of his scoliosis and leg length discrepancy only fueled his fascination for this noninvasive but life-changing form of medicine even more. One day, Carter hopes that he will mesh his two passions together by opening a gym and chiropractic clinic side by side. That way, whenever people are experiencing any joint pain from working out, they can just knock right next door for some chiropractic relief. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's making that perfect little model of furthering the health of individuals," he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With a brilliant vision, a go-getter attitude, and an unshakeable faith in the Almighty, Carter is sure to be making waves one day, and we at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will be there to encourage him as he fulfills his calling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/nowhere-to-go-but-up-fitness-influencer-heads-to-chiropractic-school-with-big-dreams/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15372</ID> <title>What's Fishy about This Supplement? The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Fish Oil</title> <publishDate>2022-01-20 21:41:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_444 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_515"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_538 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_196"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/healthy-lifestyle-medicine-nutritional-supplements-people-concept-close-up-male-hands-holding-pills-with-cod-liver-oil-capsules-water-glass.jpg" alt="" title="healthy-lifestyle-medicine-nutritional-supplements-people-concept-close-up-male-hands-holding-pills-with-cod-liver-oil-capsules-water-glass" class="wp-image-15376" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_567 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people take fish oil supplements as a home remedy, and this may be you as well. The National Institutes of Health estimates that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/best-sources-of-fish-oil-1067008"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regularly consume these supplements, making this “fishy” business a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-201307126467"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;billion dollar industry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Despite the popularity of fish oil supplements, however, many conflicting claims exist regarding their purported benefits. So which of these claims can we trust? Let’s explore this guide to the complicated world of research surrounding fish oil supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WHY FISH OIL?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fish oil is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-fish-oil"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fat or oil extracted &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;from the tissue of oily fish, such as herring, tuna, anchovies and mackerel. Oily fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, a vital nutrient that the body &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cannot manufacture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on its own. Because regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to protect against many diseases, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-fish-oil"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;World Health Organization &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;recommends 1-2 servings of fish per week. If you don’t consume fish regularly, a fish oil supplement could be a good option. Typically, these supplements contain &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-fish-oil"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30% omega-3 fatty acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with the remaining 70% is other fats, as well as some Vitamin A and Vitamin D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;THE BENEFITS OF FISH OIL&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Science has established that fish oil supplements can provide several clear benefits, including improved cardiac health. Heart disease is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-fish-oil"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leading worldwide cause of death&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and is often offset by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-lead-to-a-heart-attack"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;high blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Multiple studies &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;correlate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fish oil supplements with modest improvements in blood pressure, especially those with moderate to severe hypertension.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strong evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; proves that fish oil supplements reduce the triglyceride count in the blood, which is another negative factor to your cardiac health. However, it is essential to note that over-the-counter fish oil supplements are not the same as those prescribed by doctors specifically to treat high triglyceride counts. If your triglyceride count is a problem, your doctor will prescribe a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/best-sources-of-fish-oil-1067008"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;particular fish oil supplement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; containing a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fish oil supplements are also quite beneficial for pregnant women. Omega-3 fatty acids boost fetal development, improving infants’ hand-eye coordination, visual development and resistance to allergies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/40253"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a 2011&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; study, consuming fish oil during pregnancy eventually improved memory among school-aged children. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supplements also reduce women’s postpartum depression, according to a 2018 study. All these benefits can be obtained much more safely for pregnant women through supplements since consuming supplements is far less likely to result in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/40253"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mercury poisoning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than consuming fish. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_331 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_993 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_994 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_995 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_516"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_539 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_197"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/omega-capsules-white-background-with-place-text.jpg" alt="" title="omega-capsules-white-background-with-place-text" class="wp-image-15375" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_568 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AMBIGUITIES AND SIDE EFFECTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, several other concerns complicate the usefulness of fish oil supplements. People with specific health issues should avoid fish oil supplements unless directed otherwise by their doctor. For instance, supplements have an unhelpful effect on blood cholesterol. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; indicates that they raise both “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol, meaning that supplements do not help those already struggling with high levels of bad cholesterol. The effect of fish oil on prostate cancer also remains unclear, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/40253"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies have linked&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; supplement consumption to both increased and decreased risk. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s worth noting that the supplements may also produce side effects, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/best-sources-of-fish-oil-1067008"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;especially in people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; who consume an excess of three grams per day. Though nonthreatening, these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;side effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (such as bad breath, heartburn, nausea, dirherea, rash and belching) may be a bit unpleasant for you. Though fish oil can improve specific conditions that could lead to heart attack, a 2018 study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-201307126467"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fish oil consumption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; did not ultimately reduce the risk of a heart attack in those who were not already suffering from increased risk. Since you may be losing out on other nutrients available in actual fish, consuming fish oil supplements might not result in the net benefit you imagine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DANGEROUS SITUATIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though generally safe, there are a few situations where consuming  fish oil  supplements can be downright dangerous. For example, fish oil supplements can interact with anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;increase your risk of bleeding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Since supplements are unregulated by the FDA, you should also confirm that your fish oil provider is reputable, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/40253"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;second-rate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; companies sometimes produce supplements with pollutants. You should also avoid consuming an excess of the recommended three grams per day, as the concentrations of Vitamin A found in many fish oil supplements can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/40253"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;toxic in high doses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SUPPLEMENTS:FRIEND OR FOE?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are among the 80% of Americans who consume fish oil supplements regularly, consider re-evaluating the usefulness of your investment. You should consult your doctor before adopting a fish oil regimen. If you take an anticoagulant drug like warfarin, or if you have high levels of bad cholesterol, these supplements might turn out to be a fishy foe. Armed with your new mastery of the fish oil debate, make your dietary supplement choices carefully!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/healthy-lifestyle-medicine-nutritional-supplements-people-concept-close-up-male-hands-holding-pills-with-cod-liver-oil-capsules-water-glass-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/whats-fishy-about-this-supplement-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-fish-oil/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15362</ID> <title>Bright and Early: How Your Sleep Schedule Can Help You Fight Depression</title> <publishDate>2022-01-18 21:18:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_445 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_517"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_540 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_198"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/young-woman-sleeping-bed-with-alarm-night.jpg" alt="" title="young-woman-sleeping-bed-with-alarm-night" class="wp-image-15363" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_332 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_996 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_997 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_998 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_569 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One out of every 10 adults in the United States will s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20180213/depression-common-in-us-women-hit-hardest"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uffer from depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Depression is a mood disorder that affects everyday life in different ways, and there’s a good chance that you or someone you love will experience it at some point. But here’s the good news—new research has found that waking up only an hour earlier &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlifestyle.news/waking-up-one-hour-earlier-can-lower-a-persons-chance-of-major-depression-by-23-new-research-finds/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will reduce your chance of major depression by 23%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This finding is encouraging because adjusting your sleep schedule is a straightforward goal that anyone can achieve. While many individuals treat their depression with professional therapy and prescription medicine, steps in our day-to-day lives can prove to be more effective options. If your insurance or schedule makes it challenging to seek therapy, adjusting your sleep schedule comes at no cost and could make a big difference.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, many other strategies can help you fight against depression. Diet and exercise, for example, are both significant factors. Something that should be clarified about exercise, though, is that you don’t need to hit the gym for hours at a time! Even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2017/05/7-ways-to-overcome-depression-without-medication/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30 minutes of moderate exercise has been shown to improve mood dramatically&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Maintaining an active social life also has the potential to make a big difference. Many who suffer from depression find it easier to isolate themselves, but spending time with people who &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/how-making-friends-can-help-depression.aspx"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;encourage and support you will make it easier to fight against your symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;WHAT SIGNS OF DEPRESSION SHOULD I WATCH FOR?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What are the most common signs that you or someone you know is experiencing depression? It’s important to know what symptoms to look out for to take care of yourself and your loved ones, so let’s discuss some of the ways depression is revealed in day-to-day life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/what-is-depression"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most significant indication of depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a period of low mood that lasts for two weeks. Instead of a simple period of ordinary sadness, this low mood comes with multiple physical and emotional symptoms. On the emotional side, the most common signs are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feelings of hopelessness, irritation and disinterest in activities you usually enjoy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Feelings of guilt and worthlessness are also experienced very frequently by those suffering from depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to physical symptoms, there are some major signs to look out for. Insomnia or a disrupted sleep schedule is expected, so is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/fatigue"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feeling of tiredness,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with fatigue that makes everyday tasks more challenging to accomplish. Another item affected is your appetite - whether you’re suddenly a lot hungrier than usual or you find yourself with no appetite, a sudden shift might be a sign. Finally, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;restlessness, slowed speech or movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and unexplained back pain are more physical symptoms that depression can bring about.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HOW CAN SLEEPING SUPPORT MY MENTAL HEALTH?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Speaking of fighting against your symptoms, let’s return for a moment to the topic of sleep! While this latest finding refers to waking up an hour earlier, it’s also good to consider your entire sleep schedule. There are four significant ways to most effectively use your sleep schedule to ward off depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The priority is consistency. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to bed and waking up simultaneously&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; each day is the biggest step to improving your sleep health. Next is being intentional about your bedroom. If you remove any computers, televisions or other bright sources of light, then your room will immediately become a more restful place. Making sure that your room is quiet and that your air conditioning is set at a comfortable temperature will also help you in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the long run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can also improve your sleep hygiene with the decisions you make during the day. For example, the things you eat and drink can significantly impact the quality of your sleep, so avoid alcohol, caffeine and large meals before hitting the sack. Similarly, daily exercise can ensure that you’re physically tired enough to fall asleep soon after going to bed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So aside from the immediate mental benefits of moderate exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the improvement in your sleep health will also improve your quality of sleep and your quality of life as a result.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A PARTING REMINDER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No matter what strategy you use to deal with these symptoms, there is hope in the fight against depression. While we don’t have a method that is 100% effective, strategies like regular exercise, a healthy diet and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlifestyle.news/waking-up-one-hour-earlier-can-lower-a-persons-chance-of-major-depression-by-23-new-research-finds/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;waking up just one hour earlier &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can make a big difference. Finding strategies that work for you will do wonders in reducing the symptoms of depression and helping you stay engaged with your life. Stay tuned for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/young-woman-sleeping-bed-with-alarm-night.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/bright-and-early-how-your-sleep-schedule-can-help-you-fight-depression/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15354</ID> <title>The Truth behind Excessive Sitting</title> <publishDate>2022-01-17 19:42:22</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_446 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_518"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_541 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_199"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/faceless-man-relaxing-armchair.jpg" alt="" title="faceless-man-relaxing-armchair" class="wp-image-15356" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_333 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_999 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1000 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1001 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_570 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether through evolution or Creation, one thing’s for sure - &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.varierfurniture.com/en_ro/news/health-lifestyle/this-happens-to-your-body-when-you-sit-down"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;humans were made to stand&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. And yet, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/02/05/study-u-s-adults-are-sitting-too-much/#:~:text=%E2%80%9COne%20in%20four%20people%20sit,they're%20physically%20inactive.%E2%80%9D"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one in four people can’t leave their chairs for eight hours a day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (sometimes, without even a break), not to mention the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/02/05/study-u-s-adults-are-sitting-too-much/#:~:text=%E2%80%9COne%20in%20four%20people%20sit,they're%20physically%20inactive.%E2%80%9D"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one in ten people who actively disregard physical activity aside from excessive sitting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! It turns out COVID-19 didn’t bring the only pandemic of the 21st century about; a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/fitness/how-much-do-you-need-to-exercise-to-offset-sitting-all-day-1.2737148"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;global pandemic of physical inactivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is on our hands, and it’s worsening as we speak.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Global Pandemic of Physical Inactivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The statistics behind the health hazards of sitting are staggering. Excessive inactivity has been proven as a significantly deadly culprit, causing over &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/fitness/how-much-do-you-need-to-exercise-to-offset-sitting-all-day-1.2737148"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 million victims every year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Hectic schedules and workplaces, together with some personal unhealthy habits, such as watching TV (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.statista.com/chart/15224/daily-tv-consumption-by-us-adults/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the average American spends four hours in front of the screen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;) and social media, keep us confined to chairs, frequently with our backs crooked. Instead of standing straight (the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Homo-erectus"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Homo erectus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, an old ancestor of humans,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;received its name not without reason), we become glued to our chairs and, consequently, unhealthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before you dismiss your friends and family who ask you to join them on a walk or laugh at the co-worker who brought the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://corovan.com/trend-alert-standing-desks"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;standing desk &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;trend&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to your company, take a moment of reflection and ask yourself -- “Will my health pay for this habit in the future?” “How much exercise do I need to offset a day of sitting?” Such are the questions that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will answer today. Just to give you a little spoiler -- you can easily offset physical inactivity, and we’re here to tell you how!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Has Research Been Conducted on the Dangers of Excessive Sitting?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A short answer would fail to express the depth of the studies surrounding excessive sitting. Decades of thorough data observation and technological improvement implementations have helped scientists monitor vast subject numbers, from close to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1499"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;45,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to over &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/55570-sitting-risks-exercise.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 million people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with different forms of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1499"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fitness trackers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults?"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;activity monitors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, sometimes for &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/55570-sitting-risks-exercise.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than a decade&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! And not just once or twice, but repeatedly, all across the globe! One thing is true -- the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;global pandemic of physical inactivity &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keeps prompting researchers to inquire into the matter and search for solutions.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Does Research Have to Say About Excessive Sitting?  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer to this question is both troubling and encouraging. Although &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-figured-out-how-much-exercise-you-need-to-offset-a-day-of-inactivity"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the risk of death amongst people who sit for 8 hours per day is disproportionate to vigorous physical activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (the more the latter drops, the more the former grows), the solution is straightforward -- stand up and walk, even for a bit! Even 30 minutes of walking or exercise are enough to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305183"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;bring the early death risk down by 80%&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Furthermore, adding two extra hours of standing to your schedule will cause a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/even-2-hours-a-day-of-standing-instead-of-sitting-is-good-for-you-study-suggests"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reduction in blood sugar levels and triglycerides (fats in the blood)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/even-2-hours-a-day-of-standing-instead-of-sitting-is-good-for-you-study-suggests"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;11% lower average BMI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;body mass index), and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/even-2-hours-a-day-of-standing-instead-of-sitting-is-good-for-you-study-suggests"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7.5cm less in your waist circumference&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So now it’s the perfect time to reconsider that walk invitation from your friend or your co-worker’s standing desk idea!    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The amount of exercise required to counterbalance with a day of sitting depends on how committed you are to be on the safe side. For example, the early death risk stands high at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/55570-sitting-risks-exercise.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;59% for those who only exercise 5 minutes daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. On the other end, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.livescience.com/55570-sitting-risks-exercise.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;people who invest an hour in their health daily eliminate the risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. It’s all about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.army.mil/article/173952/exercise_consistency_is_key#:~:text=Consistency%20in%20working%20out%20will,people%20from%20continuing%20to%20workout."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consistency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the willingness to bring about positive change to your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, these recommendations lose value when dealing with extreme cases (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;11 or 12 hours of sitting) -- the early death risk (when exercising for 30 minutes per day) will only &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305183"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;drop by 30% percent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Thus, it’s no longer a matter of exercising but of changing one’s life from the roots. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Lesson Is to Be Learned Here?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The solution is so simple that three simple words are enough to express it -- “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/how-much-exercise-will-offset-10-or-more-hours-of-sitting/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;never slow down&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.” Whether you’re a healthy adolescent, a busy adult, or a senior past your prime, you will never have anything to lose from a brisk walk around the block! As the WHO tells us, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are enough to hit your weekly exercise quota. Nor do these recommendations have to be followed literally; you can exercise in your own manner and at your own pace, as long as you keep away from sedentary habits and enjoy a physically active life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What If I Can’t Find the Means to Exercise?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being physically active in today’s time has been easier than ever. Although &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/187982/americans-perceived-time-crunch-no-worse-past.aspx"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;almost half the country sees time as a rare commodity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the chances of getting some much-needed exercise are all around us. Instead of taking the elevator, why not take the stairs today? Instead of driving to work, why not ride your bicycle? Instead of putting in extra work during your break, why not take a stroll in a park? You can start small right away!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, physical exercise is not synonymous with gym time. Even household chores, playing catch with your kids, or throwing a frisbee at your dog counts as exercise! However, if you yearn for a more gym-like experience, look no further -- basic fitness equipment (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;light dumbbells, a stability ball, and jump rope) and simple bodyweight exercises (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;planks, push-ups, squats, jumping jacks, and step-ups) are always at your disposal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To conclude, our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team is happy to raise awareness surrounding the dangers of physical inactivity to its readers. We hope that our advice will encourage you to release yourself from your chair’s shackles and get in touch with your active self more often. After all, life is all about finding balance, so try and find the proper amounts of exercise and sitting for a healthy future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/faceless-man-relaxing-armchair.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/the-truth-behind-excessive-sitting/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15347</ID> <title>Do You Have Plants in Your Home? You Should. Here Are 5 Health Benefits</title> <publishDate>2022-01-15 19:10:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_447 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_519"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_542 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_200"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/garden-home-concept.jpg" alt="" title="garden-home-concept" class="wp-image-15348" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_334 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1002 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1003 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1004 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_571 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It seems that more of us than ever are either spending more time in our homes or working from them. For some, this has meant newfound flexibility, but for others, it has created more loneliness and isolation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The solution to this problem might be simpler than you think. Research has shown that adding plants to your home, known as biophilic design, can have significant health benefits. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The benefits of biophilic design have been linked to an extraordinary number of positive health improvements, physically, psychologically and socially both short and long-term," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/there-s-a-reason-why-you-want-more-plants-in-your-home-20210915-p58rxr.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Suzie Barnett&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, general manager of Sydney-based 'living infrastructure' company Junglefy, and Chair of the Biophilic Design Initiative, shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So what are these benefits of incorporating plants into your home? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#1: Reduce Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding a green friend to your house can help you regulate your stress. Many plants, such as lavender, are often consumed in tea to help relieve stress and anxiety. But it turns out that plants can do more to help us relieve stress than just being boiled for tea. Having potted plants around your house can be invaluable for battling the stress and anxiety which can weigh us down. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Physiological Anthropology study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, plants in your home or office can make you feel more comfortable, soothed and natural. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, the study also found that the gardening needed to help these plants thrive in your home also helped to reduce physiological and psychological stress. This could be especially helpful for those who handle demanding tasks or mental stress. For example, being around plants can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help reduce&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your blood pressure, heart rate and your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, while some plants like lavender can reduce anxiety. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Researchers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also have found that plants can help those suffering from mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety by increasing "feelings of well-being." So if you find yourself suffering from routine or occasional depression, anxiety or stress, make sure to consider growing some green friends! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#2: Create a Better Work Environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Creating a better working environment for you is another benefit of keeping house plants. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has found that by working near plants, you can increase your creativity and job satisfaction. Adding an indoor plant can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;improve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; concentration and productivity by up to 15%. Thus, adding a potted plant to your home office can help you work faster and be more creative, making plants a must-have for those that work at home. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, plants can have substantial health benefits even if you don't work from home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Students in classrooms with three potted plants performed better on math, spelling, reading, and science tests than kids in classrooms without any greens," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Serkissian&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This principle holds true even if you're not a student. Science routinely shows that working near plants will increase your focus to accomplish any task. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#3: Boost Your Mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to helping you be productive and reduce stress, plants can raise your mood. As we have all experienced at one point or another, a bouquet can often help brighten one's day. But this holds for more than just flowers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As explained by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2018/02/10/think-you-dont-need-houseplants-science-says-different/?sh=1d934e6f3595"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Joey Doherty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Certified Wellness Counselor, having plants in your home boosts your mood by releasing cytokines, leading your brain to produce more serotonin. This release of serotonin causes your brain to feel happier and more relaxed, which improves mood. As a result, adding plants to your home is like adding a natural antidepressant that can raise your mood even on the darkest day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#4: Improve Your Air Quality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants can also work as natural air filters to purify your air. According to a study conducted by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NASA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, houseplants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours. Removing these toxins allows you to breathe easier and, consequently, to feel better. This is especially true for people who suffer from allergies, as plants also purify the air by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;removing dust and mold&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adding a plant to your home can make your air healthier. If it's healthy enough for NASA, then it's probably healthy for you too! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;#5: Keep You Healthier&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants go beyond your air and mental health; they also improve your physical health and help you combat illness. According to several studies, plants and greenery can help surgery patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2018/02/10/think-you-dont-need-houseplants-science-says-different/?sh=1d934e6f3595"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;heal faster&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-houseplants"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tolerate pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; better. By adding a plant to your home, you can contribute to the strength of your body to heal faster and need less pain medication. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plants are so much more than pleasant house decorations. They can tangibly improve your lifestyle by reducing your stress, improving your work environment, boosting your mood and air quality, all while helping you stay healthier for longer. All these benefits can only mean one thing: adding plants to your home is a must-have for everyone, from students to home office workers! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/garden-home-concept.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/do-you-have-plants-in-your-home-you-should-here-are-5-health-benefits/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15329</ID> <title>Don't Forget to Include Your Mental Health in Your New Year's Resolutions</title> <publishDate>2022-01-14 18:20:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_448 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_520"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_543 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_201"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/happy-woman-enjoying-idyllic-nature-celebrating-freedom-rising-her-arms.jpg" alt="" title="happy-woman-enjoying-idyllic-nature-celebrating-freedom-rising-her-arms" class="wp-image-15332" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_335 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1005 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1006 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1007 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_572 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Approximately&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2020/12/23/2021-new-years-resolutions-poll"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; 27% of the U.S. population&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; makes New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, while resolutions represent applaudable intentions, they are often steeped in shame, guilt, and self-blame. This year, put your mental health at the forefront by setting goals that fulfill you rather than induce shame.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How New Year's Resolutions Impact Your Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The "new year, new you" rhetoric pushes you to focus on what you didn't accomplish this year. As these unchecked tick boxes pile up in your mind, you resolve to turn them around. In the new year, you're going to make up for lost time and change harmful habits once and for all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, this mindset perpetuates a feeling of inadequacy. It makes you feel you can't measure up to what other people are doing or your personal goals. And because most New Year's resolutions are centered on achievements and productivity, they neglect to make room for positive mental health. So when February finds you going back on your resolutions, the cycle of dissatisfaction with yourself continues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That doesn't mean that you should avoid setting goals. Laying out objectives has numerous benefits, including:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helping you prioritize and organize even when you're overwhelmed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allowing you to connect with your intuition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relaxing your central nervous system by giving you a plan to face the unknown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing a framework for learning what works and what doesn't&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increasing your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://thebestbrainpossible.com/goals-mental-health-brain-habits/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;satisfaction with life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips for Setting Supportive Resolutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making New Year's resolutions can be helpful, but many people go about this task the wrong way. They may set unrealistic goals, contributing to tension, anxiety, and stress. In addition, many resolutions are rooted in insecurity, negativity, and restriction instead of affirmation, positivity, and abundance. Even if your resolutions aren't specifically directed at your mental health, they can support your psychological wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Focus on Being Instead of Doing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a society that applauds productivity and efficiency over rest and rejuvenation, most people feel like they should do more. But adding obligations to a loaded schedule is a recipe for failure. Instead, eliminate some pressure by setting objectives for who you want to be instead of what you want to do. Doing this also helps you set authentic goals. When your resolutions are aligned with your more profound aspirations, you're more likely to enjoy accomplishing and sticking with them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take Baby Steps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the reasons why &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899328988800166?via%3Dihub"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; don't keep up their New Year's resolutions is that their goals are unattainable. Challenges can be motivating, but they're discouraging if they're unfeasible.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constantly falling short of your resolutions can make you beat yourself up. Furthermore, failure to advance toward your goals may exacerbate depression and anxiety.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making achievable resolutions keeps you in a motivated, positive mindset. You activate your brain's reward centers every time you reach an objective. That subconscious pat on the back gives you confidence that you can perpetuate positive habits. In addition, your self-assurance will help you tackle tasks with ease, relieving stress&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and supporting a healthy emotional state.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make It Fun&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many adults fall out of the habit of playing as they get older. We have different priorities and more responsibilities than we did as children. As a result, many adults have trouble accessing a child-like level of delight. Moreover, losing interest in pleasurable activities is also a symptom of depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't let your New Year's resolutions propel you into a negative spiral. You're much more likely to stay optimistic about meeting your goals when they're enjoyable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look at previous resolutions that have fallen to the wayside. Identify what took the joy out of them. If you couldn't bring yourself to hit the gym regularly, maybe you should try a dance class. If you couldn't complete the initial purge to keep your garage organized throughout the year, invite friends over to help.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding a bit of joy in everyday activities sustains a positive mood. Your resolutions should encourage you to live your best life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Health Resolutions to Make This Year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The top New Year's resolutions have to do with exercising, losing weight, saving money, eating more healthfully, and working toward a career aspiration. Most people don't make mental health resolutions. At the same time, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-disorder-statistics"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than 25% of Americans&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;struggle with diagnosable psychological disorders in a given year. Focusing on your mental health helps you take steps toward mental wellness and allows room for personal growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Carve Out Time for Self-Care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adults often give themselves time to relax only when they've finished all of their daily obligations. For many, this means that they never get a moment to de-stress. As their to-do list piles up, they prioritize productivity over rest. You may actually achieve less by doing this. Although you feel productive, you're distracted. Your performance suffers because you're trying to do too much. Moreover, you probably take plenty of breaks, but they're not revitalizing because they make you feel guilty.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you set an intention to relax, you can enjoy that time purposefully. Make a resolution to do something comforting and pleasurable every day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treat Yourself with Kindness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you aware of your negative self-talk? We often say things like, "I didn't get anything done today," or "I should be better at this by now." These statements become our beliefs. They can even develop into ruminating thoughts that keep us trapped in anxiety, irritability, or depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set a resolution to reframe your negative self-talk. You could write down three positive things about yourself at the end of each day to spark some affirmative momentum.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look at the Lessons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get in the habit of approaching obstacles and letdowns with a curious mind. Rather than shaming yourself for something you didn't accomplish, praise yourself for what you did well. Then, ask yourself what the situation has to teach you. When you look at life as a series of lessons, you stop categorizing every event as a failure or accomplishment. Instead, you view your journey as a spectrum of occurrences. Each one offers you something valuable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making New Year's Resolutions Work for Your Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you don't prioritize your mental health, you struggle with motivation, satisfaction, and resilience. It's no wonder, then, that so many people struggle to stick with their New Year's resolutions. Mental health goals aren't typically at the top of the list. Establishing resolutions that support your emotional and psychological health can make life more enjoyable and help you achieve your other goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hands-holding-brain-with-puzzle-paper-cutout-world-mental-health-day.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/dont-forget-to-include-your-mental-health-in-your-new-years-resolutions/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15338</ID> <title>Strategies to Make your New Year’s Health Resolutions Attainable</title> <publishDate>2022-01-14 16:01:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_449 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_521"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_544 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_202"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/healthy-menu-recipe-food-diet.jpg" alt="" title="healthy-menu-recipe-food-diet" class="wp-image-15339" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_336 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1008 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1009 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1010 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_573 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Picture this. It’s the last workday before the new year, and your co-workers begin to discuss their resolutions. Panicked, you find yourself inventing a resolution of your own. Of course, you hope this resolution will be the one that finally results in change, but part of you knows you probably won't keep it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the end of the year, we often feel a need to change, which might be why health-related resolutions are so popular on New Year's Eve.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But do resolutions actually result in a change of behavior? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journal of Clinical Psychology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that two weeks into the new year, 29% of people had failed their New Year's Resolution, a month later, 36% had failed, and by midway through the year, a staggering 54% of participants had abandoned their new year's resolution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What can be done to curb this unfortunate trend? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts say that a lack of clear definition &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;(for example, resolving to "exercise more" without elaborating on what healthful exercise looks like for you) is a leading reason why health resolutions fail. This article will be your guide to effectively defining your New Year's health resolution and steering you away from unwise health resolutions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The All-or-Nothing Approach&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When New Year's Day finally comes around, it can be tempting to go all-in on a drastic plan, perhaps to make up for the previous year's disappointments. Dietician Sharon Palmer recommends &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ditching this all-or-nothing approach and focusing on personal improvement instead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This "all-or-nothing" approach may take many forms, including fad diets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Palmer warns against fad weight-loss diets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;many of which can damage your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because they focus too much on one food group. In fact, Palmer argues that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;weight loss shouldn't be your primary objective when reforming your diet for the new year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. In addition to weight loss, a healthy diet has several other benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resolving to eat less food carries the same "all-or-nothing" risks as the fad diet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just as eating healthy isn't just about losing weight, losing weight isn't about eating less&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Don't predicate your weight loss goals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;on skipping meals or going more than five hours per day without food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;these habits zap your energy and often lead to wasteful snacking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Without enough food, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your body turns stored fats into ketones, too many of which can harm your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Negative/Harmful Mentality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fueled by the hopes and anxieties of a new year, resolutions &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;often conceal a negative or even harmful mentality regarding one's health and body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Negative mentalities give rise to unrealistic goals, such as wanting a body like your favorite&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;celebrity, revealing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a basic, unhealthy desire to be someone other than yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Banish these negative body thoughts and avoid situations in which other people are talking badly about peoples' bodies. Research shows that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;talking negatively about bodies (whether your own or others') increases shame&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in both men and women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also avoid grounding your New Year's efforts in a self-deprivation mentality &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;warns Cynthia Sass from the American Dietetic Association.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Weight loss based on self-deprivation is depressing and creates a motive for retributive bingeing. Instead, orient your goals towards &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what you can eat, not what you can't.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By focusing on behavior modification (rather than outcomes)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you'll ensure you're setting goals you can reach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resolve to Do Something Attainable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by honestly taking stock of your current eating habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Then, make your plans based on realistic improvements. Next, maintain regular eating patterns, and disperse this eating throughout the day rather than at one large meal. By planning your meals in advance, you can reduce your stress and make it less likely to give into eating junk food. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In terms of physical exercise, resolving to join a gym/buy exercise equipment &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/01/08/top-10-common-but-really-bad-new-years-resolutions/?sh=17782cd22b7a"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is expensive and unlikely to stick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Instead, find a physical activity you enjoy or something you can easily work into your life. Consider adding something as simple as sitting less and moving more by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;taking regular five-minute walks reduces mortality rates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Better Diet is a Better Life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you continually fail dietary resolutions, it could be because you're prioritizing the short term over the long term. Instead, break the dieting cycle and establish &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a sustainable, nourishing eating plan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Your eating plan should be adaptable so that you can follow it regardless of your circumstances.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Begin by eating more whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish. Adding just &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a few of these foods to your weekly diet can be a springboard for better health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Focus on fruits and vegetables which are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sharonpalmer.com/19-healthy-new-years-resolutions-from-dietitians/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;foods "pre-packaged" by Mother Nature to contain concentrated nutrients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that deliver a massive boost to the immune system. If you still feel the urge to snack try &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/keep-those-new-years-eat-better-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sprinkling rolled oats or crunchy whole-grain cereal on your salad for extra fiber&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; so you'll feel full.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finally, cut back on sweetened drinks, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;which increase your risk of obesity, fatty liver, heart disease, insulin resistance, and cavities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Cutting out soda is an excellent place to start. Focusing on gradually minimizing your consumption of drinks with sugar is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more effective in the long run than quitting cold turkey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make a Resolution That's Tailored to Your Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This holiday season, don't make resolutions based on your hopes and fears about the upcoming year. Beware of committing to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;too many resolutions or to resolutions you've previously attempted. Stick to one or two achievable resolutions so that your project remains manageable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Armed with this arsenal of knowledge about the best and worst new year's resolutions for your health, you can head into the new year happy and hopeful. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/healthy-menu-recipe-food-diet.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/strategies-to-make-your-new-years-health-resolutions-attainable/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15319</ID> <title>5 New Year's Resolutions to Avoid This Year</title> <publishDate>2022-01-13 12:16:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_450 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_522"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_545 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_203"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/notebook-calendar-2022-month-schedule-make-appointment-meeting-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="notebook-calendar-2022-month-schedule-make-appointment-meeting" class="wp-image-15325" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_337 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1011 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1012 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1013 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_574 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the holidays approaching, people begin creating New Year's resolutions. Some resolutions result in positive lifestyle changes, but others never come to fruition. To help you achieve your New Year's resolutions, here are some tips and tricks on the kinds of resolutions to avoid.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some studies indicate that around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12% of people believe they have achieved their New Year's resolutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. However, experts agree that while most resolutions go unfulfilled, they are positive in changing behavior. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Those who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to change their behavior than those who do not&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Resolutions to Avoid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some typical New Year’s resolutions include &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dieting, exercising every day, living healthier lifestyles, and managing time better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. While these goals seem positive, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/habits/new-years-resolutions-never-make/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;experts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; advocate avoiding them since they can be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;detrimental to physical or mental health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Unfortunately, these resolutions fail because they aren't specific enough, measurable, and actionable, while other times, they’re &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/resolution-ideas"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;made for the wrong reasons&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are five resolutions you want to avoid making this coming year:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1: Resolving to Lose Weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This commonly made resolution should be avoided for several reasons: it can lead to unhealthy decisions including starving yourself, or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/habits/new-years-resolutions-never-make/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eating an incorrect proportion of food for your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Specify the amount of weight you want to lose, and make sure it’s healthy for your body. Additionally, you can talk to your doctor or nutritionist about setting eating and exercising goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2: Resolving to Manage Stress Better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If there are situations or people in your life causing you stress, make time for yourself, do things that relax you, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/habits/new-years-resolutions-never-make/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;return to these situations and people later&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3: Resolving to Reinvent Yourself &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you reinvent yourself, whether physically or mentally, it can be negative for your mental, physical, and emotional health. Forcing yourself to be a more positive person can lead to a toxic positivity that strains your mental health, and wanting to look a certain way can lead to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;negative feelings about your body and toxic thoughts about yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If there is something you want to change, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatthis.com/worst-new-years-resolutions-2021/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;clarify the reasons for doing so&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4: Resolving to Break Off a Relationship until the New Year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you believe that a relationship is harming your mental and physical health, it's best to break it off immediately rather than wait for the New Year. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5: Resolving to Fall in Love or Begin a New Relationship &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By setting up such expectations, you might become discouraged when you do not fall in love or begin a new relationship. You can even begin to question yourself and view yourself negatively. Instead, try to focus on yourself and allow the option of love to be open, but don't force it to happen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Smarter Method for Crafting Resolutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While setting New Year's goals and resolutions can help change behavior, keeping them is a difficult task. One of the main reasons people don't achieve their resolutions is because they are not well developed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experts advise the use of the SMART method when making New Year's resolutions. This method defines and clarifies the goals of New Year's resolutions. Furthermore, it offers a framework people can use to craft their resolutions and ultimately achieve them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/resolution-ideas"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SMART method&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; was developed by the Journal of Management Review in 1981 for managerial purposes but has proven useful in other contexts, including setting New Year's Resolutions. The SMART method advocates setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;S&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;pecific goals help eliminate vagueness and define exactly what is being achieved. For example, someone could resolve to lose weight in the next year, but this goal is easily redefined without specifying how much weight, causing this resolution to go unrealized.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;M&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;easurable goals are easily achieved since they quantify the goal. Measurable goals necessitate tracking progress on a goal or using other tools to ensure that these goals are being met. For example, the person desiring to get better sleep in the upcoming year should set specific times in which they intend to sleep, whether it be time frames or hours of sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;A&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chievable goals are essential when crafting resolutions. This is not to say that a person cannot set ambitious goals, but sometimes small goals can lead to a bigger one. If a person resolves to travel at least fifty times in the upcoming year, several factors must be considered, including destinations, costs, etc. If these factors cannot reasonably be met, then the goal should be changed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;R&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;elevant goals determine whether or not a person is motivated to achieve these resolutions. These are some basic questions to ask when crafting a resolution: is this a goal I want to achieve? What's the motive behind setting this goal? For example, the person desiring to reinvent themselves could be doing so because they feel pressured to do so. If that's the case, they are less willing to stick to the resolution. The more important and relevant the resolution is to the person making it, the more willingly they will complete it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;T&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ime-bound goals are crucial to fulfilling resolutions. By creating time constraints, resolutions become more urgent and force us to complete these goals within the set timeframe. The longer these goals go for, the more easily it is to let them go unfulfilled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking to change a few things in your life this coming year with a New Year's resolution, remember to follow the SMART method. Be specific with your goals, measure your progress, make achievable goals, make sure these goals are relevant, and lastly, make sure they are bound by time constraints. By following these tips and tricks, you'll be able to craft achievable New Year's resolutions. Happy holidays!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/notebook-calendar-2022-month-schedule-make-appointment-meeting-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/5-new-years-resolutions-to-avoid-this-year/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15309</ID> <title>Take Care of Your Mental Health Once the Holiday Blues Kick In</title> <publishDate>2022-01-13 11:32:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_451 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_523"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_546 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_204"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/mental-health-care-sketch-diagram.jpg" alt="" title="mental-health-care-sketch-diagram" class="wp-image-15312" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_575 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blues: a feeling of melancholy and unhappiness in response to specific circumstances. Countless singers have crooned about “feeling blue” and what (or who) made them feel that way. We have all been there at some point in our lives. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, those feelings are triggered by the holiday season. Many different holidays are tightly packed between November and January, producing a whirlwind of events, traditions, activities, and overwhelming expectations for some people. These are the holiday blues. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;temporary ailment eventually disappears after the holidays. Until then, you can manage your holiday blues and keep yourself from feeling like you’d rather crawl under a large, craggy rock and stay there until mid-January. Read on for some insights into holiday blues, how to reduce the feeling, and ways to get some enjoyment out of your holiday time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Causes Holiday Blues?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holiday blues are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;not a diagnosed mental illness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; but a negative response to the activity surrounding the holidays. There are as many causes as there are people with holiday blues. For some people, maybe money is tight this year, and they can’t buy the kind of gifts they want for their children. Others miss their families and can’t travel to see them. Some have to travel to see relatives they’d rather avoid. For others, the party better be perfect, or people will talk. Maybe someone else experienced a loss earlier in the year. You’re just not as joyful as the commercials say you’re supposed to be!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It often boils down to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;expectations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;—your own or others’ expectations of you—that are unrealistic or unfair. You want the perfect holiday, but you don’t have enough time to get everything done. You’re spending more money than you can afford, or the family dynamics make a perfect gathering impossible. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/201712/what-we-know-about-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that while people reported positive and negative feelings during the holidays, stress increased for 38% of the participants due to lack of time or money, gift-buying issues, family gatherings, and commercialism. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In reality, a cause can be anything that prevents you from having an ideal holiday. A cause may also be you trying too hard to overcome those obstacles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Do the Holiday Blues Feel?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;They are stressful! A study by the American Psychological Association found that about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psychology.org/resources/the-holiday-blues-how-to-cope/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;44% of women and 33% of men&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reported feeling holiday-related stress from “forced joyfulness and expectations.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethharris/2015/12/12/money-worries-top-new-survey-of-2015-holiday-season-stresses/?sh=4616add831a0"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Financial Well-Being Index&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, conducted by the Principal Financial Group, found that 53% of survey participants felt financial stress from holiday spending. There is also the stress of obligations to attend multiple events and other demands for perfection.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All that stress and all those expectations either &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;make you feel so tired&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that it’s hard to get things done or push you into a dizzying fray of activity in an attempt to do it all. As a result, you might &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/feeling-blue"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;feel sad and experience lower energy levels than expected&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or you might feel anxious and wish you could be alone. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Since early 2020, we have all been stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This adds &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;another set of issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to the holiday blues. Many people have found themselves without jobs and with very tight budgets. They have been struggling with restrictions and safety measures. The lack of travel and in-person events has either added to their stress or given them some relief. Isolation has affected many, and holidays may intensify that feeling of holiday blues.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_338 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1014 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1015 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1016 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_524"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_547 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_205"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-calculating-expenses-due-date.jpg" alt="" title="woman-calculating-expenses-due-date" class="wp-image-15317" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_576 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What to Do about Holiday Blues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, the holiday blues are not a serious, chronic mental illness. You can do many things during the holiday season to lighten up your mood and find some enjoyment. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Manage Your Expectations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don’t expect perfection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. You’re not living in a scripted movie or television show. Your friends’ social media posts don’t paint the whole picture of their lives. Relatives who don’t get along all year will not suddenly become best buddies because it’s a holiday. And other people’s expectations of your perfection are unrealistic. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead, create new, realistic expectations. Can you react differently to Uncle Joe’s and Cousin Bob’s inevitable political argument? How many party invitations can you accept? How much should other people expect of you? What about your lists for gifts, cards, visits, and such? Pare them down if you need to. Try creating new, more realistic traditions. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Manage Your Time and Money&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set limits! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Decide what things are most important&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Devote most of your time to them, and say no to other things. Most people will understand, so you don’t need to run yourself into the ground trying to please everyone. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before the season begins, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20171207/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;set a budget&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with as much detail as you need and stay within it. You don’t need your holiday blues to reappear when the January credit card bill arrives! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Manage Yourself&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, be kind to yourself. Don’t blame yourself if you cannot do everything necessary for a perfect holiday. No one can do that. Instead, spend time with people who support you and share your concerns. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2015/Tips-for-Managing-the-Holiday-Blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;good care of your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with sleep, exercise, and good food. It’s tempting to overdo the special holiday foods, but try to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/holiday-blues"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keep it under control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Do things you enjoy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Managing New Activities&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you tried volunteering? You can wrap gifts for children in foster care, deliver holiday meals and gifts to families in need, pack care packages for military people overseas, and much more. Helping others turns your mood around, as does surrounding yourself with other volunteers. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look for other activities in your area that take a reasonable amount of time and resources on your part and share with others you care about. It’ll make you feel happy!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The holiday blues keep you from enjoying what could be a pleasant time. When society and your circumstances seem to dictate how you are supposed to feel and your true feelings don’t match, the holiday blues can set in. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to pull yourself out of that emotional trench. First, create realistic expectations, which allow you to de-stress. Then, you change your plans and activities to reflect those new expectations. Give yourself this gift, and enjoy the holidays on your terms!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/medium-shot-anxiety-concept-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/take-care-of-your-mental-health-once-the-holiday-blues-kick-in/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15298</ID> <title>10 Ways to Lose the Holiday Weight</title> <publishDate>2022-01-12 07:21:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_452 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_525"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_548 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_206"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/full-shot-woman-stretching-inside.jpg" alt="" title="full-shot-woman-stretching-inside" class="wp-image-15300" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_339 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1017 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1018 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1019 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_577 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you may feel as though you grow two sizes over the holidays every year, the average American adult will &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bestlifeonline.com/holiday-weight-gain/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;gain only one pound over Thanksgiving and Christmas&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This doesn't sound like much, but it adds to the weight you gained over your birthday weekend and Halloween. Over time, all the extra pounds add up. The following tips can prevent you from gaining weight or help you lose it during the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Drink More Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if it's a few weeks out from the beginning of holidays, you can get a head start on your holiday weight loss by staying hydrated. Hydration is vital for just about every bodily function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You need water in order to burn fat stored in your body and from the foods you eat. In addition, water helps your muscles and organs function optimally to facilitate your exercise and daily activities. Staying hydrated also keeps stress hormones level, supporting adequate digestion and waste elimination. In other words, if you're hydrated, your body will deal better with a bit of overindulgence. Remember to drink even more water if you're celebrating with alcoholic beverages.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Dilute Your Drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's hard to wean off calorie-laden holiday beverages. If you crave sugary or alcoholic beverages, dilute them with seltzer. This will help you manage the craving without dumping empty calories into your system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Eat Abundantly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psycom.net/post-holiday-depression"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;post-holiday&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; blues are real. As the holiday adrenaline wears off, you fall into a slump. Keeping your hands away from food during this time can make you feel further deprived.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It sounds counterintuitive to eat abundantly when you're trying to lose weight. However, if you focus on consuming primarily fresh produce, you'll keep up the psychological satisfaction without increasing your calorie load dramatically. Furthermore, all of the nutrients will optimize your bodily functions, including your metabolism and digestion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Rest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holiday stress &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/stress-weight-gain#1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contributes to weight gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you use food to cope with stress, your brain doesn't get the memo that you just ate while you're in fight-or-flight mode. Therefore, you may feel the need to snack constantly. Plus, stress hormones increase cravings for fatty and sugary foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For that reason, finding ways to relax during this time is essential. Sometimes, the only break from holiday exhaustion happens when you're sleeping. Encourage high-quality sleep by following a regular bedtime routine, avoiding &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/sleep-disruptions"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sleep disruptors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and prioritizing healthy rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5. Stay Active&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It can be hard to find time for exercise during the holidays. But if you don't maintain your momentum, getting back to the gym in January may feel daunting. Work movement into your daily routine if you don't have extra time for a workout. Try using your computer at a standing desk or taking a walk with a coworker on your lunch break. Take guests on a walking tour of your town after a feast, or try parking a little further than usual from your gift shops to get in those extra steps. Even a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/6-mental-tricks-tricks-help-make-exercise-habit-ncna914386"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5-minute workout every day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help you maintain your muscle memory so that you're more confident resuming your routine after the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6. Make Healthy Choices Your Goal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How many times have you abandoned your diet after making one unhealthy choice? You had a brownie after lunch so you might as well have ice cream for dinner. This mentality keeps you in the cycle of failure, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268449831_Shame_and_motivation_to_change_the_self"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regret is not a strong motivator&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of shaming yourself for poor decisions, try rewarding yourself for the good ones. Set a goal to complete a specific number of healthy activities each day. This could involve swapping a treat for a healthy snack, going to bed on time, or exercising for five minutes. Add more activities if you're consistently meeting your goal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These small but consistent achievements will help you feel more confident and motivated throughout the day. As you make more healthy choices, you'll be inspired to keep up the excellent work.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7. Wrap Your Food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If sandwiches and burgers are your thing, then you’re loading your calorie count with bread. Cut out 200 to 300 calories by wrapping your food in lettuce, kale, or steamed collard greens instead of a bun. It will be just as satisfying because you could still add all the condiments and eat them with your hands.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8. Make Yourself Convenience Foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lack of time and competing priorities are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276670/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;proven barriers to healthy eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Make yourself a batch of something that you can split into single portions so that you can grab it and go when you're in a hurry. Combining a carb, protein, and two cooked vegetables in a storage container before drizzling it all with a homemade dressing is an easy way to prepare a convenient meal. You can use leftovers and swap out the greens for variety. Add sprouts or a handful of nuts for texture and added nutrition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9. Include Strength Training in Your Routine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't skimp on lifting weights and doing exercises with high resistance. Although it doesn't burn calories as quickly as cardio, strength training builds and maintains your muscle mass. This will speed up your metabolism in the long run, which means that you might not gain as much weight next holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10. Look at the Big Picture&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may have to transition to a larger pants size after the holidays, but that's not necessarily because we've gained fat. The bloating might come from consuming excess sugar and holding onto water weight. Don't worry; you'll be able to button your pants as you practice healthier habits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't be tempted to try a crash diet just because you feel puffy after the holidays. Extreme calorie restrictions and diet trends don't often generate permanent weight loss. Instead, be patient and focus on setting up practices that allow your wellness goals to stick.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Final Thoughts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The extra pounds go on quickly, but it takes effort to lose them. Even if the pounds drop off, you need to maintain the right mindset to keep them off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/yo-yo-dieting/faq-20348589"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight cycling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; increases the likelihood of future weight gain and elevates your risk of obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, the most effective steps for reducing holiday weight involve making lifestyle changes. When healthy living is a habit, you won't be derailed by weight gain every holiday season. Stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://sources.plasticsurgeryvips.com"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/female-leg-stepping-weigh-scales-healthy-lifestyle-food-sport-concept.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/10-ways-to-lose-the-holiday-weight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15288</ID> <title>Relaxation Tips for Post-Holiday Stress</title> <publishDate>2022-01-11 06:44:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_453 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_526"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_549 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_207"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/young-man-relax-bed-enjoying-mountain-view-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="Young man relax on bed and enjoying mountain view" class="wp-image-15291" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_578 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What do you think of when the holiday season approaches? Time off work and vacation with family, or additional responsibilities and stressful expectations? A survey conducted by Verywell Mind revealed that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% of respondents found the holidays to be "somewhat stressful" or "very stressful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" Whether it's preparing elaborate meals, picking out meaningful gifts, or attending an unusual amount of parties, the holidays bring something for everyone to stress about.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you can relate to the holiday stress, you're not alone! The high expectations that come with traditions, parties, and family gatherings are a source of stress for many people. So the question we're asking today is this: how can we best recover from the stress after the holidays are over? If you're interested in taking the best possible care of yourself in the new year, read on to find out how!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where Should I Start?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important part of your life to consider after the holidays is your sleep schedule. With everything that goes on—especially with Christmas and New Year's Eve so close together—it's easy for your regular sleep rhythms to get thrown off. The effects of this change will show very quickly, making you drowsier and more sensitive to stress during the day. And this only makes it more difficult to sleep the next night! It is a familiar and vicious cycle, as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/sleep/why-americans-cant-sleep/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over 25% of all Americans struggle to fall asleep at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are solutions! The most obvious is setting a specific, regular time to fall asleep each night. However,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it's one thing to get in bed and another to fall asleep. If you're having trouble drifting off,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;change your environment. Make your bedroom darker by removing any televisions or clocks that emit bright light, and consider taking the natural supplement &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/melatonin"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;melatonin, which is renowned as a sleep aid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you consider your sleep habits, remember your pre-holiday season sleep schedule. When would you get in bed? When would you wake up? How many total hours of sleep did you get each night? If your old schedule was working, then by all means, resume it! However, if your pre-holiday sleeping habits were less than ideal, don't be afraid to switch things up in the new year. Getting the right amount of sleep will work wonders for your stress levels, and the benefits of sleep will be critical in recovering from the busy holiday season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_340 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1020 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1021 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1022 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_527"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_550 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_208"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-meditating-lotus-position.jpg" alt="" title="woman-meditating-lotus-position" class="wp-image-15292" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_579 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Best New Year's Resolution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once your sleep schedule has been sorted out, the next way to de-stress is through exercise! For many of us, the holidays are a time to stay out of the gym and eat more than usual. This is why it's especially important to evaluate your routine afterward. Ask yourself the same sort of questions we just discussed for sleep. Was your pre-holiday approach to exercise working for you? If so, great! Seize the post-holiday opportunity to continue the old regimen. If it didn't work, this is your chance to design a routine that will best serve you. Whether it's cardio or strength training, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/10-best-exercises-everyday#how-to-improve"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;there is an exercise out there that's ideal for you&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Can exercise really boost your energy levels? Wouldn't the extra effort just add more stress to your routine? It might feel that way, but in fact, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Therefore, once you see the benefits of exercise, you'll be better prepared to handle daily stress and recover from the holidays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet is also a factor in dealing with stress. What you eat has an enormous effect on your mood from day to day, which is why it's essential to know how different foods affect you. For example, research has shown that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/stressed-out-belly#prevention"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stress can be relieved with leafy vegetables, avocados, bananas, fish, and chicken&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So while you're increasing your intake of those foods, increase the benefit further by cutting out items with trans fats, added fructose, and lots of carbs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can I Improve My Emotional Life?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last way to recover&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is to take control of your emotional health. This is especially helpful&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;after a stressful season full of holiday celebrations and short on time to yourself. While the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/emotional-health#improvement"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exercise and sleep habits we covered above do play a role in your emotional health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, there are more direct ways you can take care of your emotions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First, prioritize your activities. This is very relevant during the holiday season but applies to the rest of the year as well. If you decide how important certain events are to you, you'll be able to say no to the events that would drain you without offering value in return. It can be uncomfortable at first, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://namica.org/blog/handling-stress-during-the-holiday-season/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;turning down activities that don't fit into your schedule is ultimately for the best&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you've decided which items are most important, be sure to integrate self-care strategies into your daily life. One of the most widely-praised options is spending time in nature. Multiple studies concluded that "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://namica.org/blog/mental-health-benefits-of-nature/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;if people simply take time to notice the nature around them, it will increase their general happiness and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to stress and your emotional health, consider taking a break from technology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2019/march/the-benefits-of-unplugging-from-electronics/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Technology use often contributes to feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This is especially true of social media websites, so if your job prevents you from unplugging, take a break from social media. Studies have revealed that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/giving-up-social-media-for-a-month-can-have-these-5-benefits-according-to-psychologists-18224866"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;just one month off social media can bring mental health benefits to our lives&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. If you need to recover from the stress of the holiday season, this is the step for you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether it's sleep, exercise, diet, or emotional health, many areas of our lives can be improved with a few minutes of reflection and a little determination to adopt a new habit. We hope that these ideas—whether a walk in nature, a social media fast, or a simplified schedule—help you and your loved ones as you recover from the stress of the next holiday season. Stay tuned to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for more!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/wonderful-moments-spent-is-silence.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/relaxation-tips-for-post-holiday-stress/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15276</ID> <title>How to Set Realistic Fitness Goals for the New Year</title> <publishDate>2022-01-10 05:52:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_454 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_528"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_551 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_209"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/full-shot-smiley-women-running-stairs.jpg" alt="" title="full-shot-smiley-women-running-stairs" class="wp-image-15281" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_580 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we start a new year, people turn to New Year's resolutions for healthier and happier lives. Many of us set new fitness goals to become healthier. But what does getting fit really mean to different people? Sometimes, the most challenging part of fulfilling resolutions is due to unclear or lofty goals. If it’s difficult to understand what your goal is or if it’s simply too much for you to accomplish, then it will be hard to stay motivated and complete resolutions. This year, let's focus on doable fitness goals that you can implement in your daily life and reap the benefits of being happier and healthier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What are the benefits of improving your fitness? There are plenty of reasons to get into better shape: better self-esteem, more mobility, and improved health are some examples. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lowering your likelihood of premature death&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is closely tied to your level of physical fitness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; have found that when ordinary people achieve a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;certain level of fitness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, they live longer lives and are much less likely to develop certain diseases. Simple lifestyle changes that improve your fitness have the same effect on your life expectancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There's more to physical fitness than just preventing disease and living longer. Fitness positively affects&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your current quality of life as well. People who consistently exercise&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;report having &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:~:text=1.%20Exercise%20controls%20weight.%20Exercise%20can%20help%20prevent,intense%20the%20activity%2C%20the%20more%20calories%20you%20burn."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;higher levels of energy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout the day and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:~:text=1.%20Exercise%20controls%20weight.%20Exercise%20can%20help%20prevent,intense%20the%20activity%2C%20the%20more%20calories%20you%20burn."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better stamina&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to complete daily tasks. Others report &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389#:~:text=1.%20Exercise%20controls%20weight.%20Exercise%20can%20help%20prevent,intense%20the%20activity%2C%20the%20more%20calories%20you%20burn."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better quality of sleep and improved mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. All of these benefits can be just a few steps away from&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you this New Year!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Walking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the most important things to remember as you set some goals this season is to keep them realistic and achievable. You don't have to go from a sedentary lifestyle to running a marathon in two months to see tangible improvements in your life. Your first step in determining your fitness goals is to accurately assess where you're at right now. Do you exercise a few days a week or not at all? Do you regularly eat vegetables and drink water throughout the day, or do nutrition and hydration take a backseat to eating out and drinking soda? Check out this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/age-chart.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;helpful activity level guide&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that breaks down targets based on age and sex.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once you've determined your starting point, making simple goals like walking regularly and moving your body daily&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is the next step. Walking, especially trying to get &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10,000 steps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a day in, is an excellent fitness goal. So take those stairs, volunteer to take the dog for a walk, and make sure to get up and move around a bit at work. You'll be amazed by the results of walking alone! Most people who don't have active jobs take around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3,000-4,000 steps a day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. So if you're starting at this point, try to add about 1,000 steps to your regular day every week until &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/10000-steps/art-20317391"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you work up to 10,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This way, you won't put too much stress on your body, and it will be easier to stick with this new goal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_529"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_552 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_341 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1023 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1024 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1025 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_210"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/happy-sportswoman-drinking-water-park.jpg" alt="" title="happy-sportswoman-drinking-water-park" class="wp-image-15282" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_581 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1424730/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistent running&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a great fitness goal to improve your cardiovascular health. Running a few miles here or there or working up towards a 10k is not only beneficial to your health, but it also gives you some pretty impressive bragging rights! To make running easier, recruit a running buddy who makes the activity more enjoyable and keeps you accountable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although cardio alone is beneficial, it needs to be augmented with other exercises to be most effective. One of your fitness goals should be to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1424730/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;supplement cardio&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with light strength training and flexibility or mobility exercises. If you have access to a gym, lifting, other resistance training, or taking a yoga class will help your body achieve holistic physical fitness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other Health Goals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical fitness goals are fantastic for improving your quality of life and increasing longevity, but they are only one side of the equation. To maintain physical fitness, paying attention to other parts of your physical and mental health is essential. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/823365/fitness-goals"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, drinking enough water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lifehack.org/823365/fitness-goals"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fueling your body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for your new exercise goals are essential steps to becoming fit. Making a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-12105-5_25"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;habit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; out of drinking around eight glasses of water a day is a worthwhile goal to get you started on your way to improved physical health. These goals are useful for your physical fitness and to maintain and improve your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehopeline.com/diet-for-your-brain-can-what-you-eat-or-drink-affect-your-mental-health/#:~:text=Eating%20well%2C%20getting%20enough%20rest%2C%20and%20drinking%20plenty,faith%20community%2C%20meditating%2C%20or%20talking%20with%20a%20counselor."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mental and emotional health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; team hopes you'll take your newfound knowledge of physical fitness&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;into this New Year. Maintaining physical fitness should be a top priority because it comes with numerous health and quality of life benefits. If you're looking for more recommendations on how to live a happy and healthy life, check out our lifestyle publication!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/full-shot-smiley-women-running-together.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-to-set-realistic-fitness-goals-for-the-new-year/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29688</ID> <title>A Story of Success: Dr. Rudolph Moise, His Family Practice and Aesthetics</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 20:11:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_455 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_530"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_553 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_582 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Early Years and Education&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rudolph Moise came from Haiti when he was just 17 years old and moved to Chicago knowing no English. In July of 1971, young Dr. Moise attended a 30-day program at a community center as he redid his final year of high school to learn English and get the necessary credits to be accepted into college. He finished a pre-med degree in five years and applied for medical school, where the Chicago College of Medicine accepted him as a student. They offered him a scholarship from a federal program where they sponsored his school and required him to work for four years in an area of his choosing post-graduation. After some convincing, Dr. Moise was sent to Miami to work in federally qualified health care for a few years. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He became very involved with the Miami community and stayed to practice there, where his primary care practice took off. He quickly found that owning a medical practice also had a significant business aspect to address. Seeing an opportunity to grow and learn more, Dr. Moise returned to school, this time attending the University of Miami to earn his law degree and MBA every weekend for two and a half years. After those two and a half years of commitment to hard work, he finalized his healthcare administration and business administration degree, which ultimately helped his practice grow and thrive. Further schooling encouraged Dr. Moise to run for U.S. Congress in 2010 and again in 2012, with the goal of serving the Miami community in a new capacity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I came very close, coming in second. It was always a dream to serve this great country since it has given so much to me and my family," he shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Deciding to stay in the medical field, Dr. Moise is one doctor who is making a positive impact on American healthcare. Having served in the United States Airforce Reserve as a flight surgeon for 21 years, Dr. Moise has been leading the way to better and more available medical opportunities throughout the medical industry as a whole.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29699 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Team-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New Aesthetics Focus, Connecting with Patients, and Community Outreach&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the Congress battle, Dr. Moise became a medical flight surgeon in the military for 21 years. He has now been serving as a family physician for 30 years, focusing on diabetes, back pain, illness, and so much more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Due to his practice being in Miami, people often come to Dr. Moise for referrals on aesthetic care. Because of the overwhelming demand for aesthetics and interest in the topics from his clients, Dr. Moise investigated the field and went to conferences around the country to become certified in aesthetics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I would say 85% of the aesthetic procedures that are done are non-surgical, so you can really help people doing these things. The other percent is when they go to a plastic surgeon to do cosmetic procedures or things that require a lot of downtime after surgery," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Because there are so many procedures that are minimally invasive and have a short recovery time, Dr. Moise invested in aesthetic equipment for these procedures to add to his practice called Comprehensive Medical Spa, based in North Miami. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being involved in patients' lives is a vital role that Dr. Moise and his practice have always championed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I always believe that success is really nothing unless you reach back out and are engaged in the community," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He spends time with different clubs and community outreaches for children to teach them and encourage them to stay in school. Dr. Moise is a mentor for these children to help them learn and do all the things others say they could never do. On top of being a mentor in his current community outreach endeavors, he was also the president of the Dade County Medical Association in Miami and then became a chairman of the Jackson Health Foundation, which raises money for the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29694 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoisefrontdesk-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Challenges in Family Medicine and Aesthetics &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Right now, access to healthcare is more important than ever," Dr. Moise shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having an easy and affordable way to see a professional medical doctor is essential. Finding a doctor and provider that truly cares for them is also vital. According to Dr. Moise, it is important for communities to provide access to the patient so there is not a time when patients walk into the office and cannot be seen. Dr. Moise's practice accepts all patients to provide the best care, even if they do not have an appointment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accessibility in healthcare is a huge issue facing the U.S. right now. According to health.gov, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 10 individuals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; do not have healthcare. The lack of affordable health care in the U.S. often prevents patients from being able to see a doctor at all and then becoming ill or not getting proper screening for disease. What could have been prevented is now an issue because they never saw a physician in the first place because of the multiple roadblocks. That is why Dr. Moise's practice makes it a point to accept walk-ins and not only take patients with appointments throughout the day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's very important that, as a community, we create the possibility where we provide access to the patient. There isn't one time that somebody has walked into my office and we told them 'no, we cannot see you,’” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29696 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoisepatient-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Overcoming Obstacles and Hiring Qualified and Dedicated Health Workers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This requirement to see all who enter Dr. Moise's practice comes with its own set of difficulties. Finding qualified workers in the health space is essential in order to see everyone who walks through the door. Finding qualified people to stay in the medical field and face the challenges that healthcare often presents can prove difficult. Tasks take longer when insurance is involved and documentation is required, so finding a team with patience and education is a necessary qualification in Dr. Moise's practice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having certified healthcare professionals who have the time to commit is a difficulty of its own. Training is required for the job, of course, which is already complicated for employees. Then, it would be best to have employees who work longer hours to accommodate different needs and require a certain level of pay for their time. Finding people willing to dedicate the hours and commit to the hard work of medical jobs is a constant obstacle but a rewarding one when one's practice is able to bring compassionate and dedicated healthcare workers to the team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is also the challenge of spending proper time with each patient to really understand what they require to improve their health. This means that there must be available time, and the provider must have patience to reach the goals set in place by the patient. In order to successfully cater to a patient, Dr. Moise seeks to spend time with patients individually and not rush them out of the office before truly understanding what is necessary to treat them properly. The only way to truly understand a patient's diagnosis is to understand what symptoms they have faced, what goals they have set in place to reach full health again, and what kind of time they have put into the issue already to resolve it. How have they previously tried to cure it, and what brings them to an office to fix the problem? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I like to spend time with patients because you want to give them back communication and also listen. But if you spend a lot of time on the computer and try to document things that the government needs to know, it really reduces the time you need with your patients, and that's a challenge," Dr. Moise said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While there are hurdles to maneuver, Dr. Moise and his team are dedicated to giving their patients the utmost attention and care while sticking to the necessary protocol and spending the extra time needed to bring excellent care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29698 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Team-1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Road to Efficiency and Quality Care&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being efficient while providing quality care is a top priority for Dr. Moise and his team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holding a business that employs over 57 people and his current practice, Dr. Moise has had to learn to train and manage all these responsibilities to care for his patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have multiple businesses, and the key thing is to find responsible people because you cannot do everything yourself. At my office, I have a great manager who manages everything for me. Same thing in Orlando. I have somebody I meet with, and they let me know what's going on in every company I have," Dr. Moise shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the keys to overcoming barriers in the field of aesthetics and family medicine is to have upstanding people working for you. Dr. Moise implements this in every aspect of his life, including his businesses, practice, and community involvement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Moise has multiple businesses, so ensuring he can balance it all is a significant part of his success story. His practice manager takes care of his medical practice, while his employees are sure to stay involved in the business and medical aspects, keeping Dr. Moise in the know. This can include everything from charts to business expenses to day-to-day management. Between all the business endeavors, Dr. Moise must have a reliable team around him that can ensure his success along with their own success in the business. Having a great team of trusted individuals makes a huge difference in the success of business and medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The key to success is to have good people working for you who are qualified and can really handle operations in medical and business endeavors without you present. In terms of giving you advice and to other people, they have to be full of well-wishes for your success and company. And basically, that requires a lot of discipline and education from your team," he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29695 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drmoiseoffice-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Dr. Moise Has Reached His Goals in Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discipline is something that Dr. Moise has learned and practiced over his years of practicing medicine, schooling, business endeavors, and running for public office. Years of his time have been dedicated to discipline, and those hours of dedication got him to where he is today. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He tells all his students how important it is to learn more so that they can take on more tasks and understand things around them better. Dr. Moise believes that the more you know and are educated, the easier you will solve tasks in any capacity. Education is the true power in the world of medicine, business, and just in general. To get things done, people must experience bumps in the road and trials to learn more and overcome the struggles they face. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are a lot of bumps along the way, but don't give up. Keep on pushing, and keep on doing it, and successful is what you will be," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining discipline and pushing until you reach your goals is crucial. The only way to reach your goals and overcome obstacles in life is by maintaining discipline to reach the goals you have set in place for yourself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Discipline in your education is number one. Your brain has billions of cells, and you can absorb a lot of information. So, the more you learn, the more you're ready to take on tasks and challenges and get things done. I tell all my students that education is power," he concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To learn more about Dr. Rudolph Moise and what his practice offers, visit his website at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://chcmedrehab.com/staff/Dr-Rudolph-Moise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://chcmedrehab.com/staff/Dr-Rudolph-Moise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr.-Moise-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/a-story-of-success-dr-rudolph-moise-his-family-practice-and-aesthetics/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29668</ID> <title>American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians: An Interview with Dr. A.J. Farshchian</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 18:45:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_456 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_531"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_554 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_583 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians (AASCP) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of research, education, and clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies. Founded by medical professionals passionate about exploring the potential of stem cells, the AASCP serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ethical practices within the realm of regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This year, its&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;conference&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; will be held February 9-11, 2024, and will feature dozens of workshops, keynote speakers and events for medical professionals interested in stem cell treatment and advancements. All are welcome to join the conference and learn more about what stem cell treatments can offer your practice, your health, and your patients.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29675 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Dr.-A.J-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Objectives of AASCP &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The primary mission of the AASCP revolves around promoting the responsible use of stem cell-based therapies through education, training, and ethical guidelines. They focus on the following objectives: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Education and Training. The AASCP offers educational programs, seminars and conferences designed to update medical professionals on the latest advancements, ethical considerations, and best practices in stem cell therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Research and Innovation. AASCP focuses on encouraging and supporting research initiatives aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind stem cell therapy and its potential applications in various medical conditions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Ethical Guidelines. Establishing ethical standards and guidelines to ensure the safe and responsible application of stem cell treatments while safeguarding patient welfare. The workshops and keynote speakers for the conference focus on the most ethical manners to utilize stem cells and train your medical professionals on their use.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29678 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AASCP Events and Initiatives &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. A.J. Farshchian, Spokesperson and Founder of The American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians, gave an extensive list of medical professionals who are expected to attend the conference in 2024:  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. A.J. Farshchian, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Frank Shallenberger, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joel Baumgartner, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Warren Bleiweiss, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joseph Purita, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Carlos Mercado,M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Gerald Harris, D.O.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Leonid Macheret, M.D. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Joseph Cleaver, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Armando Pineda, M.D.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hans Richter, PhD &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. William Clearfield, D.O. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patricia Lawson, MSED-PESI &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical professionals from all over the country will be in attendance to share their knowledge and expertise at the event. Over 3,000 doctors and medical professionals have attended over the years, receiving training and listening to keynote speakers.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami on February 9-11, 2024. We will offer amazing presentations and hands-on workshops and expect to have between 22 to 25 exhibitors and around 150 attendees,” Dr. Farshchian said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-29674 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Conference-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The AASCP arranges diverse events, conferences, and workshops aimed at fostering the exchange of knowledge among professionals engaged in regenerative medicine. This conference primarily emphasizes showcasing scientific progress, deliberating on safety protocols, and handling regulatory facets to guarantee adherence to set benchmarks. Such events encompass scientific symposiums and forums that convene eminent specialists to explore the most recent innovations and hurdles within the discipline. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This conference will center on discussing the progress in the development, manufacturing, and safe delivery of regenerative cell therapies. The AASCP emphasizes crucial considerations for physicians employing biologics in their practice, encompassing SVF, PRP, bone marrow, UCB, amniotic products, exosomes, xenografts, or peptides.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We are here to educate medical professionals about stem cell treatments and do so through this conference and research,” Dr. Farshchian said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29676 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Presenter-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Established as a non-profit organization, the AASCP aims to serve as an educational resource for medical professionals and the public concerning treatable physiological dysfunctions causing diseases. Its primary objectives are to advance research in regenerative medicine, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Each year, the conference is held in Miami for anyone interested in stem cell treatments and care or for regenerative medicine companies and nonprofits to table and share their own information with other medical professionals. This conference is an excellent networking opportunity as well as an educational opportunity that medical professionals seeking to expand their practice or try stem cell treatments should attend. The education shared by professionals is day-to-day treatment and research-based for all to hear and understand.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians, AASCP,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a non-profit organization that boasts of advancing knowledge and research in the development of therapeutics in regenerative medicine. To get tickets, apply for a table, or find more information about the AASCP and their conference, visit their&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://aascpconference.miami/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or social media. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29677 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AASCP-Article-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/american-academy-of-stem-cell-physicians-an-interview-with-dr-a-j-farshchian/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29147</ID> <title>A Lifelong Journey in Cardiology: Dr. Monzur Morshed's Journey and the Future of Heart Care</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 13:30:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_457 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_532"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_555 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_584 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Inspirational Journey and Outstanding Achievements of Dr. Monzur Morshed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Monzur Morshed, a distinguished cardiologist, commenced his medical career within the challenging realm of a combined emergency and internal medicine residency at Albert Einstein Affiliated Hospital in New York. During this pivotal period, he encountered a mentor cardiologist who ignited his enduring passion for cardiology. In this demanding field, where matters of life and death are a constant presence, Dr. Morshed and his dedicated team consistently act with urgency to ensure the well-being of their patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Morshed had the opportunity to choose neurosurgery at tertiary care hospitals in USA  but his passion was leaning stronger towards cardiology, in which he specializes in being an invasive cardiologist in addition to Nuclear Cardiology, Echocardiography, Cardiac CTA,  peripheral Vascular imaging and different branches of clinical cardiology.   He had his training at Various prestigious hospitals in New York, Long Island, NY in addition to some hospitals in London, UK.  As a chief cardiology fellow, he was accountable for supervising numerous doctors in training, interviewing cardiology candidates, and taking part in numerous cardiology research initiatives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Morshed attended university in New York City, where he graduated with Summa Cum Laude, honors and many Dean's List titles along with numerous scholarships and awards that ultimately ended his college career with an almost 4.0 GPA. Once Dr. Morshed completed his residency, he also concluded a cardiology fellowship with a hospital associated with Columbia University Hospital and later the University of Rochester in New York. His research has continued as he has given many lectures and completed training. He has received many awards for his practice in cardiology, including awards such as the Who's Who Honors, the NJ Top Docs award, America's Best Physicians Award, the New York State Trooper Surgeon Honorary Award, the New York State Senator Award, and the New York Top Doc Award. In December 2022, he received the President's Award from President Joe Biden and his White House staff. He was also awarded the Doctors' Choice Award this year in addition to the  Best Cardiologist Award nationwide,  the New York Magazine’s Top Cardiologist Award and received an award from the American Medical Association in the past. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Morshed has had terrific grants to practice medicine in New York for the past several years from the United States Health Department.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29153 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/drmorshed1-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="743" height="991" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He has also written a book about breast cancer with his son titled &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Road to Love and Redemption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Currently, Dr. Morshed has television programs with Time Television, USA and TBN 24 New York, IBTV New York, ABC Bangla TV channel, Channel 24 TV, and Channel I Television, where he focuses on discussing medical topics and issues that patients are facing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiology's Vital Role in Emergency Medicine and Medical Advancements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His long medical journey has only continued to improve over the past years of practice, and his love for cardiology has only increased. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have a limited time to do all the interventions, and we see how the patient becomes family. Doctors are what can make a difference between life and death situations. I think cardiology is just one of those fields," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cardiology is a field that plays a significant role in emergency medicine. In many trauma-related cases, the heart is involved. In sports, injuries often impact the heart, and many other situations can call for treatments on the heart. Advancements in technology for the medical field are always happening, and cardiology is no different. The newest advancements are always available in Dr. Morshed's office to allow for more accurate findings for each patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We have a lot of new technology and new medicine to improve the health of patients and cardiac care so that people do great," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips on How to Keep Your Heart Healthy  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blood pressure and diabetes are all influenced by cardiology and the heart. Prevention is key. Dr. Morshed emphasizes that a proper preventive care regimen for your heart relies on diet, exercise and stress management. Your lifestyle impacts your heart the most. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29155 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/heart-healthyfoods-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The best preventative care comes from our lifestyle. Focus on reevaluating stress, sleeping well, and healthy oils and fats along with proper use of BMI," Dr. Morshed said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventative care starts now. Caring for your heart is vital in the long run of life and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and blood-pressure-related issues, among many other diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Cardiology &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constant advancements in the medical field play a vital role in where the healthcare industry and cardiology will head in the future. Dr. Morshed said that injectable medicine and new technology will continue to improve the cardiology field and create a world where patients can access important information about their hearts and general cardiovascular health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The cardiology field is advancing more than any other medical field," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are devices now that can monitor for many days at different paces, and the devices keep getting smaller and higher tech. They continue to improve cardiology's near future and can best communicate what the patient is experiencing internally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The appreciation of patients after we care for them in life or death situations is the most rewarding part of what I do every day. Those stories keep me motivated," Dr. Morshed concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29156 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TDM_Social172_Facebook-LinkedIn-Website-31-1024x577.png" alt="" width="1024" height="577" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To find out more about Dr. Morshed and his practice in cardiology, call his office at:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tel: 718-583-7736.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dr. Monzur NEW YORK Cardiologist &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Essen Medical Clinic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1990 McGraw Ave, Bronx, NY 10462&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/drmorshedcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-lifelong-journey-in-cardiology-dr-monzur-morsheds-journey-and-the-future-of-heart-care/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14944</ID> <title>Putting the Kid in Kidneys: An Interview with Dr. Ray Bignall</title> <publishDate>2021-11-25 19:54:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_458 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_533"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_556 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_211"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Ray-Bignall.jpg" alt="" title="Ray-Bignall" class="wp-image-14946" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_557 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_585 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray Bignall, or Dr. Ray, as his patients would like to call him, is a board-certified Pediatric Nephrologist currently residing in Columbus, Ohio. Originally from Nashville, he received his medical degree at Meharry Medical College, then moved to fulfill his residency at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he stayed for seven years. In that time, Dr. Ray was also able to complete his postdoctoral research for the National Institute of Health on kidney health disparities between adults and childcare. Now, Dr. Ray is the Director of Kidney Health Advocacy and Community Engagement in Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he caters to kids with kidney problems and brings awareness to this often overlooked health issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_534"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_558 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_586 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Five Functions of the Kidney&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we think of the kidney’s function in our bodies, we might say that all it does is make us run for the bathroom every few hours. However, Dr. Ray says that our kidneys have many more vital roles in keeping our bodies healthy. Take a look at the five primary functions of the kidney, according to Dr. Ray:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys clean your blood of toxins and waste. They filter your blood and remove all the things that don’t belong there.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys regulate your body’s fluids, which also involves the maintenance of your electrolyte balance. “This is what allows you to avoid blowing up like a balloon or shriveling up like a raisin,” Dr. Ray explains.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys control the balance of minerals and bone components of your bone metabolism. According to Dr. Ray, bone health has a lot to do with kidney health, as the former helps regulate vital bone-building vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys produce blood-regulating hormones, which help control your blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys produce hormones that stimulate blood production. These hormones trigger the generation of red blood cells in your bone marrow which are then released and help circulate oxygen in our bodies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray wants to clarify that our kidneys do not make waste. Instead, the waste (or urine) is only a by-product of the many magnificent things our kidneys do to maintain balance in our bodies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Homeostasis is the medical term for it. It's your kidneys that are chiefly responsible for achieving and maintaining balance in your body,” he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He goes on to say that about 20% of our body’s circulating blood volume goes to our kidneys every day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Your kidneys are that important,” Dr. Ray emphasizes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_342 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1026 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1027 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1028 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_535"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_559 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_212"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hands-holding-kidney-shaped-leaves-world-kidney-day-national-organ-donor-day-charity-donation-concept-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="hands holding kidney shaped leaves, world kidney day, National O" class="wp-image-14948" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_587 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking Proper Care of Your Kidneys&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With all those heavy and crucial duties, it seems like our kidneys might be a bit of a high-maintenance organ. However, Dr. Ray assures us that, “Your kidneys are a lot smarter than we are, so when it comes to maintaining good kidney health, there’s not a whole lot that we need to be doing.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray advises that as long as we drink our water, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, maintain good cardiovascular health, and eat a balanced and nutritious diet, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;those without a family or personal history of congenital or acquired kidney disease should have nothing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to worry about in terms of kidney health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common Causes for Kidney Disease in Children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We hear of adult patients with kidney diseases all the time, but what we don’t hear of quite often is a seven-year-old child with kidney failure. Dr. Ray shares that many of the kids he treats have kidney disease as a result of genetics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Some kids are just born with congenital malformations of their urinary tract that result in kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure. Sometimes they have autoimmune conditions that result in damage to the kidney tissue itself, and that kidney tissue damage is what we nephrologists will try to treat and manage in order to preserve as much healthy kidney function for as long as possible,” he says.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray adds that other times, children develop kidney injury due to taking required medications for another disease. One example of this is when children get kidney injury as a result of chemotherapeutic medications. He says, “These are kids with cancer who require these very nephrotoxic medicines to treat their cancer, which is of course of utmost importance for their health, but the unfortunate side effect of it is that it can sometimes result in permanent kidney damage because of the toxicity of those drugs that have to be used.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And so, as a pediatric nephrologist, Dr. Ray often finds himself counseling his young patients and their parents on better lifestyle choices that promote kidney health, such as exercising and eating clean. He also works closely with his colleagues from other specialties like oncology, cardiology, and infectious diseases to seek less kidney-damaging medication therapies for patients at risk of kidney injury.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different Treatments for Kidney Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from giving doctor’s orders to children and their parents, Dr. Ray also administers a wide array of treatments (from blood pressure medications to immunosuppressant drugs) for various types of kidney diseases. However, Dr. Ray raises one alarming issue which makes him fear for his young patients, and yes, you guessed it: it’s the coronavirus. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Not only are many of my patients, children, who [may or may not be] authorized to receive the vaccine based on their age, but many of those children are also immunosuppressed because they either have a kidney transplant and require immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection of their kidney. Or some have an autoimmune condition that requires immunosuppressant medications to prevent ongoing damage to their kidney,” Dr. Ray explains. That’s why he has been taking extra steps to ensure that all his patients are getting the proper treatment and are being carefully protected from COVID-19 exposure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For patients who require therapy for end stage kidney disease, Dr. Ray says that dialysis and kidney transplantation are the only two treatments. Dialysis is essentially a process wherein a machine replaces the function of your kidney and is used when a person’s kidney has permanently failed or when they are significantly injured. However, dialysis is not a long-term solution for patients with kidney failure. When Dr. Ray’s patients are far past the point of kidney recovery, a kidney transplant becomes the only treatment option left. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although kidney transplants are complex, Dr. Ray describes them as an extraordinary circumstance. “It's really remarkable to think that from either a loved one or sometimes just an altruistic stranger -- our patients will be given the gift of life in the form of an organ for transplant. And when a living donor is not available, someone's posthumous gift through the donation of their organs allows our patients to go on living, allows that kidney to go on living in someone else, which is also just kind of an incredibly remarkable thing to think about.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Putting the “Kid” in “Kidneys”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray shares that one of the most heartwarming parts of his job is when he gets to call a family and tell them their kid will receive a kidney transplant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Just hearing the joy in that family's voice, who's probably been dealing with a child with kidney failure, and maybe on dialysis for quite some time. To be able to get that news is really exciting,” he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s crystal clear to us here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that Dr. Ray’s passion for helping families is not waning anytime soon. When asked what his future looks like, Dr. Ray says that he will continue advocating for child health and kidney health equity in communities. “And if someone were to tell me at the end of my career, ‘Ray, you’ve done amazing work in advocating for kids. You’re an excellent pediatric nephrologist,’ I think that would be awesome.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/adult-child-holding-kidney-shaped-paper-world-kidney-day-national-organ-donor-day-charity-donation-concept-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/putting-the-kid-in-kidneys-an-interview-with-dr-ray-bignall/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14933</ID> <title>Running the Marathon: A Conversation with Pediatric Psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Goetz</title> <publishDate>2021-11-23 19:36:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_459 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_536"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_560 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_213"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jlgoetz-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="jlgoetz" class="wp-image-14935" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_588 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running a marathon is often used as a metaphor for endurance. This analogy might be familiar for some, yet it is ubiquitous for a reason. To succeed in a marathon, you need more than athleticism and a quick start; you need the strength to keep going even after you've covered many miles. We call this ability to push through "endurance," a character trait as useful in the medical industry as it is on the running track. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for people's mental health is no exception. Amid COVID-19, battling back against anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses feels like a marathon that never ends. With no finish line in sight, healthcare professionals often need the discipline and tenacity&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;of a track star. Here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, we speak with many doctors who exhibit these characteristics. One of them is Dr. Jennifer Goetz, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;graduate of the University of Florida who works as a pediatric psychiatrist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Marathons for a Cause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The physical discipline of running has become a source of tenacity for Dr. Goetz. "I started running in college," she tells us. "I don't know what spurred me to run a marathon; but this year, I was like, I'm doing it."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running guides Dr. Goetz through the streets of Baltimore, a city she loves despite its bad reputation. "Baltimore gets a bad rap. It's actually quite beautiful; it's a really fun city, and it should get more positive attention," she says.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helping the Vulnerable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although Dr. Goetz specializes in treating children with eating disorders, her work at Johns Hopkins encompasses a much broader range of mental health issues. "I specifically work with kids and teens and their families in psychiatric crises who get admitted to the inpatient unit at Johns Hopkins," she explains. "It's really an honor and a privilege to get to work with them during such a difficult period because I think being invited into family's lives during these times is really meaningful."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though Dr. Goetz finds this work rewarding, the experience often leaves her drained, as she labors to come alongside children and their families in their time of desperate need. In addition, her patients struggle with various forms of severe behavioral issues, including serious mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and previous suicide attempts. The stakes at Johns Hopkins are high on a daily basis, something Dr. Goetz knew when she began her work there in April 2020. However, all the challenging work at Johns Hopkins and with family has only been exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_343 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1029 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1030 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1031 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_537"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_561 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_214"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/scool-boy-running-outdoors-child-doing-athletics-stadium-sport-concept-kids.jpg" alt="" title="scool-boy-running-outdoors-child-doing-athletics-stadium-sport-concept-kids" class="wp-image-14938" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_589 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID's Impact on Child and Adolescent Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Typically, the world of child and adolescent psychiatric care experiences a period of downtime during&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the summer, when the number of new cases perceptibly decreases. Healthcare professionals rely on this downtime to recover from the stresses of busier periods. However, with the onset of COVID-19, that downtime&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disappeared completely, leaving Dr. Goetz to rely more heavily on the strengths she's honed through in her running. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our unit has been at nearly full capacity for the last 18 months. Kids have been coming in sicker than they've ever been before," she tells us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goetz views the pandemic's unique set of pressures as the source of the resulting mental health crises. Previous strategies that individuals, including children and adolescents, relied on to relieve the stress of life have been removed, isolating them from friends, family, and comforting daily rhythms. Stripped of their usual defense mechanisms and subjected to new stressors, people increasingly find themselves at their breaking point. "It's been really hard on our staff, who've not had a break, and who are constantly working with patients who are at a very high acuity level. It's been challenging," she tells us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding the Joy Every Day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What can be done to stem the tide of this mental health crisis? Dr. Goetz recommends identifying something that brings you joy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making a little time each day for this source of joy&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can go a long way. "It could be anything. It could be taking a walk every day. It could be doing a puzzle with someone in your family," she says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding unnecessary isolation can also help prevent mental illness for children and adolescents. While Dr. Goetz acknowledges that the health concerns associated with the pandemic often make isolation necessary, she urges parents to&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;find sources of social activity for their children, as this is often an essential outlet. "I think the mental health repercussions of the pandemic are going to be with us for years to come," Dr. Goetz tells us. To deal with these repercussions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;, &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we must make use of available resources, including parents and friends, as well as innovations such as telehealth. The latter, Dr. Goetz warns, should not be overused as in-person counseling is often the best treatment for mental illnesses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advice for Aspiring Medical Professionals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from her work with children, Dr. Goetz also works as an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Goetz has plenty of experience advice for those currently working to enter the medical industry. "Keep an open mind&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;in medical school, in regards to all of the different specialties. Keep your eyes and ears open&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;because you will learn on every rotation, no matter what you're interested in," she says.  Your priority during this season of life should be identifying where you thrive. If you have a passion for children’s mental wellness, you might consider specializing in child and adolescent eating disorders, akin to Dr. Goetz. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Child psychiatry certainly requires tenacity and endurance, traits that Dr. Goetz possesses in spades. Whether running on the streets of Baltimore or working to free a child from an eating disorder, Dr. Goetz never gives up. "It's a very hard road, right? It's rigorous. The pandemic has shown a lot of holes in our systems of care, particularly in behavioral health. But I still love what I do because I love the people I get to work with." Indeed, we all have something to learn from this diligent mentality. If you would like to read more about Dr. Goetz and her work, take a look at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/jennifer-goetz."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her profile&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the Johns Hopkins website!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/marathon-run-people-are-running-road-people-are-moving.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/running-the-marathon-a-conversation-with-pediatric-psychiatrist-dr-jennifer-goetz/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14079</ID> <title>Dr. Jonathan Ungar Shares His Passion and Expertise for Treating Skin Cancer</title> <publishDate>2021-10-02 20:07:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_460 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_538"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_562 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_215"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DR.-Jonathan-Ungar-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="DR. Jonathan Ungar" class="wp-image-14286" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_344 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1032 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1033 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1034 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_590 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/jonathan-p-ungar"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Jonathan Ungar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a dermatologist at the forefront of skin cancer detection. Today, he leads a team of innovative specialists as medical director of the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/waldman-melanoma-center"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Waldman Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/"&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Mount Sinai Hospital&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in New York’s Upper East Side. In his interview with&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt; &lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Ungar shares his experience with some of the latest technological developments in dermatology that could revolutionize how the medical community approaches treatment and early skin cancer detection.  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Limitations in Dermatology Today&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ungar notes that dermatologists tend to have higher reported levels of happiness overall when compared to other medical disciplines. He cites several possible reasons for this, such as the ability to draw upon various skills to meet the daily challenges of assessing a situation, mainly because the skin is a large and medically complex organ. Another possible reason for dermatologists reporting generally high satisfaction levels is the ability to detect problems early enough to have positive outcomes. This leads, of course, to grateful and satisfied patients in many cases. However, Dr. Ungar points out that evaluating the patient's skin or changing conditions of a specific area is almost impossible to do visually even after consecutive visits due to simple human limitations such as a dermatologist's eyesight or memory. Even using a handheld camera is sub-optimal when comparing images. Another limitation could be due to user error and insufficient time investment for the patient and doctor.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Digital Dermoscopy of the Future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2021/10-million-gift-to-open-the-kimberly-and-eric-j-waldman-melanoma-and-skin-cancer-center-at-mount-sinai"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the assistance of a multi-million dollar donation from the Waldman family&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Ungar has unveiled a modern solution to deal with these problems of accurately and efficiently gathering a patient's skin condition: the Canfield &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.canfieldsci.com/imaging-systems/vectra-wb360-imaging-system/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;VectraWB180&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;massive technology allows clinicians to map the entire human body in a 3D image in the latest macro quality resolution. To be more specific, the device enhances a dermatologist's visual inspection tenfold, and provides unprecedented accurate data to quickly monitor lesions and troublesome areas over multiple points in time. "The photos are taken in a matter of seconds, not hours like previously, when we were manually taking it." When the patient steps inside this eleven-foot tall medical technological marvel, over forty cameras from multiple angles document the entire skin organ in about 15 minutes. Despite the machine's sci-fi look, it's purely photographic and safe for virtually all patients. What's helpful to the clinicians is that the technology can be integrated with existing dermatology systems and imported directly into a patient's chart. "This is invaluable because as the skin changes, it is difficult to note what this looked like six months ago."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Non-invasive Skin Cancer Detection with "Bladeless Biopsy"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another problem for dermatologists is the challenge of distinguishing between benign and malignant skin lesions. Years ago, this required surgical removal; it was very uncomfortable for many patients because of problematic locations, such as the tip of the nose. "There are cosmetically sensitive areas. If there is a scar on the tip of your nose from a skin removal for a biopsy, you're stuck with a scar for the rest of your life."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ungar shares with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that his experience with non-invasive methods has been very positive. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-optical-coherence-tomography"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Optical coherence tomography&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (OCT) and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2019.01457/full#:~:text=Reflectance%20confocal%20microscopy%20(RCM)%20is,and%20illuminates%20a%20single%20point."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reflectance confocal microscopy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; (RCM) have been called "bladeless biopsies" because of their non-invasive nature. How it works is the clinician uses a handheld probe which you apply to the skin. Reading the device's output gives the dermatologist more information on whether the skin lesion is normal or abnormal based on the electrical impedance differences. The OCT method gets a deeper penetration of the skin, while the RCM technique compliments it with a data-rich sampling of the outer part of the skin. Together it gives the clinician a real-time, three-dimensional sampling while increasing the likelihood of diagnostic accuracy. Patients further benefit from reduced recovery time, and in some cases, removes the need for reconstructive cosmetic surgery. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Meeting the Future with Humility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ungar was born in The Mount Sinai Hospital, so he will always have a special connection to the hospital and its patients. Today, he leads the next generation of dermatologists revolutionizing the medical community's approach to the patient's skin and family medical history with new dimensions of analysis. Although there are always problems to be encountered, insurance companies are not always paying for these advanced treatments. For example, Dr. Ungar's advice to all doctors is always to have humility when faced with obstacles, which are guaranteed to appear. His obsession with consistent growth as a dermatologist takes the field to another frontier of technological data-driven diagnostic discoveries. Despite these breakthroughs, he still emphasizes that consistent humility and service to patients are the cornerstones of any successful dermatology career.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DR.-Jonathan-Ungar-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-jonathan-ungar-shares-his-passion-and-expertise-for-treating-skin-cancer/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29786</ID> <title>The Heart-Health Connection: Reducing Stress for a Stronger, Healthier Life</title> <publishDate>2024-02-01 18:15:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_461 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_539"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_563 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_591 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the fast-paced world we live in, stress has become a common companion for many. From work deadlines to personal responsibilities and societal pressures, stress can sneak into our lives and take a toll on our health, especially our hearts. The link between stress and heart health is significant, with numerous studies highlighting how managing stress can profoundly impact cardiovascular well-being. Understanding this connection empowers us to take proactive steps toward reducing stress and safeguarding our heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Impact of Stress on Heart Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic stress can exert a considerable strain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the body, triggering a series of physiological responses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; When stress persists over an extended period, it can lead to detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline surge in the body during stressful situations. Elevated levels of these hormones can cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, potentially leading to inflammation and damage to blood vessels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prolonged exposure to stress can contribute to the development or exacerbation of various heart-related conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and even heart attacks. Furthermore, stress might also encourage unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption, further escalating heart health risks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29803 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/hearthealthconneciton1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing Stress for Improved Heart Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, there are effective strategies to manage and reduce stress, fostering a healthier heart and overall well-being. Implementing these practices into our daily routines can significantly mitigate the impact of stress on our cardiovascular system:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Mindfulness Practices&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engaging in mindfulness practices, such as vagus nerve or deep breathing exercises, can help calm the mind and reduce stress. Devoting a few minutes each day to these mindfulness exercises allows for relaxation and promotes a sense of inner peace, positively impacting heart health over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Regular Physical Activity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is a potent stress reliever and a cornerstone of heart health. Engaging in regular physical activity, whether it's brisk walking, cycling, yoga, or any other form of exercise, helps release endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators, reducing stress levels and supporting heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Healthy Diet&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide the body with essential nutrients that support overall health. Limiting the intake of processed foods, excessive sugar, and saturated fats can positively impact both stress levels and heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Sufficient Sleep&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Quality sleep is vital for stress management and cardiovascular health. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine can improve sleep quality, allowing the body and mind to recharge effectively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="5"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Social Connections and Support&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nurturing healthy relationships and fostering a strong support network can alleviate stress. Spending time with loved ones, sharing experiences, and seeking emotional support during challenging times can significantly reduce stress levels and positively impact heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="6"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Time Management and Prioritization&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Learning to manage time effectively and setting realistic goals can prevent overwhelming stress. Prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and taking breaks when needed can create a more balanced and manageable lifestyle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="7"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Relaxation Techniques&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exploring relaxation techniques such as aromatherapy, listening to calming music, engaging in hobbies, or taking warm baths can help relax the body and mind, reducing stress levels and promoting heart health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29804 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/hearthealthconnection2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing Stress Reduction for Heart Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing stress isn't just a luxury; it's crucial to maintaining a healthy heart and overall well-being. By incorporating these stress management techniques into our daily lives, we not only enhance our cardiovascular health but also cultivate a more resilient and balanced approach to facing life's challenges.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In conclusion, recognizing the impact of stress on heart health underscores the importance of actively managing stress levels. Implementing these practical strategies can serve as a foundation for a healthier lifestyle, supporting not only the heart but also promoting overall physical and mental well-being. By making conscious efforts to reduce stress, we pave the way for a stronger, healthier heart and a more fulfilling life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/hearthealthconnectioncover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/the-heart-health-connection-reducing-stress-for-a-stronger-healthier-life/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15508</ID> <title>Restoring the Art of the Human Body: An Interview with Dr. David Hartman</title> <publishDate>2022-01-12 06:22:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_462 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_540"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_564 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_216"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hartman1.png" alt="" title="hartman1" class="wp-image-15571" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_592 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To paraphrase a well-known Greek myth, finding one’s calling is akin to finding one’s way out of the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Some use Daedalus’ ingenuity to spread their wings and reach for the skies. Others are blessed with Ariadne’s thread and find their way out in a heartbeat.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But few of us, such as Dr. David Hartman, from the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fineartsskinandlaser.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fine Arts Skin and Laser&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; practice in Dover, Ohio, traveled through every corner of the labyrinth to understand life in all its shapes and sizes and to study the one constant that never left Dr. Hartman’s side: his love and appreciation for art.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This hero traveled far and wide, across seas and continents, through scorching heat and dismal cold, to learn what type of art Apollo had destined him to cultivate.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman has practiced numerous types of art, oil painting in college to a professional TV actor in New York City and Los Angeles, designing and building faux antique furniture collections for elite actors and producers in the Hollywood Hills to restoring antique oil paintings.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, after all his journeys, Dr. Hartman realized that his talents encompassed art in its purest form, without discrimination, and that his calling in life could help thousands of people self-actualize themselves and regain their self-confidence. Now, he has the privilege of using his artistic mastery to bring the best aesthetic version of his patients to life in the form of natural-looking facelifts and beautiful mommy make-overs with living fat transfers for natural breast augmentations and revolumization of aging faces.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Hartman, each patient is a “canvas” that, with the right restoration techniques can regain the splendor and beauty of more youthful years.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From Woodworking to Art Restoration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman’s journey began at a young age, when his life was already gravitating toward the arts, primarily painting and woodworking. Seeing the potential to nurture his artistic propensity in medicine, he set the course for med school. However, life had plotted a long, twisted detour for Dr. Hartman, which began with year-long trip through South America at the age of 22.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After a year of immersing himself in the South American cultures, young Dr. Hartman was struck by serendipity and landed a series of TV commercials in Mexico City. This auspicious event reconnected Dr. Hartman with his artistic ego and, akin to Hermes’ command to Odysseus to return to Ithaca, convinced him to follow in his artistic calling for the next 13 years.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From then on, Dr. Hartman pursued art in every shape and form, from finish carpentry and condo renovations to moderately significant acting roles. But the most propitious type of art for his future career in plastic surgery had an alternative expression in fine art restoration.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman finds such pleasure in rekindling life into old paintings that he restored numerous pieces of art, which every patient can admire in his office. Needless to say, that’s where the “Fine Arts Skin and Laser” name comes from.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“When I was in residency, I started restoring paintings, and I’ve been doing that ever since. I have restored 100 of the paintings here at the office. I look for art that is distressed, either a canvas that’s torn or the frame is broken, etc. But underneath, the damaged painting is an awesome piece of art, created by someone who was a talented painter who made something great,” Dr. Hartman said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_345 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1035 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1036 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1037 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_217"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hartman2.png" alt="" title="hartman2" class="wp-image-15573" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_593 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Becoming a Restorer of Human Beauty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman’s desire to bring beauty back to life transcended the shapes and colors of his paintings. At Fine Arts Skin and Laser, Dr. Hartman counts on liposculpting and living fat transfer, his most trusted beauty restoration tools, to address aesthetic issues and help patients achieve masterpiece looks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Liposculpting and living fat transfer are some of our most cherished procedures here at Fine Arts Skin and Laser. Probably two-thirds of our cases have something to do with it. We think it’s a fantastic procedure in that it accomplishes two distinct goals: one is sculpting unwanted fullness or fat from problematic areas, and then putting living fat back in places where our clients desire youthful volume,” Dr. Hartman explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every single detail of Dr. Hartman’s practice and work ethic promotes solid results. At Fine Arts Skin and Laser, patients are treated with natural-looking cosmetic surgical results. Dr. Hartman uses versatility and his comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy to leave as few signs of restoration work as possible on his patients’ bodies, by performing tiny incisions in areas covered in natural skin creases and hairlines for facelifts or by swimwear for body and ultimately helping incision scars vanish through laser treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This minimally invasive approach also presents the benefit of minimal downtime. The recovery process is swifter and more thorough so that patients can resume their everyday lives sooner and notice Dr. Hartman’s artistic prowess in the mirror within a couple of days!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“This procedure removes the speed bump that prevents them from self-actualizing so fully that they always want to protect their investment by eating better and working out more to enhance what they have,” Dr. Hartman said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everybody Can Benefit from More Self-Confidence"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Handling life’s vicissitudes is a never-ending work in progress, for which we require all the self-confidence we can muster. For some, a good ol’ pep talk or a motivational speech are enough to help them fight another day, but others need more than a kind word to rediscover their inner strength and overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenges presented by life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients who visit Dr. Hartman for a cosmetic procedure expect to see only aesthetic benefits when they leave his office. However, patients don’t realize that the moment they leave Dr. Hartman’s clinic, they leave with better looks, better health and, most importantly, renewed&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;self-confidence. These three gifts will not only encourage patients to cherish their newfound beauty but also step into the world, standing up straight with their shoulders high.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“People are going to see improvement in their quality of life, in their relationships and their self-confidence, and possibly even in life expectancy. These procedures are emotionally rewarding for our team and the client because everybody can benefit from more self-confidence. More self-confidence helps us self-actualize ourselves to be more effective in the world, to be better partners and better parents and better friends, and go out into the world more confidently,” Dr. Hartman explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After dedicating decades towards cultivating his true passion, Dr. Hartman can testify that a life in the service of art is a life worth living. Even now, as a successful plastic surgeon, Dr. Hartman exercises the many trades he’s had in the past to keep in touch with his artistic self on all fronts.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It feeds the soul; it’s a great way to relax and be in your zone and have some quiet time with myself, to reflect on what’s happening in my life and my relationships and my career in a peaceful way,” Dr. Hartman concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. David Hartman didn’t look for the closest way out of the labyrinth. He traveled it from one corner to another and emerged a better plastic surgeon, a better artist and a better person.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hartman1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/restoring-the-art-of-the-human-body-an-interview-with-dr-david-hartman/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14944</ID> <title>Putting the Kid in Kidneys: An Interview with Dr. Ray Bignall</title> <publishDate>2021-11-25 19:54:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_463 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_541"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_565 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_218"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Ray-Bignall.jpg" alt="" title="Ray-Bignall" class="wp-image-14946" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_566 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_594 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray Bignall, or Dr. Ray, as his patients would like to call him, is a board-certified Pediatric Nephrologist currently residing in Columbus, Ohio. Originally from Nashville, he received his medical degree at Meharry Medical College, then moved to fulfill his residency at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he stayed for seven years. In that time, Dr. Ray was also able to complete his postdoctoral research for the National Institute of Health on kidney health disparities between adults and childcare. Now, Dr. Ray is the Director of Kidney Health Advocacy and Community Engagement in Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he caters to kids with kidney problems and brings awareness to this often overlooked health issue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_542"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_567 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_595 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Five Functions of the Kidney&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we think of the kidney’s function in our bodies, we might say that all it does is make us run for the bathroom every few hours. However, Dr. Ray says that our kidneys have many more vital roles in keeping our bodies healthy. Take a look at the five primary functions of the kidney, according to Dr. Ray:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys clean your blood of toxins and waste. They filter your blood and remove all the things that don’t belong there.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys regulate your body’s fluids, which also involves the maintenance of your electrolyte balance. “This is what allows you to avoid blowing up like a balloon or shriveling up like a raisin,” Dr. Ray explains.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys control the balance of minerals and bone components of your bone metabolism. According to Dr. Ray, bone health has a lot to do with kidney health, as the former helps regulate vital bone-building vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys produce blood-regulating hormones, which help control your blood pressure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kidneys produce hormones that stimulate blood production. These hormones trigger the generation of red blood cells in your bone marrow which are then released and help circulate oxygen in our bodies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray wants to clarify that our kidneys do not make waste. Instead, the waste (or urine) is only a by-product of the many magnificent things our kidneys do to maintain balance in our bodies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Homeostasis is the medical term for it. It's your kidneys that are chiefly responsible for achieving and maintaining balance in your body,” he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He goes on to say that about 20% of our body’s circulating blood volume goes to our kidneys every day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Your kidneys are that important,” Dr. Ray emphasizes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_346 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1038 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1039 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1040 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_543"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_568 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_219"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hands-holding-kidney-shaped-leaves-world-kidney-day-national-organ-donor-day-charity-donation-concept-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="hands holding kidney shaped leaves, world kidney day, National O" class="wp-image-14948" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_596 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking Proper Care of Your Kidneys&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With all those heavy and crucial duties, it seems like our kidneys might be a bit of a high-maintenance organ. However, Dr. Ray assures us that, “Your kidneys are a lot smarter than we are, so when it comes to maintaining good kidney health, there’s not a whole lot that we need to be doing.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray advises that as long as we drink our water, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, maintain good cardiovascular health, and eat a balanced and nutritious diet, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;those without a family or personal history of congenital or acquired kidney disease should have nothing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to worry about in terms of kidney health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common Causes for Kidney Disease in Children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We hear of adult patients with kidney diseases all the time, but what we don’t hear of quite often is a seven-year-old child with kidney failure. Dr. Ray shares that many of the kids he treats have kidney disease as a result of genetics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Some kids are just born with congenital malformations of their urinary tract that result in kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure. Sometimes they have autoimmune conditions that result in damage to the kidney tissue itself, and that kidney tissue damage is what we nephrologists will try to treat and manage in order to preserve as much healthy kidney function for as long as possible,” he says.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray adds that other times, children develop kidney injury due to taking required medications for another disease. One example of this is when children get kidney injury as a result of chemotherapeutic medications. He says, “These are kids with cancer who require these very nephrotoxic medicines to treat their cancer, which is of course of utmost importance for their health, but the unfortunate side effect of it is that it can sometimes result in permanent kidney damage because of the toxicity of those drugs that have to be used.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And so, as a pediatric nephrologist, Dr. Ray often finds himself counseling his young patients and their parents on better lifestyle choices that promote kidney health, such as exercising and eating clean. He also works closely with his colleagues from other specialties like oncology, cardiology, and infectious diseases to seek less kidney-damaging medication therapies for patients at risk of kidney injury.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Different Treatments for Kidney Disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from giving doctor’s orders to children and their parents, Dr. Ray also administers a wide array of treatments (from blood pressure medications to immunosuppressant drugs) for various types of kidney diseases. However, Dr. Ray raises one alarming issue which makes him fear for his young patients, and yes, you guessed it: it’s the coronavirus. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Not only are many of my patients, children, who [may or may not be] authorized to receive the vaccine based on their age, but many of those children are also immunosuppressed because they either have a kidney transplant and require immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection of their kidney. Or some have an autoimmune condition that requires immunosuppressant medications to prevent ongoing damage to their kidney,” Dr. Ray explains. That’s why he has been taking extra steps to ensure that all his patients are getting the proper treatment and are being carefully protected from COVID-19 exposure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For patients who require therapy for end stage kidney disease, Dr. Ray says that dialysis and kidney transplantation are the only two treatments. Dialysis is essentially a process wherein a machine replaces the function of your kidney and is used when a person’s kidney has permanently failed or when they are significantly injured. However, dialysis is not a long-term solution for patients with kidney failure. When Dr. Ray’s patients are far past the point of kidney recovery, a kidney transplant becomes the only treatment option left. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although kidney transplants are complex, Dr. Ray describes them as an extraordinary circumstance. “It's really remarkable to think that from either a loved one or sometimes just an altruistic stranger -- our patients will be given the gift of life in the form of an organ for transplant. And when a living donor is not available, someone's posthumous gift through the donation of their organs allows our patients to go on living, allows that kidney to go on living in someone else, which is also just kind of an incredibly remarkable thing to think about.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Putting the “Kid” in “Kidneys”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Ray shares that one of the most heartwarming parts of his job is when he gets to call a family and tell them their kid will receive a kidney transplant. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Just hearing the joy in that family's voice, who's probably been dealing with a child with kidney failure, and maybe on dialysis for quite some time. To be able to get that news is really exciting,” he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s crystal clear to us here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that Dr. Ray’s passion for helping families is not waning anytime soon. When asked what his future looks like, Dr. Ray says that he will continue advocating for child health and kidney health equity in communities. “And if someone were to tell me at the end of my career, ‘Ray, you’ve done amazing work in advocating for kids. You’re an excellent pediatric nephrologist,’ I think that would be awesome.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/adult-child-holding-kidney-shaped-paper-world-kidney-day-national-organ-donor-day-charity-donation-concept-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/putting-the-kid-in-kidneys-an-interview-with-dr-ray-bignall/</url> </article> <article> <ID>14933</ID> <title>Running the Marathon: A Conversation with Pediatric Psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Goetz</title> <publishDate>2021-11-23 19:36:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_464 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_544"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_569 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_220"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jlgoetz-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="jlgoetz" class="wp-image-14935" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_597 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running a marathon is often used as a metaphor for endurance. This analogy might be familiar for some, yet it is ubiquitous for a reason. To succeed in a marathon, you need more than athleticism and a quick start; you need the strength to keep going even after you've covered many miles. We call this ability to push through "endurance," a character trait as useful in the medical industry as it is on the running track. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for people's mental health is no exception. Amid COVID-19, battling back against anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses feels like a marathon that never ends. With no finish line in sight, healthcare professionals often need the discipline and tenacity&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;of a track star. Here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, we speak with many doctors who exhibit these characteristics. One of them is Dr. Jennifer Goetz, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;graduate of the University of Florida who works as a pediatric psychiatrist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Marathons for a Cause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The physical discipline of running has become a source of tenacity for Dr. Goetz. "I started running in college," she tells us. "I don't know what spurred me to run a marathon; but this year, I was like, I'm doing it."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Running guides Dr. Goetz through the streets of Baltimore, a city she loves despite its bad reputation. "Baltimore gets a bad rap. It's actually quite beautiful; it's a really fun city, and it should get more positive attention," she says.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Helping the Vulnerable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although Dr. Goetz specializes in treating children with eating disorders, her work at Johns Hopkins encompasses a much broader range of mental health issues. "I specifically work with kids and teens and their families in psychiatric crises who get admitted to the inpatient unit at Johns Hopkins," she explains. "It's really an honor and a privilege to get to work with them during such a difficult period because I think being invited into family's lives during these times is really meaningful."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Though Dr. Goetz finds this work rewarding, the experience often leaves her drained, as she labors to come alongside children and their families in their time of desperate need. In addition, her patients struggle with various forms of severe behavioral issues, including serious mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and previous suicide attempts. The stakes at Johns Hopkins are high on a daily basis, something Dr. Goetz knew when she began her work there in April 2020. However, all the challenging work at Johns Hopkins and with family has only been exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_347 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1041 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1042 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1043 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_545"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_570 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_221"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/scool-boy-running-outdoors-child-doing-athletics-stadium-sport-concept-kids.jpg" alt="" title="scool-boy-running-outdoors-child-doing-athletics-stadium-sport-concept-kids" class="wp-image-14938" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_598 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID's Impact on Child and Adolescent Mental Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Typically, the world of child and adolescent psychiatric care experiences a period of downtime during&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the summer, when the number of new cases perceptibly decreases. Healthcare professionals rely on this downtime to recover from the stresses of busier periods. However, with the onset of COVID-19, that downtime&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;disappeared completely, leaving Dr. Goetz to rely more heavily on the strengths she's honed through in her running. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our unit has been at nearly full capacity for the last 18 months. Kids have been coming in sicker than they've ever been before," she tells us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goetz views the pandemic's unique set of pressures as the source of the resulting mental health crises. Previous strategies that individuals, including children and adolescents, relied on to relieve the stress of life have been removed, isolating them from friends, family, and comforting daily rhythms. Stripped of their usual defense mechanisms and subjected to new stressors, people increasingly find themselves at their breaking point. "It's been really hard on our staff, who've not had a break, and who are constantly working with patients who are at a very high acuity level. It's been challenging," she tells us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding the Joy Every Day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What can be done to stem the tide of this mental health crisis? Dr. Goetz recommends identifying something that brings you joy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making a little time each day for this source of joy&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;can go a long way. "It could be anything. It could be taking a walk every day. It could be doing a puzzle with someone in your family," she says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding unnecessary isolation can also help prevent mental illness for children and adolescents. While Dr. Goetz acknowledges that the health concerns associated with the pandemic often make isolation necessary, she urges parents to&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;find sources of social activity for their children, as this is often an essential outlet. "I think the mental health repercussions of the pandemic are going to be with us for years to come," Dr. Goetz tells us. To deal with these repercussions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;, &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we must make use of available resources, including parents and friends, as well as innovations such as telehealth. The latter, Dr. Goetz warns, should not be overused as in-person counseling is often the best treatment for mental illnesses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advice for Aspiring Medical Professionals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aside from her work with children, Dr. Goetz also works as an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Goetz has plenty of experience advice for those currently working to enter the medical industry. "Keep an open mind&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;in medical school, in regards to all of the different specialties. Keep your eyes and ears open&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;because you will learn on every rotation, no matter what you're interested in," she says.  Your priority during this season of life should be identifying where you thrive. If you have a passion for children’s mental wellness, you might consider specializing in child and adolescent eating disorders, akin to Dr. Goetz. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Child psychiatry certainly requires tenacity and endurance, traits that Dr. Goetz possesses in spades. Whether running on the streets of Baltimore or working to free a child from an eating disorder, Dr. Goetz never gives up. "It's a very hard road, right? It's rigorous. The pandemic has shown a lot of holes in our systems of care, particularly in behavioral health. But I still love what I do because I love the people I get to work with." Indeed, we all have something to learn from this diligent mentality. If you would like to read more about Dr. Goetz and her work, take a look at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/jennifer-goetz."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her profile&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the Johns Hopkins website!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/marathon-run-people-are-running-road-people-are-moving.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/running-the-marathon-a-conversation-with-pediatric-psychiatrist-dr-jennifer-goetz/</url> </article> <article> <ID>11310</ID> <title>TopDocDX: Diagnosing Chronic Disease in Asymptomatic Patients</title> <publishDate>2021-08-31 14:17:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_465 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_546"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_571 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_599 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today's society is quickly shifting its focus towards a proactive medical approach. More and more people, especially &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/hapiguide/millennials-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Millennials&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, are less keen on taking shots in the dark with their health and pursue the promising direction of preventive medicine. Not to mention the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which had us second-guessing our overall health and well-being. For patients, the time for sitting with their arms crossed is over.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the past two years, one of the most resonating words we daily heard was &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002217.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;asymptomatic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;mainly restricted to the COVID-19-pandemic field. The fear of carrying a virus without any notice was both overwhelming and scary for many of us. "What if I have the virus?" "What if I unwillingly infect someone else?" Such questions definitely are not any novelty. However, what if we take the word &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;asymptomatic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and apply it to our overall health? Could there be any latent diseases ready to strike us without notice?&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Disease prevention is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;sine qua non &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prerequisite for a healthy, well-balanced life. Here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we envisage a world where early health screenings can detect future diseases in asymptomatic patients. Therefore, we are striving to equip physicians with all the technology necessary for early detection medicine (EDM) – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;preventive screenings – to identify disease indicators in asymptomatic patients proactively while, at the same time, increasing their revenue and patient number. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Look no further; the answer lies in our newest testing system designed to help both physicians and patients collaborate towards disease prevention in a non-invasive and all-encompassing way – the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocrx.com/topdocdx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocDX Microvascular Testing System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;! Join us today and learn how TopDocDX will become the future of early detection technology with improved efficiency and no additional costs to physicians!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Presenting the TopDocDX Microvascular Testing System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This clinically powerful and non-invasive testing system for hidden diseases in asymptomatic patients provides the patient with an inside-out look on their health. Compared with other preventive tests, such as the electrocardiogram (EKG), which only tests the patient in a calm, peaceful environment, TopDocDX presents a real-life picture to the patient, with all its positive and negative influences. Therefore, physicians will have an enhanced understanding of the patient's overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Active Scan Machine (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the TopDocDX device) consists of three tried-and-true FDA-approved tests that have received recognition in the cardiology field: &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;The &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ankle-brachial-index-test" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ankle Brachial Index&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; (ABI) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;– this test observes the blood pressure ratio in opposite body parts (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;left and right arm, left and right ankle, etc.) and submits data for analysis. As long as the ratio is balanced, the patient will experience no issues at a microvascular level; with a healthy microvascular system, the macrovascular system can thrive as well. Ideal for tobacco consumers, diabetic patients, and people suffering from hypertension and high cholesterol levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4463960/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sudomotor Test&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; – &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;testing the sweat gland function. Patients place their hands and feet on stainless-steel electrodes, exposing themselves to an incremental low direct voltage that causes sweating. This approach provides evidence of any sweat dysfunction and gives the physician information on the patient's health years ahead on any visible disease symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23931777/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Function Test&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt; – &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Active Scan Machine checks the health of the ANS and its main components, the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Together, they control and regulate numerous internal organs and physiologic processes, including blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, metabolism, sweating, etc.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Clinical Applications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocDX Microvascular Testing System successfully uncovers and analyzes propensities towards a myriad of medical conditions, such as:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy (DAN) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cardiac Arrhythmia&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Congestive Heart Failure &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Asthma &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Peripheral Vascular Diseases &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Circulation Problems &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pain Management &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Neurological Conditions &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Anxiety/Stress &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Parkinson's Disease &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Psychological Conditions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the patient performs the 20-minute test, the physician receives and analyzes the results together with the patient's medical history by using our TopDocDX algorithm. This approach provides a predictive model for the patient's future cardiovascular and neurological health! Furthermore, the results come in the shape of a 35-page color-coded report, where:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;GREEN&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; stands for “OPTIMAL HEALTH”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;YELLOW &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advises patients to implement specific lifestyle choices, and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;RED &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calls for urgent medical care &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instead of assailing the patient with a mountain of information, TopDocDX shrinks the report into a two-page summary, more appropriate for physician-patient discussions!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By analyzing the results, physicians and patients can discuss ways to enhance the latter's overall health and schedule follow-up tests for performance tracking. Although this might sound like additional costs for the patient, we are here to affirm quite the opposite; both the FDA and the Centers for Medicare &amp;amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) approve of the TopDocDX Testing System. Therefore, insurance companies will cover all the costs, another fantastic reason for patients to undergo preventive screenings!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Continuing the Patient Care Mission with TopDocRX Remote Patient Monitoring&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drawing the necessary conclusions from the results is only half the battle; for you, the physician, the road to patient care is just beginning. Now is the time for you to carefully monitor your patients' health and prevent future aggravation of existing conditions, and the easiest way towards that is through Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, implementing an RPM system is no walk in the park, neither for you nor for your wallet. The costs (staff training, RPM kit, initial office setup, software costs, etc.) for a 300-patient system could go as high as $260,000.00! With such daunting costs on sight, RPM might seem like a futuristic dream.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, TopDocRX is here to change the game! By understanding the physicians' need for a reliable and streamlined approach to remote patient care, TopDocRX has put together its own RPM system that saves time and removes additional costs for physicians! Instead of breaking the bank to keep your patients safe, you will make use of our specialized monitoring equipment and personnel, that's right, free of charge! Our job is to arm your patients with all the data collection devices, wearables, and health kits while providing you with essential information (heart rate, glucose, step count, etc.) on a user-friendly interface. With our TopDocRX RPM systems, you can be sure that the testing work will not have been in vain; on the contrary, you will get to see your patients improve their health and, consequently, their future lives!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No Up-Front Costs, Positive Cash Flow, and No Financial Risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, how do you, the physician, benefit from employing the TopDocDX Active Scan Machine in your office(s)? And, most important, what are the initial costs? "Do I have to break the bank for this screening system?" Quite the contrary; instead of spending about $60,000 on equipment, you will receive the TopDocDX testing supplies free of charge! &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, would not new technology call for additional practitioners and, subsequently, more people on a payroll to get the job done? Not if we assign an on-site medical assistant from our team to perform the tests, together with technical staff and a billing service. Instead of becoming a nuisance, the TopDocDX Active Scan Machine will work for you without any intrusion. All you need to provide is a 5x5 foot area and patients, and you are good to go!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In return, you and your practice will benefit from:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;$160-170 net revenue per screening (after taxes)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Increase office visits by 15-20%&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No capital expenditure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No clinical staff training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;No burden on the billing staff&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We believe that this opportunity is the physicians' golden ticket into a world where patients learn about their potential diseases timely enough for a remedy to be implemented. Both patients and physicians now have all the tools necessary to ensure a healthy future for the patient without expensive investments or burdensome medical bills. If you are ready to join the future of preventive medicine with TopDocDX, more details await you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocrx.com/topdocdx/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/pexels-alex-green-5699431-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/topdocdx-diagnosing-chronic-disease-in-asymptomatic-patients/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13649</ID> <title>Could This Popular Treatment Eliminate Your Chronic Pain?</title> <publishDate>2021-08-25 15:02:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_466 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_547"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_572 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_222"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best-e1630680271892.jpeg" alt="" title="Best" class="wp-image-13654" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_600 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Could This Popular Treatment Eliminate Your Chronic Pain?&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jim Moharter suffered from an unfortunate accident back in 2003, when his vehicle took part in a massive car crash. Severe injuries to his neck and spine plagued his existence ever since, nor could he find an adequate solution to his pain – high-dose narcotics and pain medicine became the word of order, mainly comprising dangerous opioids such as Fentanyl. In addition, the accident impaired Moharter's locomotor abilities up to the point where he could not avoid the wheelchair any longer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such was Moharter's state when &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/aashish-jay-kumar-md"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aashish Jay Kumar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Wayne State University graduate who runs his clinic in Raleigh, NC, under Duke Health, welcomed him into his office. "When he first came here, he was on high-dose narcotics; he was in a wheelchair, he didn't walk." Instead of replacing the narcotic Band-Aid, Dr. Kumar decided to replace this vicious approach with a tangible and practical solution in the shape of a neuromodulation procedure. Now, Moharter is free to walk at will, without worrying about past pain or medication. "It's very empowering, psychologically and physically."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moharter's story has a happy conclusion; however, thousands of chronic pain patients out there would be much better off after a neuromodulation procedure in a painless, medication-free world. Dr. Kumar kindly agreed to share his wealth of knowledge with the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team in order to help these patients and raise more awareness on the astounding benefits of neuromodulation. Now, it is our turn to synthesize his thoughts and present to our readers the science behind neuromodulation and the benefits stemming from this narcotic-free approach!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Explaining a Neuromodulation Procedure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A wind of change is sweeping the interventional pain field, bringing about neuromodulation's rise in popularity. Instead of long narcotic spans, small devices work their magic in inhibiting pain signals from arriving at the brain; such news can only cheer up 8 out of 10 patients, who, as Dr. Kumar discloses, do not require controlled substances as treatment. Instead, their best and safest bet lies in a neuromodulation procedure capable of delivering electric stimulation benefits in one go!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The neuromodulation procedure entails little to no effort from the patient's side. First, a thin &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is implanted under the skin and guided to the target nerve through X-ray and ultrasound. Then, the doctor will attach an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;impulse generator &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to your skin to communicate with the lead. Once in place, you can cause the device to send electrical stimulation to the nerve through a remote called a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patient programmer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The impulse generator delivers low-dose electrical stimulation to the target nerve to "reset" the nerve and provide pain relief. For a more precise understanding, Dr. Kumar proposed the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;circuit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overload&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; analogy – the exterior electrical stimulation block the pain signals traveling from the nerve to the brain. Thus, instead of focusing on the pain, the nerve will turn its attention towards the novel stimulation, consequently liberating you from pain!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treating Multiple Types of Pain with Versatility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neuromodulation travels far and wide when it comes to treatable pain areas. Anything from fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) falls under neuromodulation's jurisdiction. Whether it is in the knees, wrists, shoulders, or back, neuromodulation inhibits the painful sensation left after certain surgeries, such as replacement surgery. It might sound surprising, but even patients plagued by migraines from occipital neuralgia see Dr. Kumar for neuromodulation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neuromodulation's versatility lies not only in the treatable pain types; the Duke Health team understood the need to accommodate the device to the patient's needs. Therefore, while some patients cannot wait to enjoy the permanent benefits of neuromodulation, others might want to give it a test run. Consequently, Dr. Kumar spoke to us of two device types:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Temporary peripheral nerve stimulation devices: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the patient wears the device for sixty days until removal, with pain relief effects lasting upwards of two years. At Duke Health, temporary devices come in the shape of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sprtherapeutics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SPRINT device&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Permanent peripheral nerve stimulation devices: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no different from their temporary counterparts, except for two things – they are permanent and do not malfunction underwater! Duke Health recommends the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="about:blank"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bioness StimRouter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a permanent peripheral nerve stimulation solution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kumar does not see an issue with patients who make their debut on temporary devices; on the contrary, the opportunity to experience the peripheral nerve stimulation benefits prompts patients to transition to permanent devices. "If it works well enough, they're going to want to get it permanently anyway. 'I want a permanent version of this so that I don't have to come back every two years.'"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Raising Awareness around Neuromodulation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the past few years, neuromodulation has experienced a steady rise in popularity. The growing number of distributors and the patients' willingness to avoid invasive treatments and narcotics brought traction to peripheral nerve stimulation devices. "It's something that patients can consider to be less invasive than something going in their back. So, I think that's why it's gaining traction." Because of this increase in popularity, Dr. Kumar performs around fifteen neuromodulation procedures every month.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, for the time being, the snowball still needs time before it turns into an avalanche. Akin to other pain relief methods, such as CBD-based products, neuromodulation must wait for more data, more research papers, and more publicity before turning mainstream.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the meantime, Dr. Kumar and his pain relief peers hope to see more patients bring positive change to their lives through neuromodulation. Insurance companies cover the procedure; therefore, numerous patients could potentially benefit from a peripheral nerve stimulation device right away!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best-e1630680271892.jpeg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/could-this-popular-treatment-eliminate-your-chronic-pain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10404</ID> <title>Embracing Telemedicine: How COVID-19 Is Forcefully Transforming An Industry Resistant To Change</title> <publishDate>2021-08-23 18:13:44</publishDate> <description>Technology has brought incredible developments in every sector of the economy to facilitate improvements in all aspects of human lifestyle and business. Technological innovation influenced overall performance, job efficiency, effectiveness, and improvement in the quality of service delivery. Yet, implementing telemedicine and all other aspects of digital health has been slow over the years, and multiple great technologies have failed to penetrate the healthcare system.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cynthia_headshot.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10405" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cynthia_headshot.jpg" alt="" width="299" height="299" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; Some professionals who enjoy their routine for several decades tend to become resistant to any disruptions threatening the status quo. Technology is a notorious disruptor that can trigger a sweeping change capable of transforming an industry. Some of these professionals are often reluctant to adopt new technological change out of disinterest and skepticism that it will improve efficiency. The healthcare industry is a notable example of an industry that has been resistant to change. As a result, the adoption of technological innovation in the healthcare system has been challenging.&#13; &#13; However, the recent pandemic triggered a pervasive healthcare emergency globally, and its overwhelming effect necessitated an immediate change to health care delivery. Healthcare providers have resorted to telemedicine to maintain social and physical distancing while meeting people's demand for healthcare service and many have realized its value and ability to provide greater access to quality care.&#13; &#13; Dr. Cynthia Horner, a licensed, Board-Certified Family Physician and medical director at Amwell Medical Group, a physician owned and operated medical practice that provides telehealth care exclusively on Amwell, has been practicing virtually many years - long before the pandemic - and experienced first hand the impact that telehealth can have on patient care as well as the provider experience. In an interview with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt; Dr. Horner , told us, "I started practicing virtually as I was looking for a lasting change in my career because I found that many of the administrative burdens in how we deliver care didn't have to be there. Even though there are technological devices around, we failed to leverage these digital tools. We could not get access to people's health information and access their data. There should be a faster, more efficient, and effective way to do this."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_11.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10332 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_11.png" alt="" width="1151" height="518" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; Speaking further on the need for telemedicine, Dr. Horner said that the ability to meet people in their home and to provide evidence-based, high-quality care when they need it, where they need it, where she does not have to keep them waiting in a waiting room for 30 to 45 minutes with a bunch of other sick people is an invaluable upgrade to healthcare delivery.&#13; &#13; For example, Dr. Horner alluded to a recent experience with a mom who was reluctant to take her daughter to the local emergency room, where many COVID-19 patients would surround her. "We had a video visit, and I was able to help them. I took a look at the child's breathing and counted her respiratory rate. Basically, I was able to help her know that there are some things that we can do." Dr. Horner further explained that she reconnected with the mom the next day and told her that she didn't need to go to the ER.&#13; &#13; "Call me back if something comes up. That really helped her. And she did call back the next day, and the child was doing a thousand times better." Dr. Horner said.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_12.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10333 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_12.png" alt="" width="968" height="529" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; Dr. Horner pinpointed regulatory restrictions as a major obstacle inhibiting the previous adoption of digital health. Healthcare providers are required to apply for medical licensure across each state before COVID-19, however, some of those restrictions were peeled back during the public health emergencies enacted during the pandemic. "I think during COVID, we saw that some States relaxed their restrictions or included reciprocity agreements with other States that allowed cross-state line medical care. Reducing some of the regulatory barriers to a national care provision is one important factor, and financing is another. Above all, there is a need to create guidelines for digital health in a way that will eliminate fear, provide lower-cost, more efficient care, but not at the expense of quality of care."&#13; &#13; Aside from the overarching benefit of digital health, Dr. Horner believes that telehealth has an opportunity to decrease the cost of care while improving its efficiency. "I think that's why some health plans, in particular, are very interested in the ability of telehealth to close gaps in care which can not only improve care outcomes but also reduce costs."&#13; &#13; "As we go forward, what the future of healthcare looks like is an interesting question. I think we're going to find a lot more video care, but virtual will never fully replace in-person - there are still some care interactions that will need to be conducted in-person like labs, surgeries, etc. Still, there is so much we can do virtually today and through digital technologies, we have an ability to make healthcare a much more efficient and better experience for all, " Dr. Horner concluded.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_10.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/embracing-telemedicine-how-covid-19-is-forcefully-transforming-an-industry-resistant-to-change/</url> </article> <article> <ID>11705</ID> <title>Leading with Excellent Service: An Interview with Dr. Harry Pan</title> <publishDate>2021-08-22 11:53:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_467 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_548"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_573 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_223"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2016-10-0711.16.24.jpg" alt="" title="2016-10-07+11.16.24" class="wp-image-11706" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_601 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harry Pan is the lead primary care doctor at his practice, Sagebrush Medical Center in Henderson, NV. He balances the work of a businessman, a doctor, a husband, and a father of two. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As for many physicians, COVID-19 was a determinant of their business survival under intense pressure. Dr. Pan and his team were no different as they faced difficulties within their community as a fairly young practice.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Managing the COVID-19 Crisis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the pandemic's spread and seriousness increased, Dr. Pan and his team had to determine how to treat their patients. Consequently, adapting telemedicine was a must. With some schedule reworking, Dr. Pan could retain all of his staff on reduced hours, which have begun to increase back to normal hours as more patients have gotten vaccinated. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We can never really predict what the future brings. Our core mission is to be there for our patients, to be the primary care clinic that adapts to their needs," Dr. Pan said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He explained that the crucial aspect of primary care was an intentional relationship between patient and doctor. Those honest relations led to Dr. Pan and his team improving the quality of care their patients receive. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Intentional Care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A direct and involved relationship with the patients drew Dr. Pan to opening his private practice in 2017. In addition, his work at hospitals made him realize how transactional visits were and how important having a detailed understanding of the patients' prior medical history could benefit their overall care and future diagnosis. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Over the last four years, I've had patients from the day our clinic opened. Being able to serve them and see them grow with me is, I think, the most fascinating and fulfilling part of the job," Dr. Pan said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Part of Dr. Pan's intentional care involves screening for mental health issues. He cannot stress enough the value of making sure the whole of the patient is healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think if we take an extra five minutes to just sit down with them and address these [mental health] issues, we can actually help our patients better. Sometimes I just pause in addressing their external issues and ask, 'Hey, how are you really doing?', and I occasionally get people who just cry."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring and addressing the internal state of his patients in hand with solving the external physical problems has led Dr. Pan to be a highly recommended doctor in his region. Patients have consistently written how much they appreciate his service. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the future, Dr. Pan hopes to increase the quality of care he offers and expand his practice. If you would like to learn more about him and his team, you can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sagebrushmedicalcenter.com/meet-our-clinicians" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;visit them here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2016-10-0711.16.24.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/leading-with-excellent-service-an-interview-with-dr-harry-pan/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10399</ID> <title>Pain Management - A Comprehensive Care Guide with James Boesiger DMSc,PA-C</title> <publishDate>2021-08-20 18:08:56</publishDate> <description>James Boesiger, DMSc, PA-C, has been at the forefront of pain medicine's evolution for over three decades. However, he still can't forget the profound effect of his childhood experience when he came home to his mother wearing sunglasses in bed and vomiting from chronic pain brought on by severe migraines. And so, it is no coincidence that along with his specialty in chronic pain medicine, Boesiger has a sub-specialty in headache medicine. In his interview with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt;, Boesiger describes some of the recent advances in chronic pain treatment, the unique challenges of practicing pain management during the pandemic, and where he sees the field moving towards the future.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Boesiger_Photo.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10400" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Boesiger_Photo.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="300" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;From Emergency Medicine to Pain Medicine&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Boesiger started his career practicing emergency medicine in 1986, but in the fall of 2005, a life-changing continuing-education conference sponsored by the American Society of Pain Educators (ASPE)  inspired him to change fields, follow his passion for pain management, and become one of Nevada’s first Certified Pain Educators (CPE) by the American Society of Pain Educators. The field of pain management has grown considerably since the first 50 people at that Las Vegas conference. Now, Boesiger has seen that small group grow into PAINWeek, a massive annual pain management conference taking up three floors at the Cosmopolitan conference center in Las Vegas with thousands of attendees. Boesiger was also a Credentialed Pain Practitioner from the Academy of Integrative Pain Management. In 2019 he earned his Doctorate of Medical Science (DMSc), from the University of Lynchburg, the first of its kind and an innovative program designed specifically for PAs.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_28.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10349 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_28.png" alt="" width="953" height="481" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Advances in Headache Medicine&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; This path into chronic pain management would lead Boesiger to one of his passions, headache medicine. The field has experienced evolution since the 1960s when Boesiger's mother suffered from migraines -"we are light-years ahead of where we were." He first learned of the sub-specialty through the Diamond Headache Foundation, promoting headache education in the medical field. Boesiger has a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) through the American Headache Society. He tells &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/em&gt;that one of the first breakthroughs during his career was moving from opioid treatment of migraines to using a class of drugs called “triptans”  , the first one, sumatriptan approved for use in 1991 as a subcutaneous injection. More recently, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptides (CGRP) has been lauded as a profound paradigm shift in the treatment of migraines, "Right now, we are in the middle of another revolution in migraine medicine. It's definitely an exciting time for a headache medicine."&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Multimodal Pain Management&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Today, Boesiger practices at the Nevada Comprehensive Pain Center in Las Vegas. The company has six clinics spread across the Las Vegas valley and incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach to chronic pain. "There are a variety of pain conditions we treat, but the majority of patients at the pain center are treated for cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine pain." Osteoarthritis of the knees and other joints, post-surgical pains, diabetic peripheral neuropathy are seen frequently as other neuropathic conditions including fibromyalgia. The clinic uses various interventional procedures such as epidural injections and nerve blocks for pain relief. On the more technical end neuromodulation is implanted for spinal stimulation for severe neuropathies and radiculopathies. Nevada Comprehensive Pain Center also firmly pushes for conservative therapy, weight loss, stop smoking, physical therapy, yoga, and chiropractic care. "With pain patients, there's no such thing as one size fits all," Boesiger says.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_29.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10350 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_29.png" alt="" width="954" height="468" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;A Challenging Regulatory Environment&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Strict government regulations of medications are necessary but complicated for pain management, especially for the prescription of opioids. For Boesiger, Nevada's AB 474 statute brought on several confusing mandates for medical professionals, "It really changed the face of pain management in this state, and I'm sure other states that adopted similar restrictive mandates." Boesiger recalls&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;that these laws' language was so confusing that several primary care physicians, dentists, and pain management specialists just stopped prescribing pain medication altogether. Likewise, patients had to jump through several expensive hoops just to receive the same pain medication they have been reliant on for years.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;COVID-19 and Pain Management&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; In April 2020, Boesiger's practice went full telemedicine, which is not an easy choice for a field that traditionally relied on face-to-face interaction. Fortunately, for Boesiger, his clinic had already transitioned to some essential systems to be fully electronic, such as the electronic prescription software system for medications, "I can only imagine the complications we would have endured just to deliver paper prescriptions. It would have been quite complex." At one point in late 2020, so much of the staff was either quarantined from being sick or for being in direct contact with a family member that was sick, that it was just Boesiger and his medical assistant seeing the patients for a few days. We were “Last Man (and Woman) Standing!”  Although so much of the practice during the pandemic was improvisationally problem solving on a daily basis, the Nevada Comprehensive Pain Center's six clinic locations allowed for some staffing flexibility during the peak of staff infection or quarantine. Boesiger gives credit to the management team who was able to shuffle staff around from different clinics just to continue patient care.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;What's in the Future for Pain Management?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Boesiger believes in telemedicine expansion, but it remains a complicated issue for pain management due to several drawbacks. If you have a good audio and visual interface, you can assess breathing and respiratory rates. Moreover, you can also assess specific muscles and teach patients particular body movements and therapeutic maneuvers online. Protocol for documentation of the visit has serious potential and could be an invaluable data set down the road for a patient's treatment. "Some ailments, like headaches and migraines, are all in the patient's history, so much of that can easily be done with a telemedicine visit."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_31.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10352 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_31.png" alt="" width="1092" height="553" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Traditional Ways Beyond the Limits of Telemedicine&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; With over three decades of experience, Boesiger is wary of his field drifting too far into the telemedicine world. One of the first concerns is a practical one, insurance reimbursement. Some payers will pay 40% less for a telemedicine visit versus an in-person one, which is untenable for most businesses showing thinning margins due to recent complicated regulatory laws and already diminished payouts from insurance companies. Deeper concerns for Boesiger are losing the traditional hands-on approach and relationship-defining moments with patients, "The hand holding, the touch, the compassion, the empathy, the 'pat-on-the-back' if you will." COVID-19 reminds us that we take simple treatments like listening to the lungs and palpitating the abdomen as a given during a hospital visit. Still, these crucial interactions are lost during a telemedicine assessment. Patients are overall reporting to Boesiger that most prefer in-person visits, aside from a few specific cases.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_32.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10353 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_32.png" alt="" width="1081" height="503" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Stigmatization of People in Chronic Pain&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Boesiger's doctoral thesis focused on the stigma that pain patients experience sometimes on a daily basis. He looked at the impact of glances from strangers, the rolling of eyes from a pharmacist or a co-worker, the challenge of even picking up medication. It can sometimes be attributed to severe depression or adverse developments in mental health observed during the pandemic. For Boesiger, the key to pain management is the earned trust and relationship during the healing process, "The subtle moments of looking into a patient's eyes as they tell their story, means so much to them, perhaps more so than getting a prescription or a shot."</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_27.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/pain-management-a-comprehensive-care-guide-with-james-boesiger-dmscpa-c/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10393</ID> <title>Could a Once-a-week Insulin Injection Alter the Treatment of Diabetes?</title> <publishDate>2021-08-18 18:02:40</publishDate> <description>In a new turn of events, &lt;a href="https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2021/04/15/dc20-2878"&gt;&lt;u&gt;research&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; trials showed that weekly insulin can work as a treatment to treat and manage diabetes. Some medical professionals concur that it is the right move in the right direction. The research involved hundreds of patients with type 2 diabetes.&#13; &#13; Research analysts managed to evaluate the efficacy and safety concerns of long-form insulin called “insulin Icodec.” The extensive research also involved participants from various countries.&#13; &#13; The second trial of the research proved that people with diabetes could move from daily insulin injections to weekly Icodec-based injections. The research shows the transition from daily to weekly to be effective and safe for people with diabetes.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_24.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10345 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_24.png" alt="" width="1033" height="544" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Once-a-Week Insulin Injection: What Will be the “Next” Move?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The research still requires more affirmation and reaffirmation of findings. Still, it is excellent news for Individuals who have no choice but to inject insulin on a day-to-day basis. Besides, more than &lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;10%&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes. It means over 7 million Americans have to use standard insulin to manage blood sugar levels.&#13; &#13; However, the tide is changing, and the new research brings a new ray of light for people with diabetes across the U.S. You have to understand that essentially, an insulin compound is a hormone produced by the pancreas that moves sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. However, a diabetic’s body can no longer produce the required insulin or no insulin at all.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Insulin Treatment and Insulin Administration&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Sure, no one can deny the fact that insulin is an excellent treatment, but the added burden to administer insulin is another story. And that’s why the timing of this new research couldn’t be more perfect. It is no longer a fantasy for people with diabetes to take their insulin injections once a week. In fact, more findings will help realize this convenience for people with diabetes and bring down traditional administration barriers for people.&#13; &#13; You may not be aware of it, but medical professionals and scientific researchers worldwide have been on the lookout to find a more efficient and effective way to inject insulin. Besides, people with diabetes don’t deserve the exhaustion (and embarrassment) of injecting insulin every single day.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_25.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10346 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_25.png" alt="" width="1007" height="442" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Research Phase 2 and How Insulin “Icodec” Works&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; It is crucial to remember that the new extensive research involves a combination of sequential studies. Phase 2 of these studies showed promising results of weekly insulin injections for type 2 diabetes.&#13; &#13; Scientifically, insulin Icodec reversibly binds the insulin to the binding albumin. As a result, the binding agent, albumin, slows down the release of an insulin analog and extends the life of the insulin for one week.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Limitations of Contemporary Insulin Therapies&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Contrary to misguided perceptions, there is no mindless practice to inject insulin without any cause of concern. Before a person with diabetes injects insulin, they have to figure out the proper dose of medication that would support “their” levels of blood sugar. This variation can differ from one person to another and depends on stress level, exercise, and total carbohydrates in a diet.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Insulin Injections are More Complicated than You Think&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; It would be an understatement to call insulin injections complicated. When it comes to injecting insulin daily, people with diabetes often make injection site or dosage errors. Over time, these types of mistakes create more complications like diabetic &lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325136#symptoms"&gt;&lt;u&gt;ketoacidosis&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and low or high blood sugar for diabetic patients.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_26.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10347 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_26.png" alt="" width="1108" height="581" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Icodec injections: New Standard for Insulin Therapy?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Over the years, there have been several scientific advancements in current insulin therapy. But there are still new opportunities for researchers to explore to make insulin administration more effective and safe for people with diabetes across the globe. And icodec injections have the power to alleviate the suffering and burden of millions of diabetic patients.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;More Focus on Convenience&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; When it comes to managing and controlling type 2 diabetes, individuals want more convenience than ever. And the new research findings are optimistic and offer a more convenient approach to people with diabetes to take insulin injections.&#13; &#13; Some people with diabetes require more than one injection per day. But the results of this research come across as game-changing that would favor people with diabetes. Dr. Ildiko Lingvay, the lead author of the published research, affirms that weekly insulin is far more convenient and practical for diabetic patients.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Final Thoughts&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; If further examination of the findings proves correct, this scientific study will become a savior to patients who take seven insulin injections per day. In hindsight, there are some strings attached to the new research, but it doesn’t change the fact that the weekly insulin injection option is much better for people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels and live healthy and normal lives.&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;REFERENCES:&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &lt;ol&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/once-a-week-insulin-treatment-may-be-a-novel-way-to-treat-diabetes"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/once-a-week-insulin-treatment-may-be-a-novel-way-to-treat-diabetes&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/949924"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/949924"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/949924&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2021/04/15/dc20-2878"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2021/04/15/dc20-2878"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2021/04/15/dc20-2878&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210419135655.htm#:~:text=2-,Once%2Da%2Dweek%20insulin%20treatment%20could%20be%20game%2D,changing%20for%20patients%20with%20diabetes&amp;amp;text=Summary%3A,of%20two%20international%20clinical%20trials"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210419135655.htm#:~:text=2-,Once%2Da%2Dweek%20insulin%20treatment%20could%20be%20game%2D,changing%20for%20patients%20with%20diabetes&amp;amp;text=Summary%3A,of%20two%20international%20clinical%20trials&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-once-a-week-insulin-diabetes-early-trial.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-once-a-week-insulin-diabetes-early-trial.html&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ol&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_24.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/could-a-once-a-week-insulin-injection-alter-the-treatment-of-diabetes/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10387</ID> <title>Bringing Hope for a Brighter COVID-19-Free World - An Interview with Dr. David Ramin</title> <publishDate>2021-08-15 17:43:57</publishDate> <description>The COVID-19 virus shows encouraging signs of falling behind in the U.S. With the advent of the first FDA-approved vaccines at the end of last year and an efficiently coordinated vaccination campaign, the U.S. has experienced a steep drop in new daily COVID-19 cases (&lt;a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=number+covid+cases+usa&amp;amp;oq=number+covid+cases+usa&amp;amp;aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30l5j0i390l3.3268j0j7&amp;amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;amp;stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLVT9c3NMwySk6OL8zJecTYxMgt8PLHPWGpyklrTl5jLOYS901NyUzOzEt1ySxOTSxO9clPTizJzM8T0uNic80rySypFFLhEpRCNUeDQYqfC1VISIOLA65XhotXilM_V9_AMtm83ACompsLweXZxcTtkZqYU5IRXJJYUryIVSyvNDcptUghOb8sM0UhGeiIYoXS4kQAG3bLnr4AAAA&amp;amp;ictx=1&amp;amp;ved=2ahUKEwivuqjCiPPwAhX9wQIHHZcuAQkQyNoBKAF6BAgTEAc"&gt;&lt;u&gt;11,500 cases on May 29&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=number+covid+cases+usa&amp;amp;oq=number+covid+cases+usa&amp;amp;aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30l5j0i390l3.3268j0j7&amp;amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;amp;stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLVT9c3NMwySk6OL8zJecTYxMgt8PLHPWGpyklrTl5jLOYS901NyUzOzEt1ySxOTSxO9clPTizJzM8T0uNic80rySypFFLhEpRCNUeDQYqfC1VISIOLA65XhotXilM_V9_AMtm83ACompsLweXZxcTtkZqYU5IRXJJYUryIVSyvNDcptUghOb8sM0UhGeiIYoXS4kQAG3bLnr4AAAA&amp;amp;ictx=1&amp;amp;ved=2ahUKEwivuqjCiPPwAhX9wQIHHZcuAQkQyNoBKAF6BAgTEAc"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;), coupled with an even steeper growth in daily (&lt;a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=number+vaccine+covid+19+usa&amp;amp;ei=poO0YLzZHMeBi-gPyuuMoA0&amp;amp;oq=number+vaccine+covid+19+usa&amp;amp;gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBggAEBYQHjoHCAAQRxCwAzoECAAQQzoECC4QQzoCCAA6AgguOggILhDHARCjAjoHCAAQyQMQQzoFCAAQkgM6CAghEBYQHRAeUJTwAVjXjAJgoI0CaAFwAngAgAHmAogBgRSSAQgxLjExLjAuM5gBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrIAQTAAQE&amp;amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;amp;ved=0ahUKEwi8xMvupvPwAhXHwAIHHco1A9QQ4dUDCA4&amp;amp;uact=5"&gt;&lt;u&gt;41% of the population fully vaccinated&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;).&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1572950.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10388" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1572950.jpg" alt="" width="285" height="365" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Understanding Prevention Is More Important Than Treatment&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The prospects could not be merrier for the battle-hardened general population, who is ready to reclaim, once again, its freedom of movement and live in an environment devoid of fear. For Dr. David Ramin, a Wayne State University School of Medicine alumnus and &lt;a href="https://www.beverlyhillsinternist.com/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;head of his private practice in Beverly Hills&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, this environment of fear exacerbated the global pandemic. It caused numerous people to experience something similar to the entrapment feeling felt by a claustrophobic person. He even shared with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt; a patient story that speaks for itself on this matter: “I had one patient who had twice a week COVID-19 testing done. He did so much that he ended up having trouble with his nostrils and getting perforation.”&#13; &#13; Hurting oneself is an unexpected yet ordinary outcome of exaggerated self-care. In Dr. Ramin's view, the physician bears responsibility for educating the patient on the significance of prevention to restrict this environment of fear to a minimum: "The most important thing as physicians is to make sure they (&lt;em&gt;i.e., &lt;/em&gt;the patients) are not living in fear. You have to educate them not to live in fear."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_3.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10324 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_3.png" alt="" width="918" height="462" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;An Epidemic of Misinformation&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; This educational work can put the brakes on today's tendency towards self-education from unverified sources, giving rise to our contemporary misinformation epidemic. "Up to 30% of patients who seek assistance for a doctor are worried about certain things that might not be true; they read on Google, and they think they have cancer or some sort of illness, they have very few months left to live, or they're going to die."&#13; &#13; In a world where the concept of authority is constantly put to the test, Dr. Ramin reminds us that the scientific world's bedrock resides on &lt;em&gt;continuous learning&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;data analysis. &lt;/em&gt;"Anybody can put things on the internet. […] As patients, it's very hard, anybody can come and comment, and those comments might be taken as data." The formidable task of separating presuppositions from actual research is not for anyone to undertake, although this reality might hurt a few egos; however, for Dr. Ramin, the consequences of this unwarranted research are real and troublesome: "People are able to search things and start worrying by things that they shouldn't be."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_1.png"&gt;&lt;img class="size-full wp-image-10322 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_1.png" alt="" width="824" height="366" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Constantly Improving Oneself&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The second component of a robust and trustworthy scientific world is continuous learning. Dr. Ramin utilizes his teaching experience from the USC Keck School of Medicine to diversify and improve his practice. As an educator, he firmly believes that preparing the next generation of physicians can only be achieved through constant learning. "When you teach medical students, you have to keep updated. I like teaching because that keeps me more up to date." He communicates with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_2.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10323 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_2.png" alt="" width="929" height="516" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Finding Superior Ways to Treat Diabetes&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Owing to his General Internal Medicine training, Dr. Ramin works with patients whose morbidities cover an extensive range. Out of all, treating patients with endocrine disorders such as diabetes is paramount to his work. "Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness, kidney failure and causes a lot of morbidity and mortality associated with heart disease and stroke." Taking on this prevalent medical issue (&lt;a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1"&gt;&lt;u&gt;which affects over 400 million people worldwide&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;) truly is a daunting task, never mind the COVID-19 pandemic, which added the proper ingredients, such as poor diet and lack of activity, to an already diabetes-friendly recipe.&#13; &#13; However, Dr. Ramin believes that he found an excellent way to treat diabetes in the shape of, you've guessed it, &lt;em&gt;prevention. &lt;/em&gt;"It's the simplest way of treating diabetes," he conveys to &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine. &lt;/em&gt;Through constant prevention tactics and weight loss, the blood sugar in diabetes patients will gradually decrease, leading to a decrease in insulin resistance. Less insulin resistance calls for a shorter necessary drug list and facilitates disease amelioration.&#13; &#13; Dr. Ramin improves his diabetes prevention tactics through specific medicine that facilitates weight loss.  Diabetes patients can achieve weight loss either by disposing of blood sugar through the urine or by causing a feeling of satiety, leading to reduced food intake. Patients will not return to their original eating habits with an already shrunk stomach regardless of how much weight they lost. To conclude, both approaches center on the same issue, namely insulin resistance. "I've changed our practice of medicine, too, to the point that we are going back and getting rid of what's the hallmark, which is insulin resistance."&#13; &lt;h2&gt;"If Your Passion Is Medicine, Go for It!"&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. David Ramin successfully illustrates the physician's sworn quest towards an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and an unbreakable will to help and educate patients daily. While not always a walk in the park, medicine will always reward those who practice it with passion, with love, and with selflessness. "I've spent past 20 years going to hospitals, emergency rooms, being in my office, having my phone ring in the middle of the night, during the day, during weekends, taking care of patients; it's the most rewarding career anybody could have; you deal with the patients, you deal with people's lives."&#13; &#13; However, for those who are not passionate about medicine, happiness and fulfillment lay somewhere else: "If your passion is medicine, go for it. If your passion is not medicine, you aren't going to be a happy person doing medicine; people who are passionate about medicine become pretty good doctors. People who are not passionate about medicine shouldn't go into medicine."&#13; &#13; As a parting reminder, Dr. Ramin reiterates the urgent need for a continuous dialogue between physicians and patients in an effort to remove the latter's insecurities and help them recover after this besieged-by-fear pandemic. "It's very important to have an understanding of them (&lt;em&gt;i.e., &lt;/em&gt;the patients) and have a way of communicating with them to make sure they can come back and leave their lives because the lack of social interaction will devastate a generation of us."&#13; &#13; For more information on Dr. David Ramin and his practice, check out &lt;a href="https://www.beverlyhillsinternist.com"&gt;&lt;u&gt;the following website&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1572950.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/bringing-hope-for-a-brighter-covid-19-free-world-an-interview-with-dr-david-ramin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12291</ID> <title>What to Watch for in The Growing Skincare Industry</title> <publishDate>2021-08-14 07:02:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_468 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_549"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_574 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_224"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash" class="wp-image-12293" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_602 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More organic product awareness as compared to their synthetic counterparts is driving an increase in production demand. Organic products come from natural resources and are free from damaging toxins and chemicals. Their benefits compel manufacturers to launch new products and conduct more research on new developments. As more people turn to these products, the trend will likely continue in the future. Consequently, the market for organic skincare products is also expanding.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why are Organic Skincare Products Becoming Popular?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The growing popularity is not the only factor that is driving demand for organic skincare products. A steady increase in distribution channels is allowing consumers to choose the best products. E-commerce platforms allow consumers to enjoy access to products they can’t buy from their local malls and stores. Such advancements pave the path for numerous emerging skincare brands.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Products indicate the evolving preferences of consumers for better health, beauty, and hygiene in modern times. Thus, R&amp;amp;D efforts and new technologies will result in the development of oral care and other hygiene products from various brands.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The modern consumer is willing to pay a high price for such products, first, because consumers now trust organic products more, especially from countries like Japan, U.S., China, and India; second, because organic products claim more benefits than synthetic products. Consumers are keen to purchase these products because natural ingredients ensure fewer to no side effects.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effect on Popular Beauty Brands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Successful brands are already working to capture the target audience that is slowly shifting towards organic products. Big brands are now setting up internal incubators that are quick to launch groundbreaking skincare products. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For instance, Unilever, the brand behind world-famous products such as Suave and Dove, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acquired new skincare-focused brands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Another famous brand, Procter &amp;amp; Gamble, added another skincare brand to their portfolio when they bought &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kiwi&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. That’s because the company&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from New Zealand was making headlines because of their natural products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, the skincare industry is observing a shift from an older consumer base to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mintel.com/blog/beauty-market-news/beauty-trends-for-younger-consumers"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;younger consumer base&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Thanks to the global impact of fashion influencers on the internet, teens are now beginning to capture the market more than women do. Hence, skincare brands are now targeting the younger generation and making efforts to retain their older consumer base.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The U.S. skincare industry is now focusing on using natural ingredients for manufacturing safe and organic products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. According to a survey, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;35% of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed interest in using all-natural and organic skin products in 2016.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hence, brands continue to develop innovative skincare products that are great for us and the environment. The concept of using locally sourced ingredients and adapting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/organic-cosmetics-market"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eco-friendly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; production methods is also gaining more popularity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Anti-Aging Organic Products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emerging and successful brands are producing a variety of organic anti-aging creams, lotions, and serums. Today’s consumers are more wellness-conscious than before. Groundbreaking trends like CBD, Ayurvedic herbs, and personal rituals are changing the way consumers use skincare products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modern consumers look forward to developing a deeper relationship with their wellness. That’s the reason many brands focus on creating an “experience” rather than a “product.” Another factor to consider is that many of our current interest-driving skin concerns were less relevant in the past. Work-related stress during the pandemic, sun protection, and pollution influence brands to develop new and improved skincare products. UV exposure, daily exposure to pollution, and premature aging are common problems of today’s consumers; consequently, brands are switching to natural and local ingredients to develop relevant and effective products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consumers believe that natural products will reverse or slow down the progression of these problems. Organic skincare products do not have parabens or synthetic ingredients, which guarantee effective results.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bottom Line&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cell communicating ingredients can improve the appearance of our skin. Brands are partnering with researchers and scientists to identify the most valuable elements and ingredients for improving the health of our skin. Skincare brands continue to place a high emphasis on manufacturing products out of natural and local ingredients, an approach that will help them drive revenues and expand their services in emerging markets such as Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-care-trends/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-care-trends/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://crstoday.com/articles/2015-aug/a-consumers-perspective-on-skin-care/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://crstoday.com/articles/2015-aug/a-consumers-perspective-on-skin-care/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-personal-care-market"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-personal-care-market&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/what-to-watch-for-in-the-growing-skincare-industry/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10377</ID> <title>"The Best Time to Start a Practice is Yesterday!" - Bridging the Gap between Medicine and Business for Better Patient Outcomes</title> <publishDate>2021-08-12 17:37:02</publishDate> <description>In these hectic days, where predicting the unpredictable is our utmost preoccupation, starting a new business venture with no drop of security for the future might sound unsafe, if not wholly deplorable. However, for some physicians, the COVID-19 pandemic represented as much of a seasonable moment to start their practice as any.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Williams_Calvin-2015-5721-a-683x1024-1.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone wp-image-10378" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Williams_Calvin-2015-5721-a-683x1024-1.jpg" alt="" width="341" height="512" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; Our &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/em&gt;team had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Calvin Williams, MD, a Board-Certified Dermatologist with his degree from Harvard Medical School and extensive training at both the University of Chicago and the University of Texas Southwestern. It might sound crazy, but Dr. Williams had started his private practice, the &lt;a href="https://edermgroup.com/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Essential Dermatology Group&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, in Belford, TX, this spring, a couple of days before the interview took place! Therefore, as if the Gods of Fate had decided beforehand, we were ecstatic to learn more about running practice still in its infancy. With his infinite grace, Dr. Williams was quick to give us insights on his decision to start practice during a global pandemic while sparing no detail. As he told our &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/em&gt;interviewer, "I can talk for a living, and it's absolutely fun for me!"&#13; &lt;h2&gt;"Playing Out My Own Dream"&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; After working for the past few years as a physician in different joint partnerships, Dr. Williams decided it was time to transition from being an employee to running his practice, believing that he could exact more positive change from the latter's position than the former's. "I wanted to have my own team, to be in charge of things, and be able to do more than what I was able to do as an employee."&#13; &#13; As a practice owner, Dr. Williams envisions more opportunities for helping the community. "There are different things I want to do in the community when it comes to mentoring students and youth, bringing people in, maybe doing internships, even donating to the basketball teams or local chess clubs that may need different supplies or team uniforms."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_33.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10380 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_33.png" alt="" width="1053" height="534" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;"Still Sorting Out the Kinks and the Bugs"&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Two days after the practice inauguration, Dr. Williams is more enthusiastic about his prospects than ever. What remains is the need to "sort out the kinks and the bugs and, learning the scope of the land outside of dermatology."&#13; &#13; However, the spirits have not always been so high in Dr. Williams' camp. Ever since he began the practice foundation process a year ago, Dr. Williams frequently found himself second-guessing his plan, mainly due to a climate of global insecurity. "I would honestly say that it was a little bit scary at first because I really had to think about it and make sure that it was the best decision to try to open up during this kind of season we're in, and no one can tell you exactly what was going to happen." He admits that his plan could have fallen prey to the time's vicissitudes at any moment, although he always kept his faith in a more auspicious future. "I'm not going to sit here and act like I was in a crystal ball or whatever. But I have faith that the human spirit would pick up and we would get through it, and then people would still need their care."&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Relying Upon a Dedicated Team to Help Patients&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Akin to Rome, which wasn't built in a day, so will Dr. Williams' practice require dedication and patience to set foot on the realms of glory. In this endeavor, he relies upon a devoted team of employees and volunteers who always keep the mission goal under their scope, providing the finest patient care possible. "The mission goal is to expand it, to take care of as many patients as we can within the realm of making sure that we never compromise on patient care and always give the best of service to people. That's always going to be the first goal of the day."&#13; &#13; Enjoying a steady flow of patients, Dr. Williams is thrilled that his infant practice is gradually shaping up. However, at the Essential Dermatology Group, the mission transcends the borders of patient care, aiming at creating a solid local community of patients and practitioners. "It will come down to going to the community and making those relationships with the community members themselves and the community physicians around here."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_21.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10342 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_21.png" alt="" width="1077" height="607" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Handling the Business Side of Dermatology&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Once they fulfill their residency programs and embark upon starting their practice, physicians are immediately hit by a harsh reality – the lack of business education and knowledge. We've interviewed dozens of physicians who advocate for adding business management classes to the medical school curriculum for a simple reason – providing patient care and running a business are two completely different stories. And Dr. Williams is no stranger to this issue. Thankfully, he was blessed with helpful resources and mentorship from some of the most qualified actors in the business. "I've had some great resources, a lot of mentors. And honestly, I learned a lot from my previous office manager who understands business dermatology extremely well, better than a lot of dermatologists now."&#13; &lt;h2&gt;"The Best Time to Start a Practice is a Yesterday!"&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; To all the dermatologists or physicians who are ready to take their first steps towards starting a practice but cannot figure out the right time, Dr. Williams has the easiest, most straightforward answer: "The best time to start a practice is yesterday!" If you're a dermatologist in a similar situation, always remember that help is always at hand, in the shape of other fellow dermatologists. "I don't think there's any, any other way to say it but to do it. Use your valuable resources, and that's the other dermatologists that are near you. There is a ton of resources that we use and, I would say, feel free to make the best of them."&#13; &#13; As a parting reminder, Dr. Calvin Williams reminds us that two sets of hands are stronger than one, which is why it takes a dedicated team to achieve something resilient in life. "I still think it takes a team to create something big and hopefully. I'm no different than that. Yeah, I would have to give a lot of credit to my team, my support staff, my family at home, and my relentless drive to take care of people."</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Williams_Calvin-2015-5721-a-683x1024-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/the-best-time-to-start-a-practice-is-yesterday-bridging-the-gap-between-medicine-and-business-for-better-patient-outcomes/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12255</ID> <title>How Lifestyle Medicine Effects Modern Healthcare</title> <publishDate>2021-08-11 06:25:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_469 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_550"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_575 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_225"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-negative-space-48604.jpg" alt="" title="pexels-negative-space-48604" class="wp-image-12256" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_603 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Written by: Oyalola M. Lateef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle medicine is an evolving healthcare approach using evidence-based therapeutic intervention and natural treatment for holistic care. As an evolving branch of medicine, it deals with research, prevention, treatment, and reversal of lifestyle-related diseases. In addition, lifestyle medicine encourages the adoption and practice of healthy behaviors by motivating patients to embrace a plant-predominant diet, restorative sleep, regular physical exercise, stress management, and healthy social relations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the years, humans generally retrogressed into harmful and unhealthy lifestyles, creating a burden of non-communicable diseases that account for about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acpm.org/getmedia/f297c5aa-5ebc-4d96-9987-e511167a908d/kushner_lifestyle-medicine.pdf.aspx"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;63% of global deaths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Recognizing that the status quo – a pill for every ill – is unsustainable, given that American's health hasn't grown appreciably in recent decades, health care professionals are focusing on creating a movement around lifestyle medicine to eradicate the root cause of disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/pdf/guidelines/environmental-guidelines-P.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the quality of medical care affects a patient by 10%, genetics by 18%, environment by 19% but lifestyle has over 50% effect on an individual's quality of life. In conjunction with the World Health Organization, the CDC also reported that 70% of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and hypertension result from major lifestyle-related risk factors, including lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and long-term stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrary to opinion, lifestyle medicine doesn't replace conventional modern medicine but complements it with its potential to mitigate and even reverse chronic disease. As a viable first approach to health care, lifestyle medicine is gradually gaining traction both in the United States and worldwide, creating a trend of daily habits and actions with a profound positive effect on long-term health and quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle medicine created a multi-million dollar industry as mineral and vitamins supplements to prevent the occurrence or progression of chronic diseases. Vitamins and minerals are organic compounds every human needs in small quantities. The human body produces a small quantity of some vitamins while the rest come from food. For example, humans get vitamin C from their diet while dogs produce all the vitamin C they need. By comparison, only a tiny quantity of vitamin D is available in human food, while the human body synthesizes the vitamin when exposed to sunlight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body needs all the vitamins in the correct quantity to function optimally and maintain good health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eheintl.com/the_13_essential_vitamins/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thirteen essential vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are crucial for human metabolic processes. Unfortunately, with all the inherent benefits of supplements, a dangerous trend is creeping into the spotlight: supplements receive much less scrutiny by the FDA before hitting the market. Even though the FDA ruled that supplements must meet specific quality standards, the rules don't guarantee that the supplements are safe for anyone. The FDA also reserves the right to remove dangerous products from the market, yet thousands of companies make false, unsupported claims to sell their products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ignoring the overly exaggerated claim by supplements makers, are their products safe? Does the label carry honest information about the contents in the bottle? Private labs and researchers waded into the matter and uncovered a shocking reality – one-quarter of the tested supplements have different problems that make them pretty unsafe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the last decade, an independent company tested hundreds of supplements, and one-quarter have had issues. Some supplements contained contaminants, while others had ingredients that exceeded the safe limit. Others had contents that didn't match label claims, and in some, real drugs were added as natural supplements. Although supplement makers intensify publicity about the potential benefits, using these products can land users in the emergency department.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1504267"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; revealed that adverse effects of supplements led to an average of about 23,000 medical visits per year. The 10-year study looked at data from 63 hospital emergency departments and reported that weight-loss products make up one-quarter of all single-product emergency department visits and affect primarily women while men experience adverse effects from bodybuilding and sexual enhancements products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another test, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.consumerlab.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consumerLab.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found lead in at least one brand, including black cohosh, zinc, and ginkgo products. Accumulation of lead can cause severe health problems. The testing company recommends a national limit of 0.5 micrograms per day – a level that requires a warning on the product label in California. Similarly, a test showed that four out of seven supplements contain less ginkgo than their label claimed. In addition, ayurvedic – a notorious herbal ingredient used in traditional medicine from India – often contains hazardous metals, a study reported in medical journals. This type of industry fraud is shocking for what is supposed to be suitable for users.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, some dietary supplements are safe and beneficial because they contain active ingredients that cause physiological changes. Unfortunately, these active ingredients can also create adverse effects such as racing irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, digestive symptoms, dizziness, or headache. Staying healthy requires multiple approaches to self-care. Awareness and informed knowledge about any supplement, including the content – whether advertised as herbal, natural, or non-drug – is part of that care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you do take herbal products, vitamins, or supplements, make sure you read any safety labels on the bottle at all times. Consult a clinician to review everything you take to avoid adverse effects, either you are taking the supplement alone or together with over-the-counter drugs. Call your doctor if you notice any strange symptoms after taking dietary supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-negative-space-48604.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/how-lifestyle-medicine-effects-modern-healthcare/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10370</ID> <title>Being a Boss in the Medical Industry</title> <publishDate>2021-08-09 17:27:50</publishDate> <description>In the ever-challenging field of medicine, the image of physicians putting their knowledge and resources to the patient’s use often summarizes the way we understand the medical industry mechanics. Under this picturesque description lay thousands of ever-turning wheels in a complex mechanism whose leadership is constantly responsible for the life and death of millions of patients.&#13; &#13; However, are physicians responsible for the medical industry mechanism, and, if not, who bears the responsibility? Quite surprisingly, recent data disclosed a number of &lt;a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-07/prp-fewer-owners-benchmark-survey-2018.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;14,8% physicians who manage their own practice&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Less than a quarter of the nation’s physicians reign their medical destinies. What about the other physicians? Most frequently, they find employment in hospitals under the leadership of healthcare administrators, whose sole goal is to bring a „business” touch to the medical field. As such, actual physicians, who were the backbone of the medical administrative side last century, are currently outnumbered (&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95"&gt;&lt;u&gt;3200% growth between 1975 and 2010&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;) by healthcare administrators, whose understanding or willingness to understand how physicians save our lives is frequently deficient.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Putting Physicians and Healthcare Administrators at Loggerheads&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Such an arrangement, in which physicians work around the clock to save lives while hospital administrators focus on policy, administration, finance, and organizational behavior, is not meant to last. The two sides are at loggerheads, and the resulting enmity is already claiming casualties. In 2014, &lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(15)00716-8/abstract"&gt;&lt;u&gt;54% of physicians reported a loss of enthusiasm, cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; due to this tense relationship. Instead of pursuing ways to improve health and patient care, physicians are gradually abandoning this “culture of engagement.”&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_15.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10336 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_15.png" alt="" width="1080" height="562" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Taking One’s Destiny into Their Own Hands&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; With this in mind, we are entitled to ask, “Where does the fault lie?” ”It’s the other party’s fault,” one might respond. Since hospital administrators have a poor understanding of the physician’s life-saving capabilities, and physicians have the same poor understanding of business and management, distrust was sure to spring in a place where it is least needed – where we save lives. As such, physicians are entitled to take their destinies into their own hands and found private practices. However, what does a private practice entail, especially during pandemic times?&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_16.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10337 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_16.png" alt="" width="1015" height="462" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Perks of a Private Practice&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The decision to start a private practice employs multiple variables, from choosing the perfect site to finding the appropriate moment to begin in the first place. A physician must treat this path with extensive care and for serious reasons – the road is extremely arduous, especially for young physicians, whose business administration knowledge might not suffice. However, the following perks draw physicians who choose the private practice path:&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#1: Being your own boss &lt;/strong&gt;– in a private practice universe, being your own boss translate into free choice concerning employment and a healthier working environment. The physician can build their team while choosing staff members whose personalities do not clash with their own (a common issue within public hospitals).&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#2: Private practices are more lucrative &lt;/strong&gt;– this advantage does not strictly refer to revenue but to how physicians can distribute the revenue at will. Physicians with a knack for business development can aim for opportunities that elude hospital administrators and, therefore, could cause friction between the two parties. As such, physicians can enjoy complete control of their finances, negotiate salaries, etc., while acknowledging the business world’s ever-present risks. Frequently physicians go through an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) to sediment their business skills before embarking on this endeavor.&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#3: Providing superior patient care&lt;/strong&gt; – the physicians’ “culture of engagement” requires constant nurturing to improve patient care at a holistic level. For numerous physicians, the drive towards progress through uncharted medical territories prompts them to abandon administrator-run hospitals and pursue their own ways.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;What Could Deter Physicians from Private Practices?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Chasing one’s dreams without constraints sure sounds appealing for all, not just physicians. However fulfilling it might sound, starting and running a private practice is a consuming endeavor, for which not all are adequately prepared. For starters, physicians must face the following deterrents:&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#1: Busier schedule&lt;/strong&gt; – unless they hire a &lt;em&gt;locum tenens &lt;/em&gt;physician to cover, physicians will always be on call, day or night. They can expect some jam-packed days ahead, which translates into less time amongst family and friends.&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#2: Private practices are not one-size-fits-all&lt;/strong&gt; – while some medical fields enjoy a certain level of autonomy that prompts them towards private practices, others depend upon hospitals, such as Pediatric Infectious Diseases and some surgical specialties.&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#3: It could be exhausting &lt;/strong&gt;–&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;together with private practices come great responsibilities; financial decisions, employment, marketing, and management&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;are but a drop of a private practice’s daily requirements, on top of the physician’s actual medical activity! Such a mountainous workload could translate into an intimidating task for some physicians.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_19.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10340 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_19.png" alt="" width="1083" height="486" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Reconciling Physicians and Hospital Administrators&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Instead of increasing the divide between physicians and hospital administrators even further, the two parties would immensely benefit from a joint effort towards bridging this divide and understanding each other’s role in the medical community accordingly. The time has come to dispel the “&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95"&gt;&lt;u&gt;culture of mistrust between those who deliver care and those who &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95"&gt;&lt;u&gt;administrate&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95"&gt;&lt;u&gt; it&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;” and build a sturdier, well-founded bridge between the two worlds. While the first step is always the most difficult, &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95"&gt;&lt;u&gt;the following propositions&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; are sure to bring the two sides closer together:&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#1: Restarting the culture of physician engagement&lt;/strong&gt; – assessing and valuing every physician’s insight on patient care is critical towards healthier patients, happier physicians, and a brighter future for the medical field.&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#2: Learning about each other&lt;/strong&gt; – such a requisite goes both ways – hospital administrators will benefit from learning about disease diagnosis and treatment while physicians can reap the fruit from healthcare policy, administration, finance, or organizational behavior training. Essentially, hospital administrators will learn how their colleagues save lives while physicians will ascertain how healthcare is paid for.&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;#3: Remembering to put the patient first&lt;/strong&gt; – what both physicians and hospital administrators must remember is that they share a common vision, a vision that renders their work fruitful and meaningful, and that is saving patients. For that reason, physicians and hospital administrators need to rekindle their trust in one another and act together towards a solid patient-centered culture.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; When guilt is shared, the guilty parties have but one course of action – to forgive each other’s mistakes, rekindle their mutual trust, and strive towards a more hopeful future. Such is the hope that physicians and hospital administrators will put aside their differences and abandon the “Who bosses whom in the medical industry?” question in favor of “How can we better serve our patients?”&#13; &#13; BIBLIOGRAPHY:&#13; 1) &lt;a href="https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/private-practice-doctors-discuss-self-employment/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/private-practice-doctors-discuss-self-employment/&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; 2) &lt;a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2015/08/so-doctor-whos-your-boss.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2015/08/so-doctor-whos-your-boss.html&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; 3) &lt;a href="https://www.healthcare-administration-degree.net/top-healthcare-administrator-the-hospital-ceo/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.healthcare-administration-degree.net/top-healthcare-administrator-the-hospital-ceo/&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; 4) &lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2016/06/29/physicians-and-health-care-administrators-friend-or-foe/?sh=602238751a95&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; 5) &lt;a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/poojachandrashekar/files/mar_apr_2019_264-268.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/poojachandrashekar/files/mar_apr_2019_264-268.pdf&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_15.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/telehealth/being-a-boss-in-the-medical-industry/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10409</ID> <title>Cancer: The "Equal Opportunity" Destroyer with Dr. Julien Fahed</title> <publishDate>2021-08-08 18:24:22</publishDate> <description>Dr. Julien Fahed's decision to help people through medicine seems to have been a family trait, as all four of his siblings also went to medical school. He attended medical school at the St. Joseph University in Lebanon, then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Not long after that, he completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology in the Midwest. Dr. Fahed has several publishing credits and is a principal author in several medical books, including Irwin and Rippe's Intensive Care Medicine (8th Edition, 2018), where he discusses the management of diarrhea in the Intensive Care Unit.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Power of Endoscopy Cameras&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; It was the process of healing people with technology and innovation that attracted Dr. Fahed to specialize in gastroenterology. "Things that were impossible in the past are now possible, in minimally invasive ways. And the technology keeps getting better and better." Gastroenterology changed radically in the '70s and '80s with the breakthrough of the endoscopy camera. Thanks to the new technology, doctors can quickly identify what the camera sees, take samples, perform biopsies, and even remove objects without surgery.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_35.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10411 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_35.png" alt="" width="1068" height="513" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Early Screening for Colon Cancer&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Fahed says most people are not aware that almost one in 20 people are at risk of developing colorectal cancer, where both men and women are equally at risk. His work is now focused on early cancer detection, as well as preventative measures to make sure that colon cancer doesn't form. He presented his research at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). In 2019, Dr. Fahed was invited to present his groundbreaking research on colon cancer screening in 20,000 patients in San Diego at Digestive Disease Week 2019.&#13; &#13; Unfortunately, patients' screening for colon cancer is often delayed for virtually no sensible reason, according to Dr. Fahed. He describes a patient coming in with stomach pain, and after performing an endoscopic biopsy, found out that it was indeed colon cancer. After reviewing the patient's file, it was shown that the patient had been directed to have a colon cancer screening every year for the past three years but still chose not to visit a GI. She only saw the gastroenterologist when cancer had already formed. Luckily, her emergency surgery was successful, but the situation is widespread and usually not as fortunate. Still, Dr. Fahed is happy to take these victories when he can, "Telling somebody very bad news one day and two weeks later telling them they are cancer-free. It's an amazing feeling."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_36.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10412 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_36.png" alt="" width="1007" height="457" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Making Choices for Your Health&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Fahed has several thoughts on managing the COVID-19 pandemic. To people considering skipping the vaccines, "You have a choice, the virus or the vaccine." He mentions that the long-term damage from COVID-19  to a patient's general health issues is not often widely reported. Another issue from the current COVID-19 pandemic is how it overwhelmed the nation's healthcare system during the initial and second waves. Dr. Fahed tells &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt; that hospital beds in his area were in short supply, and hospitals themselves were struggling to equip workers with PPE properly.&#13; &#13; As a gastroenterologist, he noticed a highly alarming trend of patients delaying care out of fear of the virus. "You've got to make hard choices sometimes," he said, referring to the dilemma that patients had to make: should they avoid hospitals out of fear of COVID-19 or go have regular health check-ups such as early screening for cancer? He noticed he was diagnosing a high rate of colon cancer in late 2020, which he attributes partly to the drop of in-patient screening visits out of concern about medical safety. Ultimately, he decided that he and his staff must adapt to the pandemic, and the greater risk was not identifying cancer at preventable or manageable stages in his patients.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_37.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10413 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_37.png" alt="" width="1059" height="443" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;From Guitar Picks to Scalpels&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Fahed tells &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt; he remembers graduating from medical school and the feeling of picking up the guitar after years of not playing. At that moment, he was overcome with a mix of bittersweet emotions, knowing that he sacrificed his love of music to give his full attention to his other dream of helping people through medicine. These days, with an accomplished career and thousands of patients saved, he takes some time to play guitar and piano when work allows. On his Twitter account, you can see thrilling endoscopic documentation of Dr. Fahed treating patients with Blakemore tubes, gastric outlet obstruction, or scope clip control of an actively bleeding duodenal ulcer. You can also occasionally see fantastic musical performances on piano or guitar - like his moving cover of Careless Whisper performed in scrubs after a difficult day of saving lives during the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_34.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/cancer-the-equal-opportunity-destroyer-with-dr-julien-fahed/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10358</ID> <title>IVX Health: Your Private Suite for Infusion Therapies Awaits</title> <publishDate>2021-08-06 17:19:26</publishDate> <description>Over the years, &lt;a href="https://www.ivxhealth.com/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;IVX Health&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; has grown tremendously in the medical sector. IVX Health is a nationwide supplier of infusion and injection treatment for people with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other serious illnesses. It plays a unique role in the medical line by reimagining the treatment experience for these patients. Tate McDaniel is one of the leading executives at IVX Health, and he was gracious enough to grant Top Doctor Magazine an interview.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Tate-McDaniel-3-scaled.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10365 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Tate-McDaniel-3-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="697" height="465" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; Tate McDaniel is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in finance. He earned an MBA in finance from Vanderbilt University and worked with various organizations before becoming a senior vice president at IVX Health. Before joining IVX, Tate worked with a consumer healthcare technology company, Change Healthcare, from 2010-2018. “It was what drew me to IVX Health, having worked in consumer healthcare already. I had the experience.” Change Healthcare was a startup that he joined, and the team at Change played a pivotal role in molding his views on improving the patient experience. “I was very passionate about driving a better experience in healthcare,” said Tate. “One of the things that attracted me to IVX was moving from being a vendor of consumer-facing software to being with an organization as an actual provider and providing care for patients.” Our solution leads to lower costs and a dramatically improved patient experience.&#13; &#13; IVX Health’s 46 centers are strategically located in patients’ communities and provide various scheduling options, especially on evenings and weekends. Patients can always unwind in their private suites. The centers are fully staffed with clinical professionals led by a nurse practitioner. Patients tend to develop close relationships with their nurses since most of their diseases are long-term, which helps with the recovery process.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IVX_Health_Fishers_Corner_-_Exterior_-web-e1628010978286.jpeg"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10362 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IVX_Health_Fishers_Corner_-_Exterior_-web-e1628010978286.jpeg" alt="" width="758" height="712" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;How COVID-19 has impacted IVX Health&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; COVID-19 has raised patient’s concerns about the quality and safety of treatment, particularly among patients with autoimmune disorders, who are on the rise. New infusion and injection therapy provider options are changing how and where advanced treatment is given. As the country grappled with COVID-19, both in terms of its imminent effect on public safety and planning for potential national health emergencies, a rare opportunity presented itself. Many patients visit and wait within a shared hospital center for, sometimes, hours-long infusion treatments, depending on the seriousness of their illness and recommended medication schedule. Any hospital experience puts patients at risk for a host of illnesses associated with healthcare. “We recognized COVID-19 as an important opportunity. Because our patients are at serious high risk if they contract the virus, early measures were taken to protect both our workforce and our patients.” Strict procedures were put in place and followed to help curtail the risk to our patients. The pandemic caused an increase in patients wanting to come to IVX who didn’t want to be anywhere close to a hospital. “Our centers are equipped with private rooms for each patient that provides social distancing. Our model had social distancing built into it, so at a time when many in healthcare had to close their practices and move to telehealth visits only, we were able to remain open, making sure our chronically ill patients stayed current on therapy and healthy,” Tate told Top Doctor Magazine.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Patient_Photo_1_-_web.jpeg"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10363 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Patient_Photo_1_-_web.jpeg" alt="" width="912" height="608" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Telemedicine Boosting IVX Health&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Telemedicine is the practice of connecting a physician and the patient electronically. Doctors can consult with patients or other doctors using HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing software, thanks to modern technologies. Physicians and patients can transfer information from one computer screen to another in real-time. They can also view and record data from medical devices in different locations. With telemedicine apps, patients will visit a doctor for care and recovery without waiting for an appointment. Patients may visit a doctor from the convenience of their own homes. “Telemedicine helped us at the right time when we needed it. With new virtual supervision requirements and virtual visits between patients and their specialists – whether from home or utilizing our HIPAA compliant private suites – we were able to continue providing care throughout the pandemic,” says Tate, emphasizing the vital role telemedicine played—and still plays today.&#13; &#13; Tate’s parting thoughts with the magazine were linked with continuing to expand IVX’s footprint of infusion centers. “I see a continuation of what we are doing,” he said. “We have the intention of growing faster and expanding our footprint across the country.” And with IVX Health’s recent growth, including the improved demand for the services they—and similar specialist centers, offer, immense expansion of the company and the industry feels entirely possible and imminent.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Tate-McDaniel-3-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/telehealth/ivx-health-your-private-suite-for-infusion-therapies-awaits/</url> </article> <article> <ID>10321</ID> <title>Dr. Zac Maass: What Happened To Sport Physicians When There Were No More Sports</title> <publishDate>2021-08-03 17:09:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_470 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_551"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_576 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_604 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Zac Maass, a sports medicine specialist at UConn Health and head team physician for Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, CT, shares his story of how his practice was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, his views on the ever-evolving topic COVID-19 and its effect on sports medicine, and his take on general public health topics in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After completing medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Maass completed his family medicine residency at the University of Minnesota in partnership with Mayo Clinic. Once board certified in family medicine, he then specialized in sports medicine by completing his primary care sports medicine fellowship at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in conjunction with UConn Health.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While training at UConn he benefited from the fellowship’s commitment to hands-on learning. As a fellow, he cared for several high-level athletes across a wide variety of sports. He found traveling with the teams, providing extensive sideline medical coverage, and honing his ultrasound-guided procedure skills profoundly fulfilling. While Dr. Maass found his fellowship training enjoyable, he goes on to describe how his journey to sports medicine was not always pleasant.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Maass credits his time in medical school as being his defining moment in his personal and professional life. He describes needing to become resilient as he was confronted with immense personal and professional challenges during his 4 years at Michigan State.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I struggled in medical school. The academics were of course very challenging. On top of that my wife and I lost everything in a complex-wide apartment fire. I had to have a sit-down and realize that getting through medical school was probably going to be the hardest thing I will ever do. I felt like I was supposed to be a doctor. Becoming a physician is just down in my soul. I knew that was what I was supposed to do, so I recommitted to pushing through."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the support of his wife and family, he was able to persevere and excel in the remainder of his medical training.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_7.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10328 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_7.png" alt="" width="1173" height="555" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on His Practice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When the full weight of the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March of 2020, Dr. Maass was 9 months into his 12 months of training. It was at that 9 month mark that all sports came to a screeching halt. "That was a huge adjustment for me, especially given that being sideline for different sporting events and caring for athletes was the reason I was here. To have that all come to a halt was painful."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Like many of his colleagues at the time, he volunteered to help with frontline COVID-19 testing at UConn Health. The frontline testing experience, along with his passion for athlete healthcare, further motivated Dr. Maass when it came time to care for and eventually begin clearing COVID-positive athletes for return to sport-related activities.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether it was providing the frontline COVID-19 tests or caring for athletes and their COVID-19 illness, Dr. Maass summarized his experience by stating, "with COVID-19, learning never stops." &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to the medical strain felt by athletes and the general population that had been infected with COVID-19, the pandemic also placed a strain on the ability of medical providers to communicate with their patients given the social distancing guidelines that were in place, especially during the early stages of the pandemic.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_6.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10327 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_6.png" alt="" width="1090" height="486" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Navigating the Issues Surrounding Communication and Telehealth During the Global Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Maass and his team at the UConn Health Center suffered some setbacks during the pandemic as they tried to transition to more telehealth-drive healthcare. "The pandemic ravaged everyone—physically, psychologically, and financially. We had a lot of work to do." According to Dr. Maass, telehealth is a two-way street. Even if a medical facility has the technology and capability to connect with patients via the internet and individual patient portals, the patient must also have access to the technology necessary to facilitate an effective patient-physician interaction.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is clear that the COVID-19 virus is deadly. What has also becoming clear is the massive health equity disparities present within our current health care system. Continued innovation and advancement is necessary to ensure that every individual has the healthcare access necessary to allow for improved quality of life across all of our communities. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_9.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-10330 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_9.png" alt="" width="1037" height="527" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Vaccination: The Progress, Closeness of the United States to Immunity, and Challenges of Convincing People to Get Vaccinated&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Maass believes that, even though it is great that the vaccines are out in circulation, everyone still needs to be disciplined and responsible. "While the vaccine is a crucial part of getting past the virus, we still have to abide by some social distancing guidelines. We still have to mask up; we still have to wash our hands; we still have to look out for the people around us that aren’t yet vaccinated."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Again, with the vaccines, there is a lot of apathy and/or hesitancy resulting largely from misinformation. Herd immunity can only be achieved when the vast majority of the population of the United States gets vaccinated. Encouraging hesitant adults (especially parents) to get vaccinated will continue to be a complicated endeavor. However, Dr. Maass believes that honest communication along with properly informed opinions are paramount to getting more individuals vaccinated.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It will likely take years for the full impact of the COVID-19 virus to be understood. However, Dr. Maass, along with his colleagues at UConn Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, remain committed to providing the highest quality care to their patients, regardless of the obstacles the pandemic may put in their path.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screenshot_7.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-zac-maass-what-happened-to-sport-physicians-when-there-were-no-more-sports/</url> </article> <article> <ID>9724</ID> <title>The Next Telehealth Revolution is Here</title> <publishDate>2021-07-12 17:44:24</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_471 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_552"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_577 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_605 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being a physician in today’s times is no walk in the park. Aside from working amidst a pandemic, focusing on technological advancements, insurance company disputes, and management tasks make it harder for physicians to manage their businesses and careers independently. However, what if we told you that you, the physician, could improve patient care, save lives, and increase profitability while regaining your peace of mind and freedom to enjoy your life? &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;we are delighted to welcome you to the future by introducing our newest technology and telehealth medical partner, ready to assist physicians all across the country in helping millions of patients better take care of their health – TopDocRX! Over the next few minutes, we will learn how TopDocRX helps physicians in every layer of their practices, from chronic care solutions to remote patient monitoring. Furthermore, we will show you how to attract more patients and expand your own practice through these efficient and straightforward approaches to patient care!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; Technological advancements, patients, insurance, management, etc. – it is hard for physicians to manage their businesses and careers independently. However, what if we told you that you, the physician, could improve patient care, save lives, and increase profitability while regaining your peace of mind and freedom to enjoy your life?&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocRX, Revolutionizing Chronic Care Solutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As opposed to acute care, chronic care is targeted at long-term-illnesses. TopDocRX understands the expense that comes with maintaining the care of chronically ill patients. Annually, the total cost of chronic care treatments in the U.S. is roughly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.fightchronicdisease.org/sites/default/files/docs/PFCD_ChronDisease_FactSheet3Final.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$1.65 trillion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.  This is why TopDocRX offers solutions like remote patient monitoring that brings down the cost of delivering chronic care solutions. TopDocRX also recognizes the challenges of chronic care treatment that can lead to therapeutic competition. As patients deserve the best when it comes to their care and don’t deserve to get stuck in the middle of insurance and medical practice and hospital and in-home care agency competitive squabbles, TopDocRX’s telehealth solutions help to create a higher standard as the new common denominator across the medical landscape, which is a direct win for patients and chronic care patients in particular.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_39.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9726 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_39.png" alt="" width="1065" height="476" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocRX’s Chronic Care Solutions Just Work&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The TopDocRX call center, staffed by over 900 telehealth workers which includes nurses and physicians, provides an ever-present, on-call solution for patients around the country. Think of this as a virtual hospital with specialists in every field available at your fingertips through their award-winning app. Starting with only a simple 20 minute call from our certified and trained nurses, your patients will have direct access to these professionals, without the many bureaucratic overhead costs associated with traditional chronic care. Get the help you need and want when you need and want it. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As their nurses work with your patients, they will also tailor and build the needed program that is perfect for each patient. No matter the level of care needed, they will build the appropriate program required. After compatibility has been established, enrolling your patients into their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platform becomes our top priority for you and your patients. This is because the technological advances that RPM brings to the table allows TopDocRX’s staff to monitor patients 24/7 from the comforts of their own homes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_41-1.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9728 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_41-1.png" alt="" width="1142" height="520" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocRX, the Ultimate Remote Patient Care Monitoring System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring remotely for patients is now an everyday reality, and the waiting rooms are nearly empty as a result. With RPM, you can easily keep an eye on your patients more safely even than in-person visits!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, the following reasons have been listed as the most common deterents among physicians from choosing RPM solutions in the past:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Legal compliance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lack of a proper billing system (&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://etactics.com/blog/medical-billing-error-statistics"&gt;&lt;b&gt;over 80% of medical bills contain errors&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lack of FDA-approved electronic equipment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Low patient retention&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Patient-unfriendly platforms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As if these reasons were not enough, the actual costs (staff training, RPM kit, initial office setup, software costs, etc.) for a 300-patient practice ranges anywhere between $143,500.00 and $260,000.00! With such skyrocketing costs and no clear return on investment in sight, it’s no surprise that very few medical practices adopted the burgeoning RPM technological developments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Considering how primary care practices were expected to lose up to $15 billion in 2020, additional costs were the last thing that any practice would consider incurring. This game has now completely changed thanks to TopDocRX’s RPM system which is the done-for-you remote patient monitoring system that practices have wanted but not been able to execute as a solo venture. That is why the TopDocRX RPM system is here to assist your patient care efforts free of charge… that is, to you and your patients. Once you outsource to TopDocRX, you can have highly effective and qualitative care direct to chronic and acute care patients using specialized monitoring equipment and personnel. Furthermore, using our VAC (Visual, Audio, and Kinesthetic) method of communication, our staff constantly receives training on how to see, hear, feel, and solve any patient issue simply and professionally.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_40-1.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9727 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_40-1.png" alt="" width="1082" height="461" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Which Kind of Medical Practices Will Benefit the Most from TopDocRX RPM?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a physician, especially one with a packed waiting room, you need to share your attention with a vast array of patients, regardless of their current medical conditions. At such times, the ability to sift through data and deliver patient-care-relevant conclusions quickly becomes paramount. TopDocRX RPM was designed to be your solution here by collecting and analyzing the data for you automatically and behind the scenes.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you find yourself in need of a virtually cost-free digital assistant backed by over 900 medically trained personnel to assist you with your practice’s growth, TopDocRX gives you the ability to scale your medical practice infinitely. With its comprehensive data collection, TopDocRX RPM allows you to implement patient care more straightforwardly; you will benefit your patients by reaching conclusions to support patient care faster and more efficiently. In turn, your patients are able to respond promptly to their medical issues and avoid specific health issues in the future. RPM is the ounce of prevention that is better than a pound of cure.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once the system is in place (which takes about a day of work in total from the applications and in-office equipment setup and demonstration), keeping an eye on your patients' health will never be easier! You can choose to monitor your patients and data directly or have our medical staff do it for you. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, while TopDocRX RPM has vast applications for all patients and practices, it works best for:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chronic care patients - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These are patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's, or multiple sclerosis who can then enjoy their freedom at home without supplementary physical human supervision.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Critical care patients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; - TopDocRX RPM helps monitor patients in hospices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why Should I Outsource to TopDocRX RPM?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The answer is multiple, yet simple – first off, outsourcing to TopDocRX will allow you access to the TopDocRX Connect, the first genuinely comprehensive virtual care platform, meeting the patient at the point of care. They provide preventative, 24/7 healthcare to high-need patients in detail while collecting enough data for you to draw faster, more effective, and cost-efficient conclusions to support patient care! They provide all the medical devices and wearables necessary for data collection, as well as the patient health kits, to the patient while following, of course, all HIPAA and FDA regulations! As for the patients, they will enjoy copious benefits for a service that is covered by Medicare and Medicaid:  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="list-style-type: none;"&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Telehealth direct access chat to nurses 24/7&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Telehealth video access to doctors 24/7&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;900+ call center staffers ready to assist their needs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Real-time, automated data and insights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, the platform allows you and your personnel to immediately respond to any drastic changes in your patients’ health, track their medicine intake, and send push notifications when needed. You will be able to track your patients’ heart rate, glucose, step count, and any other essential variables to their health on a straightforward interface, friendly to young and old users alike!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Third, the platform offers trustworthy billing services. For other RPM systems, billing is frequently accompanied by errors, namely in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://etactics.com/blog/medical-billing-error-statistics"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over 80% of cases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, so TopDocRX has automated as much of this as possible for you.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you ready to introduce your patients to the wonderful modern world of remote patient monitoring, providing better care for them, better patient retention for you, and allowing you to scale your business infinitely? This truly is a business growth proposition… literally in a box. If you are ready to get started, that is fantastic! It is time for you to take the next step towards improving your patient care and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocrx.com/contact/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contact TopDocRX here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you aren’t quite ready to get started and have additional questions call 1-855-904-1047 or &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdocrx.com/schedule-a-call/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;schedule a consultation here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_39.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=9724</url> </article> <article> <ID>9330</ID> <title>Researchers Discover Protein May Block Nauseating Bacteria</title> <publishDate>2021-07-11 19:08:18</publishDate> <description>After seven years of research, a team of scientists led by Nicholas Nigretti published ground-breaking findings on the inner workings of the notorious bacterial strain known as &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter jejuni&lt;/em&gt;. Its name may not be as well-known as &lt;em&gt;Salmonella&lt;/em&gt; or &lt;em&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt;, but its effects are just as severe, if not worse.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is Campylobacter Jejuni?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Campylobacteriosis, or &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter&lt;/em&gt; infection, is one of the leading causes of bloody diarrhea worldwide. Symptoms of &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter&lt;/em&gt; infection also include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Bloody diarrhea occurs when the bacteria have successfully infiltrated the intestinal cell wall.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Serious is Campylobacter Infection?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The Center for Disease Control cites campylobacter infection as &lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21579-5#Sec1"&gt;&lt;u&gt;the leading cause of diarrheal illness in the United States alone&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. An estimated &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;400-500 million people&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; are infected with &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter&lt;/em&gt; yearly, with cases rising in the summer.&#13; &#13; Irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis can follow a &lt;em&gt;C. jejuni &lt;/em&gt;infection, especially in those with weakened immune systems. In severely immunocompromised patients, bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and may become life-threatening.&#13; &#13; Stunted growth, particularly in impoverished children from developing countries, sometimes happens due to &lt;em&gt;C. jejuni &lt;/em&gt;infection. In extreme cases, campylobacteriosis may lead to the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune disorder that affects the nerves. GBS may cause muscle weakness in the legs and may last from a few weeks up to several years. An estimated &lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/index.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;1 in every 1,000 people infected with Campylobacter develop GBS&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Severe cases have resulted in paralysis and even death.&#13; &#13; Antibiotic resistance has led the World Health Organization to declare &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter&lt;/em&gt; infection a severe threat.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_36.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9331 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_36.png" alt="" width="1093" height="490" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Can You Get Infected with Campylobacter?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter&lt;/em&gt; can quickly colonize different animals intended for human consumption, such as chickens, cows, and turkeys. These animals show no symptoms when infected, making detection difficult without proper testing.&#13; &#13; Contaminated animal feces may also reach fruits, vegetables, and natural water sources. This is an excellent example of why you should thoroughly wash your fruits and veggies (and your hands, of course). Though &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter &lt;/em&gt;isn't spread through human-to-human contact, it doesn't take much to contract an infection.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_37.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9332 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_37.png" alt="" width="1172" height="517" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Does Campylobacter Infect Humans?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;em&gt;Campylobacter&lt;/em&gt; bacteria secrete a protein known as CiaD. This protein allows the bacteria to infiltrate host cells by binding to a specific protein, which &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;starts a chain reaction that alters normal cell processes&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&#13; &#13; Apart from causing nauseating physical effects, hiding inside the intestinal lining allows the bacteria to shield itself from the host's immune system. Scientists have understood that &lt;em&gt;C. jejuni&lt;/em&gt; bacteria need to get inside the host cell to cause disease, but they are unclear on how this process works. The results from this study will allow researchers to attack the bacteria from a different perspective, hopefully leading to a dramatic decrease in infection rates worldwide.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Win for Science&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The story began when &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Konkel Lab discovered in 1999 that the bacterium C. Jejuni secretes proteins&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Scientific curiosity would lead to another breakthrough ten years later when a postdoctoral fellow named &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Jeffrey Christiansen first identified the CiaD protein&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. The next big step happened in 2013 when &lt;em&gt;C. Jejuni&lt;/em&gt; was found to transport the CiaD proteins to the host cells.&#13; &#13; Researchers then asked why this specific protein would need to be in this same cell. What would it mean for the host?&#13; &#13; The National Institutes of Health graciously funded the study through a $1.9 million grant. Despite the pandemic, the researchers pressed on and finished the study in February this year. Lead researcher Negretti speculates that &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;processes that affect the cell could affect the intestinal cell's ability to absorb nutrients&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. This finding may lead to further understanding of how the bacteria causes growth and nerve problems.&#13; &#13; Nature is truly fascinating in the way it orchestrates certain events. This study focused on the actions of one particular protein from one type of bacteria. We can only imagine what more there is to discover other bacterial proteins and how much they affect our lives.&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; References:&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210330121159.htm&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21579-5#Sec1"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21579-5#Sec1&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/index.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/index.html&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_36.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/researchers-discover-protein-may-block-nauseating-bacteria/</url> </article> <article> <ID>9320</ID> <title>Schizophrenia Study May Lead to New Innovative Solutions</title> <publishDate>2021-07-11 18:59:23</publishDate> <description>Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects the brain's interpretation of reality. Thus far, a cure to schizophrenia has proven elusive. Still, a &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210420183144.htm"&gt;&lt;u&gt;study by the University of Philadelphia&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; has begun to change how we perceive schizophrenia, and further research may lead to a solution.&#13; &#13; The study titled "Disruption of the blood−brain barrier in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome" indicates that some schizophrenia cases could result from a leaky blood-brain barrier. In future studies, if a significant portion of schizophrenia patients have a leaky blood-brain barrier, this could indicate that schizophrenia results from neuroinflammation.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_34.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9324 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_34.png" alt="" width="1085" height="491" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Importance of the Blood-Brain Barrier&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The &lt;a href="https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/what-blood-brain-barrier"&gt;&lt;u&gt;blood-brain barrier&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; is between the brain and the core nervous system. When healthy, the blood-brain barrier prevents harmful bacteria in the blood while letting necessary nutrients through to the brain.&#13; &#13; This barrier consists of tightly packed endothelial cells, which act as the brain's security guards. When this barrier is damaged, harmful pathogens can enter the brain, causing infection and occasionally death.&#13; &#13; Known diseases caused by blood-brain barrier damage include meningococcal disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. Because the blood-brain barrier plays such a crucial role in the brain's health, a connection to schizophrenia is likely.&#13; &#13; The study's abstract stated, "The pro-inflammatory intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was upregulated in the 22qDS+schizophrenia-induced blood-brain barrier and in 22qDS mice, indicating compromise of the blood-brain barrier immune privilege."&#13; &#13; Another name for 22qDS is DiGeorge's Syndrome. Twenty-five percent of studied patients with DiGeorge's Syndrome developed schizophrenia. This connection does not mean that the blood-brain barrier is the cause of schizophrenia. It does indicate, however, that DiGeorge's Syndrome and schizophrenia may have a neurological connection.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_32.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9322 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_32.png" alt="" width="1052" height="489" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;What We Know about Schizophrenia&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/36942#diagnosis"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Schizophrenia&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; is primarily known and diagnosed by its symptoms because a direct cause has yet to be found. Schizophrenia may develop due to a chemical imbalance of dopamine and serotonin, trauma, or other factors. &lt;a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia"&gt;&lt;u&gt;According to WHO&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, schizophrenia affects 20 million people globally. In comparison to other mental disorders, schizophrenia is rare though lifelong.&#13; &#13; Symptoms include the following:&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;Hallucinations&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;False sense of reality based on delusions&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;Disorganized speech&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;Lack of speech, emotion, and behavior&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; These symptoms can be sifted into three categories: psychotic, cognitive, and negative. The psychotic category involves the first three listed symptoms and includes projected external behavior. Cognitive symptoms affect concentration and memory. The negative category includes the last listed symptom and is noted by increased isolation.&#13; &#13; People with schizophrenia will have multiple symptoms. A single symptom does not count as a diagnosis, and a trained doctor will know how to determine if someone has schizophrenia or not correctly. Diagnosing schizophrenia is also dependent on the patient since reaching out to a doctor to discuss an often stigmatized and stereotyped disorder is not easy.&#13; &#13; If you or a loved one experiences any symptoms of schizophrenia, please consider reaching out to a health professional for help. Your health is essential and should not be ignored. A good doctor will partner with you to come up with the therapy that works best.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_33.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9323 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_33.png" alt="" width="1091" height="479" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Current Solutions to Schizophrenia&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Since the cause of schizophrenia has not been pinpointed, all currently available solutions focus on minimizing schizophrenia symptoms. Antipsychotic medications, psychosocial treatments, and specialized treatment programs are the primary solutions.&#13; &#13; Antipsychotic medications are used to dull psychotic symptoms. They are often combined with psychosocial treatments that focus on cognitive behavior and control. Schizophrenic medicines can help control dopamine levels in the brain.&#13; &#13; Specialized programs can help walk patients through the stages of psychosis and the symptoms they experience. Grounding techniques and therapy targeting mental strength and memory can be included in the specialized programs.&#13; &#13; No available solutions fully resolve schizophrenia symptoms, but consistent monitoring and medication can help limit their effects.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier Takeaway&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The University of Philadelphia study focused on the blood-brain barrier connection between schizophrenia and DiGeorge's Syndrome. Their research could be foundational to a new medical solution that focuses on healing the blood-brain barrier.&#13; &#13; While the study conducted research revolving around the brain, the overlaps between DiGeorge's Syndrome and schizophrenia could hold more helpful findings. DiGeorge's Syndrome is caused by a deletion of necessary protein-coding genes in the 22nd chromosome. Those genes could influence the blood-brain barrier, which influences the immune system. Schizophrenia still has no lead cause, but research has suggested that it is linked to the immune system.&#13; &#13; Given the great complexity of the brain, finding a genuine cause for schizophrenia and other brain-related disorders will continue to be a challenging but worthy mountain to climb. Scientists continue to research the brain and its blood-brain barrier to determine how everything functions on a neuron level. While nothing is conclusive yet, this new insight may prove to be the foundation for a solution for schizophrenia.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_34.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/schizophrenia-study-may-lead-to-new-innovative-solutions/</url> </article> <article> <ID>9312</ID> <title>Dr. Mukesh Kumar - IgG Intolerance Test</title> <publishDate>2021-07-11 18:50:39</publishDate> <description>“To eat or not to eat?” – The question that, for more or less legitimate reasons, recurs in our minds whenever we opt for an extra course at a restaurant or indulge in culinary guilty pleasures. While some people have aesthetic grounds for saying “no” to specific foods, others, on the contrary, keep safety in their scope since &lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324094#19-percent-of-adults-believe-they-are-allergic"&gt;&lt;u&gt;over 10% of U.S. adults have reported food allergies&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Ordinary foods such as &lt;a href="about:blank"&gt;&lt;u&gt;milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybean&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; make the FDA’s list of ordinary culprits, which can cause allergic reactions ranging anywhere between gastric pain, diarrhea, and a dangerous overreaction to the allergenic substances called &lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/216062"&gt;&lt;u&gt;anaphylaxis&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. The prospects of ordinary foods as backyard enemies can be truly discomforting for people and cause them to become hypochondriacs; studies have found that &lt;a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2720064"&gt;&lt;u&gt;19% percent of the U.S. adult population live under the food allergy threat&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, even though it is often unfounded.&#13; &#13; Especially for those who have had allergic reactions in the past, switching from one nutrition plan to another can prove problematic, and you should not take this step without thorough testing. Coming to the rescue of people who want to ascertain their bodies’ stance on certain foods, &lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mukeshkumarphd"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Dr. Mukesh Kumar&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, PhD, RAC, a Washington DC-based consultant in regulatory affairs and quality assurance for manufacturers and developers of pharma and biotech products,&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;and his team of researchers have come up with &lt;a href="https://iggassay.com/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. This easy and accessible tool helps more than 12,000 patients per year stay away from allergic reactions and improve their nutrition plans without extensive analyses or repeated visits to a testing lab. After illuminating our minds with his all-encompassing knowledge on STEM cells (hyperlink to the &lt;a href="https://trello.com/c/dXcrUtYH/403-dr-mukesh-kumar-everything-you-need-to-know-about-stem-cells-and-the-fda"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://trello.com/c/dXcrUtYH/403-dr-mukesh-kumar-everything-you-need-to-know-about-stem-cells-and-the-fda&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;), Dr. Kumar answered &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt;’s invitation and spoke to our interviewers in detail about the IgG antibody and the IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_28.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9313 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_28.png" alt="" width="1069" height="483" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;How Do IgG Antibodies Work?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Different people react to different foods differently, and it is more ordinary than you would expect&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Working on the common knowledge that “some food makes you happy, some food makes you sad,” in all instances, after the breakdown of the food building blocks into macronutrients, the body keeps for itself all the healthy nutrients while discarding the unnecessary material. However, the latter process does not always render the expected results; the body might find itself unable to expel the unnecessary material, which the immune system will treat as antigen molecules. The immune system produces antibodies called IgG antibodies against these antigens, which strain its proper function and cause mild immune reactions.&#13; &#13; As Dr. Kumar shares with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/em&gt;these immune reactions are in most instances mild and are rarely seen as causes to worry; digestive disorders, bloating, indigestion, and other issues escape unnoticed or slightly affect our general well-being. For this particular reason, people who undergo an IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test will learn how to stay away from foods that will make them feel tired or blue, allowing them to make changes to their nutrition plans and improve their overall well-being.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_29.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9314 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_29.png" alt="" width="1026" height="461" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;How Does the IgG Intolerance Test Work?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Kumar and his team of researchers constructed the IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test by following FDA regulations to the letter. First off, the patient will have to receive a prescription from their doctor, a fundamental requirement that, in Dr. Kumar’s opinion, improves the test’s safety standards. Once the patient receives this prescription, they receive a testing kit from the laboratory. The IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test requires a minimal blood sample, which the patient can obtain by gently pricking their finger. The testing kit is then sent back to the laboratory, where the blood sample is analyzed for approx. 218 food type antibodies, making this the most comprehensive IgG intolerance test available on the market (most tests will trace between 20 to 50 food type antigens). The results are sent to both the patient and the doctor within three to five business days. The final step consists of the result interpretation, which the doctor can easily perform during a consultation with the patient.&#13; &#13; For relevant results, Dr. Kumar recommends that patients take the IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test in the following sequence - a first test before the diet change to identify the antibodies, followed by a second test approx. two to three months after the diet change to ascertain whether the antibodies have disappeared or not and make sure that the diet change was indeed helpful.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;IgG Intolerance Test’s Growing Popularity&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Kumar’s IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test is constantly experiencing a growth in popularity. A loyal community of doctors coming from different fields of medicine, such as family medicine, nutrition, weight loss, general wellness, psychology, and anti-aging doctors, has been promoting the IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test to their patients.&#13; &#13; Listening to Dr. Kumar’s thorough description of the IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test, we at &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/em&gt;are more than anxious to take the test ourselves and learn more about how to improve our well-being through proper nutrition changes firsthand.&#13; &#13; If you would like to learn more about Dr. Kumar’s IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test, make sure that you check out &lt;a href="https://iggassay.com/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;the following website&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. If you are a doctor and want to procure an IgG Assay Food Intolerance Test, you can reach out to Dr. Kumar through &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;info@topdoctormagazine.com&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_28.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/dr-mukesh-kumar-igg-intolerance-test/</url> </article> <article> <ID>9300</ID> <title>How One Infectious Disease Highlighted Racial Disparity</title> <publishDate>2021-07-11 18:44:29</publishDate> <description>Dr. Mati is a lead HIV clinician at the John Cochran VA Medical Center. A Zimbabwean by birth, she came to the US for medical education and studied at the Lerner College of Medicine. She bagged a master's degree in Public Health while she did her internal residency in one of the University hospitals. Dr. Mati did a three-year fellowship at Washington State University. Today, she is a new mom with two kids and an avid fan of the Bridgerton series.&#13; &#13; At the age of 15, Dr. Mati's dream of becoming a medical doctor was sealed. The devastating impact of HIV on low-income African countries bothered her terribly. "My main interest and passion in infectious diseases are around the care of people living with HIV." She shares with Top Doctor Magazine. She is presently the Co-chair for the Fast Track City Initiative, St. Louis, an initiative pushing for the end of the HIV pandemic by 2030. She also advocates for health equity and vaccine equity within marginalized communities.'&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_25.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9304 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_25.png" alt="" width="1034" height="482" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;HIV and Its Effect on Low-Income African Countries&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; HIV's devastation of low-income African countries is remarkable in that it deprives families, towns, and whole countries of its most prosperous and youthful members. Like other infectious diseases, HIV is tied to poverty. Understanding the effect of the virus on rural livelihoods requires understanding the dynamic relationship between poverty and HIV. The relationship is bidirectional in that insecurity is a significant factor in transmission, and HIV will impoverish people to the point of exacerbating the epidemic. Seeing how the people infected with HIV in her country were treated spurred Dr. Mati into the life of medicine, especially the caring of people living with the disease.&#13; &#13; "The center of my work was around education, community-engaged work, and advocating for marginalized communities," she responded when asked if she was part of the research team during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous strains on some health services and pushed others to their limits. As a result, responding to this public health disaster and effectively mitigating its effects necessitated the use of all available health resources. In this constantly evolving environment, failing to secure patient care exposes health facilities to vital infrastructure shortages when they are desperately important. After the epidemic began, health care workers received more assistance, unity, and respect than they have ever received. When asked how the epidemic had affected the way she operates, "It changed everything for me." She said.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_26.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9305 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_26.png" alt="" width="1051" height="465" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;COVID-19, the HIV Pandemic, and Their Influences in African American Communities&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The COVID-19 pandemic affected the people of color the most because most of them are essential workers. Unlike their white counterparts, they don't have the luxury of switching to a virtual environment to keep safe.COVID-19 highlights a variety of causes that lead to health inequalities. African Americans are more likely to be critical workers—delivery drivers, grocery store managers, and bus workers—who must perform and engage with others. They're still overwhelmingly low-wage employees who can't afford to be idle. African Americans have a more significant burden of cardiovascular illness than white Americans, with up to 40% higher rates of elevated blood pressure and up to 60% higher rates of diabetes. According to the CDC, both cases raise the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Black and brown people suffering from chronic illnesses live in environments where social isolation is problematic. As a result, the infection spreads more quickly, and more people are affected disproportionately. "Black and Brown people who have a higher caseload are being hospitalized at higher rates and are certainly dying at higher rates than their white counterparts." Dr. Mati disclosed for Top Doctor Magazine.&#13; &#13; She also shared drastic shifts coming in medicine in the future. Dr. Mati would continue to stand against the discriminatory foundational practices against people of color with the way recruitment happens. She also sees a future where basic scientists and clinical researchers would be needed. She stressed diversity as being the key to medical prosperity. Due to the expanded deployment and advancement of emerging technology, telemedicine has become increasingly relevant. It should be considered for inclusion in national and international standards as they are updated. Due to obligatory social distancing and a shortage of appropriate therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has proven to be the best interactive technology for patients, both sick and uninfected, and clinicians. Dr. Mati pointed out that telemedicine improved the medical industry drastically during the pandemic due to the social distancing rules. "We had to shift to telemedicine-based approaches because there was a risk to people coming in-person to doctor visits."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_27.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9306 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_27.png" alt="" width="1191" height="525" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Beyond the Scientific Outlook: Psychological Outlook to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Vaccine&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily hit black and brown communities, which is why almost all of them find it difficult to trust the vaccine. There may be some underlying cultural apprehension among immigrant families and families of mixed immigration status. The rhetoric and policy over the last few years have been very toxic, and there has been a sense of uncertainty and paranoia for those in immigrant households about the method of getting a vaccine, as well as how health data will be handled if it is gathered. "But the fact that consistently Black and Brown communities are least likely to get a vaccine means that this is more an access issue as it is a vaccine hesitancy or more appropriately a vaccine deliberative issue." Dr. Mati said.&#13; &#13; Dr. Mati's last thoughts on implementing a direction towards immunity from the COVID-19 pandemic were that it was necessary to be more scientific when responding to public opinion. She also stated that she would continue engaging the community and doing what she loves by caring for people of color. "We still need a diversity of trusted messengers and trusted resources, but we need to be clear on what characteristics a trusted messenger has," she concluded.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_25.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=9300</url> </article> <article> <ID>9293</ID> <title>Resonance from THE FRONTLINES to BEYOND: An interview with Dr. AYUSHI CHUGH, MD</title> <publishDate>2021-07-11 18:33:04</publishDate> <description>Dr. Ayushi Chugh wears many hats as a board-certified neurologist, wife, mother, writer, poet. She was a delight to converse with and impressively sociable, given that her work as a neurologist in morbid hospital settings involves dealing with highly challenging, critically sick, and often somber cases daily.&#13; &#13; After medical school, she completed her neurology residency from Westchester Medical Center at New York Medical College and subsequently a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine from the Hospital for Special Surgery at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. After that, she moved to Arizona and joined one of the Banner Health family of hospitals in the Phoenix Metropolitan area, caring for the neurological needs of populations in the heart of the desert. She gave an emotional, insightful, and knowledge-packed interview about neurology, her patients, social life, personal relationships, and the innumerable humbling experiences she went through during the Global Pandemic.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chugh_Ayushi.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone wp-image-9294" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chugh_Ayushi.jpg" alt="" width="372" height="521" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Path to Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "Both my parents being academicians, growing up, our home felt like a library with bookshelves everywhere! Our childhood was enriched with the gift of travel and books. They were not into the usual tourist stuff. I remember visiting existing homes of teachers, poets, and writers on their research path, such as that of the Irish poet Yeats. They taught us to focus on constantly learning wherever we were. I believe I was about 14 years old when I would often help my parents in caregiving for my sick grandparent, and probably this sentiment spearheaded an inspiration to strive towards medical school," Dr. Chugh says. "As a high schooler, I joined hospital volunteer programs to give me an insight into the medical world." It is not uncommon to meet many medical professionals who determine to follow such a path at a young age, inspired many a time by a brush or an in-depth encounter with a humbling, life-changing experience in the family. Dr. Chugh is no different.&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;strong&gt;The Defining Moment to Neurology &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "Life's career path is rarely straightforward. I worked in an ICU for about a year before discovering that a career in neurology lay ahead," she began. "Amidst Intensive Care Units, doctors care for the most critical of cases- coma, brain bleeds, strokes. The ICU intently set me up for a career in neurology."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_20.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9284 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_20.png" alt="" width="1007" height="450" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Challenges of being a Neurologist.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; In the past, Neurology was associated as being a field involving in-depth testing and complicated diagnoses without many treatment options. "This is a great time to be a neurologist!".  She added, "We've come a long way in this field that combines the art of storytelling with Show and Tell of thorough physical examination. Scientific advancements just within the past decade have remarkably enhanced the capacity to treat diseases with a whole new armamentarium of pharmacological and management strategies. Being a good listener helps chalk out appropriate lab tests as well as Neuro diagnostics among the likes of EEG, MRI or EMG, and others; which are extensions of the neurological exam, and thereby guide treatment strategies." While neurology may feel intimidating and complicated to many, Dr. Chugh says, "The Brain is a fascinating organ as its optimal functioning is closely interconnected to the optimal working of other body organs. Therefore, it's important to have a birds-eye view of all the body systems while taking care of neurological pathologies and inculcate getting to the root of the problem, often involving lifestyle strategies with a focus on mind-body medicine ."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_21.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9285 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_21.png" alt="" width="996" height="450" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Touching Career Stories&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Medical doctors often live beyond the edge. As a result, their life gains inspiration from the intense joy of watching patients heal from a life-threatening disease to times of remorse for those they cannot save. Dr. Chugh has some incredible patient stories up her sleeve. One of which she felt truly made a difference to a patient's life. She emphasized how timely clot buster therapy (Intravenous thrombolytic) for an elderly patient's stroke dramatically improved her lost speech and limb movement ability, thus proving to be the bridge between communicating with her once estranged son when he eventually visited the hospital. "With her son at her bedside, watching her with renewed strength, she was able to hold his hand and have a heart-to-heart conversation with him, something that wouldn't have been possible without these timely stroke therapies. Time is Brain. I still get teary when I think about that day."&#13; &#13; While that day is special for Dr. Chugh, she says her job is her most significant source of joy, with big and little patient triumph stories. Be it working with the multispecialty ICU team on hypothermia protocols to help 'cool the body and brain,' watching people come 'back to life' post-life-threatening cardiac arrest or in the clinic setting helping post-stroke spasticity patients with EMG guided injected muscle relaxer therapies, or newer multiple sclerosis and migraine therapies that help people to get back to the lives they once enjoyed, is a miracle. Working in underserved populations, to be able to make a difference in the lives of those that feel forgotten and unheard, is what drives me to wake up every day and do what I do. I love my job and the role I get to play in my patients' journeys to good health."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_22.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9289 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_22.png" alt="" width="1018" height="461" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Being on the Frontline of the Global Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; With over half a million deaths in the United States so far, the pandemic ravaged the country, leaving many frontline workers more susceptible to become affected. Dr. Chugh relayed the challenges to Top Doctor Magazine. "Being among those specialists taking care of in-house consults, especially being the only ones of a particular specialty, we did not have the option of Telemedicine. Neurological evaluation, especially of those critically ill, on oxygen or ventilator therapy, involves being up close and face to face with the patient to gather as much information." Dr. Chugh was the only neurologist in her community hospital during the pandemic, and just like her peers in other parts of the country, she too eye-witnessed the ramifications of COVID-19 on the brain.  She expressed gratitude for being part of a large-hearted team of doctors, nurses, and support staff.&#13; &#13; In the early days of the pandemic, with fear of the unknown and scarcity of PPE, Dr. Chugh recounted how frontline healthcare workers had to find innovative ways to make PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) from everyday materials to keep self and others safe. "We formed groups on social media and brainstormed ideas across the nation on how we could better help patients and protect ourselves. "The days would start from leaving behind meals with Post-it notes for kids at home on virtual school, then at work carefully 'donning and doffing' PPE for every patient encounter, to changing out of scrubs in the garage post-hospital duties, was a broad outline of juggling work and home safety. "I connected with a like-minded tribe of healthcare workers. We all spent our every waking moment off work gathering information on the novel virus in a fast-changing landscape to equip ourselves better and, in turn, help public awareness to deter morbidity and mortality as best possible. This was the common thread uniting our minds."&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Interests outside of Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "Love for literature had always been in my genes and my respite since childhood," she says. Thus, with this combination of uncharted territory in the hospital and dearth of outside socialization, she gravitated to using pandemic inspired writings, poetry, and essays both as self-therapeutic as well as a means to metaphorically explain those behind-the-scenes tribulations of healthcare workers to the community, in the hope that everyone kept their guard up. "The inspiration always was to forge a stronger doctor-patient relationship and to explore the philosophical rationale for this ongoing humanitarian crisis. "Dr. Chugh was grateful to have found a platform to express her thoughts via KevinMD blog, The Physician Outlook magazine, and AZ India newspaper.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Most significant Changes in Medicine and Lessons from the Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "The soaring use of Telemedicine has been a game-changer not only nationally but globally to help overcome barriers to medical outreach. Going forward, many of the changes we applied for continuity of patient care seem here to stay, especially by improving medical access to those with mobility, transportation, or cost limitations. Strides made on the scientific research front with timely vaccine development reflect how technological advancement overcoming red-tape and expedites getting results. On an individual level, this may be Nature's message to help us focus on things that matter such as maintaining good health, forging meaningful relationships, and caring better for the environment."&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_24.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9291 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_24.png" alt="" width="1005" height="456" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt; The solution to the Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "In a perfect world, we wish the virus could vocalize its plans," she says with a smile, "but till then, it's all up to us. The solution to any significant healthcare crisis is never a quick fix.  Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been dealing with large epidemics of chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, to name a few. Human choices and behavior remain the common denominator for the solution. Pandemic solutions involve collective, empathetic community decisions. Listening to healthcare experts and following public health preventative measures, encouraging vaccinations are key. "&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Chugh, a mother, and wife worked hard to keep things moving at home just as they should in the hospital—during the pandemic.  Of course, her family members, her husband, also a frontline physician, and her father were highly supportive. She also gives credit to her children, who she feels manifested extreme resilience during all this. My first was born just before my residency, and my second was born during the fellowship, so they have always seen me working through it all over the years. Our society must give credit to the silent voices such as our children and recognition to essential workers such as teachers that rose to the pandemic challenges alongside healthcare workers.&#13; &#13; Being at the frontline of a deadly virus spread, caring for patients, eye witnessing severe sickness and death, and having to deliver such heartbreaking news to patient families would break just anyone. But Dr. Chugh—the beautiful, empathetic, and incredible medical expert who doubles as a poet— and many such other frontline workers are not just anyone. They had upheld the fabric of the society when the United States was at its worst hit by the COVID-19 virus. To date, they all continue to work towards upholding that sentiment that every human deserves to live a sick-free and healthy life.&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chugh_Ayushi.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/resonance-from-the-frontlines-to-beyond-an-interview-with-dr-ayushi-chugh-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>9094</ID> <title>Addressing Physician Burnout Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interview with Dr. Priya Bansal</title> <publishDate>2021-07-05 16:49:21</publishDate> <description>Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our nation’s physicians have been pushed to the limit. Top Doctor Magazine&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;interviewed Dr. Priya J. Bansal MD, an allergist and immunologist with published research on how the pandemic has increased burnout among doctors. &lt;em&gt; “We’re taught in residency: tough it out, tough it out, tough it out…but you can only do ‘tough it out’ so much.”&lt;/em&gt; She is also a member of the AAAAI COVID-19 Task Force, a rapid response team formed to address and communicate urgent issues related to the practice of allergy and immunology in the context of the pandemic.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/thumbnail_IMG_0683.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone wp-image-9099" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/thumbnail_IMG_0683.jpg" alt="" width="337" height="450" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Experience with Asthma and Allergy Wellness&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Bansal remembers that she discovered her interest in practicing medicine during her experiences with persistent illness as a child. She would pursue her studies at Pennsylvania State University-Jefferson Medical College and earn her medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. At the University of Illinois, she was Chief Resident in her internal medicine and pediatrics residency. Dr. Bansal then completed her fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the Rush University Medical Center. During her rotations, Dr. Bansal discovered a love of taking medical care of both adults and children.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Identifying Personal and Institutional Burnout&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Before the pandemic hit the world in early 2020, physicians were already showing signs of high levels of burnout. Dr. Bansal tells Top Doctor Magazine that there are several levels of underappreciated physician burnout. First is taking stock of the physician’s baseline mental health, depression, and anxiety levels. She suggests that one of the first things physicians should do is grow personal and professional support networks. This can be done by communicating common issues to peers in groups on social media, forming advocacy teams to address physician fatigue. Another way to achieve this is by taking extra precautions to ensure that the individual physician or a coworker’s baseline mental health needs are being met before dealing with the stress of working during a pandemic.&#13; &#13; Dr. Bansal describes burnout as commonly occurring at an institutional level as well. Payment from insurance companies is requiring more energy from physicians than ever before. For example, with today’s over-the-counter allergy medicine, insurance companies are now often incentivized to delay payment for modern allergy therapy. Getting an authorization for a prior prescription from insurance companies is met with endless insurance company cost-saving tactics such as unnecessary delays.&#13; &#13; Another issue fatiguing doctors is the insurance company’s insistence on using the cheapest treatment. For allergists, insurance companies tend to prefer patients take older treatments such as steroids which are less expensive than newer therapies. “&lt;em&gt;For the physician and patient, this is a problem because steroids have several side effects such as hypertension, possible cataracts, immune suppression, you can go on and on&lt;/em&gt;.”&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_1.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9095 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_1.png" alt="" width="1062" height="539" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Communicating, Patient Education, and Physician Burnout during COVID-19&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; As a member of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Bansal has been monitoring the impact of COVID 19 on practicing allergists and immunologists. Patient education regarding the novel coronavirus has been particularly tricky. Many doctors have to expend significant energy addressing patient resistance to masks, vaccines, or developments in safety protocols. Reestablishing the trust of confused patients has been a major struggle. The pandemic started during a presidential election year, and many patients reported having received conflicting medical messaging and news from social media.&#13; &#13; Dr. Bansal stressed that advances with the technological advances in telehealth have allowed physicians to access patients safely, but it is not without problems. During the pandemic, “&lt;em&gt;Telehealth&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;basically went from 0 to 100 overnight,” &lt;/em&gt;said Dr. Bansal. The biggest issue is the doctor’s time. They are seeing more patients virtually while already experiencing high patient volume at the clinic.&#13; &#13; Other examples of physician burnout from COVID-19 stem from law changes. Many offices received government financial assistance, and the taxation implications are still unclear. Also, recent laws that granted patients instant access to lab results have created a situation where patients are presented with sophisticated data without a medical training context. An example would be a patient finding out lab results from an oncologist before the patient’s doctor could review them. This information overload can give the patient higher anxiety levels which then turns into more phone calls to the doctor’s office. The result is an unsustainable increase in call volume for both physicians and staff.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_3.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-9097 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot_3.png" alt="" width="1160" height="583" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Health of the Healthcare Industry&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Still, Dr. Bansal sees technology as one way to relieve physician burnout. A pressing issue for doctors today is really about a bottleneck in workflow. To lessen strains on the physicians, offices would benefit from government standardized electronic medical records. On their end, physicians should form support networks and legislative advocacy groups to address problems with insurance companies. Next, Dr. Bansal sees a move towards the “&lt;em&gt;blended approach”&lt;/em&gt; of a mix of telemedicine and face-to-face visits as a way of balancing high-level patient care with the physical limits of today’s practicing physician’s workload.&#13; &#13; A look into Dr. Bansal’s research on the topic of physician burnout shows that clinicians can alleviate the stress of the pandemic by leveraging easily accessible tools, like the Strength-Focused and Meaning-Oriented Approach to Resilience and Transformation (SMART) crisis management approach, wellness apps, mindfulness, and gratitude. These are highly essential measures to safeguard physician wellness, a critically underappreciated priority.&#13; &#13; Reference:&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7129776/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7129776/&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;Clinician Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Extraordinary Times and Unusual Challenges for the Allergist/Immunologist&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; Priya Bansal, MD,a Theresa A. Bingemann, MD,b Matthew Greenhawt, MD, MBA, MSc,c Giselle Mosnaim, MD, MS,d Anil Nanda, MD,e,f John Oppenheimer, MD,g Hemant Sharma, MD,h David Stukus, MD,i and Marcus Shaker, MD, MScj,∗&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32357424/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Mitigating the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers: A Digital Learning Package - PubMed (nih.gov)&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;Mitigating the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers: A Digital Learning Package&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; Holly Blake 1 2, Fiona Bermingham 3, Graham Johnson 4, Andrew Tabner 4&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32479798/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32479798/&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;Burnout and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: Intersection, Impact, and Interventions&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; Nicole Restauri 1, Alison D Sheridan 2&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32370984/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32370984/&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; [Health professionals facing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: What are the mental health risks?]&#13; &#13; [Article in French]&#13; &#13; W El-Hage 1, C Hingray 2, C Lemogne 3, A Yrondi 4, P Brunault 5, T Bienvenu 6, B Etain 7, C Paquet 8, B Gohier 9, D Bennabi 10, P Birmes 11, A Sauvaget 12, E Fakra 13, N Prieto 14, S Bulteau 15, P Vidailhet 16, V Camus 17, M Leboyer 18, M-O Krebs 19, B Aouizerate 20&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33120930/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33120930/&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;strong&gt;COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review&lt;/strong&gt;&#13; &#13; Gabriele Giorgi 1, Luigi Isaia Lecca 2, Federico Alessio 3, Georgia Libera Finstad 3, Giorgia Bondanini 3, Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli 4, Giulio Arcangeli 2, Nicola Mucci 2</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/thumbnail_IMG_0683.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/addressing-physician-burnout-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic-an-interview-with-dr-priya-bansal/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8894</ID> <title>Potential COVID-19 Symptom: Skin Rashes</title> <publishDate>2021-06-26 10:29:47</publishDate> <description>COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, has quite literally taken the world by storm. At this point, COVID-19 has been in the spotlight of every media outlet for the past year and a half. But they haven’t accurately covered everything. While the current symptoms are a combination of fatigue, aches, and difficulty breathing, a new symptom has appeared in more recent studies: skin rashes.&#13; &#13; Though the &lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Centers for Contagious Diseases and Prevention (CDC)&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; has not updated their list to include skin rashes, they do indicate that there can be other symptoms that they have not confirmed. According to &lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.19807"&gt;&lt;u&gt;an extensive study published by the British Journal of Dermatology&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; in January, skin rashes can indicate COVID-19.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Current Findings&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; The results of the British study cannot be counted as conclusive evidence. Still, it is interesting to note that &lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.16387"&gt;&lt;u&gt;COVID-19 studies underway in 2020&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; indicated that skin rashes could be one of the few external factors through which we can recognize the virus. Those studies had limited test subjects and multiple variables, leading them to be inconclusive.&#13; &#13; Since COVID-19 primarily targets the respiratory system, finding external indicators of the virus can prove helpful to identifying and controlling the pandemic further. The British Journal of Dermatology study had a larger sample size than past studies, using a COVID-19 app to track symptoms amongst 336,847 users in the UK. Seventeen percent of positive cases had indicated skin rashes, and twenty-one percent had skin rashes as the only external factor.&#13; &#13; A few past studies with smaller sample audiences were conducted in Spain, Italy, and China, showing a less than 20% indication of skin rashes with COVID-19.&#13; &#13; To document these rashes, the British Association of Dermatology created the website, &lt;a href="https://covidskinsigns.com/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;COVID-19 Skin Patterns&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, which contains the pictures and information of all noted rashes. These rash types include papular, vesicular, urticarial, and COVID digits. COVID digits are a unique skin condition of chilblains, which involve purple and pink blisters on the fingers and toes.&#13; &#13; COVID digits could be caused by muscle atrophy, decreasing the blood flow within the muscles and tissues and creating conditions for blistering in the digits. Definite connections between COVID-19 and skin rashes are not final, but continued efforts to document these limited results could improve future patient care.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;For Further Consideration&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; As more research comes forward, maintaining a healthy state through needed nutrition and physical exercise is essential. Current studies do not indicate that rashes are caused by physical contact since that symptom is not consistently present in each COVID-19 patient.&#13; &#13; However, this virus is more easily spread than the flu, so being cautious about possible exposure, especially for those with underlying symptoms, is still essential. Minimizing vitamin deficiency can also decrease the chances of contracting the virus and its following symptoms.&#13; &#13; If you would like to read more about COVID-19, you can &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/?s=covid-19"&gt;&lt;u&gt;browse our articles here&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Read &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/mental-health/what-covid-19-has-taught-us-about-mental-health/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;“What COVID-19 Has Taught Us About Mental Health”&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; here.&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;Please note that further research is necessary and underway to confirm that skin rashes are directly and consistently results of the Coronavirus. &lt;/em&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/potential-covid-19-symptom-skin-rashes/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8886</ID> <title>Just Slap It On: Should You Really Wear That Beauty Mask?</title> <publishDate>2021-06-26 10:23:43</publishDate> <description>In this day and age, having a skincare routine is essential. As a “me-time” imperative, we have gone above and beyond to make sure we give our skin the best of the best. A recent study published in &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7665353/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;the Aesthetic Surgery Journal&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; shows COVID-19 has affected people’s interest in aesthetic interventions. According to the participants, seeing themselves more often in the mirror leads them to improve their appearance.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;How Do Beauty Masks Work?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Skincare can be as simple and as rigorous as you want it to be. However, for people with different skin conditions like acne, &lt;a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/facial-redness"&gt;&lt;u&gt;redness&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, and excess sebum production, an added skincare boost is never a bad idea. Beauty masks are the perfect regimen because they contain rich ingredients that either hydrate, moisturize, dry, or exfoliate your skin. The beauty mask’s film allows essential components to seep into the skin better in a short amount of time and offers a more concentrated and intense version of your regular skincare.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_64.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8888 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_64.png" alt="" width="957" height="486" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Right Beauty Mask for You&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; With the number of beauty masks available in the market, choosing the right mask for you can be pretty overwhelming. The first step to knowing the right beauty mask for you is to &lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/in-depth/moisturizers/art-20044232"&gt;&lt;u&gt;know your skin type.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Consult your dermatologist and discuss the different needs your skin might have. Once you have your skin type sorted, you can now choose the right product that works best for you. There are three types of beauty masks:&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Overnight Masks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; These masks are hydrating, moisturizing, and may contain hyaluronic acid, ideal for dry or mature skin types.&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Clay Masks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; Sulfur or mud masks soak up excess sebum and may give a slight exfoliation—ideal for oily skin types.&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sheet Masks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; These masks are the most common ones. They contain moisturizers and antioxidants, which are hydrating. They can be stored in the refrigerator for the added anti-inflammatory effect.&#13; &#13; Mixed in these beauty masks are vital ingredients that have a specifically targeted skin benefit:&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Salicylic Acid and Alpha-hydroxy acids&lt;/strong&gt;: for acne&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Resveratrol, Retinoids, Hyaluronic Acid&lt;/strong&gt;: for fine lines and wrinkles&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Niacinamide&lt;/strong&gt;: for excess sebum, pigmentation, and &lt;a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/facial-redness"&gt;&lt;u&gt;redness&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kojic acid, Vitamin C, Retinoids&lt;/strong&gt;: Dark spots, and pigmentation&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_65.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8889 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_65.png" alt="" width="1013" height="492" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Should You Really Wear That Beauty Mask?&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; After finding a mask that works for you, learn to integrate it into your routine. It should be used after a face serum before a moisturizer or a replacement to your nighttime moisturizer. As with anything in excess, it can be inadequate for you. Make sure not to overdo the use of beauty masks. They should only be used about once a week to prevent irritation. It’s essential to be wary of red flags when using a beauty mask. Some of the signs include breakouts, redness, pain, dry or peeling skin, and worst, a skin flare-up due to &lt;a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0501/p1085.html"&gt;&lt;u&gt;hives&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&#13; &#13; Beauty Masks are not magic. They will not make your skin soft, supple, and beautiful overnight. Using beauty masks may not erase all your poor skincare habits after one use, but they can provide you with that extra skincare boost in your routine. These beauty masks can be an easy, effective, and inexpensive way to give your skin that extra tender loving care when used correctly.&#13; &#13; Having great skin still heavily relies on having a routine that works for you and staying hydrated. Know your skin type and what it needs. Stick to a skincare routine that cleanses, moisturizes, and protects your skin. And don’t forget that all skin types can benefit from a dab of gentle, non-drying cleanser and exfoliant and a smudge of broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect you from sun damage.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_64.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/just-slap-it-on-should-you-really-wear-that-beauty-mask/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8876</ID> <title>The Bright Side of Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Joshua Goldman</title> <publishDate>2021-06-26 10:06:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Joshua Goldman&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Goldman received his bachelor's degree with honors from Stanford University in biological sciences and a minor in philosophy. His core interests lie in medical education, the intersections of reconstruction and aesthetics, and healthcare ethics. Dr. Goldman has completed a fellowship program in integrated reconstructive microsurgery and craniomaxillofacial surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. At UNLV, Dr. Goldman completed his residency in integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery. Over the years, Dr. Goldman has focused on different types of complex reconstruction surgeries of adult patients.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/joshuagoldman.jpeg"&gt;&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8877" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/joshuagoldman.jpeg" alt="" width="572" height="572" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reconstructive Surgery and the Bright Side of Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Goldman highlights that clinical aspects boil down to endless cause-and-effect parameters. "I tend to look at happier aspects of medicine,"&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;said Dr. Goldman. The good doctor believes it takes technical proficiency and artistic mindset to perform the best 3D reconstruction or facial reconstructive surgery.&#13; &#13; Dr. Goldman professes that constant creative ingenuity and adaptability are the hallmarks of reconstructive surgery. However, he points out that you need a balanced approach with secondary interests to understand the complex dynamics of reconstructive surgeries.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_60.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8878 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_60.png" alt="" width="998" height="497" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Least and Most Favorite Part about Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "I believe the most complex cobweb of medicine is arguably its administrative side," noted Dr. Goldman. He believes that most people are aware of the significant healthcare issues. Interestingly, Dr. Goldman is getting his EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) to make the administrative side of medicine more efficient and less stressful.&#13; &#13; When it comes to the most favorite aspect of medicine, Dr. Goldman points towards educating on the availability of cutting-edge solutions. Primarily, it involves breast microsurgery and &lt;em&gt;autologous&lt;/em&gt; reconstruction. "Serving on the honorary advisory board and having the attention of the support group, you get the chance to discuss with breast cancer survivors and deliver modern reconstructive options," Dr. Goldman shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;More Modern Technologies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Goldman highlights that modern technologies are changing many dynamics of reconstructive surgeries. He talks about cases where he changes a specific functionality. For instance, if a patient had oral cancer, you have to consider psychological and physical parameters. "It is highly rewarding when your influence on a patient improves their daily quality of life," added Dr. Goldman.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_61.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8879 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_61.png" alt="" width="1049" height="521" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Challenges in Reconstructive Surgery&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "Sure, there are numerous challenges in reconstructive surgery, but you can look at mounting challenges through the lens of 'form' and 'function,'" continued Dr. Goldman.&#13; &#13; "I have to be objective about the assessment and look at what's missing," highlights Dr. Goldman. His approach to constructive surgery is to take into account the patient's goals and desires. In fact, he believes that every aesthetic case requires mastery of anatomy and reconstructive skills.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reconstructive Surgery: The Need for a Balanced Approach&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Dr. Goldman points out that it is crucial to restore the psychosocial outcomes when a patient undergoes mastectomy due to cancer, which can cause decreased self-esteem, negatively impact sexual function and body image. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, reconstructive surgery continuously came up with groundbreaking treatments and techniques&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_62.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8880 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_62.png" alt="" width="1087" height="551" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Future of Reconstructive Surgery&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; "Of course, the future is regenerative medicine, and a combination of virtual surgical planning to perform more efficient reconstructive surgeries can make all the difference in the foreseeable future,"&lt;em&gt; said&lt;/em&gt; Dr. Goldman. "Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) is a groundbreaking, cutting-edge technology that improves your capacity to perform plastic and reconstructive surgery to perfection," notes Dr. Goldman.&#13; &#13; Ultimately, he believes that people are more aware of innovative solutions in healthcare. "Adherence to modern standards can bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients," notes Dr. Goldman.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/joshuagoldman.jpeg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-bright-side-of-medicine-an-interview-with-dr-joshua-goldman/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8859</ID> <title>Meet the Godfather of Aesthetic Lasers</title> <publishDate>2021-06-26 09:05:17</publishDate> <description>CEO Jim Hobart co-founded Sciton, Inc. over twenty years ago. The company’s reputation for pushing the envelope in modern medicine with its innovative laser technology systems is well known to countless forward-thinking physicians, including the country’s leading Ophthalmologists, Dermatologists, Gynecologists, Medi-Spas, and Cosmetic Surgeons. This success is a consequence of the Sciton company culture perfectly summed up in the following motto: “Because Results Matter.” Still, he is adamant about not taking full credit for his Sciton’s success: “We ALWAYS work as a team - this is not a one-man show.”&#13; &#13; In his interview with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/em&gt;, Jim Hobart describes being at the literal bleeding edge of medical laser technology since he graduated from the University of Michigan with a Ph.D. in Physics in 1963. His obsession with constantly pushing medicine forward with laser-based technology has always been paired with delivering satisfying results to clinicians and patients. The company’s groundbreaking laser-based technology and innovatively verifiable return on investment for clinics that use their systems have won Sciton, Inc. long-term business with the leading clinicians in the most competitive markets in the country.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/James_Hobart_ByControlPanel.jpg"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8867 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/James_Hobart_ByControlPanel.jpg" alt="" width="232" height="325" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;The Blue Ocean&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Sciton is always looking for The Blue Ocean or the newest and latest opportunities in medicine that are ripe for breakthroughs for laser technology, quite a theme in Jim Hobart’s life. During the late 1960s, Mr. Hobart took part in the earliest applications of Ruby Lasers with the Office of Naval Research. Shortly afterward, he would help develop the Ion Laser, which proved to be one of the first highly profitable laser ventures for his part in a previous organization, Coherent Radiation, Inc. That success prompted two Ophthalmology professors from Stanford to inquire if the Ion laser technology could treat eye diseases. In collaboration with others, the revolutionary minimally-invasive laser photocoagulation treatment was born thanks to this application, which according to Hobart, has saved tens of millions of people from blindness.&#13; &#13; In the dermatology field, his team’s inventions have even helped treat tragic burn victim Kim Phuc from the famous “Napalm Girl” photo, an unforgettable symbol of the horrors of the Vietnam War. Her still-painful scar tissue was treated at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute with technology developed by Hobart’s team at Sciton.&#13; &#13; Hobart's collaboration with visionaries from the field of gynecology helped breakthrough treatment in vulvar lichen sclerosus, an itchy and painful issue for women that completely devastates vaginal health and intimate relationships. The doctors that approach Sciton for new solutions range from dermatologists, sports medicine experts, or in one case, even the spouse of a doctor that was an aerospace engineer with some ideas for laser application. “We have close relationships with a number of doctors, and in many cases, have discussions with them weekly. We’ll talk to anyone looking for new devices or with conditions that we could treat.”&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Growth During a Pandemic and BroadBand Light (BBL)&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Surprisingly, the pandemic has done nothing to slow down the rollout of Sciton’s latest upgrades to its leading Intense pulsed light, the BBL system. On the contrary, the latest offerings have been in such demand that it’s been one of the company’s most profitable years ever. Hobart tells &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/em&gt;that BroadBand Light (BBL) is the world’s most powerful IPL device on the market. He follows by saying that medispas were still very keen to invest in the latest iteration of BBL, BBL HERO (High Energy Rapid Output), despite the downturn in the economy clinics. Clinicians could treat sun damage, acne, pigmented lesions, rosacea, and countless other applications using the BBL’s increased power, faster cooling rate, and higher speed. It functions like a high-powered swiss army knife for aesthetic clinicians.&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;“Treatments that used to take over an hour on large areas like the back and legs can now be done in three to five minutes with even better results,” Hobart boasts.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8865 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1.png" alt="" width="974" height="479" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Dual Effect: Saving Clinicians Time and Money With Data Analytics based Return on Investment&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Hobart recognizes that these laser systems are a significant investment for the working clinician. His BBL and BBL HERO systems were designed to be upgradeable so that practitioners could always stay ahead and profitable in highly competitive markets. Remarkably, 95% of all Sciton systems ever sold in the past decade remain in service today, thanks to its built-in-the-USA design and manufacturing quality.&#13; &#13; The BBL system is part of a JOULE X all-in-one customizable platform. What excites many doctors using the platform is the treatment data (&lt;em&gt;not&lt;/em&gt; patient data) tracking system, SCITON IQ, which is a more verifiable and honest assessment of what your contemporaries are doing, and how much money it’s making. The SCITON IQ innovative intelligence is as legally transparent data as a savvy clinic could ask for real-time data trend reports from over 45 countries. The system can produce the number and type of treatments being used in a wide variety of data sets. This rare level of transparency has led to several clinicians buying multiple boxes, more than doubling their return on investment. “We can show you how much money you’re making and put that money in your pocket.” Critical real-time data, increased productivity, and profitability are the reasons why clinics around the country are investing in their future with a long-term relationship with Sciton.&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/thumbnail_image002.png"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-8863 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/thumbnail_image002.png" alt="" width="940" height="341" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;Women’s Health&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Sciton also has an innovative laser option designed specifically for women’s health called Diva. Diva uses ablative and non-ablative wavelengths, which are considered ideal for gynecological and urological medicine during excision, incision, ablation, vaporization, and soft tissue coagulation. Also a part of the JOULE platform, it is the only device that includes High Precision Automation (HPA) to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. It gives the device operator unseen levels of predictability. Many markets noticing these services are very on-trend in the aesthetic and medical application of lasers. Hobart even mentions that his lasers have the power to save marriages. How? Gynecological health issues like &lt;em&gt;genital lichen sclerosus &lt;/em&gt;are usually mistreated until the issue becomes irreparably scarred due to medical and technological ignorance, but not when you’re using Sciton’s Diva. Uro-gynecologists have started looking to Hobart and his team’s lasers as the only solution for this devastating disease.&#13; &lt;h2&gt;What’s Next? The Future of Lasers and Medicine&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; Ever the tinkerer, when asked if he has any game-changing technological projects underway, Hobart laughingly shared with &lt;em&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/em&gt;“Only about 17 of them…some of them are really far out. You gotta try a bunch of things.” It’s apparent that even if Sciton weren’t at the forefront of medical laser technology, this type of technological problem solving would be his passion and hobby anyways. The spirit of innovation with results that matter defines the culture at Sciton. Even beyond that, Jim Hobart’s collaborative spirit with his valued employees and the curious minds from the medical field have changed how modern medicine and aesthetic clinics treat the face and body forever.</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/James_Hobart_ByControlPanel.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/meet-the-godfather-of-aesthetic-lasers/</url> </article> <article> <ID>8010</ID> <title>Dr. Vladimir "Zev" Zelenko</title> <publishDate>2021-06-21 18:51:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_472 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_553"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_578 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_3 et_pb_text_align_center"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://anchor.fm/top-doctor-magazine/embed/episodes/Dr--Vladimir-Zev-Zelenko-e136r6i" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_606 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Vladimir “Zev” Zelenko was born in Ukraine and raised in New York, where he would eventually graduate from Medical School in 2000.  His entire time as a Doctor has been practicing in New York and he was most recently a family medicine physician in Monroe.  A true family man, “Zev” is married and has eight wonderful children.  Additionally, he has written several books and just recently released his own supplement called “Z-Stack” which can be found on his website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://vladimirzelenkomd.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://vladimirzelenkomd.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Zelenko has become very well-known globally during the fight against Covid-19.  His work has been so well-renowned globally that he was recently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.  Please click on the podcast below to hear his amazing story in his own words. &lt;a href="https://anchor.fm/top-doctor-magazine/episodes/Dr--Vladimir-Zev-Zelenko-e136r6i"&gt;In this podcast&lt;/a&gt; you will hear him go through the entire timeline of events that led to him being in the public spotlight very early-on during the pandemic and all of the controversy that came with it.  In addition, he details just how quickly and aggressively the Coronavirus hit his densely-populated community and began to spread… forcing him to find any solution possible to keep people out of hospital and to save lives.  You will learn about the particular combination of drugs that he used and continues to use for early treatment of Covid-19 with amazing, peer-reviewed results and why he chose these particular drugs and dosages.  He also opens up about all of the different ways that other people and organizations tried to silence his voice, cast doubt on his work and suppress life-saving information.     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/merlin_171193020_bb421464-5144-4268-8671-ffea61c381b4-superJumbo.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-vladimir-zelenko/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7985</ID> <title>Military Medicine: An In-depth Analysis With Dr. Chris Weisgarber</title> <publishDate>2021-06-20 14:02:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;It isn't every day that we get to have a sit-and-talk with incredible servicemen and women who are also medical professionals. Dr. Chris Weisgarber had many stories, and as I interviewed him, there was this surreal feeling of, "Yes, I get to talk to one of the 4,400 Medical Corps in the United States Army, who protect the health of the men who fight for our country." As an American, you get to understand that every sacrifice these brave men and women make every day should never be taken for granted. Dr. Weisgarber spoke about many things. In a calm, reassuring, and confident voice, he says, "I've been active now for about three years, so I'm very new into it." Albeit a young Medical Corp, Dr. Weisgarber talked about his old-aged dream of becoming a medical doctor. "I was talking with my mom when I was probably five or six years old. Medicine has always been something I wanted to do."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Becoming a Medical Doctor&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;On his motivation to become a medical doctor, he says, "I was, unfortunately, pretty injury-prone playing sports at a young age; so my orthopedic surgeons and everybody else got me very interested in the medical route." As a boy, due to his frail health, he was always surrounded by medical professionals. The essence of 'life' and the fact that a doctor almost always seemed to have an answer to illnesses pushed his dream of becoming one in the future.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;On his specialization in family medicine, "Family medicine was the aspect of treatment that ensured that my nephew survived spinal muscular atrophy." Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurological disorder caused by the loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain stem. SMA leads to the loss of control of body muscles and movement, including head, legs, hands, preventing the patient from standing, sitting, or walking. In severe cases, the patient will not be able to swallow or breathe.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;His passion for getting his cousin treated caught his family practitioner's attention, who, in turn, enrolled him into a gene therapy trial at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Typically, individuals suffering from spinal muscular atrophy do not live past about twelve months. But because of this, he got gene therapy which has now enabled him to celebrate his fifth birthday. "He's quite the hoot now." Dr. Weisgarber says proudly.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pros and Cons of Military Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As all aspects of life come with their pros and cons, so does being a military doctor. When asked about this, he said, "Absolutely. Some of the pros are, most of your populations are relatively healthy, so to speak— which is great. Everybody's looking to follow whatever guidance you can offer. The best advantage is that we are trying to ensure that these individuals are healthy and fit, in the best physical shape, and essentially ready for overseas deployments. It is an important role, and each medical corp plays his role with passion and diligence because we want all men and women to be healthy enough to come back safely to their families. It's a sacred duty and a big pro."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When asked about the disadvantages of military medicine, he explained that there are always cons with any job one does, whether it's admin or paperwork. "There are only a few cons I've seen with military medicine."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Quite impressively, the Military offers alternative medicine options. "They offer quite a bit of opportunity for us to continue to learn a variety of different treatment options. Many of the options are adopted to help with chronic pain and to get people off opioids. We do quite a bit, including acupuncture treatments, micro-current, and myofascial release, and many different things to get people off opioids or chronic discomfort." On the success of the alternative medical processes, he says, "They are relatively successful. There are innumerable benefits with medical medicine."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7969,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7969" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_47.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Impact of COVID-19 on Family Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;COVID-19 was an unanticipated pandemic, and the world is slowly adapting and recovering from its challenges. Dr. Weisgarber says, "We've had to learn to adapt quite a bit. We've had to get more comfortable doing virtual encounters. We see the spikes around holidays, big sporting events, and everything else. But we try to keep most things well contained and regulated. That's what the Military does best. With a doctor's availability on the phone, individuals are beginning to adapt to telemedicine." With telemedicine, doctors can organize consultations and even draw diagnoses from a remote location. Telemedicine became an essential option during the pandemic because many patients and doctors alike feared getting infected with the virus. The times were devastating for many people, but telemedicine removed unnecessary body contact while allowing doctors the leverage to practice and still treat people. "We've seen many patients who are very hesitant as far as coming into the hospital. With telemedicine as an option, we can continue to treat people and improve on the technicalities of the process. I think we will see more innovative treatment options in the future." The home system's work, another option adopted by the medical world, was vastly accepted amongst individuals and organizations during the pandemic and has since become the business world's culture. The medical system isn't left out as individuals now prefer to have their doctors' appointments in their homes.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7970,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7970" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_48.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Benefits And Negative Impacts from Utilizing Telemedicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As individuals adopt telemedicine, they might find it favorable—or not. "The difficulty of what you're going to see is dependent on what style of telemedicine you choose to adopt. Telemedicine can be as simple as phone conversations or a video conference; however, it can be a complicated process where doctors try to recommend treatment plans and diagnoses without having physical contact with the patient." On the negative impacts, Dr. Weisgarber says, "You're always going to miss some of the actual physical touches in examining patients. You won't be able to say, 'Hey, can I pick up these heart murmurs or something else?' That is difficult to do through telemedicine. It's different." Dr. Weisgarber says. It's obviously different. Before the pandemic, the touch was always one of the most profound connections. Today, with social distancing, everyone is afraid to touch people or get too close. "The satisfaction I enjoy when I listen to a patient in my clinic or evaluate a patient's back pain, joint pain, or rashes cannot be compared to doing these processes over the phone or a video call. Things never look the same over the telephone or even pictures as they do in person, and that is a challenge." Dr. Weisgarber admitted that telemedicine is excellent for "routine general health prevention." Telemedicine also ensures that patients and doctors stay in touch and "up-to-date" in a time where it would have been impossible.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7971,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7971" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_49.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Buzz of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing or "regenerating" human cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function. This field comes with the promise of regenerating damaged cells and organs in the body by replacing damaged cells or stimulating the body's repair mechanisms to heal tissues and organs. Regenerative medicine may enable scientists to grow cells and organs in the laboratory and safely implant them when the body cannot heal. Current estimates indicate that approximately one in three Americans could potentially benefit from regenerative medicine. "The Military focuses more on the overall health and wellness of its population— especially in our active-duty population." The Military does regenerative medicine only within the "muscular therapy side." Outside the muscular therapy sphere, the Military does not partake in any other regenerative medicine processes.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7973,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7973" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_51.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Effect of the Pandemic on the Mental and Emotional Health of Patients&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The global pandemic remains the most devastating event—so far, in this century. From infecting hundreds of millions of people to killing about three million people at the time of writing, the pandemic spread sporadically through regions, states, countries, leading to unprecedented global deaths. "We are dealing with a new organism that could wipe out humanity." Dr. Weisgarber opined. "The pandemic led to an emotional and mental strain on the world." Dr. Weisgarber, however, felt the word "devastating" was a bit too much to use but that the pandemic "has had a huge impact on every patient. It led to an increase of anxiety and depression— at least in my patient population." 'We have been able to continue face-to-face workups and management, especially with individuals with a bit more mental health issues because we understand people's emotional and mental health is essential. A human touch goes a long way. We can continue to offer emotional support. Military doctors play active roles in the lives of their patients, serving as both doctors and friends to their patients. Emotional support goes a long way in times like this." Dr. Weisgarber recommends a twenty-minute walk, as interaction with the public and change in one's environment improves mental health.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;On the Effect of the Pandemic on People's General Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;He notices most patients started gaining weight during the pandemic, which may be quite unhealthy. Snacks and ultra-processed foods are more readily available in the house than when we are at work; hence, individuals eat more unhealthy snacks, gaining unhealthy fats in different body parts. "A Mediterranean-diet lifestyle that focuses on lean meats, fish, fruits, veggies, and nuts, is better for health." With the stay-at-home directive issued by the federal and state governments, many people had spare time to learn new skills like baking and recreating beautiful dishes on Instagram. "Everybody's baking: mashed potatoes, cake, gravy, and the whole nine yards." It's a menace of new hobbies aligning with unhealthy eating habits—and it's certainly bad for the health. "The hospital, in cooperation with a magazine house, is finding a nutrition program that different insurance companies can reimburse. The philosophy is, 'If we have been exercising more regularly and eating better, the virus may not have hit quite as hard in some areas as it did.' During the pandemic and lockdown, perfectly healthy individuals developed obesity and other comorbid conditions." Dr. Weisgarber claims.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7972,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7972" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_50.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Impact of COVID-19 and the Vaccine on the Health of Infected Victims&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Before the virus spread and became a pandemic, scientists did not know that such an infection could be fatal in people with other health conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or heart failure. "COVID hit them a lot harder than individuals who do not have health conditions. Patients with COPD suffered accelerated effects. But now that we're studying some of the cases that began last March, we realize that there are some long-term effects that could be devastating in the next few months or years."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Weisgarber believes that the vaccine gives "hope, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel." On the effectiveness of the vaccine, "Individuals who get at least one of the actual vaccine doses will enjoy 50% coverage— as opposed to getting a severe illness or having 0% protection."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I encourage my patients who are eligible for the vaccine to get it done immediately. But once again, I cannot force people to do things. My job is to educate them and equip them with information that will enhance informed decisions when the time comes."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Last Words&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Weisgarber, a young military man with a refreshing disposition, was also quick to point out many of the successes governments have achieved in ensuring that the vaccine was produced within a reasonable timeline. His passion for not just his patients' physical well-being but mental and emotional well-being is a testament to his military vows. As the pandemic comes to a close, we consistently monitor both old and new victims' body systems to underscore trends and patterns within the virus's path and evaluate treatment options.  &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_47.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/military-medicine-an-in-depth-analysis-with/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7963</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2021-06-20 13:50:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Shady Henien, MD, MBA&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Shady Henien is the CEO &amp;amp; Co-Founder of Physician Promise with Anand Narayan, CTO &amp;amp; Co-founder. Dr. Henien is an experienced and talented Structural Interventional Cardiologist. Academically, Dr. Henien obtained his B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh, M.D. from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and MBA from Cornell University. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Yale University/Bridgeport Hospital; General and Interventional Cardiology Fellowships at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital; Structural Interventional Fellowship at Prairie Heart Institute in Springfield, IL.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;For more than eight years, Dr. Henien has been practicing with professional integrity that continues to inspire and help others. The specialty of Dr. Henien focuses on diagnosing and treating various heart diseases such as heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease, heart failure, congenital heart, structural heart (valvular) and peripheral arterial diseases.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Although Dr. Henien has always been fascinated with public advocacy, politics, and leadership roles, he decided to pursue Interventional Cardiology. He enjoys the ability to help people during their most vulnerable point of life and help treat their heart disease. Sometimes this includes performing life saving and preserving procedures such as coronary artery stents and valve replacements. Dr. Henien understands the intricate nuances and challenges that are involved in Cardiology.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I love an adrenaline rush which is one reason why I became an Interventional Cardiologist," said Dr. Henien. He adds that “...bringing a patient back to life and communicating with the family requires you to be diligent, focused, and calm at the same time.” He believes this to be a “team sport with his cath lab staff.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Henien recalls one patient that underwent a &lt;a href="https://uihc.org/health-topics/different-types-ecmo#:~:text=V%2DA%2C%20or%20veno%2Darterial%20ECMO,machine%20used%20during%20heart%20surgeries."&gt;&lt;u&gt;VA-ECMO&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; procedure. "There have been instances where the thread of life hangs in the balance, and you have to make calculated and informed decisions to save a patient's life," noted Dr. Henien.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7964,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7964" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_42.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physician Promise, Inc.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"&lt;a href="http://www.physicianpromise.com"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;u&gt;Physician Promise&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt; is a startup telemedicine platform designed to enhance a couple’s and patient’s quality of life through personalized digital content, free diagnosis and home delivery of treatments, expert professional community, and specialty prescription medications. We help individuals and couples resolve their medical issues that are too sensitive to talk about in public. These medical conditions include: hair loss, performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction, skin disease, menopause, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, nutrition, and DNA testing.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physician Promise: A New Frontier for Telemedicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Henien is the CEO and Co-Founder of Physician Promise. The platform is a one-stop-shop to receive medical care and prescriptions. A patient answers a short adaptive medical questionnaire and then the platform recommends prescription medications for the patient to select from. Next, the physician reviews the questionnaire responses, diagnoses the patient and prescribes the medication. A live interaction or online appointment is not required unless requested by the doctor after reviewing the patient’s questionnaire responses. One of Physician Promise’s pharmacy partners will package the approved prescription and mail it to the patient’s home. Dr. Henien notes that Physician Promise serves as a unique opportunity to cater to the needs of people who may not be comfortable talking about sensitive medical issues in a traditional doctors office. In fact, Dr. Henien points out that there is a vast market demand for this type of telemedicine service which empowers people to talk about their medical issues without fear of judgment or bias.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Henien notes that Physician Promise aims to ensure transparency and confidentiality of patients. "We’re a lifestyle brand – we are here to help couples and individuals get the convenient and private consultation that they need from medical experts," said Dr. Henien.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7966,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7966" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_44.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physicians of Physician Promise Platform&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Currently, we have a roster of physicians to serve our patients. Our platform saves patients from dealing with the complex bureaucratic structure that often creates more embarrassing situations and inflates the cost of healthcare. The Physician Promise team cuts out the waste and passes on the savings to their patients.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Henien said, "Even before the pandemic, I understood the relevance of telemedicine and how it can favor people who want private diagnosis and treatment. Physician Promise became a reality in March 2020, amidst COVID-19, and now we operate in all states.”'&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physician Promise: Ability to Drive Growth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Privacy matters, and most people are not comfortable talking about their medical issues. "Some people avoid going to doctors because the topic is too sensitive to talk about," points out Dr. Henien. "As an Interventional Cardiologist, I don't get to see these issues on a day-to-day basis, but I am aware of how some of these problems lead to coronary artery disease," continued Dr. Henien.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"We are operating in all states, but in terms of prescriptions, we're prescribing in Illinois and Connecticut." Dr. Henien and his team plan to expand telemedicine services to other states. Dr. Henien and Mr. Narayan met in business school where they obtained their MBA from Cornell University. They can run a smooth operation!&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Henien and Physician Promise, make sure that you check out their &lt;a href="https://www.physicianpromise.com"&gt;&lt;u&gt;website&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_42.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/telehealth/ground-breaking-telemedicine-physician-promise-inc-a-word-with-ceo-co-founder-dr-shady-henien/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7925</ID> <title>The Role and Importance of Medical Clearance in Combat Sports with Jazzmine Thompson</title> <publishDate>2021-06-14 15:32:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Jazzmine Thompson&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Jazzmine Thompson is a licensed insurance broker who specializes in athlete medical management and insurance claims. At its core, she is a healthcare consultant for combat sports. Thompson has more than 15 years of experience in medical administration.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Thompson has spent more than a decade working side-by-side with leading combat athletes, athletic commissions, and promoters across the U.S. For five years, Thompson served as an Athlete Medical Coordinator for UFC.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While assisting with the management of medical care for UFC athletes, Thompson traveled to events worldwide. Thompson has also worked in medical logistics with emergency medical services for these events. Her role was to keep an eye on the safety and health of the athletes until launching her own business, Athlete Medical Management, in 2018.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Need to Transform Athlete Medical Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Jazzmine Thompson highlights how the rapid growth of combat sports will increase in the foreseeable future. Her goal is to improve the process of medical care by making it more affordable and less stressful for athletes throughout the U.S.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;"Primarily, I teach physicians how to meet the complex requirements of combat sports,"&lt;/em&gt; said Thompson. Despite the nature of an event and promoter, it all boils down to adherence to the athletic commission's requirements. Typically, athletes can have between one and five exams to receive medical clearance for competition.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7913,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/66.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7913"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Unawareness of Combat Medical Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Thompson also highlights that most athletes are baffled by the process and requirements of various medical checks.&lt;em&gt;&amp;nbsp;"Of course, there are a lot of grey areas, but my focus of attention is to help athletes receive proper pre-fight and post-fight medical care in a &amp;nbsp;timely manner,"&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;added Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When it comes to athlete medical care, the process can be complicated and time-consuming, requiring specific details and due diligence. Essentially, Thompson points out that the key is to build long-term relationships with athletes and help them evolve. &lt;em&gt;"One of the best aspects of my profession is to successfully assist professional athletes, especially in urgent situations,"&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;continued Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There is more than one factor to consider when it comes to clearing an athlete for competition. For starters, it depends on "where" the match takes place between the fighters. Thompson also points out that each state has its own set of requirements.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;After each event, however, the process to ensure medical care for athletes continues. It's a systematic process that is important because it guarantees the athlete's recovery and can also work in favor of healthcare providers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7914,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/88-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7914"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Different State, Different Rules&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In some states, the minimum requirement is basic blood work, while in others, additional exams are required. Basic blood work is also known as a combative trio that includes HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. &lt;em&gt;"Most states just require a combative trio, physical, and an eye exam but California, for example, requires additional exams," &lt;/em&gt;noted Thompson. EKGs, neurological exams, and MRIs can also sometimes be required for medical clearance depending on where the event is taking place.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When it comes to drug testing, Thompson brings to our attention that each case is different. Drug testing may or may not be required depending on the fight promoter and athletic commission. &lt;em&gt;"In all cases, drug testing is not a requirement to receive medical clearance,"&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;said Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7903,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_35.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7903"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reassessment of a Medical Test&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Athletes who receive immediate medical clearance are able to focus on fight preparation without interruption. &lt;em&gt;"Often athletes submit medical exams at the last minute. If there's something abnormal or inconsistent with the exam, It will require resources for reassessment and correction without delay. This can interrupt training and sometimes weight cutting,"&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;noted Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In some cases, instant medical clearance can even change the trajectory of an athlete's career. It is important that athletes are cleared and prepared to take fights at even given time. Over the years, Thompson has worked with more than 1000 professional athletes for combat medical management. "&lt;em&gt;Whether you're an amateur or professional combat fighter, I truly believe that all athletes deserve the same type of medical care across the board," &lt;/em&gt;continued Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7904,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_36.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7904"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Pandemic Crisis and Helping Healthcare Providers Meet the Commission's Requirements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Thompson also works with healthcare providers to meet the combat demands. She helps &amp;nbsp;them adhere to the commission requirements through her new Combat Sports Care program by staying up to date on changes. With promoters, &amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;"We normally have two fights a month, so I check in with athletes in case they need any help in scheduling medical appointments," &lt;/em&gt;added Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During the pandemic crisis, Thompson affirms that all events came to a halt. Initially, she states that there was a lot of confusion and uncertainty, but new commission changes were ultimately straightforward and easy to adapt. “&lt;em&gt;Overall, fight promoters have done an excellent job with covid testing and keeping the athletes safe as events continue&lt;/em&gt;.” said Thompson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/999.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/the-role-and-importance-of-medical-clearance-in-combat-sports-with-jazzmine-thompson/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7893</ID> <title>Exploring the Benefits of Health shares for Physicians and Patients Alike</title> <publishDate>2021-06-14 14:59:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;About Melissa Blatt&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;At one point, Melissa, a New York University film graduate, was on her way to become a prominent filmmaker. After spending several years in Hollywood working on various films and TV shows, she decided to step into the world of business development and marketing, changing the course of her future. For more than two decades, she has had professional and personal experience in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New York in business development and marketing for diverse industries. She managed to execute innovative marketing campaigns throughout her career, helped companies increase their customer base, and drive unprecedented growth. Quite different from the world of filmmaking, what led Melissa to launch her first start-up in healthcare?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;The Emergence of an Affordable Healthcare Solution&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The capitalist world doesn’t treat millennials and Gen Z differently, and Melissa understands the tide is changing for self-employed professionals and independent contractors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Melissa left the competitive corporate world to make a difference in people’s lives. And this is where Melissa’s&lt;a href="https://indipop.co/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&amp;nbsp;Indipop&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;journey begins. Indipop, which stands for Independent Population, was launched from her own struggle to find affordable healthcare when she went out on her own. She was quoted extremely high deductibles in traditional healthcare and with mediocre coverage. She knew she wasn’t alone; there are &lt;a href="https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/freelancing-in-america-2019"&gt;&lt;u&gt;57 million&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;just like her who are challenged with finding affordable care and either pay higher rates or go without healthcare.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;She did find a solution; they are called healthshares, a different approach to managing medical needs with fair medical pricing, concierge care, and typically an open network to see your favorite doctor or specialist. “Our goal is to save you time, money, and frustration. Indipop provides high-value plans that are researched and vetted, carefully identifying plans we would buy ourselves and entrust with our own health and wellbeing.” Says Melissa.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7894,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7894"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Healthshares: A Different Approach To Managing Medical Needs&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Healthshares differ from traditional insurance in that instead of a premium and deductible; you become a member of a “community” or “pool” that shares the cost in a medical need. “At a low monthly rate, you can avail the services of a professional concierge team,” adds Melissa. Healthshares come with a wide range of options for individuals to cater to fit their needs within a budget. As a member, you may choose your Member Responsibility Amount (MRA) or (IUA) Initial Unshareable Amount. This MRA/IUA depending on the health plan is the amount you are responsible for if a medical need occurs; they range from $1,000-$2,500 up to 3x’s per year. People can also opt for traditional copays in one of the indipops plans offered as well.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7896,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_28.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7896"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;COVID-19 and Rise of Telemedicine&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Amidst the peak COVID-19 pandemic crisis, nobody wanted to leave their house or wait in urgent care to seek medical help. “You had to find a more convenient, safe, and efficient way to communicate and interact with patients,” said Melissa – CEO and Founder of Indipop. Over the past year, we have found many of the members of indipop enjoy the ease of meeting with a doctor via telehealth. Healthshares typically work with a concierge team that leverages telehealth to help keep monthly memberships affordable and provide quality care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Healthshares: 24/7 Concierge Support&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Healthshares provide a “care team” to help guide you to the best route for your medical need. Your first call or action will be to use the phone or the healthshare app to discuss your medical need. The team then navigates the best care at the right cost.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The concierge team is one of the perks with a heathshare and can help you save mountainous medical expenses throughout the year. For instance, if you want a medical opinion, you can reach out to the concierge team for 24/7 telehealth assistance. It is perfect for individuals who want a modern, diverse, and practical way to save medical costs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7897,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_29.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7897"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;The Need for a Modern Healthcare Approach&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In a little over a year, there was a continuous spike in attraction towards healthshares. Many self-employed professionals are searching for an affordable option with access to see their doctors and have additional benefits like discounted dental and vision programs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Heathshares are an alternative option to traditional insurance that many individuals, families, and small business owners are unaware of. But Melissa cautions not all heathshares are created equal, and there is not a one-size-fits-all. She advises, read the guidelines, explore the services, take time to understand how the healthshare works, what is included, and what you are responsible for when the expected and unexpected medical need occurs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Melissa notes that healthshares are getting mainstream popularity because it works. “People deserve a straightforward and affordable approach to take care of their monthly healthcare needs,” it also helps that it is always open enrollment 24/7 365 continues Melissa.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7895,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_27.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7895"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Healthshares: Different Plans, Different Features&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When it comes to healthshare, it’s more than just about leveraging telemedicine. Interestingly, in all four plans offered through indipop, there are numerous unique features. For instance, a healthshare plan can serve as a health savings account and provide an electronic vault to store your medical records. There are other added benefits for mental health and dental and vision discounts as well. Melissa is focused on featuring plans that have stellar reviews and offer unique features in a healthshare.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Healthshares: Consideration of Your Key Requirements&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;What’s more, is that it provides consistent and open support to people. You are more than an ID card, but a human needing medical care. For a majority of families they save 20-50% annually, making a significant impact on their overall healthcare expenses. Each plan offers various services, which makes healthsharing so practical for families and individuals who want to save on high medical costs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Melissa is tirelessly dedicated to helping self-employed people meet their healthcare needs responsibly and affordably. Whether you are a freelancer, solopreneur, gig worker, or own a small business, indipop can help you find a healthshare plan that will work for you, your family, or your team.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mel_Blatt.indipop.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/exploring-the-benefits-of-health-shares-for-physicians-and-patients-alike/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7859</ID> <title>HELPING CHILDREN SEE THEIR FUTURE - EYE CARE 4 KIDS</title> <publishDate>2021-06-06 14:15:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Your eyesight plays an essential role in your health, social engagement, and overall quality of life. As a complex organ, all of the parts must work perfectly together to produce a clear vision. Human beings rely on their eyesight to see and make sense of everything around them. Even though the eyes are crucial to our survival, many people take them for granted and ignore the necessary care until a real threat appears on the scene.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This incredible organ is also susceptible to deteriorations like eye diseases and infections, leading to vision loss. Eye complications are often undetected, damaging the delicate visual systems before symptoms are noticed. While some people don't have eye problems until adulthood, many children are born with poor levels of vision, which can affect them significantly. &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nearly 25% of school-age children have vision problems, and many preschool and school-age children do not receive adequate vision care. According to the American Optometric Association, &lt;a href="https://www.visionmonday.com/article/eyewear-company-tortoise-blonde-donates-230000-of-products-to-non-profit/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;12% of teenagers have undetected or untreated vision problems&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. The earlier a vision problem is diagnosed and treated, the less negative impact it will have on the child's development and schooling. The early detection and treatment of eye and vision issues for children should be a major public health goal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Seeing this emerging problem, some hardworking individuals dedicate their lives to create a change by providing professional eye care services for every low-income child, whether they can afford it or not. During an interview with Top Doctor Magazine, Stephanie Kirby, the executive director of Eye Care 4 Kids, explained how the non-profit organization provides professional eye care to low-income children and underserved families in Nevada. Kirby told us, "Eye Care 4 Kids is dedicated to providing eye care services for kids that need correcting vision without resources, whether that be the funds, access to it, or other related reasons limiting them from receiving eye care services."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7867,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Eye_Care_4_Kids_NV_Taylor_Clinic-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7867"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;After a prosperous professional career spanning over four decades, Joseph G. Carbone, a board-certified optician, founded Eye Care 4 Kids in 2001, providing humanitarian services to underserved kids. Mr. Carbone made this clear in one of his interviews, saying, "I believe that everyone has the responsibility to take what they have learned in their careers, or from their hobbies, and bless the lives in their communities. Poor vision is a stumbling block. If you cannot see, you cannot read. And if you cannot read, you will not learn," says Mr. Carbone&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Eye Care 4 Kids focuses on creating relief for the people in the grassroots.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Since its inception, Eye Care 4 Kids has helped nearly 300,000 individuals through its national and international efforts. Through generous donations, Eye Care 4 Kids started a mobile vision clinic equipped with a patient waiting area, pre-screening area, exam room, and wall of eyeglass frames. The clinic travels to CCSD schools, community centers, and various events throughout the valley. Annually, nearly 10,000 students are screened at Eye Care 4 Kids through CCSD urban and rural schools and, of those students, nearly 85% need eyeglasses.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Speaking about this laudable selfless service, Kirby expressed delight knowing that the non-profit organization is positively influencing the trajectory of children's lives. "I know that when people walk in through the door, they have a sense of relief that they don't have to worry about the cost of their child's health and all the services they so desperately needed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7861,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Eye_Care_4_Kids_NV_Mobile_Vision_Clinic.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7861"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Working through the pandemic, Eye Care 4 Kids, and community partners, created a student support clinic at senior centers closed due to COVID-19. The group targeted specific schools, made appointments, and provided access to kids. While narrating her experience, Kirby told us, "As the schoo' districts was shutting down, we also had to shut down because we operate on school grounds. We followed their instruction and shut down for 72 days. At that time, I was still coming to the clinic every two to three days and also worked from home."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Kirby and her team attended to patients until the second week of March to deliver orders from patients who needed their glasses. To make this easier on the patients, she delivered the glasses personally, including the high prescription glasses, because, without them, the kids could not read or see their computer screen. "It was a challenge that turned into great opportunities because we had time to speak to kids about their diagnosis. We also tell them about the 20-20-20 rules: if you are on a device for 20 minutes, give your eyes a 20 seconds break and get up to take something 20 feet away from you," Kirby explained.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Traditionally, when people go to clinics, patients barely remember the physician's recommendations once they're out the door. To overcome this challenge, Kirby and her team present a bag to the patients containing information about their diagnosis, when and why they need to wear their glasses, and why they are responsible for them, "…because this is probably going to be a diagnosis they will have throughout their life." Kirby said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7860,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Eye_Care_4_Kids_NV_Brinley_Clinic-1024x399.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7860"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While this fantastic service provides relief to so many kids, Kirby hopes for more donations and support from people to keep Eye Care 4 Kids running. With the need for vision care ever-growing, Eye Care 4 Kids have plans to expand the services in all current locations and create clinics in new additional states across the country. Eye Care 4 Kids certainly look forward to establishing new partnerships and friendships to turn these amazing goals into reality.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Giving a child the gift of sight is simple yet so unattainable for far too many. We&lt;a href="https://eyecare4kids.org/donate/"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&amp;nbsp;ask for your help&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;in making the adequate vision a reality for our future generations.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Eye_Care_4_Kids_NV_patient.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/helping-children-see-their-future-eye-care-4-kids/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7851</ID> <title>Tales From the Frontlines: Dr. Mohammed Megri</title> <publishDate>2021-06-06 14:01:31</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;About Dr. Mohammed Megri&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mohammed Megri is a Board-Certified physician in Pulmonary Disease and Internal Medicine currently based in Lexington, KY. Having completed his studies and residency training at the University of Tripoli in 2014, Dr. Megri returned to the United States and graduated from the Internal Medicine program at Marshall University, WV, in 2018. He expanded his field of practice by completing two additional fellowships, namely in Pulmonary and Critical Care, in 2021. Dr. Megri was also awarded&amp;nbsp;the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) chapter and alpha omega alpha chapter.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A member of several professional memberships, such as the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians, Dr. Megri has been on the frontline against the COVID-19 pandemic even since its inception, helping patients and their families recover from this disease.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Megri is an avid basketball fan outside the hospital, playing and watching whenever he gets the chance. Furthermore, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his eight-year-old and four-year-old children.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Now and then, it’s good to be reminded of the frontline heroes who push themselves to the limit every day, either working insanely long shifts at the hospital or being forced to stay away from their loved ones to keep their positions against the COVID-19 virus. Amongst all those capeless heroes, we found one particular physician who agreed to speak with one of our Top Doctor Magazine interviewers, Justin,  and share his thoughts and wonders, happiness and sadness, and hopes and doubts with our readers: Dr. Mohammed Megri. Currently residing in Lexington, KY, Dr. Megri has numerous stories to share with our readers, stories that will bring back the COVID-19 pandemic hardships to mind and strengthen our belief in a better tomorrow. Let’s tune in to the article and learn more from Dr. Megri himself!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7840,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_18.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7840"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Helping Both The Patient and Their Family&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ever since he was a toddler, Dr. Megri was destined to become a well-reputed physician. Bringing back beautiful childhood memories, Dr. Megri shares with Top Doctor Magazine how his mother would always surround him with toys related to medicine to guide him towards this noblest of sciences.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;And these efforts weren't fruitless. Dr. Megri has braved through innumerable challenges and years of study to practice his true passion, his destined career path, which brings him unimaginable joy and happiness. When asked about his favorite part of being a physician, Dr. Megri mentioned the opportunity to care for both the patient and their family. "Seeing the success of helping someone who's suffering from any medical illness and their successes in both ways, like feeding them and making them feel better or help their family or support their family to accept that there's nothing else that we can do." He disclosed for Top Doctor Magazine, reminding us of the physician's difficult task of conveying even more difficult news to the patient's family.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7841,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_19.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7841"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Acting Fast While Keeping Your Calm&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In their times of utmost need, patients look towards physicians with hope, hope for a better tomorrow, free from any medical issues or illnesses. In order to keep them peaceful and hopeful, physicians experience the constant stress of making split-second decisions while exhibiting a calm persona towards patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But what happens when the novelty of the situation shakes your very core, and remaining calm seems impossible? Such is the story of Dr. Megri's first encounter with a COVID-19 patient, who, surrounded by so much technology and equipment, looked&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;straight out of a Sci-Fi movie.&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;"We didn't have any interaction with any COVID-19 patients before this. To be honest with you, I was really scared. I'm like looking at the patient; he's in very high oxygen requirements and still hypoxic. And I can see in his eyes that he's scared and struggling for oxygen."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This first interaction with a COVID-19 patient left no small impact on Dr. Megri's memories, which reminds us that physicians are humans first and foremost. However, he still remembers one of his attendees' words that encouraged him to brave this unheard-of challenge: "We're going to go inside together in the room. We'll do all the procedures; we'll save this patient and make sure that we protect ourselves. And, if you need any help, just let me know."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7842,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_20.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7842"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Loneliness and the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Sometimes, it's hard to imagine how an invisible enemy could keep us away from each other, from a much-needed company, conversations, or even something as ordinary as a hug. However, if this pandemic taught us anything, it is that feeling of closeness that we long for when things look grim. "And the other thing, which I didn't notice that's very important before COVID-19 came, which is the family support to the patients and the family support to the physician." Dr. Megri shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Physicians faced the harsh reality of living separated from their loved ones for weeks on end, which came as extremely difficult to bear for Dr. Megri, whose children were more than eager to spend time with their father. "I have eight-year-old and four-year-old kids, and they love hugging. But at that time, I was afraid that I might be an asymptomatic carrier. I might have, might have the virus, but I don't have symptoms from it, and I might give it to my loved ones."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The same story applies to patients who had no one but physicians and nurses for company throughout their time in the hospital. For them, a combination of loneliness, noises, darkness, and powerful drugs led to something called ICU delirium, showing the importance of having someone dear by your side when in pain. "With COVID-19 and trying to decrease the exposure to the patient family, it was really challenging. The patient himself was having a lot of delirium because he doesn't know where he or she is, and with all the machines and the noises in the room. And no one in his family came to see him or was even able to talk to him, and that was very difficult to deal with."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7843,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7843"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Looking Beyond Our Own Backyards&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Running towards the end of the interview, Dr. Megri touched the subject of the ongoing vaccination campaign: "I usually convince them with the vaccine, and I know that we don't have a lot of trials and we don't have a lot of evidence, but I least we have evidence that this vaccine will help around 90% protection against COVID." Although vaccines have proven their efficiency against the virus, Dr. Megri keeps a cautious tone and advises us to respect social distancing furthermore and protect ourselves until we have the pandemic in check.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although the United States have made incredible progress in their vaccination campaign, Dr. Megri draws our attention towards other countries whose vaccination campaigns are still in their infancy: "I think we need to pay attention to other countries as well, because if we are vaccinated, that will be good, but if other countries are not, then that will be, they will come inside the United States. And that will increase the risk of other people because being vaccinated doesn't mean that you will never have to have the COVID disease, but it's a low risk."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Here at Top Doctor Magazine, we believe in Dr. Mohammed Megri's advice to care for our fellow beings as much as we care for our close friends and family, which is why we wish him all the best of luck in fighting the COVID-19 virus. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Megri, make sure that you check out the following&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/mohammed-megri-acb05821-cbb8-44e7-b133-9b72c61839ac-overview"&gt;&lt;u&gt;website&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_17.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/tales-from-the-frontlines-dr-mohammed-megri/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7833</ID> <title>True Health Begins With The Mind</title> <publishDate>2021-06-06 13:54:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_473 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_554"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_579 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_607 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;We can measure health and wellness in multiple ways. They are usually broken down into various diagnoses that often fail to provide a picture of a healthy body and mind. While there is incredible life-saving progress in modern-day western medicine, a less comprehensive approach to healthcare has been its greatest downfall. Western medicine generally believes that health and lifestyle are separate. It views every individual as patients needing a prescription and surgery rather than a complete being with a whole system that needs comprehensive care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;Common medical approach ignores the root cause of health problems and focuses on symptoms. Western medicine’s persistent failure necessitates a holistic approach to healthcare. Holistic care views patients as individuals with a unique medical history, values, desires, social circumstances, family situations, and lifestyle, all of which impact their health conditions and diseases. A medical approach often sees these areas separately. However, they are interconnected and cannot be separated.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;Holistic care is defined as an approach that attempts to provide comprehensive care focusing on body, mind, and spirit, which also involves complementary medicines that can overlap with modern-day western medicine. Ultimately, holistic health experts believe that the human body is made up of interdependent parts that must work optimally at all times. When one part fails, all the remaining parts will be affected. Imbalance in any area of a patient's life – emotional, physical, or spiritual – can trigger a negative impact on their overall health.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;In an interview with Top Doctor Magazine, Dr. Ivan Edwards, told us "Medicine has taken a trend where we are treating disease when they occur because we ignored the preventative measures in treating them before they occur." Dr. Edwards believes that medical treatments need to embody a holistic approach in treating the human body.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture1.jpg" width="325" height="488" alt="" class="wp-image-7879 alignnone size-full" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;Dr. Ivan Edwards is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a veteran serving his country as a USAF Reserve Flight Surgeon. Dr. Edwards explained further, "So, we need to include a non-medicinal approach for treating disease." The physician urges healthcare providers to act proactively while talking about issues related to diet and exercise. "…we all know it works, but we know people will not comply because people are going to eat what they want to eat."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;Dr. Edwards, the CEO of JOVANA Rehabilitation Medicine in San Antonio, stated further, "We have to take a bold step and dictate what is right for the patients, not just give them medications." He also explained that this would require a fee, and patients might be charged. "…but they will get the holistic treatment they need and not give them one drug after another. That wasted medicine has to change. We must change that perspective. Yes, medication does have a role, and I am not downplaying that role, but let's look at a holistic approach to treating people. Let's include meditation, appropriate diet, exercise, medications, and probably injections if they need one. The military uses multiple pronged approaches by employing the air force, army, and navy. Still, in medicine, we fixate on medication, and if it doesn't work, we recommend surgery," Dr. Edwards complained.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot_13.png" width="729" height="367" alt="" class="wp-image-7835 alignnone size-full" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;While responding to questions during the interview, Dr. Edwards further exposed the flaws in our medical industry and told us, "There is no magic pill that will cure you. You only have to look at the outcomes." He reiterated that he is not downplaying the use of medications. "…but what I am stressing is the need for a holistic approach. Medications have been on the frontier, and apparently, it's not doing well overall. Let's have people do other things." Dr. Edwards said sternly. Even though people frowned at different therapies, the reality is apparent. "I have traveled extensively and found that some practices and most modalities do work if used in conjunction with what we call traditional western medicine. Sadly, we are quick in dismissing some as wacky. Yes, it's wacky but let's look at the outcomes. Why do people who meditate, exercise, and take good care of themselves fair and feel better? Why do people who do whatever they want to do and eat what they want to eat but take the pills don't get better?" Dr. Edwards asked.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;For example, Dr. Edwards continued, "one of my nurses approached me and said she was on sleeping pills because she was stressed, and she told me she doesn't know how to go about it. I told her to tell her doctor to stop the pills and told her to try not to eat before bed and walk 15 minutes after dinner. She said she would walk 20 minutes after dinner, and she did. She got off the sleeping pills and told me she is sleeping better, and after a few weeks, she told me her health condition has improved. I told her she doesn't need the pill. Because she felt anxious doesn't mean she needs pills. You have to check the underlying issues. When you do not live the quality of life, you can't feel good. Our job is to find that out."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;Health and wellness begin with your mindset. Your mindset is the totality of attitudes and ideas that shape your perspective about the world. Living a healthy life starts with a healthy mindset. To transform yourself, you need to deal with your thoughts, beliefs, excuses, and self-sabotaging paradigm. Since most health problems are interrelated, Dr. Edwards suggests that it is crucial to address the mindset through meditation. "…people who meditate sleep better, think better and cultivate good habits and stick to them. They gain serenity and calmness." After overcoming this integral part of the journey, "…then we go to the diet. Diets are ingested, exercise induces sleep, works against insomnia, and increases circulation, breathing, and overall good health. That leads to the next stage, which is medication. We might give one if needed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dr.-Ivan-Edwards-2.jpg" width="323" height="485" alt="" class="wp-image-7881 alignnone size-full" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;While discussing diets and their benefits, Dr. Edwards revealed that inflammatory foods are the biggest threat to our health, and it's important to stop consuming inflammatory foods in order to have a healthier America.&lt;a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023100"&gt;&lt;u&gt; According to a study&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, one can of soda in a woman increases the risk of a stroke, "…people never hear about that. It does in a man too, but it's even worse in a woman." This result did not hit the mainstream because the soda companies obscured the truth. "The soda study was killed because soda has to sell. But it is affecting low-income communities. The truth is a can of soda increases the risk of stroke." Dr. Edwards said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt;The idea of meditation is that people have to affirm that they are going to do better. There is a lot of stress happening, and stress causes diseases. We have to get rid of stress because it attacks the mind first, and if the mind is stressed, the body is not going to do well. So, the idea of meditation has to be internalized, and we have to get better. That in itself is hope. Exuberance and confidence have to take root in us, and we have to know this is the first step in the right direction. Someone who is depressed must be treated for depression first. The mind has to fall in place. When it does, the body does the same thing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dr.-Ivan-Edwars.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/true-health-begins-with-the-mind/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7812</ID> <title>Pain Management: It's More Than Medicating</title> <publishDate>2021-06-01 18:26:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Chronic pain isn't just about diagnosis and medication. Dr. Tania Faruque, MD, knows this well, and she puts it into practice every day at Palomar Spine &amp;amp; Pain in California, where she serves as Medical Director. Her job is no walk in the park: "Being in pain management is a difficult field, of course… it affects pretty much every aspect of people's lives." The job includes more than doing spine injections, joint injections, and neurological work. Dr. Faruque also gets to know her patients on a deeper level and often finds that their pain isn't only physical.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7817,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7817"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;One case that stands out to Dr. Faruque was when an older gentleman came to her for chronic back and joint pain treatment. While she was administering help, she realized there was more going on than just the diagnosis. "[Other than the pain], in his life, his wife had just recently passed away." Dr. Faruque described. "And you see that a lot of these men who've been married for so long… their wives had been taking care of them." She describes how she sees that a lot of older men who lose their wives tend to lose sight of their own wellbeing due to grief, which often accumulates into greater pain. Dr. Faruque said she noticed how "his will of life, his joy was really just gone after his wife passed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During every visit, she would talk to him during his clinic visit. “It took time, but I would always talk to him, talk to him about his kids… [even though] he did want to move to Arizona to be with his kids but for the longest time didn't want to actually go… and each visit I would want to be like, Look, you should move, go be with family, it will make a difference." Days passed, months passed, and the gentleman didn't return. One day, Dr. Faruque describes how he showed up at her office out of the blue: "When I saw him again, he did end up moving to Arizona. And he came just to thank me for that." Dr. Faruque tells the story with fondness, the smile practically audible in her voice. "My day is good when I've made a difference in a patient's quality of life." And for this gentleman, the help she provided was more than just providing physical pain relief.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7816,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7816"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Faruque's journey in the medical field began ever since she was a little girl. Being the daughter of immigrants, she described how her parents never wanted her to take for granted living in America. They instilled in her the values of helping others and giving back: "I know that's a cliché answer, but it's the truth, that's what got me into the field." Plus, the skill set needed to be a doctor came naturally to her: "In school, I really enjoyed science a lot, so this is really the perfect career for me." But Dr. Faruque's interest in science and heart for people as a child was only the beginning. The rest of her quickly-growing career exemplified her intelligence, ingenuity, compassion, and entrepreneurship on a whole new level.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Not only is Dr. Faruque a double-board certified interventional pain management specialist and anesthesiologist, but she's also a graduate of the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There, she did her residency in Anesthesiology and rotated through the Chronic Pain Rehab Program – a program that treats some of the most complicated chronic pain cases in the medical community. She became the first female pain medicine fellow at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and continues to be one of the few female pain physicians in San Diego, treating patients with interventional management, physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and biofeedback /relaxation training. As the entire world now knows, all the training, skill, and experience in the world couldn't have prepared anyone for such unprecedented times.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"My previous job, COVID affected it significantly," Dr. Faruque recounts. "Our clientele went down by 75% in the Pasadena area in California. Unfortunately, the practice never really fully recovered… even when things were getting a little bit better."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Faruque didn't let COVID stop her from giving back to her community. Another doctor reached out to Dr. Faruque, sharing that he was planning to retire and have someone take over his practice. The opportunity couldn't have been more perfect. "It was a great undertaking," Dr. Faruque said, "Really scary, but great."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;She officially started at Palomar this January. But even with a new year, old challenges still presented themselves. "We were considered non-essential so that unfortunately hindered [things]. Patients were afraid to come to our clinic; pain procedures weren't needed." But when patients started to trickle in, the treatments that had been put off for so long were manifesting in unpleasant ways: "When patients did finally come in, they were in an extreme amount of pain and wanted immediate treatment, but that can't be the case." As if things couldn't get any more complicated, patients who had difficulty breathing in masks still had to wear them, and patients eager to get treatments were faced with COVID questions. "A lot of it seemed to be a big nuisance for the patients, but it's all for safety." Aside from the complications that COVID brings, there are also controversies, politicization, and those who don't follow guidelines. Instead of being frustrated, Dr. Faruque realized something: "What I found interesting was that there was a lot of misinformation." She explained, "A lot of us in the medical field take for granted what we know about [COVID], but most patients don't really know anything about COVID." She says she would do her best to answer the many questions patients had about the pandemic. She was surprised to find that many who didn't want to wear masks or follow the guidelines didn't do it out of rebellion – but just because they genuinely didn't understand why. This was especially true with her older patients. "That was one of the biggest surprises for me. We assume that patients know what's happening, but a lot of the time, they don't."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For Dr. Faruque, getting patients to come in person for a check-up is very high on her priority list. Unfortunately, unlike other fields of care, pain treatments can't benefit from telemedicine. "To be realistic, it's difficult in pain management because you really need that physical exam. And if you're giving prescriptions like opioids, you don't want to be doing that over the phone." But even still, Dr. Faruque clarifies that pain treatment isn't only about narcotics and medications.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7813,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7813"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While opioids and narcotics are sometimes necessary, that isn't the whole picture. "Our role is to provide alternatives to avoid long-term medication and surgery." She explains. "I want to be a voice for people understanding what pain management is, that it's not just opioids. It's really other forms of treatment like neuromodulation and regenerative medicine." This is just one of the reasons why a face-to-face appointment is critical for pain management treatments – it's not just about stopping the pain; it's about solving the root issue and improving lifestyle.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Faruque is still early in her career, but she has already made massive waves in her community. "I never choose to settle in my career. I had a dream when I first became a doctor to have my own practice. And not only be a doctor, but also an entrepreneur. I'm proud that I never gave up on that, and now I have that opportunity. It's a big goal that I accomplished." And the race isn't over yet. As the vaccine is being distributed, cases are going down, and life is gradually starting to return to normal, Dr. Faruque and Palomar Spine &amp;amp; Pain look forward to the future. "I really want to make this clinic successful and be a good source, a good doctor, and have a good reputation out there and help people. And right now, it's all about pain and wellness. I truly love helping people."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/image-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/pain-management-its-more-than-medicating/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7783</ID> <title>Dr. Christopher Lee - First-Hand Tales of the COVID-19 Pandemic from an UrgentCare Physician</title> <publishDate>2021-05-30 20:49:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Christopher Lee&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Christopher Lee, M.D., who grew up in Texas, knew he wanted to pursue medicine since high school. Initially, he wanted to become a surgeon, then an anesthesiologist, but later on transitioned out of anesthesia because he wanted to get into hospital/corporate medicine leadership. Dr. Lee is now the Medical Director at Baycare Urgent Care for four years running. To get to where he is today, he acquired his medical degree from the Miller School of Medicine in Miami and completed his residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Lee then proceeded to get his advanced subspecialty residency at the University of South Florida, where he is also an affiliate professor for Internal Medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee enjoys the variety of people he gets to interact with daily, from medical students to patients and colleagues. He is proud to be part of Tampa’s leading health care system and takes pride in providing outstanding medical care for his community.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7785,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-56.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7785"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Urgent Care?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The main difference between working as an urgent care physician and a primary care physician is the amount of time the doctor gets to spend with the patient. In primary care, doctors get to see their patients on more than one occasion and develop relationships over time. However, in urgent care, doctors usually meet a patient only once and for a limited amount of time.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee said it is essential to build a bond with the patient quickly while giving them the proper care and assistance they need. Luckily, Dr. Lee has excellent people skills, and he can put them to good use when he sees 30-40 different patients daily.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Has COVID-19 Affected Urgent Care?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During the initial pandemic blow, the hospital was turned upside down due to many protocol changes. Dr. Lee said that they had to scramble around looking for sufficient COVID-19 testing and PPE. The significant lack of proper protective equipment was the main struggle for them during the first months of the pandemic. On top of that, they also had to deal with hospital staff contracting COVID-19, leading to a high volume of staff turnover. Fortunately, BayCare has been fluid with its response to the unprecedented changes, and they were able to think fast and plug holes at the last minute.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7787,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-57.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7787"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine Is Here To Stay&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It’s no surprise to hear that Dr. Lee has also seen a substantial decline in the number of patients he sees. With COVID-19 hovering over everyone’s mind, patients now think twice about visiting the hospital. But that’s where telemedicine comes in. Now, patients can get a medical evaluation instantaneously through a click or an app.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee ultimately sees telemedicine as a benefit, especially during these unprecedented times. However, he still notes the concerns that it brings about, especially from a financial standpoint. Because reimbursement rates for telemedicine visits are significantly lower, doctors’ revenue will also decrease. Additionally, people who don’t have access to smartphones and Wi-Fi are unable to use this platform. Dr. Lee also points out that telemedicine is still limited in what it can do because it cannot replace the ability to do physical examinations. Nevertheless, telemedicine is still a great supplementary tool for doctors and is a great way to expand healthcare access, especially to areas with a shortage of physicians.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-55.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7784"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get Vaccinated Now&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Having received the vaccine last December, which was earlier than he anticipated, Dr. Lee is excited to have things go back to normal this year. He is delighted in the thought of traveling around again and being able to take some time off work -- especially since he worked for 97 straight days last year.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lee urges the public to read the correct information regarding vaccinations. He is also trying his best to explain to the general public the science behind how the vaccine works. Dr. Lee connotes getting the vaccine as the light at the end of the tunnel, and the sooner that everyone can realize that the sooner we can all go back to living a COVID-19-free life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-56.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-christopher-lee-first-hand-tales-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-from-an-urgentcare-physician/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7775</ID> <title>Chiropractic Care and Functional Medicine in Israel with Dr. Reuven Rosenberg</title> <publishDate>2021-05-30 20:37:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Now an established chiropractor and a board-certified clinical nutritionist in Israel, Dr. Reuven Rosenberg's unorthodox career path was a winding one. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Rosenberg first attended the School of Visual Arts for Graphic Design. After graduation, this path evolved into dreams of breaking into the film industry. As a young man with a musical background, he found success working on MTV videos and the television program The Equalizer. In this interview with Top Doctor Magazine, Dr. Rosenberg shared his fascinating background story and some refreshing perspectives on functional health, the human body, and practicing abroad.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Christopher Lee&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;At the age of 30, Dr. Rosenberg decided it was time to build the foundation for professional growth. With a keen fascination with the health of the human body and a passion for interdisciplinary education, Dr. Rosenberg chose to go back to school. He moved to Dallas, Texas, and graduated from Parker University five years later. In Dallas, he would not only begin practicing as a chiropractor, but he also had two children with his wife while becoming religiously observant. The Rosenberg family then moved to New York City, where Dr. Rosenberg would practice for five years. On a family vacation to Israel in 2005, Dr. Rosenberg encountered his rabbi from Brooklyn, whom he describes as a very wise and kind man, and with whom he had a life-changing conversation. Six months after that talk, Dr. Rosenberg and his family relocated permanently to Israel.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"It was a lot of work to start from scratch again at age 41. It's been a lot of work." After 15 years in Israel, it seems the efforts have paid off, as he experiences no shortage of patients or professional name recognition, locally or in the United States. Many come to Dr. Rosenberg's private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh for a wide variety of reasons. Dr. Rosenberg has completed several post-graduate courses in functional neurology and applies that education to many cases, including people affected by Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, &amp;amp; ADD/HD.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7778,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-54.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7778"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Functional Medicine Gives People Hope&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;After decades of helping people, Dr. Rosenberg took a thoughtful and personalized approach to give his patients the best care possible. For example, he told Top Doctor Magazine about a 28-year-old female patient with ten years of struggle with hypersomnia, which leaves the patient feeling excessive sleepiness throughout the day and unable to sleep at night. The patient was using Ritalin and coffee to manage this problem, but it was very obvious to all this was not sustainable. Dr. Rosenberg helped this patient with his process of testing neurotransmitters, hormones, and manual muscle testing. Dr. Rosenberg speaks from personal experience, "I myself at 21 had chronic fatigue, and I saw a chiropractor… and I didn't know why at that time! But he helped me with chiropractic and functional medicine. And that is what people are looking for."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Rosenberg takes it further. His practice uses the principles from functional neurology and combines them with clinical nutrition and functional lab testing. After 15 years in Israel, Dr. Rosenberg has been able to help countless people who were consistently told their situations were unsolvable: ailments such as insomnia, weight, male and female hormone issues, headaches, migraines, sleep apnea, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, and diseases of the digestive system. Dr. Rosenberg has a novel way of explaining his sophisticated work to the casual layperson, "To me, it's all about the state of the nervous system,the state of the brain, and the internal terrain. The brain controls the whole body."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7776,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-53.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7776"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Chiropractors Remove Interference in Your Body&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the surrounding geopolitical tension in Israel, extreme stress is a significant issue that is quite different from most Americans, which is why Dr. Rosenberg seems to have his work cut out for him. "Many Israeli patients haven't even heard of a chiropractor, but chiropractors have been around since 1895…and really under various names going back to ancient Egypt." Dr. Rosenberg continues, "Chiropractors from the early days recognized that the body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism. Our main goal is to remove some type of interference…something that is interfering with the transmission of information in the body."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Every chiropractor has their way of doing things, but they all work towards the same goal. Dr. Rosenberg prides himself in his unique approach of interlacing functional medicine and applied kinesiology, as not many chiropractors can do that.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Managing COVID-19&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Rosenberg was ahead of the pandemic by creating an online Functional Medicine program. "I've had the idea for quite some time." Functional Medicine works very well in a telemedicine model. o serve more people, Dr. Rosenberg has enhanced his approach by collaborating online with a sleep coach. "I proposed to him that we could complement each other." The work continues to evolve even after 21 years of experience.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;COVID-19 presented several challenges initially. "Chiropractic is hands-on work." The Alternative Medicine division of the HMO that Dr. Rosenberg practices in part-time was shut down for several months but eventually reopened. These days, thanks in part to Israel's expeditious vaccination efforts, his private practice business has not only returned to pre-pandemic levels but has significantly increased. "I'm a chiropractor. People aren't coming to me for COVID. They are coming for neck and back pain. But they may also benefit from enhanced immune function in the process of treatment." With the effects of the pandemic yet unfolding, his work at the Integrative Health Center in Ramat Beit Shemesh will continue to be invaluable in the long-term care and ongoing relationships between Dr. Rosenberg and his patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-54.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/chiropractic-care-and-functional-medicine-in-israel-with-dr-reuven-rosenberg/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7728</ID> <title>A DOCTOR'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FROM A HOSPITAL BED WITH DR. AMIR SHALEV</title> <publishDate>2021-05-22 21:30:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The United States healthcare system is regarded as the best and the most innovative in the world. Aside from the billions of dollars invested in health and medical research, pockets of excellence are visible across the country. Nonetheless, the fragmented and complicated healthcare marketplace created a system that is antithetical to its global reputation. A stunning reality of the healthcare system is that the finances and resources do not translate to better access to care, coordination, and affordability. The increasing complexity of care, care fragmentation, increasing burden of chronic diseases, limitations of outcomes measurement, limitation of evidence for the care provided, and lack of transparency in both performance and cost are a few of the challenges physicians and patients alike face daily.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Healthcare providers dedicated to providing the best care for every patient put in their best effort, ensuring that each patient receives care efficiently.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, complicated insurance coverage, political landscape, consumer preference, and current socioeconomic structure through health policy decisions about funding, regulations, and reimbursements affect organizations and delivery of care in a way that limits healthcare provider's options.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Health care has been an important topic of debate in the United States throughout the last decade. As different political parties hold different viewpoints regarding how to run the system properly, each side attempts to create legislation reflecting their political ideology. Stakeholders like insurance and pharmaceutical industries prey on these inconsistencies by spending millions of dollars lobbying to influence potential reforms. As a result, establishing long-term solutions to our health care system failed to materialize.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Sadly, the brunt is generally felt across all demographics and occupations. After a lengthy monologue, Dr. Amir Shalev lamented to Top Doctor Magazine during an interview: "Your pain is out of proportion. There is nothing else we could do."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Shalev, who is also a doctor, listened in disbelief while a physician discharged him in excruciating pain. Even though he has dedicated his life to providing care to patients, he quickly realized the dangerous lapses in the healthcare system when the tables are turned.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Amir Shalev is a podiatrist specializing in diabetic foot care in Las Vegas providing comprehensive medical care for a broad spectrum of foot and ankle conditions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7733,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-48.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7733"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even as a health provider, Dr. Shalev had a fair share of the lapses in the healthcare system when his ulcerative colitis became worse. "So often I'd have a flare-up and would go on steroids or spend a few days in the hospital, and then I would go into remission." In 2019, he requested to see pain management but was denied. In May 2020, Dr. Shalev, who was immunocompromised and trying to avoid going to the ER, contacted his GI doctor, who started him on steroids again.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"When my condition got worse, they gave me all the pain medications I needed. When I went to one hospital, all they did was a CT scan. They gave me pain management injection and fluids, and after five days, they repeated it, told me my pain was out of proportion and sent me home." Dr. Shalev complained.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Since the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing, Dr. Shalev disclosed that the healthcare system might become appalling unless we see a drastic change. "When I was discharged in pain, I perforated at home. The next day, my colon ruptured. I went to my GI five days later, and he took one look at me, wheeled me to the OR for emergency surgery, where they took out 95% of my colon. He told me if I was 24hrs later, I probably wouldn’t be able to come; I would be dead."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While describing physician's complicity in the problem, the Nevada-based doctor noted that patients also play a part in the problem, making it difficult for doctors to do their job. Dr. Shalev, who was a patient a few times, describes his experience when he was receiving care. "When I had emergency surgery, I was in the ICU for five days, and I have nerve tuber been in the ICU.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7730,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-46.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7730"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;I had what is termed ICU delirium, an acute fluctuating disturbance of consciousness and cognition common to patients." Speaking further on his experience as a patient, Dr. Shalev described how he pulled out everything attached to his body, including the NG, which made him bleed. "When they got everything back in me, they restrained me, tied me down, and I still pulled everything out. I did not cooperate with them until after the third night when my wife stayed with me to calm me down."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The healthcare system in the US has a trifecta of high cost, below-average outcomes, and unequal access compared to other highly developed countries. Some of the factors creating a downstream effect in the healthcare system were created by the health insurance industry. During the interview, Dr. Shalev criticized the insurance companies leeching off the hardworking Americans and creating severe health challenges. "Part of the problem is the way the fixed schedule gets reduced every year. This kind of forces doctors to see more patients to make ends meet, pay off student loans, and couple that with Medicare decreases because they want to force Medicare guidelines on physicians." Dr. Shalev said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For example, Dr. Shalev continued, "…in Vegas, Medicaid did not cover podiatrist services for 2018. So, if some Medicaid patients needed podiatrist services, they had to pay cash." Now, Medicaid does cover podiatry, but many doctors still won’t see Medicaid patients even though they are the population that needs it most. "I know some practices that will never see them. If you only have a 15-minute time slot and you have someone else who triples the pay, you will definitely go to the other patient. I may start picking my patients too. Right or wrong, unfortunately, that is what the insurance companies are forcing podiatrists to do." Dr. Shalev informed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7729,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-45.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7729"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The federal government influences the health care system by creating reforms to improve quality and value in the healthcare industry. By establishing Medicare and Medicaid, it ensures access to insurance coverage for most of the population. Additionally, multiple pieces of legislation were created over the years expanding federal healthcare programs, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. As the role of government expanded, multiple initiatives were created. Overall, progress has eluded the health care system.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Shalev provided a perspective regarding the influence the government has on the health care system. "There are a lot of things out there that are not known or used because they are not familiar to us but are available in other advanced countries. Sadly, we have different government entities that are involved, which should not be part of the equation, but unfortunately, it is."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For example, Dr. Shalev continued, "&lt;a href="https://www.completefootanklecare.com/testimonials/video-testimonials.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;stem cells regenerative medicine&lt;/a&gt; became more legal or more mainstream in the last 5 to 8 years because the government allows things to be studied and done. Although it's been done in Europe for over 30 years, it's new to us."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Going forward, Dr. Shalev told us that he might be forced to ask what insurance a patient has before seeing them. "My goal is to do the best for the patient, hopefully, their insurance covers it, but if they don't, there is not much I can do, but I try to work with them to find a cheaper cash alternative." Dr. Shalev believes that patient care comes first before money, "but I have always liked doing the right thing so that I can sleep at night," he concluded.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-47.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-doctors-perspective-on-the-healthcare-system-from-a-hospital-bed-with-dr-amir-shalev/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7720</ID> <title>Robert Bautista: Tackling Health Misinformation</title> <publishDate>2021-05-22 21:22:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hits the United States—and the rest of the world, like a storm, in early 2020. Within that period, governments of different countries had to issue strict precautionary measures to break the chain of infection and deaths. Countries like China limited viral spread by enforcing early and thorough lockdowns, other countries, including the United States, France, Italy, and Spain, were heavily hit. At the time of writing, the pandemic accounts for at least 135 million infections and about 3 million deaths globally. Because of the confusion surrounding the advent of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus that triggers COVID-19, misinformation about the virus, its origins, and successful prevention and treatment methods spread rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed and distributed shareable infographics that dispel unique misconceptions about COVID-19 as part of its campaign to spread scientific knowledge over misinformation. However, the effectiveness of health agency websites intended to refute misconceptions has produced inconsistent findings in research.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Robert Bautista, who is presently doing his postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin's School of Information, is no slouch when tackling health misinformation on social media. Dr. Bautista has always been interested in public health, leading him to take a master's program in public health. He then realized that information and communications technologies have a crucial role in promoting public health, leading him to take a Ph.D. in communication science at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Over the years, he has done various research on how technology, ranging from smartphones to social media, influences the work of healthcare professionals in the field.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7724,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7724" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-43.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I got into this field when I was collecting data in the Philippines for my Ph.D. thesis. I observed that nurses used their smartphones to communicate and pass vital information to their coworkers and their patients. To some extent, patients may ask nurses with health information and, in some cases, these questions relate to health misinformation found on the Internet." After completing my Ph.D., I applied for fellowships that would allow me to start research on health misinformation. Fortunately, I was granted the Bullard Research Fellowship by UT Austin's School of Information. Currently, my research focuses on how healthcare professionals &lt;a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1386505621000010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;correct health misinformation on social media&lt;/a&gt;."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Initially, Dr. Bautista's research did not focus on COVID-19; however, he had to rethink his priorities with it being a pandemic. 'There was much misinformation surrounding COVID-19, like how the virus spreads, how the virus started, and what medications will help in treating COVID-19."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;On the effect of the pandemic on his research, "The Pandemic affected my research. I couldn't interview key healthcare professionals in person due to social distancing measures. So all interviews had to be done online via Zoom or Skype. Initially, the interviews were challenging because they were not face-to-face; I quickly got into the groove because the technology provided the convenience of collecting data at home. That also meant not having to travel at all for research, and that reduced my risk of having COVID."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7722,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7722" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-42.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trends Set by the Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Although COVID-19 has its consequences," said Dr. Bautista, "there are also some silver linings that occurred throughout my research. For example, researchers became more innovative and explored other avenues of data collection. The key benefits include greater adherence to safety measures, lesser travel time, and the availability of many participants to communicate online since most are at home."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Are the Trends Here to Stay?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Yes, they will." He says. "Until the country reaches herd immunity and daily cases are much lower." But we suspect that the world is prepared to communicate intimately beyond herd immunity without much physical contact. In December, the CEO of Twitter and Slack told all employees of both companies that they can work remotely forever. Dr. Bautista insists that "We will still have to stick to this kind of setup for the next two years." The delay in reaching herd immunity is because of logistical challenges (low vaccine supply and poor distribution), resulting in the delay of vaccinating adults. Besides, vaccine trials for individuals under the age of 16 are still in progress and may take about a year before completion.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7721,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-7721" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-41.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Misinformation Surrounding Vaccination&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bautista is "hopeful that trials reach completion by the end of the year regarding child vaccination. As a result, those under the age of 16 can receive the vaccine in December, similar to what happened in 2020."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"The main challenge is the expected hesitancy from parents. It would always be an issue if some children who can think for themselves want to get vaccinated, but the parents are hesitant. Enrollment into vaccine trials for children has also been tougher than enrollment for adults because you need parents' permission. Parents are much more anxious to subject their children to clinical trials. The time needed to conduct trials for children is longer when compared to adults, and hesitancy often comes from misinformation. Some adults do not want the vaccine because they think it's a death trap. However, COVID vaccines "greatly reduce your chance of being severely hospitalized and dying from COVID." "We're using science to combat COVID-19 through vaccines. We use science to explore other worlds like Mars, and that's because of science, and in the future, we can set our feet on Mars." "Eventually, with vaccines, we can reach herd immunity to the extent that people will not die from COVID." Dr. Bautista says.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;We understand the negative implications of misinformation and how it can lead to social distress. With social media, spreading fake news and unverified claims is easy. During the heat of the global pandemic, absurd news and claims were fabricated and spread. Many people kicked against some of the guidelines released by the WHO, and some organizations, and even governments, were quick to justify recklessness towards the pandemic using unverified data sources. "Did China deliberately orchestrate the spread of COVID19? Does chloroquine effectively cure the virus? Must you always wear a face mask and use a hand sanitizer?" Many fingers wagged at China; some doctors and reputable politicians claimed that chloroquine could help defeat the virus; others claimed that face masks and sanitizers were a waste of investment in the campaign against the pandemic. Where do you get your news? When you spread fake news, you fuel a system that can lead to property damage and deaths. So always think and verify before you share information on social media.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-44.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=7720</url> </article> <article> <ID>7709</ID> <title>The Art of Medicine: A Look into Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Ripu Arora</title> <publishDate>2021-05-22 21:08:52</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Ripu Arora is a board-certified pain management anesthesiologist who has provided exceptional care to his patients for the last 30 years. He focuses in his practice, the &lt;a href="https://www.arorapainclinic.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;Arora Pain Clinic&lt;/a&gt;, on Interventional Pain Management and Regenerative Medicine. Through these specialties, he can identify pain triggering mechanisms and target the best treatments for the best patient outcomes.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“Our goal is to help the patient as a whole, to improve the quality of life and improve their functionality in life. Sometimes you cannot heal the patient 100%, but at least you can get the functionality back to normal or close to normal,” shared Dr. Arora.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Training to Serve&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Arora studied for his medical degree in India before traveling to England to undergo Orthopedic and Surgical training at hospitals in London and Manchester. He then moved to America to further his training in surgery at Baltimore, MD.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Following this, Dr. Arora attended a residency in Anesthesiology through Case Western University and, in 2009, graduated with honors from the University of Irvine, California, with a master of business administration in health care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He is an active life member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP). He serves on the board of directors as the president of the California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (CalSIPP).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7712,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-39.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7712"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Expansion of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Arora shared that last year CalSIPP surveyed its members, asking what the physicians wanted to learn the most. The number one answer was &lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/subjects/regenerative-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/a&gt;. In answer to this desire, the organization put together honest educational resources to help physicians increase their understanding.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“The most important thing is to educate the community and additionally the physicians and the different providers on what is available,” Arora said. “The right type of education is vital, especially without doing any sales pitches or false advertisements. There is also the importance of changing the mindset.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As more &lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11587822/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;patients seek more natural healing methods&lt;/a&gt;, physicians need to be educated on how they can include regenerative medicine into their practice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“We want to stay true to the ethics behind regulations. We want to make sure that those practicing regenerative medicines understand its limitations and that we must follow FDA regulations,” Arora said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7714,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-40.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7714"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Regenerative Medicine as the Art of Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;After experiencing firsthand the capabilities of regenerative medicine, Arora has delved into its study and is currently offering it with great success to his patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“I had my own experience with it, so that’s helped me a lot to believe in it. And if you believe in something and you have a personal experience, then it’s easier to offer it to somebody with confidence,” he said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Arora’s genuine passion for his patients and their success is evident. One of his favorite patient stories is of an engineer with a crushed hand who managed to make a recovery and remove his pain altogether.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He was able to hold his child for the first time and went on to get a job as an electrical engineer.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Arora described the outcome from regenerative therapy as very rewarding. He sees regenerative medicine as a non-invasive way to help people heal and manage their pain.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“My feeling is that regenerative medicine is going to be the art of medicine, which everybody will be utilizing in the years to come,” Arora said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Ripu Arora, you can &lt;a href="https://www.arorapainclinic.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;visit him at his website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.arorapainclinic.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; He has &lt;a href="https://www.calsipp.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;various resources on Regenerative Medicine&lt;/a&gt; available for members.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DR._ARORA_PIC_-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/the-art-of-medicine-a-look-into-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-ripu-arora/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7667</ID> <title>*Stories from the ER: An Interview with Dr. Mark Bernardi</title> <publishDate>2021-05-16 12:35:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Mark Bernardi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mark Bernardi is an Emergency Room physician practicing in the Greater Seattle Area, WA. He began his studies at Cornell University with a degree in Human Biology, graduated from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and completed his residency at the University of Arizona in 2018.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7672,"width":287,"height":287,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1614129615113.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-7672" width="287" height="287"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from his work in the emergency room, Dr. Bernardi, after completing research at the Harvard Institute of Medicine, took part in numerous other research programs as a coordinator. Furthermore, he took his expertise outside the American soil and in less-developed areas of the world, such as Sub-Saharan Africa.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Harsh Reality of the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From a young age, Dr. Bernardi developed an interest in health care systems. He had a particular interest in the Canadian model, which offers universal health care to all its citizens. However, after deciding to undergo his studies and training in the U.S., Dr. Bernardi, who dreamed about joining Doctors Without Borders first, saw himself forced to jump right into the fray. From the start, he showed eagerness to learn more about COVID-19 and the different pathways that each state chose to tackle the pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During his interview, Dr. Bernardi shared stories more appropriate for a dystopian novel rather than for the 21st-century U.S. healthcare system. From every single state where he worked, he reported what seemed to be chaos: hospitals in IL where nurses questioned the virus’s existence entirely, others who saw the mask more like a discardable accessory rather than a helpful tool, and hospitals in AZ that refused to front the resources for rapid testing willing to put the staff at risk, etc. “I don’t know exactly how other countries handled this, but I know that we didn’t handle it very well,” Dr. Bernardi admits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In a search for the culprit, Dr. Bernardi points towards the U.S. health care system. The system turned the COVID-19 pandemic into a “survival of the fittest” type battleground, where everything from logistics to patient care hit constant bumps on the road. “Logistically, we couldn’t test in AZ for COVID, or the testing was so slow that we couldn’t transfer patients. “We were stuck managing patients in our emergency rooms for days when new patients should have been transferred out within a few hours.” Such shortcomings placed everyone in danger, especially those who pulled extra shifts due to staff shortage: “I, personally, had COVID twice.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7673,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-27.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7673"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“It wasn’t about people. It was about dollars.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic exposed more cracks in the fault line. With no centralized health care system, big pharmaceutical corporations monopolized and divided the COVID-19 battleground, putting dollar signs above patient care: “In America, the health care is all about money.” However, precisely when health care needed a sense of concord the most, these big corporations turned against one another, putting the vaccination campaign in jeopardy: “Some hospitals who weren’t able to rapidly test for COVID didn’t because they lacked proper lab equipment. Because of a disconnected healthcare system, this was especially burdensome for small towns with limited resources. In these towns, if one hospital had the proper equipment (lab or proper freezers to store COVID vaccines) and the other didn’t, unfortunately, I did not see them sharing.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With business driving COVID-19-relief efforts, this harsh reality led to corporate entities trying to supplement the dwindling patient numbers with job cuts. The result? Numerous doctors, some with 30-40 years of experience, were forced into retirement or lost their jobs or even their pensions. “Business is ruining U.S. health care, and I don’t know why no one’s talking about it,” Dr. Bernardi shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With such division and only personal goals in mind, it’s hard to believe in future change. For Dr. Bernardi, nothing but a universal health care system could prepare the country for the next pandemic. However, this highly politicized subject is not expected to become a palpable reality in the near future, Dr. Bernardi admits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7671,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7671"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Turning Telemedicine into a Business&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the COVID-19 pandemic kept patients indoors, numerous doctors turned towards telemedicine. Dr. Bernardi himself saw the advantages of a remote approach to patient care and decided to join two telemedicine companies when (quite ironic in a pandemic!) he knew his hours would be cut. “It’s providing access to care, which is good for patients who don’t have their physicians.” However, not all doctors shared in his enthusiasm. With no legislation that protects physicians from liability, telemedicine provided an ineffective backup plan to a struggling health care system.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, it wasn’t long before telemedicine companies saw the opportunity for extra revenue: “Overreaching with telemedicine to make a buck, which some of the telemedicine companies are doing, is inappropriate.” Dr. Bernardi disclosed to us several appalling examples of such inappropriate conduct: telemedicine companies who targeted people with anxiety issues to sell more antidepressants or doctors who prescribed Viagra to young adults who were in no need of such stimulants, etc. However, by far, the most shocking example is the following: “Another telemedicine company I was working for was selling COVID-19 tests. The COVID-19 tests are free!” For Dr. Bernardi, only strong legislation can make the difference between frauds and true telemedicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7668,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-25.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7668"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does 2021 Have in Store for Dr. Bernardi?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The perspective of a COVID-19-free year truly excites Dr. Bernardi. However, as he admits, two main concerns are troubling him: the difficulty of finding a stable job as an E.R. physician and the health care system's state after the pandemic. "I don't know if we've learned as much as we should have from this." We can only hope that Dr. Bernardi's vision for a stronger health care system will come to life before the next pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1614129615113.jpeg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/telehealth/stories-from-the-er-an-interview-with-dr-mark-bernardi/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7655</ID> <title>Healthcare In The Workplace With Everside Health</title> <publishDate>2021-05-16 12:16:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nobody shies away from admitting that healthcare is complicated. And it’s not just complicated for active patients, as healthcare providers, businesses, employees, and even governments can all testify to the complexities of our healthcare system. Amidst all the bureaucracy, legalities, compensations, premiums, paperwork, economics, and tons more, it’s no wonder that things get bogged down. But Everside Health is determined to make healthcare more straightforward, more accessible, and all the more effective for people all over the United States. Dr. Gaurov Dayal, President and Chief Operating Officer of Everside, was eager to tell Top Doctor Magazine about how their direct primary care model is making healthcare better.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“The essence of what we do is provide direct primary care to employers and employees,” he describes. “We work with self-funded employers who have their employees come to us. We don’t charge the employees anything; we provide unlimited access and unlimited primary care onsite that improves population health and lowers the total cost of care for the employer. We want to make the employees healthier and, ideally, more productive by not wasting time waiting to get to a doctor.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With physical sites in 32 states and a plan to launch 50 additional health centers later this year, Everside has already made an impact all over the country and shows no sign of stopping. When talking about the services Everside offers, Dr. Dayal stresses the benefits of value-centered care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“We hear a lot of stories from people who claim they went to see one of our nurse practitioners because they had something relatively minor, like a headache. Upon further review, however, they learned that their blood pressure was sky high and they were immediately sent to the hospital to avoid a stroke,” says Dr. Dayal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7663,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-24.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7663"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He believes that the best form of healthcare is preventive, meaning that patients shouldn’t have to wait until the last moment to receive medical help. ”The goal of preventive care is to avoid those dramatic, just-in-time care diagnoses because they shouldn't happen in the first place,” adds Dr. Dayal. “We impact lives every single day: helping people avoid strokes, obesity, depression, and other chronic problems. That’s what we’re doing. We’re not selling anything magic. We’re selling ongoing, continuous care within a great network.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Everside wants to care for employees no matter the ailment. “If you have good primary care, you don’t need a magic bullet later on,” Dr. Dayal explains. “Have a persistent cough? Everside wants to help. Suffering from a sprained ankle? Come to Everside. Feeling unusual nausea? Yep, Everside is ready. These seemingly simple nuisances may seem like no big deal, but sometimes these issues need more attention than most think at first glance. These issues may be a signal that there needs to be a lifestyle change for better overall health maintenance. Our current theme is accessibility. We want patients to come to us for anything.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Dayal hopes that Everside can help set a precedent for the future of healthcare. By offering accessible, value-based help, Everside differs from the overall national perspective on healthy living and doctor treatment. In America, it’s not unusual for patients to put their own lives at risk to save money. Avoiding the doctor, not calling ambulances, and skimping on medicine are a few common ways that many people save money on healthcare. But these “money-savers” are often at the cost of their well-being and, in some cases, at the cost of their lives. Dr. Dayal notes that this significant flaw is rampant within the American healthcare system. Good healthcare has gotten so expensive that Americans will risk their lives over it.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7657,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7657"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The flaws of the American healthcare system have especially been spotlighted during the COVID-19 crisis. While COVID has forced doctors to advance their technology, it’s in some ways a zero-sum game.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“Easy access to primary care is a big problem, “says Dr. Dayal. “Even though virtual care has been accelerated by maybe 10 years because of COVID, we have to be cautious. We have to make sure primary care is being administered in person.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another benefit to virtual care is that it allows for better patient-doctor connection. “By using virtual, you get better access to the patient and, thus, better care,” explains Dr. Dayal. ”It’s convenient and patients tend to prefer it. They might not immediately go to their doctor for something seemingly minor – say, a stomach ache – but will be far more likely to pick up their phones and schedule a virtual appointment. If the doctor advises patients to go to the office after the virtual appointment, they will. Ultimately, the patients get into the office, something they may not have done without the virtual accessibility.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;COVID will eventually come and go, but the effects and consequences of this life-changing pandemic will not soon be forgotten. In talking about what lessons can be learned, Dr. Dayal’s recommendation to America is simple: Education.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“People need to understand what COVID is,” he says. “I think we should learn from our mistakes and we should not politicize a very public health and science issue. For example, if you wear a tight-fitting mask, COVID is reduced by 96%. whether people agree or disagree with that fact doesn't make it any less true.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7656,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-22.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7656"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Dayal notes that implementing educational efforts can be complicated. “I believe public health experts and physicians are critical in solving these problems. The problem is that they do not always think the exact same things. Everyone needs to remember that there is misinformation out there, some deliberate and some not. Even still, people have different approaches to the issue, and that’s okay. For example, I believe in vaccines, but I understand the perspective of those concerned. We need to be more open-minded and hear different opinions, using logic and making educated decisions.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Dayal stresses that the American people should be looking to their healthcare providers and scientific experts for guidance on how to address COVID. “We should not rely on politicians,” he reminds Top Doctor Magazine. “I think this goes back to the earlier point that this has become such a political issue. Let’s rally together against this horrible thing that has impacted us on a global scale. Let’s use common sense rather than just fighting over political beliefs.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Dayal hopes that the United States has learned from past mistakes and that the future of healthcare can rally around the people, the science, and the facts rather than money. For Everside, it comes down to a focus on value-based care.. By caring about its patients, the quality of their care, and the basic sentiment of caring for your neighbor, Everside is helping people live healthier lives.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Dayal concludes, “If COVID has taught us nothing else, I hope it has brought us to the realization that we can and need to be better. We need to treat people where they are and provide access in ways that make healthcare accessible to everyone.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gaurov-Dayal-572A0318.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/healthcare-in-the-workplace-with-everside-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7639</ID> <title>Joseph Krieger - Forward-thinker. Researcher. Entrepreneur.</title> <publishDate>2021-05-14 11:24:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_474 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_555"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_580 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_608 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The Regenerative Medicine revolution is upon us, and if you don't hop on board this speeding train now, you might just get left behind in the dust. In this article, Top Doctor Magazine shines its spotlight on Joseph Krieger, the conductor of the regenerative revolution train and the President of Boston Biolife, an innovative organization dedicated to educating medical professionals about the novel advances in regenerative medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Joseph Krieger graduated from Boston University Medical School with a Master's Degree in Biochemistry. He was then hired as a Product Manager by a medical device manufacturer in Massachusetts that sold radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices used in many areas in medicine, including Cardiology, Oncology, Neurosurgery, and Pain Management. To facilitate the adaptation of RF in various medical markets, Krieger created medical training programs for physicians, nurses, and sales reps. "I found that my scientific education assisted in my ability to communicate with doctors on a very high level." This eventually led to Krieger coordinating hundreds of more hands-on training programs, which paved the way for a massive technological shift in medicine from 1993-2010. The medical imaging, software engineering, and new surgical innovations we see today in minimally invasive procedures are all direct products of Krieger's medical training courses way back then.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Boston BioLife's Mission&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Just when you thought that Joseph Krieger had hit the peak of his career after changing the game of medical technology, his continual hunger for innovation and exploration propelled him to start a new venture. "Having been born and raised in Massachusetts, my Boston location has always lent itself to the most world-renowned innovation, research, and medical facilities, yet I recognized that there is a huge gap in the awareness of emerging life sciences technologies and their potential impact in clinical medicine and patient care." After this epiphany, Krieger knew his next order of business and founded Boston BioLife in July 2015.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"By finding and promoting innovations that are undiscovered in the lab or new to the market and providing a forum that allows the introduction of new technology and science to the physician, I realized that I am able to provide an opportunity for the physician to further patient care in the most relevant, current, and sophisticated uses," Krieger shares and calls this his "Bench to Bedside" technique. Boston BioLife's central premise is to educate physicians and scientists alike about the life science technologies in clinical medicine and how they can be integrated into their practices, which will benefit their patient's overall well-being.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:image {"id":7641,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-20.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7641"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:image --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Krieger fully recognizes the importance of stem cells in Regenerative Medicine and believes in their ability to one day provide immeasurable results. Boston BioLife's involvement in the clinical applications of stem cells is centered around the scientific components and mechanisms of action of various cells, cytokines, and growth factors. "We are focused on stem cell identity, origin, biological activity, and the current roles stem cells are taking part in medical applications as well as their potential for future applications," Krieger reports.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;They also analyze other regenerative medicine components such as platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspiration concentrate, adipose, amniotic fluid, placental membrane derivatives, and patient-derived proteins and enzymes. By researching these different sources of important cellular materials, Krieger feels that they can help the physician get a good grasp of the possible outcomes that may be used to help patients and advance their medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:image {"id":7643,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7643"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:image --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Regenerative Medicine Will Cure Your Backaches&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The endless possibilities of where stem cells can be applied in clinical medicine are enough to drive anyone with utter excitement, but more so if you are a biochemist named Joseph Krieger. "I see several trends in point-of-care applications for stem cells. The biggest trend that I see is the potential of personalized compounding. Meaning, combining various autologous derived stem cells, growth factors, and proteins and mixing them in a custom way for a patient-specific basis." He also sees stem cells such as adipose and bone marrow being further developed and used with other fluids and protein to aid in advanced healing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, Krieger is primarily invested in educating physicians about pain management and musculoskeletal applications. Why? "I believe that the musculoskeletal component for Regenerative Medicine has the clearest pathway to unencumbered development with a huge potential benefit," Krieger explains. He continues, "Lower back pain is the #2 reason why people go to the doctor. Literally, billions of dollars are spent on lost productivity, revenue, cost of care, and there is also a rampant addiction and overdose epidemic." He believes that by teaching physicians Regenerative Medicine applications for pain in Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine, and Orthopedic Medicine, they can significantly reduce various pain issues and improve their patient's quality of life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:image {"id":7640,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-19.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7640"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:image --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Educate Yourself Accordingly&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Of course, with every new unexplored technology, it is only natural to have skeptics questioning it. Due diligence must be done before sharing it with the rest of the world. That is why Krieger understands the FDA's perspective and believes that their current regulatory positions are fair and necessary. He adds, "The standards of safety and quality need to be maintained to truly see the benefit of these technologies."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Biological medicine is highly complicated, and if not done right, can lead to disastrous outcomes. Krieger thinks that one of the most dangerous scenarios for Regenerative Medicine is insufficient information and lack of technical awareness. Since many physicians could not have extensive education on RM back in medical school, he believes that it is in everyone's best interest for physicians to continue and further their RM medication.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Boston BioLife's interactive two-day educational courses, which are taught by leading physicians and scientists at the forefront of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, are precisely the kind of training medical professionals need to stay on top of their game.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Experience a Boston BioLife Course&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although the idea of pulling cells from our body and combining them with other substances to heal broken parts of us sounds simple, the science behind it is incredibly complicated. It takes serious time and dedication to understand Regenerative Medicine, but Joseph Krieger and his team at Boston BioLife are here to make things a little bit easier. "We believe that we have a medical education training model that works. The combination of scientific professionals in conjunction with clinical practitioners can create greater awareness and insight, increasing the potential for new technologies to reach the clinic and betterment for patient care."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you want to get in touch with Joseph Krieger, you may reach him via email at JosephKrieger@bostonbiolife.com or via phone at 855-904-1047. For course information, visit their website: &lt;a href="http://www.bostonbiolife.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;www.bostonbiolife.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-20.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=7639</url> </article> <article> <ID>7626</ID> <title>Sharing In-Ear Headphones Is Just As Bad as Sharing Your Toothbrush... But Worse</title> <publishDate>2021-05-10 16:13:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Sharing a pair of in-ear headphones sounds innocent, but it comes with long and lasting effects. It may sound gross, but using someone else’s earphones is not so different than sharing a toothbrush. Over the years, &lt;a href="https://msphere.asm.org/content/4/5/e00456-19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;studies &lt;/a&gt;have managed to &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4745944/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;affirm&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4833760/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;reaffirm&lt;/a&gt; that human ears are susceptible to bacteria.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A comprehensive &lt;a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26538848_A_Comparative_Analysis_of_Bacterial_Growth_with_Earphone_Use" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;study&lt;/a&gt; proves that bacteria can grow at an exponential rate with the consistent use of earphones.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Of course, no one is a fan of germs, and branded earphones allow people to experience music at its best. But the fact remains that in-ear headphones are a cause of bacterial growth.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Of course, there are people with enough sense not to share their earbuds with just anyone. If you form a visual image of compressing bacteria-covered earbuds into both of your ears, that would be more than enough to give you a pause before sharing them with someone else.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7629,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7629"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wearing Earbuds&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you wear earbuds for an extended period, expect a build-up of thick ear wax. Now, it won’t harm your ear, but it creates bacteria that can lead to more problems later on. Technically, when you decide to close both ear passageways for a long time, you’re covering the exit points.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;And whether you wear earphones or use wireless earbuds, you’re blocking the natural ear discharge. As a result, heat is compressed due to the build-up of moisture and wax. The next time you think about whether or not sharing your earbuds is a good idea, think about the bacteria you might be swapping.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Summer Season Means More Bacteria&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Doctors concur that summer increases the chances of &lt;a href="https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/otitis-externa#:~:text=Otitis%20externa%20is%20a%20condition,canal%20more%20vulnerable%20to%20inflammation." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;otitis externa&lt;/a&gt;. There is a good chance you may have heard of otitis externa as Swimmer’s Ear. The hot summer season causes more sweating, and that leads to more bacteria.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From toilets and gas bumps to water fountains and handshakes, think twice before putting germ-infested earbuds in your ears. On average, using headphones for a straight hour increases the bacteria levels in the ears by &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/does-wearing-earbud-headphones-increase-bacteria-in-your-ears-and-lead-to-hearing-loss/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20said%20that,measured%20bacteria%20on%2020%20headsets." target="_blank"&gt;700%&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Often, many missing &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20351616#:~:text=An%20ear%20infection%20is%20caused,passages%2C%20throat%20and%20eustachian%20tubes." target="_blank"&gt;variables&lt;/a&gt; such as Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae can lead to more bacteria in the ear. Of course, the use and quality of earphones differ from person to person. Still, “how” you store your earbuds can also make a huge difference.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7628,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7628"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How You Should Clean Your Ears&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When it comes to cleaning ears, you have to exercise caution and care. The fact is that anything you put in your ears is always a bad idea. Use fresh cotton swabs to remove ear wax without a rush. Interestingly, your ears can clean themselves on their own and don’t need special care until you start putting things in them.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;And contrary to naïve misconception, ear wax is not bacterial. In fact, it acts as an antibacterial filter for ears that wards off dust and dirt. Essentially, it works as trapping to prevent dust, dirt, or other harmful elements in the air from going deeper.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When it comes to the health and hygiene of your ears, diet plays a crucial role. The best strategy is not to share your earphones at all, but that might not sound practical in this day and age. You may feel lazy, tired, or too busy to clean ears and earbuds, but think of the bacteria risk right away.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;So, make sure to disinfect your earphones and clean off wax residue regularly. After that, use a small and dampened cotton ball to wipe down your earbuds with alcohol or disinfectant. As far as hearing goes, people tend to wear earbuds that create more noise than waves of pleasant sound.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Noise-based hearing loss is more common than you think. In the U.S., &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/one_in_five_americans_has_hearing_loss#:~:text=Nearly%20a%20fifth%20of%20all,14%20Archives%20of%20Internal%20Medicine." target="_blank"&gt;one out of five&lt;/a&gt; teenagers experiences some hearing loss issue. In comparison, there is a &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss" target="_blank"&gt;30%&lt;/a&gt; increase in hearing loss cases compared to two decades ago. Experts highlight that the rollout of new and advanced headphones is the leading cause of hearing loss among teenagers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7627,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7627"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wrap Up&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Once you read enough about the bacteria earbuds contain, you may not even want to listen to music through in-ear headphones anymore. In layman’s terms, take a piece of advice from doctors and wipe down and clean your earbuds with 70% or more alcohol. After that, let your earbuds dry for a few minutes. In short, cleaning your earbuds before they fit in your ears is the best way to avoid bacteria.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-17.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/sharing-in-ear-headphones-is-just-as-bad-as-sharing-your-toothbrush-but-worse/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7619</ID> <title>Confessions of a Plastic Surgery Coach</title> <publishDate>2021-05-10 16:06:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Michelle Emmick has 20 years of experience in the aesthetic field. She has worked in the plastic surgery chain, including small practice and startup companies acquiring plastic surgery practices. Focusing on improving patient experience, Michelle has performed over 10,000 cosmetic consultations. She has trained over 3000 staff members, including doctors, front desk, and back-office staff.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In her attempt to provide next-level patient experience through virtual education and support, Michelle Emmick co-founded MyCoachMD. As CEO, Michelle Emmick offers two primary services: educating and providing non-medical support to consumers interested in cosmetic procedures. Furthermore, Michelle Emmick is determined to make the process easy for patients and help uncover their aesthetics, all within their budget.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Plastic Surgery and Perspective&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Even though plastic surgery has so many benefits, 70 percent of the people that call in for information will never set foot in the door because there are so many negative connotations out there, but we are trying to help people have a positive belief in what plastic surgery can do for them," said Michelle Emmick in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine. She is determined to answer people's questions in a way that eliminates all fear.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7622,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-13.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7622"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Transitioning to Telemedicine: Technology and its Impact on Aesthetics Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Michelle Emmick explains that the virtual consultation has been a game-changer for the industry by allowing potential patients to get comfortable with the doctors right from the comfort of their homes. She revealed that the pandemic triggered a huge boom in the business.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"More people were working from home, which caused less social interaction, and people spent more time on social media; this led to hypercriticism of somebody's appearance and triggered the need to look and feel better," added Michelle.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pandemic and its Effect on the Cosmetic Field&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Michelle revealed that the lockdown triggered a selfie boom, and the filters on social media created hypersensitivity to people's image. Sadly, it also created negative self-esteem. There was just overall self-obsession, which surprised and triggered people's interest in cosmetic surgery.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"For years, doctors have been rushed between visits, but the pandemic created an opportunity to space out appointments, giving them more time to create a better patient experience. Of course, there are many awful things about the virus, but we looked at the positives and continue to do what we can to change people's lives," said Michelle Emmick.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7620,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-12.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7620"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Learning to Improve Patient Experience&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Michelle Emmick added that it is vital to educate people on procedures and services they can do for themselves. She emphasized that this is key to having an aesthetic procedure, and it is the best investment people can make for themselves.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I just always want to make sure that people are confident in their decisions too."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Michelle and her company, please visit her website: &lt;a href="http://www.mycoachmd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;www.MyCoachMD.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Check out her best-selling book Blue-Collar Beauty: Confessions of a Plastic Surgery Coach &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Collar-Beauty-Confessions-Plastic-Surgery/dp/1734134305" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-13.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/telehealth/confessions-of-a-plastic-surgery-coach/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7610</ID> <title>How is this Doctor Balancing Seeing Patients and Raising a Family? The Secret is Telehealth!</title> <publishDate>2021-05-10 15:58:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Faisel Syed&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lauralee Yalden is a Family Medicine physician currently residing in Englewood, NJ. She received her Bachelor's of Science with General Academic Honors from the University of Miami and her Doctor of Medicine from the Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, West Indies. Dr. Yalden pursued a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Vascular Surgery, and finished her Residency program at UHS/Wilson Regional Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Besides her solid training in both vascular surgery and family medicine, Dr. Yalden has been advocating for the benefits of telehealth for several years now, with numerous lectures, presentations, and publications on this subject. Outside the clinic, Dr. Yalden is very fond of teaching and has been part of numerous higher-learning institutions, such as the State University of New York and Ross University School of Medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In her free time, she enjoys being a working mom, traveling and wandering around in new and old places, hiking in the national parks, gardening, cooking and baking gourmet meals for family and friends, reading, writing, and sketching in her journal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dr. Yalden’s Journey into Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Looking back towards her first memories surrounding the medicine field, Dr. Yalden shares some powerful, emotional details from her childhood. Her mother and father were diagnosed with cancer, which left an understandable mark on Dr. Yalden's childhood and teenage years.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From such a fragile age, taking care of her parents within her limits became an everyday reality, a reality that shaped both her future career and vision towards patient care. "It's helped me a lot in all the work that I've had to do and given me a greater understanding of what patients and families go through, having gone through something like that at such a young age. I think it's made me a better doctor." She shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;From Vascular Surgery to Family Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Throughout her medical training, Dr. Yalden showed an enthusiastic interest in operational surgery. With solid training in vascular surgery at Yale, she had the chance to work with the best in the field and immerse herself even more in her specialty field during training programs abroad.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, the Fates were sewing a different path for Dr. Yalden. As a woman who always intended to put family first, she decided to take a more suitable approach to her desired way of life, which is why she decided to devote herself to family medicine. “As a woman who wanted to be married and have kids I didn't think that surgery would be a good fit for me for the future, as much as I loved it, so I switched to family medicine." Dr. Yalden shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Finding a Balance between Work and Family Life&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If there's any analogic trait that would best describe Dr. Yalden's professional life, by far, it would be her bee-like hardworking nature. While she resided in FL, Dr. Yalden took care of patients in her family medicine practice and community hospital, made house calls for hospice patients, taught classes and mentored medical students at a local university in the hospital her office, and worked within the Miami Veteran Affairs (VA) ER system. Not without immense joy she remembers her time spent with retired military personnel, learning all about their medical history and, most exciting, learning about their entire history in the military.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, as Dr. Yalden confesses, "After you have kids, it's hard to make a commitment to do all of these things." She decided to cut back her hours, considering her sincere desire to take care of the children's upbringing and education. However, in her quest, Dr. Yalden managed to find the right balance between work and family life, leaving her with enough time to raise her five and three-year-olds while continuing to practice family medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7612,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screenshot_10.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7612"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Going Over One’s Strength to Help a Patient&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Finding the perfect story patient seems to be difficult for Dr. Yalden; after all, innumerable patients have sought and received help from her. However, all of her stories have one common denominator, the drive to give her best when treating a patient, and no other story speaks more to this virtue (one of Dr. Yalden's many) than the story of a young man training for an endurance competition. After noticing some drops of blood in the young man's urine, Dr. Yalden thought it wise to investigate this further and get to the root of the matter. She was both thunderstruck at the sight of analysis results indicating cancer and happy to know that it could be cured, which is what eventually happened.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Yalden remembers this story as if it were yesterday, bringing to light a beautiful example of thanksgiving from the patient's family: "I remember the day that he came in with his wife and his kids and everybody gave me a big kiss and hug, in tears and thankful for what I did to take care of their father. It was very overwhelming for me."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For such stories and the opportunity to get to know numerous generations of the same family, Dr. Yalden appreciates her mission: "One of my great joys in my practice of family medicine: getting to know the whole family, parents, children, the grandparents, and everybody over time."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Balancing Work and Family with Telehealth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While many of us would believe that telehealth is a more recent construct, dating since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Yalden surprises us with the following statement: "I've been seeing patients online by telehealth for about nine years now." And Dr. Yalden doesn't hesitate to praise telehealth, which allowed her to start her own family, breastfeed her children, and spend real time with them.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from such familial advantages, Dr. Yalden points out more valuable advantages to caring for patients from afar. Aside from limiting the patient's exposure to COVID-19, telehealth represents a viable and safe guarantee to future consultations: "Patients are more compliant now than ever before because of the ease of the follow-up plan...patients can connect anytime from anywhere." With physicians available for follow-up consultations in a safe environment, there's no wonder why a growing number of patients have opted for telemedicine since the start of the pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Over the course of years, telehealth went through several metamorphoses, finding more efficient ways of consulting patients over the screen. However, this development was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which turned telehealth into a more versatile approach to medicine: "We do some exams with some of the Tyto products, otoscopes, stethoscopes, and derma scopes that you can plug into your smartphone and do an exam of heart lungs and ear, skin, everything…. there's so much that you can do." After seeing and studying its benefits, Dr. Yalden believes that telehealth has become a major player in the field of medicine, a player that will shape its future for generations to come: "I definitely think it's here to stay. I don't think anybody's going back to the way it was, without using a lot of telehealth."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7611,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-10.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7611"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Looking towards the Future through Dr. Yalden’s Lens&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;We've had a pandemic that turned the world upside down, brought both the best and the worst from us, and made us look towards the future with skepticism. But what does Dr. Yalden think of the future? Aside from educating people on the subject of vaccination, she turns our attention towards more endemic issues plaguing our society, the racial issues: "I think probably in the United States, one of the issues that's concerning me the most is racial inequality." While no flick of a wand could bring an end to racial tensions in the U.S., Dr. Yalden sees empathy as the key component of this putative solution: "I don't know what the answer is, but I think racially, we need to do a better job of taking care of everybody no matter your race, background or affiliations, we all need to just to do our best to take care of the world. The world needs a lot of TLC (tender loving care)."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In such troubled times, Dr. Yalden has found peace in her work and family, which she sees as her little blessings: "I feel like I'm pretty blessed. I'm pretty happy in my career right now as a working mom; I love my job. I really enjoy practicing online. I genuinely like the doctors, support staff and people that I work with, especially the patients and families I have the privilege of caring for. I love spending time with my kids. I've always been very happy in my practice; it really didn't matter what I was doing, but especially now as a physician practicing family medicine online from home I have the best of both worlds." As such, we at Top Doctor Magazine support her kind words and invite our readers to take the race of life a little bit slower, enjoying what lies in front of us and thinking less about what lies ahead.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screenshot_10.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/how-is-this-doctor-balancing-seeing-patients-and-raising-a-family-the-secret-is-telehealth/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7601</ID> <title>Mental and Psychological Well-Being of Medical Professionals: An Interview with Dr. Kellie Stecher</title> <publishDate>2021-05-10 15:47:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The physical and psychological well-being of employees says quite a lot about a workplace. A workplace should promote their employees' general well-being by treating its mental and psychological aspects similar to the physical environment. Poor mental health not only affects the client but also hurts business income. Every business is different, from the employees to the stakeholders leading the organization, the size of the enterprise, the social climate that affects the community, to the external support the business uses. There is no one "right approach" to build a psychologically stable workplace.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Due to this, Dr. Kellie Stecher started an organization specifically on mental health issues in the medical line. "With that organization, we are trying to create a haven for anyone who takes care of patients. We are providing a free barrier, free access to mental health resources," says Dr. Stecher.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I always knew I wanted to be a physician. In college, I decided that I wanted to be an OB-GYN." She says. With experience in child delivery, "I have seen, firsthand, how much good a positive environment can do to people." Her first delivery support experience pushed her to do her residency in Grand Rapids. "I went there for residency and then from there decided to move back to Minnesota because my in-laws are here."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Today, Dr. Stecher's work focuses on workplace harassment, stress, and mental health issues that medical students and residents face. It's a journey, a bold journey to reform the medical culture. "The trainees are the most vulnerable because of the loans. They often feel trapped. she says. "I wanted to make sure that we were advocating for them so that they have a safe learning environment."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7602,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7602"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;On COVID-19 and Its Effect on Medical Trainees and Residents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Mental stress escalated with the rise in the COVID-19 pandemic." Dr. Stecher says. She created her organization, Patient Care Heroes, an organization set to help medical professionals and caregivers with emotional and psychological support. The organization also provides free access to mental health resources.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Obstacles to Helping Medical Professionals with Mental Health Issues&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"One of the issues we have is each state is left to their own devices and has an entirely different physician license application and some of the applications are actually in conflict with the ADA—American Disability Act." Part of her mission is to "create new policies and fix the application processes and cultural acceptances that are toxic." She cited practical examples of harmful practices like the 'non-compete' that prevent people from leaving toxic and depressing workplaces. Mandatory Arbitration prevents justice when a healthcare worker is harassed or intimidated.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Can Be Done?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Many things can be done to ensure a high quality of life for medical professionals." She argues. "Aside from the policy issues, this organization was created to ensure that we take care of ourselves and each other. We need some empathy. The stress of the pandemic increased suicide rate of physicians in the country."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"We've always had issues with physician suicide rates, and I wanted to create a space where people didn't feel alone." She says. "My organization gives a support system to struggling healthcare professionals. We try to let them feel loved and supported—and yes, they can be vulnerable within our safe space."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7604,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail_PCHlogo_VECTOR_CMYKColors_Primary-02_1-1024x791.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7604"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Organization: Its Growth, Successes, and Setbacks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The organization took off in January. "I had been doing advocacy work, but the organization was my primary goal. I partnered with Goyal, an anesthesiologist and CEO of Bob capital," said Dr. Stecher. "I have been working through grassroots efforts and local and national organizations and partnering with many institutions to ensure that we make substantial changes."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While her network of organizations currently focuses on the effect of the pandemic on physicians' mental health, they also hope to create a growing community of people and physicians who will consistently push for better care for the mental health of physicians.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On women in the healthcare industry, she laments the fewer women in leadership roles when compared to men. "We want to advocate for women internationally to find their voice in these systems so that we can create changes that we need." Achieving such heavy feats can only be achieved through incredible partnership, and Dr. Stecher already has plans to partner with the United Nations and people from different parts of the world on workplace safety, equality, and effective justice systems against harassment.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On the high suicide rates, "The assistance should be rendered to the people feeling suicidal because it isn't affordable to lose any more physicians, nurses, or medical personnel. Without doing this, there would be severe consequences in the public healthcare system." "We've teamed up with some national organizations like Rexel Pharmaceuticals to help provide depression and substance abuse therapy at no cost to the medical community." Dr. Stecher says. Her work has already opened up spaces where people can efficiently work on their struggles in their spare time.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Stecher is also part of the Minnesota mental health advocates. "Minnesota Mental Health Advocates is an organization that Shereen McConnell created, and she is a former nurse. So these issues are very near and dear to her heart." The organization has teamed up with various people because it is not just focused on aiding medical personnel; it attends to all groups of people. It has helped in getting medical resources for communities. Using some of these resources has opened up space where people can do things at their leisure and then work on some of the issues that they're struggling with.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On her life journey and remarkable achievements, she says, "As cliché as it may sound, it's the delivery. There is joy in helping patients who have struggled with infertility get pregnant. The joy is immense when I get to deliver their amazing, beautiful babies. Being there with them through the whole journey is rewarding."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;She gave a final thought on the issue of mental health in the healthcare industry: "We've only started to understand the magnitude of these issues. I want to make sure that people know that they're not alone, build a communication bridge to them, and ensure that they have all the resources they need to fight and grow."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-9.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/mental-and-psychological-well-being-of-medical-professionals-an-interview-with-dr-kellie-stecher/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7593</ID> <title>Pain Is No Match for This Doctor and Her Daughter A Special Mother's Day Interview with Dr. Dawn Sparks</title> <publishDate>2021-05-10 15:33:35</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ever-growing societies ask for role models, for people who, as Plato would say, divert their vision from their own pond towards the larger world, who can instill hope in our souls, help us get through the day, and dream of a brighter tomorrow. In other words, all of us are looking for modern superheroes, whose heroic acts transpire through little daily deeds, always giving and asking nothing in return. And who is better to play this capeless part than mothers, who give birth, nurture, and watch us grow and prosper, and whose happiness is equivalent to ours? This is why our Top Doctor Magazine team wishes to dedicate this article to mothers, our capeless heroes, on this most special of days.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a token of appreciation, we would like to bring to the light the story of a true hero mother, whose drive, determination, and dedication to her objective let her reach unimaginable peaks in anesthesiology and pain management medicine, bringing sustainable solutions to the Hawaii community of pain management patients. As Dr. Dawn Sparks, a Case Western Reserve University, OH alumnus trained at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, told us during her interview, "If you really want something and you really put your mind to it, and you really put your heart and soul in it, you can pretty much produce anything that you want."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dr. Sparks’ Early Steps into Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Starting from a young age, Dr. Sparks has sealed her connection with medicine. Following in her father's footsteps, who performed the first lung transplant in the state of Ohio at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Sparks immersed herself in the noble field of medicine and joined Case Western Reserve University, OH. Right from the start, she had to face people who saw only roadblocks down her path because she brought a miracle into the world at such a young age: "I had my daughter when I was still nineteen, and I had her on a Friday night and went back to school Monday morning." But where others saw impediments, Dr. Sparks saw her destined path: "I had this goal of becoming a doctor, and everybody said, this was going to stop me. And I was like, no, this is just part of my path."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Taking the Pain Management Path&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Looking back to those college years, Dr. Sparks still can't believe how she managed to attend medical school, work a demanding job, and raise her daughter at such a fragile age. "And then, during that time, I never stopped or thought that I wouldn't get into medical school or stop the pursuit." Her efforts were never in vain; she joined the anesthesiology department at the Cleveland Clinic, where Dr. John, one of her mentors, gifted the book called "&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Fifth-Vital-Science-Culture/dp/0609603752" target="_blank"&gt;Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign&lt;/a&gt;" to her.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Inside, a message written in a dedication note was about to open her horizon towards a deeper understanding of pain: "Pain is the experience; suffering is the interpretation."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Sparks shares with Top Doctor Magazine the way she understood those words: "And I just remember thinking, that was so profound because pain is super subjective and nobody understands it. So, many doctors just blow it off and just want to give it medication. I remember thinking there was a faulty issue with how we treated pain even early on and why weren't we addressing the source of it. We weren't treating the source. We weren't investigating why people had their pain and where the sources of pain were actually derived from. For that reason, Dr. Sparks took it upon herself to "solve that piece of the puzzle."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7594,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7594"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Being on the Patient’s Side&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It wasn't only mentorship but also her own life experience that shaped Dr. Sparks' towards pain management. She was involved in a terrible car accident before her daughter was born, out of which she miraculously escaped alive: "I was in a coma for four days. I was in the ICU. I had multiple surgeries. I broke all the bones from the left side of my face, both my wrists and my hands. I had to have my trachea resected, and my chin sewed to my chest."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;By means of this experience, Dr. Sparks learned how out-of-touch physicians were concerning pain medicine since they would prescribe fentanyl lollipops, something unimaginable to us, and other long-acting drugs that, without surprise, drove patients towards addiction and crime. She even shared a story about a doctor in Minnesota who was killed by a pain medicine addict. "It's like, they're addicted, right? It's their drug; they go crazy." Unwilling to risk her and her daughter's safety over this matter, Dr. Sparks chose to roll with the Aloha spirit and relocate to Hawaii, where she has been living since 2015.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Using the Aloha Spirit to Perfect Pain Management&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But the stories about endless pain management drug prescriptions are far past fentanyl lollipops. Today's technological advancements are seeing such a constant and speedy process that pain management can be "managed" through electronic devices. Nowadays, Dr. Sparks is an active promoter of neuromodulators, which she calls "pacemakers for pain." These devices intervene between the nerve signals and the brain, forbidding the former from ever reaching the latter.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Sparks is more than grateful for being able to not only identify the source of pain but also see "what's going on psychologically, what's going on with your physical wellbeing and your energy levels and cause all of those things to contribute to pain." With both expertise and compassionate care, she performs true miracles on her patients, relieving them of pain while psychologically bringing them on their own two feet. "They're off their medication; they're able to move around, they're getting full-time jobs. You know, some of them had horrible foot pain, they couldn't even put on socks and shoes, some of them were in wheelchairs, and now they're walking!"&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7596,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screenshot_8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7596"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Future of Pain Management&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Looking towards the future, Dr. Sparks brings the true pain management enthusiast that she is to the stage to bless us with her optimism. "The future is super bright, and I think because we have people in the world like Elon Musk and thinkers that are always striving to improve the realm of pain management." With technology advancement promoters like Elon Musk's &lt;a href="https://neuralink.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;Neuralink&lt;/a&gt;, insurance programs such as Medicare ready to reimburse patients for neuromodulators, and a close pack of 5,500 pain management physicians in the U.S. alone, the sun will surely shine bright on pain management's horizon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In the meantime, as a parting reminder, Dr. Sparks would like to thank from the bottom of her heart all the physicians and medical personnel who braved the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic one step at a time, encouraging them to stay resilient and keep up the hard work in this never-ending battle against the virus. "I think it's been a really hard time to be a physician, and I just want to tell people, 'Don't give up, never ever give up.'"&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The Fates are not kind to every one of us, and some of us are constantly tested, constantly forced to break our own barriers to fulfill our purpose, our calling in life. And one of these people is Dr. Dawn Sparks, whose story truly deserves to stand as a model and an inexhaustible well of hope for those who recognize themselves in her story but require help to keep pushing forward.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, Dr. Sparks would not have become the accomplished model of today had she taken heed of all those negative voices that couldn't understand the beauty in being a young mother. Instead of being an overwhelming burden, her daughter always stood as her primary source of inspiration, or courage, of motivation, the one who always understood her struggles and comforted her in a time of need. Even today, Dr. Sparks' daughter, who works by her mother's side, uses small gestures to help her mother start her day on the right foot: "Now, she's working out of my office, and she'll put little notes sometimes on my computer when I'm having a really busy day, that'll say, 'You can do it.' 'You're doing a great job.' 'I love you.' 'I'm so proud of you,' little things like that make me realize now that she probably understands in a different way all of the stuff that I endured."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Sparks and her mission, make sure that you check out her &lt;a href="http://www.kauaidr.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/dawnsparks_IMG_5262.jpeg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/pain-is-no-match-for-this-doctor-and-her-daughter-a-special-mothers-day-interview-with-dr-dawn-sparks/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7516</ID> <title>Empowering People to be Healthy and Happy: An Interview with Eva Vennari</title> <publishDate>2021-05-02 11:08:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Eva Vennari is no stranger to ongoing health problems. As a little girl, she went to various doctors who would attempt to diagnose her properly, but to no avail. After experiencing a draining career that led to burnout, Vennari realized that she wanted - no - needed real change.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;That place of burnout propelled Vennari to where she is today: a CEO and founder of The Elevate Institute,LLC, an organization focused on health and energization. Vennari is a certified Nutritional Counselor in Mineral Balancing and Hair Mineral Analysis and has certifications for Personal Nutrition, Chakra Healing, and Akashic Record Reading.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Vennari's enlightenment came at 3 a.m. as she was fighting insomnia. She decided to look online for any illnesses that met her symptoms and came across an article on mineral balancing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7517,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7517"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Practitioner in Nutritional Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Her physical change inspired Vennari to become a practitioner in nutritional health. At first, she intended to provide help to herself and family, but the loss of someone close made her realize she could help people beyond her family.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;She began her business, The Elevate Institute, shortly after. Elevate offers education and a program for those wanting to pinpoint their nutritional imbalances. Different from bloodwork, Vennari takes hair samples to analyze the relationships between minerals.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I affectionately call the hair analysis report the trash report because it captures what is leftover at the end of the body's rejuvenation process," Vennari said. "We're just tapping into the body's natural healing processes by watching how it prioritizes what you eat, drink, and breathe in. And then it makes more you and spits out the rest into soft tissue, which is your hair."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This analysis balanced with a holistic approach to pinpointing stresses helps Vennari walk her clients through a path of regaining their energy and living life to their fullest.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7520,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7520"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lasting Change and Real Empowerment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;One such client was a father depressed, unable to work and be a partner in his marriage. He was unable to eat, or enjoy anything and had severe anxiety. With the help of Vennari's program, he gradually came to a healthy place emotionally and physically. The change to his nutrition ultimately boosted his energy and restored his confidence along with establishing new boundaries. His wife and some of his children then also went through the program to reach a place of wellness.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"When you start taking supplements, and you're paying attention to yourself, that is a form of self-love. Sometimes that's the only first step a person can afford to make in their emotional place," Vennari said. "When you give your body more energy, it frees your mind and emotional space to open up, and you're allowed to process things that you haven't been able to."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Stress is one of the biggest inhibitors to people absorbing the minerals they need, so Vennari works with her clients to set healthy boundaries and meditative practices that help with mental and emotional health. Helping each client be aligned holistically is how Vennari empowers people to be happy and healthy.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But Vennari recognizes that there is no cure-all for each person. Health, in many ways, is a process, and she, above all, encourages discernment and discipline in pursuing the answer to a healthy life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"The answer is unique to each of us just as our thumbprints," Eva Vennari said. "The foundation to knowing the secret of your life is that you have to put the work in to find out what makes you happy and then make sure you do it."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Want to know more about Eva Vennari? You can find &lt;a href="https://theelevateinstitute.com/meet-eva/"&gt;The Elevate Institute here&lt;/a&gt;, and you can listen to her podcast &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://anchor.fm/whendoctorssay/episodes/Premiere-of-When-Doctors-Say-We-Dont-Know-el9eml" target="_blank"&gt;"When Doctors Say 'We Don't Know'"&lt;/a&gt; here.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/026A9030retouched-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/empowering-people-to-be-healthy-and-happy-an-interview-with-eva-vennari/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7104</ID> <title>How a Pandemic Has Impacted Children with Nicholas Regas</title> <publishDate>2021-04-26 16:41:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Nicholas Regas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A former rugby player turned pediatrician, Dr. Nicholas Regas, DO, is now a resident physician at the UNLV School of Medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada. His fascination with pediatrics started when he had to teach inner city kids how to play rugby. After spending a lot of time playing with the kids and seeing how resilient they can be, it became clear that his passion was helping children. Now, he is working his way into becoming a Pediatric Emergency Physician for the Riley Hospital for Children.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why He Loves Working With Children&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In his interview with Top Doctor Magazine, Dr. Regas clarifies that he is committed to facilitating the growth and development of his kids and ensuring that they can go back to the things they love (such as playing sports or going back to school). He especially loves working with toddlers because of how malleable they can still be. A high-impact group such as this is more susceptible to abuse and so being able to help in any way is already a massive reward for Dr. Regas.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another highlight that sets apart Pediatrics from all the other specialties is the connection he gets to have with his patients. Giving his patient a high-five or a hug or just being able to goof around with them is a reward in itself.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7107,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-28.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7107"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of the School System&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;We've repeatedly heard how the social determinants of health for families are being exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. But what Dr. Regas emphasizes in his interview with Top Doctor Magazine is the importance of the education system (or lack thereof), which plays a huge factor in children's overall well-being.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;School is where children go to receive an education, eat healthy meals, and play with their peers. When the pandemic erased the ability to attend school and kids were forced to stay inside, Dr. Regas noticed that it also affected the variety of cases they had to treat in the hospital. While sports injuries have significantly diminished, cases of children suffering from abuse and non-accidental trauma have shot up. Kids suffering from seizures have also become more common because these kids' families can no longer provide them with proper medication due to social determinants.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"A lot of people don't realize how much the average American family relies on the school system to care for their kids and feed their kids," Dr. Regas explains. He is excited for the day when all children will be allowed to go back to school to get back to flourishing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Pandemic's Impact on Children&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The collective impact of the pandemic should already be quite familiar to everyone at this point, but have you ever wondered about its effect on children? Dr. Regas shares with us the three significant ways COVID-19 has changed children's lives.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;First, kids' mental health has become unstable. The rates at which kids are developing anxiety and depression are higher than ever. Without school, many kids from low-income families are not getting the right nutrition. Kids with complexities are unable to get therapy or see their specialists. When you factor in all these additional stressors to families barely making ends meet, it becomes a recipe for mental illness.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Second, more kids are suffering from familial loss. Without any adults to raise them, they end up losing plenty of opportunities. The early loss of family members may leave a holistic negative impact on children that could affect them long-term.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Third, vaccine rates have dropped. Kids are falling behind on getting vaccines for diseases like measles, mumps, polio, meningitis, etc. because families are now afraid to enter the hospital. Dr. Regas fears that this could lead to said diseases resurfacing in the future if not acted upon now.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7105,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-27.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7105"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Rise of Vaccine Hesitancy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Expanding on the topic of vaccines, it is apparent that vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 has sky-rocketed. "A major fear is that the public has moved a little bit away from trusting the professionals," Dr. Regas worries.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In the age of social media, it is so easy to be fed misinformation and differing opinions by unreliable sources. That is why Dr. Regas does his best to stir his patients to the right sources to have access to correct information. Moreover, he strongly encourages the public to get the vaccine to protect themselves and protect those who are immuno-compromised.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Advancements in Pediatrics&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A silver-lining in this pandemic is the innovations it has brought to the medical community. Although available in the past, telemedicine has now become the forefront of every medical practice. It has cut out nuances like long waiting times in the waiting room, transportation hurdles for kids in wheelchairs, and exposure risk for kids with pneumonia.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ultrasounds are also becoming more popular in Pediatrics to diagnose appendicitis, fractures, and pneumonia. Aside from simplifying procedures, it also decreases cost and exposure to radiation.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The goal is to make pediatric care more accessible to everyone. Working with kids who haven't been jaded, who are so full of hope and potential, motivates Dr. Regas to provide better infrastructures, better medical care, and a better future for the children.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Nicholas_Regas.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/how-a-pandemic-has-impacted-children-with-nicholas-regas/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7095</ID> <title>The Most Common Sleep Disorders in America: An Interview with Dr. Kent Smith</title> <publishDate>2021-04-26 16:08:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Kent Smith&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Kent Smith, DDS, graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas, in 1985. A decade after successfully establishing his dental practice, he decided to help treat people with sleep apnea using an oral device that is usually administered by a specialized dentist. As someone who was always fascinated about what happens at night and during sleep, Dr. Smith found his true calling in helping people with their sleep problems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kent Smith is now the President of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy for five years running, a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and is writing his second book. He has also been speaking internationally for more than fifteen years and teaches advanced clinical classes through his company 21st Century Sleep Seminars. Dr. Smith is a well-known sleep expert, and many people flock to see him at Sleep Dallas, where he treats patients with sleep apnea using an oral appliance.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;From Dentist to Sleep Specialist&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Many of you may be wondering how Dr. Kent Smith, a dentist, became a top sleep specialist. What is the connection between dentistry and sleep problems? Dr. Smith explains that since the air tube from the nose to the lungs passes through the oral cavity, a large tongue and/or excess oral tissues have the potential to obstruct the airway and cause sleep issues. Dentists can utilize their expertise to help identify and address sleep disorders such as sleep apnea that may be severely impacting their patients’ health.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Smith, whom the medical field regards as one of the leading specialists in the oral appliance treatment for sleep apnea, credits his work to doctors who developed the technology way back in 1902. However, it was only twenty years ago that medical insurance started to pay for this type of treatment after being shown research of its effectiveness. Now, Dr. Smith uses the oral device to reposition the patient’s jaw and tongue while sleeping to treat their sleep apnea.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7099,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7099"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Most Common Sleep Disorders in America&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While Dr. Smith treats patients from different age brackets, his most common patients with sleep apnea are around fifty years old or older. “As we age and gain weight, we get more sleeping problems,” Dr. Smith explains as the reason behind the older demographic. However, he also has a fair number of younger patients that come to him for help in treating their insomnia, telling him, “Doc, I just can’t turn my brain off.” Below, Dr. Smith breaks down the two most common sleep problems that today’s society faces.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sleep Apnea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A misconception people have regarding sleep apnea is that only old folks and obese people get it. Dr. Smith says that is not the case – it’s way more common in the general population than one might think. He found in his research that up to 85% of people with sleep apnea go undiagnosed and that 50% of his diagnosed patients are young individuals who are not obese.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There are two kinds of sleep apnea – obstructive sleep apnea, wherein oral cavity tissues are blocking the airway and making breathing difficult, and central sleep apnea, wherein the brain forgets to tell the sufferer to breathe while they are sleeping. Dr. Smith specializes in treating the former through oral appliance therapy.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Besides giving his patients an oral device to address sleep apnea, Dr. Smith also refers his overweight patients to see nutritionists and therapists. He believes that the two go hand in hand in helping his patients achieve a healthier lifestyle, ultimately leading to better sleep&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7098,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-25.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7098"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insomnia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A sleep disorder that has become more common during the pandemic is insomnia. When we are confined at home all day, just sitting or lying around, it becomes harder for us to sleep at night because we haven’t exhausted our body.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The first kind of insomnia that Dr. Smith often sees in his patients is sleep onset insomnia, where the patient simply can’t fall asleep even after lying in bed for an hour. The second kind is sleep maintenance insomnia, where the sufferer keeps waking up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Smith is now seeing an increase in patients that require treatment for insomnia and has even started administering CBD oil to his patients as research proves that CBD can positively impact the quality of sleep. Despite a certain air of controversy around CBD products, he admitted that many of his patients already take CBD to help them sleep.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Refer Your Patient to a Sleep Doctor&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Smith presses the importance of proper referrals to therapists and other physicians because he believes that there can be better long-term solutions to sleep disorders. He realizes the chances for drug dependency to aid in sleep problems is very high. “It is amazing how many people are taking drugs to help them sleep,” Dr. Smith added, especially when cognitive behavior therapy for sleep disorders such as insomnia (CBTI) is just as readily available. Yes, it may take longer for CBTI to work than a sleeping pill that will put you out in minutes, but the effects are far better for the patient’s health.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Smith believes that there is a severe lack of proper education on the topic of sleep. It is mainly pharmaceutical companies educating physicians about sleep. Because sleep aid drugs are a multibillion-dollar business, it is not shocking that pharmaceutical companies push for their pills to be a cure for insomnia. Moreover, doctors don’t have enough time in their day to ask each patient about their sleeping habits, so Dr. Smith believes that physicians should refer their patients to the right specialist who knows more about identifying and treating sleep problems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How COVID-19 Affected a Sleep Doctor’s Business&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Smith saw a significant drop in patients during the height of the pandemic. Among other factors, perhaps the leading contributor was the fact that other physicians were not referring their patients with sleep problems to specialists such as himself. In addition to many people avoiding doctor visits due to fear of catching or spreading the virus, sleep issues paled in comparison to the treatments needed for those suffering from COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But even though business significantly decreased, Dr. Smith said he was fortunate enough to continue providing care for his patients through telehealth. And luckily, disposable home sleep tests were invented just six months before the COVID-19 pandemic started, which allowed Dr. Smith to administer the test to patients by mail. The device would wirelessly transmit data through an app, which was then interpreted by a sleep physician to determine whether the patient had sleep apnea. For those patients diagnosed with the condition, all they would have to do is go into the clinic to have their mouth scanned and wait for the custom-fit oral device to be mailed out. That is how he kept business going during the pandemic, but now Dr. Smith is happy to say that Sleep Dallas is picking up again.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7096,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-24.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7096"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What’s in Store for 2021?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With a new year comes new hope and also new challenges. Dr. Smith expressed his concern about the government taking over Medicare as he believes it will change the entire system. Although healthcare for all is essentially a good thing, Dr. Smith can’t help but worry that doctors will no longer be paid on time and will be paid even less than they deserve.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But Dr. Smith doesn’t want to dwell on issues he has no control over; instead, he channels his focus on living up to his promise of helping people with sleep problems. He is looking forward to expanding Sleep Dallas, making it a one-stop-shop for sleep problems and is already implementing new techniques in diagnosing sleep disorders by doing more intensive lab work. This 2021, his goal is to see his patients less tired and less sleepy.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-26.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-most-common-sleep-disorders-in-america-an-interview-with-dr-kent-smith/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7088</ID> <title>What's the Impact of Social Media and Misinformation on Medical Procedures?</title> <publishDate>2021-04-26 15:45:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Social media has revolutionized the way information reaches people. The rise of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and other similar websites has allowed millions of people access to knowledge in a matter of minutes. This increased accessibility has sparked debates within the medical community because of the lack of a consistent fact-checking mechanism on these online spaces.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, articles shared on these platforms have exposed people to more science-based reporting. Medical professionals themselves have also used these websites to share valuable information in a digital setting, free of the barriers in a conventional clinic or hospital.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medical Information in Social Media&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The increased role of social media in the way people communicate has affected both the personal and professional aspects of medicine. In 2015, &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5384403/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;a study with 4,000 participants&lt;/a&gt; showed that 90% of physicians spent time on these platforms for personal use, but 65% also used them for professional reasons. Many Facebook pages exist for disseminating health-related information, and discussions about diseases and disorders are frequent on Twitter. This trend shows an emerging change in the way healthcare professionals interact with patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Journal articles have been online for years, but social media platforms have allowed facts in more straightforward language to circulate faster. For example, Facebook pages can post infographics condensing a lengthy research paper on a promising HIV drug. Friends can share Instagram collages showing tips on self-checking for signs of breast cancer. However, this conversion of information into bite-size pieces is also seen as harmful by medical professionals. Important details may get lost in trying to fit in information to a character limit, possibly causing misinformation.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There is also the threat of frauds and unverified alternative therapies. In recent years, Facebook has become a breeding ground for articles challenging the medical field. This has amplified anti-vaccine campaigns and other harmful beliefs. Fake news purveyors routinely challenge the reputation of many physicians on the platform and the efficacy of drugs proven to combat certain diseases. Unverified alternative therapies masquerading as "cheaper" cures have also become rampant.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7091,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-22.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7091"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Efforts to combat these problems exist, with the Food and Drug Administration also drafting &lt;a href="https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/industry-using-social-media" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;guidelines for online fact-checking information&lt;/a&gt; about prescription drugs and medical equipment. Professional organizations have issued recommendations on how health care providers should share information on social media.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;To date, however, there are no clear protocols regarding social media etiquette for medical professionals. It is up to the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other providers to come up with ways to ensure that they uphold the rights of their patients, even in an online setting.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Patient attitudes to health-related information on social media With most people owning a social media account, it is no surprise that posts regarding health attract solid readership. This boosts the reach of information regarding specific conditions and empowers patients to be more involved in communicating with their doctors. Personal research conducted by individuals will allow them to be more proactive in asking for lifestyle and dietary adjustments to complement treatment.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Unfortunately, there is also a dark side to people having increased access to health-related information. The advertisement of "alternative" therapies that may be harmful is another threat. Although physicians can support or reject this information, many clients choose not to disclose their newfound remedies due to fear or intimidation. The prospect of "miracle cures" and lesser costs can be lucrative for people desperate to achieve a healthier state, with the FDA also &lt;a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;warning the public about health fraud scams&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-019-00282-1" target="_blank"&gt;2019 study&lt;/a&gt; also looked into the relationship between social media and the desire to undergo cosmetic surgery. Results showed that individuals with low self-esteem are exposed to content about these procedures and become more inclined to undergo surgery. This is motivated by their negative sense of self, and watching videos or reading articles related to the subject may amplify their sense of inadequacy. While the operation is a personal decision by the client, it exposes another potential harm to medical content shared online without a filter. There is an increased risk of amplifying a negative outlook on health, with patients making hasty decisions without increased communication with their provider.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7089,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7089"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The role of the medical community in correcting misinformation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The risks associated with health-related information on social media are a pressing problem. Thus, healthcare providers must promote reliable sources of information to their clients. Advisories and infographics that correct fake news regarding harmful substances can do a lot of good to patients. The accessibility of social media is also an avenue for physicians to be more communicative with their patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The clinical setting comes with a level of intimidation that is less emphasized in an online setting, which can correct misinformation. Leaning into this convenience can positively impact a patient's outlook and dialogue with their doctors, preventing them from getting intimidated.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Social media may also serve as a tool to lobby for policies that support a patient-centric approach within the medical community. However, this will need support from academic institutions and research bodies. There is an existing communication gap between academics, health care providers, and policymakers. Bridging this can increase opportunities that emphasize the quality of science-based treatments to the public.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0300" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;A 2014 study on big data&lt;/a&gt; advocates for increased funding and support for social media integration with medicine to maximize its benefits to the community. The results indicate that online platforms can help communicate verified medical information to the public. Collaborating with websites to implement stricter fact-checking policies is also imperative, as these possess the power to warn the public of fake articles immediately. That way, science-backed information becomes the utmost priority when talking about health.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Communication is a crucial aspect of preserving the patient-provider relationship, which is why compassion and support must be present on social media. This allows medical procedures to continue being a collaborative effort between the patient and their health care provider, even with the addition of technology to the mix.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Those lured by cheap alternatives promoted on social media are most vulnerable. It is essential to hammer that engaging in unverified methods can cause more harm than good. In the end, patients may cause more harm to themselves and leave themselves vulnerable to higher medical costs. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low cost is forgotten. Using social media's strengths to combat its harms, the medical community can protect its patients against misinformation.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-22.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/whats-the-impact-of-social-media-and-misinformation-on-medical-procedures/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7072</ID> <title>Smile Maker: An Interview with Dr. Nidhi Pai</title> <publishDate>2021-04-26 15:07:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Nidhi Pai, DDS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.smilesbypai.com" target="_blank"&gt;Dr. Nidhi Pai, DDS&lt;/a&gt;, graduated from the Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston University and has spent more than 20 years perfecting the smiles of patients that fly to see her from all across the globe. She is one of the top dentists in America, specializing in cosmetic dental procedures like full mouth reconstruction, veneers, and Invisalign - where she is the top submitting dentist. She has also been featured on ABC 7 News, NBC, and hailed as Expertise’s Best Dentist in Palo Alto for 2021.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dr. Nidhi’s Journey To Becoming America’s Top Dentist&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Growing up in a tiny village in Africa, Nidhi spent most of her childhood days chasing goats and chickens in the wilderness. And when she wasn’t playing with animals, she would always draw in her sketchbook. That’s why her childhood dream was to be a permaculture architect.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When Nidhi was 8, she accidentally struck her brother while playing. Scared of the impending consequences, she took off running, fell, and broke her front teeth. She had to be taken to the dentist, but it wasn’t easy for her to go because she was terrified of them. She was a horrible patient. She disliked anything that had to do with seeing people in white lab coats. But, with a funny twist of fate, Nidhi’s mother decided to surprise her with a secret getaway, and do you know where she went? Yup - you guessed it. She was dropped off at a boarding school for Dentistry. As a typical Indian mother, Nidhi’s mom wanted her to become a doctor so she could find a more suitable match. Nidhi hated every second of being in Dentistry school and wanted to get it over with as fast as she could and then pursue her real passion for architecture.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, as she spent more time learning about Dentistry, she slowly came to love certain aspects of it. As an artist, she especially enjoyed tasks that involved sketching the anatomy of the mouth. And because she has an architect’s way of thinking, Nidhi always had a holistic approach to dentistry, which gave her an edge over everyone else. “To me, the whole mouth matters. From the beginning, I’ve always addressed the whole mouth, and that set me apart from my colleagues.” Not long after she graduated, Nidhi was arranged to be married and then came to the United States, where her career took off. “I have so much admiration for this country [USA] because it literally gave me my wings,” she tells Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Put Yourself In Someone Else’s “Smile”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Nidhi believes that her whole journey has led her to be exactly where she is supposed to be today. “Everything that I’ve been through made me a better, more humble, more compassionate dentist.” As someone who had also lost her smile, she knows what it’s like to lose confidence in yourself. Nidhi sees herself in every patient she treats; every time she treats them, she feels as if she is going through the whole journey again.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In her interview with Top Doctor Magazine, we could hear through her words just how much heart Nidhi gives to each of her patients. Every time she can give her patient their smile back, her whole being lights up with joy and is filled with an indescribable sense of contentment and relief, even more so when her patients turned friends send her selfies with their new smiles, telling her just how much confidence they have regained with their beautiful smiles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nidhi has performed the same procedures millions of times, yet she still gets nervous from all the pressure she puts on herself to give her patients the perfect smile. However, she hopes that the butterflies in her stomach will never go away because it is precisely the kind of adrenaline she needs to ensure that she is always giving her best.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7264,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-29.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7264"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How The Pandemic Affected Dental Practices&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When the pandemic hit, Dr. Nidhi was blessed enough to still have a growing business. “A lot of patients were very self-conscious of being on Zoom, so more and more people wanted cosmetic work,” she shares. To cater to her steady influx of patients, Nidhi had to shell out time, money, and effort to create a safe space for her patients, including a private treatment room behind closed doors for each patient. Although it was quite an expense, she was glad to have taken the extra precautions because she can confidently say that none of her patients or employees have contracted COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though her practice was doing great, Nidhi still faced some hurdles during the pandemic. She lost half of her employees because they chose not to return to work after hearing about the unemployment benefits. This resulted in her having to hire and train new employees with no dentistry background. It was a tough challenge, but they powered through, and Nidhi couldn’t be more grateful for her phenomenal new team members.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, as fortunate as Nidhi is with her practice, she realizes that not everyone is as lucky. She worries that if the pandemic continues, more private practices will move into corporations because they can no longer keep up with the costs. She humbly asks everyone to be nice to their dentists and doctors and to support small businesses during these challenging times.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dentistry’s Cool New Toys&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As we move into a more hopeful new year, Dr. Nidhi is excited to share the recent innovation she has been working on. She is developing a device called &lt;a href="https://www.zerobrush.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;ZeroBrush&lt;/a&gt; which will replace brushing and flossing. It’s specifically useful for individuals with motor problems like arthritis who have trouble keeping up with good oral hygiene. The oral device will make its debut on the market by 2022, so she tells us to watch out for that.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Additionally, more and more technology is changing the game of dentistry. Nidhi is a big fan of using 3D scanners and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They help provide her with a more accurate reading on fixing bite corrections and tooth rotations. Laser technology has also been a personal favorite of hers because it removes the pain from experience, and it also has a better recovery time.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be More Aware&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Nidhi is pleased to see that patients are becoming more educated nowadays. It is always such a delight for her to treat patients who are so engaged and ask many questions. “When patients are aware of their health, they are more involved in taking care of it and make better decisions,” she points out.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, she is worried about all the misinformation on social media regarding dental health and its effect on people’s dental procedure choices. Teeth whitening and veneers, for example, should only be done by a professional who knows precisely what they’re doing. Many people just want quick results, and there are many discreditable dentists online that are willing to give it to you without making sure everything in your mouth is addressed. “Please be selective and don’t believe all the messages you see on social media. Do your research,” Dr. Nidhi begs the public.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7081,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-19.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7081"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Smile Maker&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Despite the numerous successes Dr. Nidhi has had in her career, she remains a humble, down-to-earth, and genuine person. She lives a simple life tending to her edible garden and farm animals and hopes to spend her later years giving back to the environment. It is clear that she is nothing short of a giver, and she will continue to give, whether it be a new home for animals or a perfect smile for her patient. "There is no greater satisfaction than seeing my patient's life light up. I sleep better when I make them Smile. That’s my degree - Smile maker."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Untitled-design-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/smile-maker-an-interview-with-dr-nidhi-pai/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7016</ID> <title>Addressing the Lack of Support for Frontline Medical Heroes: An Interview with Ankush Bansal</title> <publishDate>2021-04-18 20:48:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a young boy who loved science, Dr. Ankush Bansal, M.D., already knew that he wanted to become a doctor one day. Today, he is trained and certified in both Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and has taught medicine in many universities across Florida.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal is also an advocate for Organized Medicine, where he is vocal in areas concerning both the patient’s and physician’s rights to healthcare. In this interview with Top Doctor Magazine, Dr. Bansal talks to us a bit about what it means to be a Lifestyle Medicine doctor and shares some insights into what’s going on behind the scenes of hospital doors during this pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is a Lifestyle Medicine Doctor?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When you look up clinical guidelines about preventing diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer, and many other similar diseases, a common denominator is always lifestyle change. Dr. Ankush Bansal, a vegan himself, is all for promoting a healthy lifestyle that combines a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and stress-reduction practices altogether.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal has had many patients with any of the above-mentioned diseases reduce their medication dosage and even come out of it entirely by implementing a lifestyle change. He has even helped a man struggling with obesity lose over 30 pounds in just a few months. By reducing medication, patients can save money and cut costs on hospital visits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Challenge in Switching to a Plant-Based Lifestyle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Who knew that something as basic as changing your diet and adding more exercise to your routine could have such tremendous positive effects on your health? But is it that simple to do? Dr. Bansal tells Top Doctor Magazine otherwise.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Changing someone’s lifestyle is much easier said than done. Dr. Bansal often struggles with convincing his patients to switch to a plant-based diet. When people have been eating meat their whole lives, it isn’t easy to persuade them into eating a vegetarian diet. It’s almost like trying to convince them to switch religions. But when a patient comes to the hospital with a life-altering dilemma, such as a stroke, they become more accepting of trying out alternatives. What Dr. Bansal does is that he puts his patients on a plant-based diet during the duration of their stay at the hospital, and 95% of the time, his patients end up liking the diet and continuing it at home.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, the challenge doesn’t end there. “What I found out is that my biggest obstacle is not the patient. Unfortunately, it’s other doctors,” Dr. Bansal admits. Primary care doctors always throw oppositions at him like “He’s going to have a protein deficiency,” and “You need meat to survive!” And Dr. Bansal believes this is due to a lack of proper education on nutrition.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Back then, doctors did not have much opportunity to learn about nutrition compared to medical students today. They had an hour at most of the Nutrition class, and that was it. And with most doctors in America today being 40-70 years old, you can see why Dr. Bansal experiences that kind of resistance when he pushes for the plant-based lifestyle.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7018,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-18.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7018"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Say Goodbye to Bacon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another major factor influencing his patients’ opinion on living a clean and healthy lifestyle is all the media’s misinformation. Dr. Bansal recalls a cover on TIME magazine from 2005 that said, ‘Butter and Bacon are Good!’ We all know that this is downright far from the truth, but this example illustrates how easy it is for the public to be misguided if they are not actively educating themselves on proper nutrition.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, Dr. Bansal is now seeing a growing number of young medical trainees getting into the plant-based diet or eating healthier and more natural food. He believes that the next generation of doctors will be keener to promote healthy living and veganism. Dr. Bansal shares a joke he hears from Europeans that goes something like, “You try to take away bacon from an American, and there will be a fight.” Well, Dr. Bansal hopes that one day, there will be no more fights.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Addressing the Lack of Support for Frontline Medical Heroes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Moving on to the next and more pressing issue, Dr. Ankush Bansal drops the truth bomb on what it’s like to be a medical frontliner during the COVID-19 pandemic. We see the media praising our medical heroes for all they do but are they getting the genuine praise and treatment they deserve when the camera stops rolling? Dr. Bansal divulges the three significant ways the healthcare industry is lacking support.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;First, the evident lack of PPE is a giant cause for concern. Last year, medical workers had to reuse masks twice, which puts them at significant risk. Second, the healthcare industry suffered from a shortage of available staff. The number of patients increased while the number of medical staff decreased because hospitals had to cut costs; this was incredibly high-risk because medical staff would be exposed to more sick patients, therefore spreading disease much faster. And third, because hospitals had to save money, they were forced to cut on doctors’ and nurses’ wages by 50%. So, in addition to being overworked and exposed to more danger, medical workers were also being ripped off.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal is saddened to see little to no progress on addressing the issue, and he worries it will only worsen. He overheard a chat among hospital administrators that said, “Hospitalists will come and go. Those guys are a dime a dozen.” In a world where health administrations only care about specialists who can make lucrative sums of money for them, he believes that more doctors will become disheartened and will stop practicing clinical medicine altogether.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7017,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7017"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Rise of Telemedicine: A Silver Lining in this Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nonetheless, every cloud always has a silver lining. And in this thick ugly cloud of COVID-19, the rise of telemedicine has been a wonderful gamechanger to the healthcare industry. With telemedicine, physicians can now increase the reach of their practice, and patients no longer have to deal with dreadfully long waiting times.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Bansal is looking forward to incorporating remote patient monitoring into his practice and is hoping to get FDA-approved technology to help operate it. Additionally, he hopes that insurance companies will reimburse physicians fairly as they move towards telemedicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Speak Up and Never Stop Learning&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While medical workers continue to tackle this pandemic, Dr. Bansal urges them not to forget other underlying issues, such as fighting to provide proper and accessible healthcare to everyone. He also hopes that there will be continuous education on prevention for chronic diseases - for this will continue to go on once the pandemic settles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A change in the system will not happen if no one speaks up, and so Dr. Bansal encourages everyone to advocate for fair healthcare rights alongside him.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-18.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/addressing-the-lack-of-support-for-frontline-medical-heroes-an-interview-with-ankush-bansal/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7009</ID> <title>CEO Nick Loporcaro and Dr. Michael Le: Your Neighborhood Doctors</title> <publishDate>2021-04-18 20:39:25</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Visiting the doctor's office can often be a tedious and time-consuming task. Older people especially find themselves hospitalized as they undergo follow-up treatment, and their end-of-life care often comes from a sterilized hospital room.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Landmark Health is founded on the principle of receiving the highest quality care from the comfort of your home. Landmark CEO Nick Loporcaro and co-founder/CMO Dr. Michael Le are out to change the experience not only for the elderly but also for people with multiple chronic health conditions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7029,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CEO-Nick-Loporcaro-and-Dr.-Michael-Le_-Your-Neighborhood-Doctors-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7029"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Viable Business Model&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A current hospital's business model has a doctor visiting an average of 30 patients a day, keeping them on a constant rush from patient to patient. This cycle struck Landmark’s founders as problematic. They wanted to innovate a new structure that allowed doctors more control while treating frail patients in place, thus creating real change and impact for patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Enter Landmark Health, the company that allows doctors to visit patients as long as they need and in the locations that benefit them.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7012,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7012"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Wrapping 24/7 medical professional service around patients increases their quality of life," Le said. "We made it 24/7 to get in front of that 911 call. I've seen it many times where these vulnerable patients, who come in with relatively minor things, can catch infections from the hospital."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the spread of COVID-19, Landmark's services have only become more relevant and have begun to appeal to more patients seeking services that go above routine hospital care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;High-Quality Concierge Services&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"We analyzed patients receiving Landmark care versus those who were similarly matched elsewhere. We found a 26% reduction in the mortality rate for patients using Landmark services," Dr. Michael Le said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Landmark Health has found a niche in which doctors visit six to eight patients a day in their homes. This model minimizes the patient's contact with potentially harmful germs, increases their personal care, and gives them a higher quality of life with more time with their families at home.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"From a patient's satisfaction standpoint, you can imagine this is that free concierge-level of care for those who would never be able to afford it, so just tremendous patient status satisfaction," Le continued.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I aspire to see the day where we have so much density in a market that our providers can walk out of their homes and walk to their patients' homes," Loporcaro said. "We want to build up that density to increase the quality of care for our patients and the quality of life for our doctors as well."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Loporcaro also noted that Landmark provides a viable option for doctors who want to practice their passion and treat patients the way they want while earning a very competitive salary. Landmark has a robust shared services and IT infrastructure to support their local interdisciplinary teams, allowing doctors and advanced practice providers to focus on their passion - taking care of patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7010,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7010"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you are interested in learning more about Landmark Health,&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.landmarkhealth.org" target="_blank"&gt;you can visit here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.landmarkhealth.org/" target="_blank"&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; Landmark is also actively growing! &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.landmarkhealth.org/join-our-team/" target="_blank"&gt;Visit the following page if you would like to apply!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CEO-Nick-Loporcaro-and-Dr.-Michael-Le_-Your-Neighborhood-Doctors-1-1024x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/ceo-nick-loporcaro-and-dr-michael-le-your-neighborhood-doctors/</url> </article> <article> <ID>7001</ID> <title>Dr. Mark Taylor and the Gateway to Whole Wellness</title> <publishDate>2021-04-18 20:28:00</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The cosmetic plastic surgery industry in the United States is worth billions of dollars. The American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), in a 2018 study, revealed that $16.5 billion was spent by Americans’ on cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally invasive procedures.’ The figure, 4 percent from 2017’s figure, clearly shows how many Americans and many worldwide are willing to spend on cosmetic procedures to look younger, prettier, and more youthful.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mark B. Taylor is not a stranger to youth. Although the doctor is well over six decades old, he has spent some of the best parts of his years as a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. He is an innovative creator and one of the leading doctors at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute &amp;amp; Laser Center, Salt Lake City (the most prominent dermatological institute globally). ‘I have been doing aesthetics since I started my dermatology practice 40 years ago.’ Dr. Taylor says. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;‘I always wanted to do this.’ He says, confirming our beliefs that he is just as passionate as he is gifted. ‘I decided to become a doctor in my freshman year in college. I studied chemistry, which I liked, but I also liked the people and the science element. Medicine is a mesh of people, research and science.’ And Dr. Taylor is right: you cannot succeed in a medical field unless you are passionate about what you do.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mark would eventually complete his dermatology residency at the University of Oregon in Portland. ‘It was a great place with great teachers and great opportunities.’ Dr. Taylor says about the University of Oregon. ‘They did not have much aesthetic stuff, but it was a good foundation in dermatology.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Talking about instructors that inspired him, ‘There were some fabulous instructors at the University of Oregon, like Dr. Francis J. Storrs —an expert in contact dermatitis.’ Contact dermatitis deals with people’s allergic reactions to certain substances on their skin. ‘There were also other fabulous professors, co-residents, and instructors I enjoyed affiliating with.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Laser Technology and Its Important Role in Dermatology&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A dermatologist treats more than 3,000 skin conditions. With the skin being the largest organ in the body—and the organ most exposed to external influences like the sun, dust, dirt, and other innumerable pollutants, it becomes pertinent that people seek the help of certified dermatologists for various skin issues. Laser surgery for cosmetic purposes—a minimally invasive procedure that is employed to correct many skin conditions like warts, tattoos, and moles, is one of the processes Dr. Mark Taylor uses to treat his patients. ‘I was an early adopter of many of the new technologies in laser and energy devices. I also developed many techniques and new ways of using these devices. I have also taught many doctors who come into the office and watch me perform these procedures on patients.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It does not take much to see Dr. Mark Taylor’s strong side—a pioneer in laser technique. Still, most importantly, a teacher who cares for his students as much as he cares for his patients. ‘I have always enjoyed teaching people these complicated procedures.’ He confirms. With a long line of doctors traveling across states in the U.S. or other countries to watch him perform some of his procedures, Dr. Mark Taylor’s influence in the cosmetology, aesthetics, and dermatology fields cannot be overstated.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7005,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-13.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7005"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medicine and Its Relationship with Whole-Wellness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It’s almost always beyond aesthetics. Dr. Mark Taylor’s physical agility—and of course, the youthful ambiance is inspiring, and he talks about the essence of the whole-wellness lifestyle to health. ‘We have a wellness clinic where we teach people to be well on the inside and the outside.’ ‘We do not have an exercise clinic, but we do emphasize all the components of whole-wellness (overall wellness) including nutrition and exercise.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It is not surprising that Dr. Mark Taylor and the Gateway Aesthetic Institute &amp;amp; Laser Center would embrace the whole-wellness principles. In the past three centuries, disenfranchisement from popular medical culture, fuelled by an industrial revolution and economic and social progress, endeared the relatively wealthy Americans to seek a higher level of healing. And the argument is the same for people who seek to enhance their beauty through professional dermatologists like Dr. Mark. The dermatological institution is famous—and it works. On August 9, 2011, Dr. Taylor developed a new and innovative method to treat acne scars. Dr. Taylor’s innovation was driven by a need to create a single treatment plan instead of plans that required patients to make multiple visits to the hospital. The procedure, which proved to be seventy percent effective for treating acne scars, combined multiple processes, including tumescent anesthesia, which numbed and swelled the skin, laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, laser resurfacing, extensive subcision (a method that releases dermal acne, scar bands). Dr. Taylor also designed and manufactured the “Taylor Liberator” his custom tool for the subcision procedure. On this procedure and other procedures for treating acne scars, Dr. Mark explains that ‘people fly from all over the world for the procedure. We have treated over a thousand patients. It’s one of the over 100 services we offer.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;‘Since they fly in, they cannot come in, travel back, and then fly in for another procedure.’ Dr. Taylor’s innovation allows people worldwide to rejuvenate their entire faces and enjoy target treatment on skin surfaces with acne scars. His innovation is thoroughly world-class, and it gets better when you can have more than one procedure in one session. ‘If patients have other types of scars like hypertrophic acne scars and keloid scars, we will use additional treatment within the same session.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stem Cells: The Controversy and Application&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The use of stem cells for medical research and application is controversial. In the late 90s, stem cells were extracted from the embryo for therapeutic use. Extraction of stem meant the death of the human embryo. Giving the variant beliefs on what constitutes life, stem cells aren’t acceptable by many individuals and groups. Dr. Taylor was more than happy to share his feelings on stem cells and answer some of their use questions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;‘Yes, we use stem cells. We use umbilical cord stem cells from newborn babies. Newborns do not need their umbilical cords. Stem cells help with healing. We use the cells for healing after a laser resurfacing. We also infuse stem cells in parts of the skin faster healing and rejuvenation.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mark commented on the controversy of stem cells. ‘There is a mysterious aura with using stem cells. The company I work with has done over 100,000 procedures with stem cells with no serious side effects.’ Dr. Mark Taylor’s stance on stem cells is apparent. Many medical practitioners lament the unavailability of sufficient trials and research on the efficacy of stem cells. It is believed that stem cells can renew damaged body cells and tissues and help rejuvenate sick or dying body organs, including the skin. The veracity of these claims has not been thoroughly proved—or refuted due to a lack of sufficient data on stem cells. ‘What needs to be done is more double-blind placebo control trials to prove the science.’ Dr. Mark teaches. ‘Right now, people believe in stem cells, but there is a lack of data and research with stem cells. We feel that it helps, but we do not push it. There is a need for a controlled clinical science on stem cells.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;‘Stem cells are not patentable.’ Dr. Mark explains that one of the chief challenges many companies face with stem cell research is that they cannot patent stem cells. And then they cannot make a research-worthy profit from the science. ‘Most companies are unwilling to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in research unless they have patent protection. Companies need to recoup their investments. At the end of the process, they need to make money to pay for the research and the company, going forward.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mark Taylor’s R&amp;amp;D Efforts and Successes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;R&amp;amp;D is a crucial part of healthcare. Dr. Mark Taylor, who does ‘active FDA approved clinical trials all the time’ on many new applications, including neurotoxins, tissue fillers, and injectables, believes that sciences should be entrenched in research. Although Dr. Taylor did not give us specific information on some of the companies he is presently working with on clinical trials due to non-disclosure agreements, he divulged information on his active research center where some of the trials are held. ‘In the past, we did a study with Endo Pharmaceuticals on a new FDA approved product called QWO to treat cellulite dimples on the Buttocks of adult women that is now approved for use by the FDA. We constantly work with these companies to establish new treatments.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7004,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-12.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7004"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Global Pandemic and Its Effect on the Gateway Aesthetic Institute &amp;amp; Laser Center&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On the pandemic, ‘We are more careful. We take precautions. We sanitize each room after every procedure, and everyone wears a mask. We have a big clinic with many rooms, and no one has to stay in the waiting room.’ The global pandemic has caused more than 2.5 million deaths with over 114 million recorded infections, led to governments issuing lockdowns of every non-essential business, and ushered economic recessions in many countries with already weak social, political, economic, and healthcare infrastructures. But Dr. Taylor is not worried about the economic influences of the pandemic. ‘Last month was our best December in the history of the company. We just take care of people. We are very positive, and we have a lot of fun.’ Positivity is needed in these trying times in the United States and the rest of the world. And of course, with most companies issuing sit-at-home and remote working policies, they have more video communications; hence they are more in touch with the reality of how they look. ‘People realize that they may not be as youthful as they thought they were. They want to look better, so they contact us.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It’s safe to assume that the cosmetic industry must have enjoyed an unequivocal boom due to the global pandemic. As restrictions are being lifted, more people make appointments with dermatologists because they want to look better.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On the business movement from on-ground to online, ‘We have learned to communicate in different ways. We will have a much more open way of learning—virtual learning. The pandemic will change the way we interact professionally and in offices.’ Online consultation is beyond a trend; it’s a necessity, and businesses must continuously integrate systems that will ensure seamless communication between client and service provider—and Dr. Taylor’s team does a great job at that. However, he admits that it can get ‘frustrating.’ ‘We put together a treatment plan from the email photos of the patient. We educated them on the procedures and risks and did pre-op educations, and prepared them for treatment. This method saves a lot of time. When the patient arrives, we confirm and treatment plan and usually treat them the same or the following day. We keep the patients in town for about one week to be sure their healing is going well.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7002,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-11.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7002"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mark Taylor’s Thoughts on the Biden Administration&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On the new administration and the healthcare industry’s perceived policies, ‘I do not know.’ He says, laughing. I have not heard any exciting news on healthcare. Some of my colleagues are stressed by bureaucracy and decreasing reimbursements. One of the problems is that we have spent the money for the next 20 generations. Everybody is out of money, and everything is financed with debt.’ Some people have done well in the stock market over the past few years, while others have been hurt economically. Personal appearance is important to most people, and they are bothered by scars and the effects of aging. Some people have the cash; some use financing, and others will save for months or years to do procedures that enhance their appearance. Cosmetic and laser institutes like the Gateway Aesthetic Institute allow more people to undergo various procedures to improve their appearance.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Final Thoughts&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Be it skincare or office practices, or the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr. Mark Taylor’s principles reflect humanity, care, honesty, and perfection. He often laments the immense pressure many small healthcare facilities face due to policies like the proposed tax increase, which he feels will ‘always result in more people being laid off work.’ ‘I like to have more businesses that pay a lower tax rate than few businesses that pay a higher tax rate.’ His logic might seem too simplistic; yet, issues like tax must be looked upon from a humane angle. Should a government place even higher tax levies on businesses that are struggling to survive the post-pandemic?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;We rounded up the interview with the question, ‘What are you most proud of?’ Just as we had thought, he said with a smile, ‘I am proud of my family. I have eight children and 29 grandchildren, and they are all doing fine. None of them are living in my basement. I am proud of the business we have built. The Gateway Aesthetic Institute &amp;amp; Laser Center is the largest dedicated cosmetic laser center globally, and I think we are well-respected and have a lot of fun.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;His final words addressed young dermatologists: ‘Find your passion and follow it.’&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-13.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/technology/medical-influencers/dr-mark-taylor-and-the-gateway-to-whole-wellness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>6500</ID> <title>Putting Others First in Life and Medicine - An Interview with Eddie Menacho, PA</title> <publishDate>2021-04-10 20:28:57</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Eddie Menacho, PA:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Eddie Menacho is a National Medical Fellowship Scholar and a graduate from the PA Program at the prestigious Keck School of Medicine. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from California State University, San Bernardino with both departmental and university honors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With his brother Anthony Menacho, PA, he has invested time and resources in both undeserved communities and the college student community. He co-founded &lt;a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.brainboxmethods.com" target="_blank"&gt;Brainbox Methods&lt;/a&gt;, an organization dedicated to helping students achieve their goals outside the classroom. Furthermore, Eddie began working with the Street Medicine Team at USC to provide health care to the homeless population in Los Angeles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6852,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_40-1.png" alt="Putting Others First in Life and Medicine – An Interview with Eddie Menacho, PA" class="wp-image-6852"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Stoic Approach to Time&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From a young age, Eddie Menacho, together with his brother Anthony, learned the importance of what many of us quickly tend to ignore: family and time. A lifelong lesson learned from their wise father, who, unfortunately, is not here to witness how his two sons constantly sow and reap the fruit of their never-ending labor: putting the community first and serving its essential needs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As Eddie decided to become a better administrator of his own time and help bring change to the sick and the needy, he turned his passion and resources towards medicine. That is where he discovered that becoming an expert in your field is more than just getting straight A’s during finals week; it’s all the little things outside the classroom that count. &lt;em&gt;“We started realizing like, man, these students, they don't know how to study. They don't know how to, how to finish the job.”&lt;/em&gt; For that reason, he and his brother searched for a way to turn students into better individuals and help them truly achieve their dream goals.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Brainbox Methods&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;"The grades aren't a difficult thing in the grand scheme of things, right,"&lt;/em&gt; Eddie shares with Top Doctor Magazine. While such a statement sounds natural and convincing enough, only a few understand and believe it. Eddie has met with hundreds of students who, although their grades were sky-high, had nothing else to put on their résumé, let alone write a proper one. They were akin to beautiful sculptures but without any final touches.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In search of the culprit, Eddie points towards the outdated learning system, which follows the same approach common in the 1800s. In this system, students would read for endless hours in the library. However, with today's technology, it became apparent that only versatile learning methods can help young students achieve their full potential. For that reason, Eddie and his brother strives towards bringing students outside, in the real world, and equipping them with tools that books, albeit helpful, cannot provide.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6502,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6502"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Prerequisites for a Successful Student&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;First off, the crucial thing for a student to understand is that no student has all the answers from the beginning and that mentoring is not a sign of weakness but strength. Having someone who can guide you through the maze of student life can make the difference between graduation and dropout.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Second, equip yourself with the proper virtues. As Eddie shares with us, perfectionism, diligence, and, crucially, prudence are every student's best allies towards learning from one's mistakes and overcoming them, no matter how many times we fall.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Finally, nurturing a spirit of collegiality amongst students takes up a significant chunk of Eddie's approach. Not only do we have to confess that finding all the answers yourself is a Herculean task, but also, we have to remember that, as students, we are not free from disappointments in life or depression. On the contrary, our learning years are when we need as much help as we can get, and Eddie teaches us how to ask for it. Assimilating this spirit of collegiality with his life experiences, Eddie talks of students as a soccer team, where team spirit outweighs individual needs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medicine is More than just Proper Medication&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the pandemic hit the American shores with full effect, Eddie worked in a COVID ICU, as a Critical Care PA since the pandemic began. In the beginning, he admits, more than enough confusion surrounding proper COVID-19 medication made the physicians' efforts difficult enough. However, through the same spirit of collegiality, U.S. physicians kept close ties with physicians from across the ocean to improve patient care and bring the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients down.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But what happens when what one needs the most is medicine for the soul? How do you fight loneliness and lack of human contact? How does one find ways to cure both the body and the mind? Nothing stands as a stronger statement for the COVID-19 patient's need for human compassion than Eddie' s story about Elvira Lizarraga.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Following in the footsteps of Mother Theresa, Eddie decided to turn his approach into a more patient-oriented one and play the role of the servant, not the dictator. &lt;em&gt;"And, and what I, what I learned about medicine was, a lot of times when you are knowledgeable in whatever you do, you try to push your agenda on people. It's like, I know this about medicine, and I know that your diagnosis is this. And I know that you need to take this medication. And we try to do what we need to do. But what we forget that is that we're not, we're not dictators, we're serving, we're there to serve people."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As such, Eddie dedicated his time and resources to caring for one of his patients, Elvira Lizarraga, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease along with COVID. Through constant care and patience, Eddie managed to build a relationship of trust with his patient, who, responding to his kind approach, opened her heart to Eddie.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6501,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6501"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Power of Human Compassion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Last June, he witnessed Elvira being brought to the hospital with COVID-19. For four months, Elvira laid in the Intensive Care Unit, outlasting all the other COVID-19 patients, like a traveler whose train never arrives at the platform. These long months of loneliness took their toll on Elvira's mental state: depression was threatening to bring the fight to a premature end.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With tears in his eyes, Eddie remembers how not medicine, not expensive care, not expert virologists cured Elvira, but the power of literature. Afraid of her friend's worsening health, Eddie took a shot in the dark and tried to use a good story to bring Elvira's curiosity and will to live back to life. &lt;em&gt;"And so I asked her, I was like, Hey, have you, have you ever read the Harry Potter series?"&lt;/em&gt; Her negative answer paved the way for long reading sessions when Elvira constantly asked Eddie for details about Harry or Dudley or other characters while always looking forward to the next adventure. &lt;em&gt;"And the whole goal was to just get her inspired so she can do her exercises, so she can do PT, so she can do OT, so she can stay on the C-PAP a little longer and fight. Everyday Elvira would look forward to Eddie arriving at 5:00pm to read her another chapter from the book, they did it for weeks on end."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From Eddie's point of view, it was never about medicine but human compassion: &lt;em&gt;"She needed, she needed to feel connected to somebody. And so, she needed something to look forward to. And so, yeah, that's, that's what I did. […] A lot of times, it doesn't come down to medicine, it comes down to the relationship."&lt;/em&gt; And only Elvira's words can express her gratitude: &lt;em&gt;"This battle took an entire team of Angels like you [Eddie], support of my family and friends, team of doctors, nurses, and most of all God. Without all you Angels, I couldn't have come through this! There are no words that will let you know how grateful I am for you and the importance of medical caregivers giving that beautiful human touch to patients."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a parting thought, Eddie Menacho has but one wish to bring this story to more patients in need and hope to inspire more people with this example: &lt;em&gt;"If I can get this story out and, and J. K. Rowling herself could like talk to her, or something like it would just inspire her to, but it would inspire so many other people."&lt;/em&gt; We can only hope that Eddie Menacho's wish will come true and that he will find the strength to bring back hope in the lives of those who need it most.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_40-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/putting-others-first-in-life-and-medicine-an-interview-with-eddie-menacho-pa/</url> </article> <article> <ID>6493</ID> <title>Bringing Healthcare to the Unsheltered Community of Sacramento – An Interview with Anthony Menacho</title> <publishDate>2021-04-10 20:03:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Anthony Menacho&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Anthony Menacho is a National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate from the PA program Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology at California State University with department and university honors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Anthony Menacho focuses his resources primarily on creating stronger links with students who want to excel in their respective fields and with the less-fortunate communities of Sacramento. Together with his brother Eddie, he founded the Brainbox Methods, a community of approximately six thousand students dedicated to improving extra-curricular skills. Additionally, he's the founder of Sacramento Street Medicine, an organization that helps the homeless community with its basic, day-to-day medical needs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keeping a Promise&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The son of Latino immigrants, Menacho has led quite a busy life. He’s always out there, looking for new and exciting experiences. From being a congressional intern in D.C. to working in the ambulance service, Menacho always saw the need to give back to the community, especially the one whose needs repeatedly fell prey to closed doors and neglect.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, the defining moment in shaping his career bears the mark of a family tragedy. After losing their father to kidney cancer, both Menacho and his brother took it upon themselves to honor his memory by becoming the best physicians they could be and helping the poor, the sick, and the needy.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6829,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_39-1.png" alt="Bringing Healthcare to the Unsheltered Community of Sacramento – An Interview with Anthony Menacho" class="wp-image-6829"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Giving Back to the Student Community&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Right from the university benches, Menacho envisioned a program destined to give back to the student community. With his brother Eddie by his side, he brought &lt;a href="https://www.brainboxmethods.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;Brainbox Methods&lt;/a&gt; into the world: a company whose sole goal is to help young students overcome their social status discrepancies and get accepted into their dream universities.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With a strong follower community of over 6,000 people, Menacho provides resources to young students on how to succeed academically, emotionally, and professionally. For just a symbolic fee, students get a chance to add essential skills to their arsenal, skills that do not find enough space in the "classroom," such as updating resumes and personal statements, writing, or learning how to pay off tuition in a very relaxing and friendly setting.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Menacho explains the rationale behind his decision: "I know students that went to some of the top, top high schools and got into college and were lost. And so if you, could you imagine somebody who comes from a low-income high school or a high school where they weren't preparing them, how they felt, you know, if they got into some type of reputable institution, it's almost like their chances are shot, you know?"&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Next Big Step - Sacramento Street Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But this was just the tip of Menacho's iceberg of plans. As a student at the Keck School of Medicine, he had the chance to learn about street medicine from the best in the field. Following his relocation to Sacramento, CA, Menacho decided to implement his knowledge into a brand-new street medicine program called Sacramento Street Medicine (SSM).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Benefiting from the work of student &amp;amp; non-student volunteers organized into teams, Sacramento Street Medicine constantly takes the pulse of the city's homeless community, providing primary, survival supplies and low-level wound care. Furthermore, as the organization is transitioning towards an established medical practice, Menacho hopes that his teams will be authorized to provide more medical care to those in need.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the COVID-19 pandemic hit the streets of Sacramento with full force, Sacramento Street Medicine, although with fewer resources and human resources, played a significant role in keeping the homeless population away from the virus providing COVID-19 testing and education while following every single safety protocol in the book.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6495,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_38.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6495"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bridging the Gap between the Homeless Population and Hospitals&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from providing primary care to needful communities, Menacho and his team strive towards minimizing the gap between the homeless and the local authorities. Already crippled by lack of trust and fears of sweeping (i.e., relocations), this relationship became even more uneasy with the arrival of COVID-19; instead of asking for medical assistance right away, people choose to hold out until it becomes a matter of life and death.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the financial help from external sources and an understanding Sacramento community, Menacho is already making tremendous progress. With his unquenchable passion and disregard for financial gains, he finds an honor and a blessing in this opportunity to help others. We can only hope that his beautiful initiative will serve as an example to those who want to give a chance at a better tomorrow to needful communities.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Anthony Menacho and his mission, make sure that you check out the following &lt;a href="https://www.sacstreetmed.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_39-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/bringing-healthcare-to-the-unsheltered-community-of-sacramento-an-interview-with-anthony-menacho/</url> </article> <article> <ID>6485</ID> <title>Surviving through the pandemic: How the frontline heroes responded with remarkable efficiency</title> <publishDate>2021-04-10 19:44:13</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented global emergency, and healthcare professionals have responded by providing immediate care during this difficult time. As the rapid spread of the virus overwhelmed healthcare systems, altered livelihoods, and disrupted economies in many parts of the world, healthcare providers sacrificed their lives by battling the new and vicious foe. As the virus attacks indiscriminately, the victims include healthcare workers who knowingly put their lives on the line. Even without a PAPR and a proper N-95 mask, our healthcare heroes suit up every day to face the threat head-on and become exposed more than the rest of us to save those who are critically ill from the virus. As they provide care to the victims, they fight an invisible enemy and often self-isolate from their families to avoid spreading the virus. Furthermore, they try to fill the void for families who cannot be at their loved one's bedside due to restricted visitation rights. Aside from the potential risk associated with providing care to patients, healthcare providers have adapted their workflow to isolation protocols so that victims could still enjoy human contact. They also stayed with dying patients during their last moments, holding their hands, keeping them company until the end.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Speaking about how the pandemic affects his practice, Dr. Michael Wu, a dentist in San Francisco Bay Area, disclosed to Top Doctor: "I think in terms of the day-to-day operation, it is a lot more stressful because all the staff had to multitask a lot more. Prior to the pandemic, the office staff is already well versed in sanitation and sterilization tasks. After the onset of the pandemic, the entire office team had to be retrained in order to implement a myriad of new rules. Everyone at the office has to be vigilant about the office environment in order to implement the new Covid-19 patient safety protocols. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6955,"width":688,"height":850,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Micheal-829x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6955" width="688" height="850"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For example, disinfection of all potential patient contact surfaces at the front office must be done after every patient. And every person entering the office must fill out the Covid questionnaire form and have the body temperature taken.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Relating to the psychological well being of the dental Staff, Dr. Wu explained that “during the early days of the pandemic, there was a lot of conflicting information about the exact path of transmission for the Covid 19 virus. This was especially stressful to my team. Many staff members live with elderly parents or young children at home. Some of my staff members have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma. A few team members even contemplated leaving the dental profession altogether. It took a lot of selflessness and courage for them to come to work, because they understood the risks they are putting themselves, their family and loved ones in. Many team members had to ponder how to balance work and personal lives. Likewise, those were also the darkest and most uncertain times of my career."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6828,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_35-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6828"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Michael Wu developed an interest in dentistry while he was in high school during a summer externship. Working alongside a dentist at a community dental center, he was delighted at how the relationship between dentist and patient develops. Dr. Wu went to UCLA for his undergraduate degree in Molecular Cell Developmental Biology. But ultimately he realized that dentistry was his true passion. It was the people-to-people interaction in dentistry rather than sitting in a lab, cultivating cells, that led to his dive into a career in orthodontics. Dr. Wu earned both his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and orthodontist specialty certification at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Practicing since 2008, Dr. Wu has 12 years of experience in orthodontics, and he is currently working in group practices in the San Francisco Bay Area. While narrating his experience during the pandemic, he said: "It definitely impacts dentistry in several ways, especially when it comes to the dental specialty of Orthodontics. Typically, the orthodontist sees a higher volume of patients than general dentists on a daily basis.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Prior to the pandemic, I would see an average daily volume of 50-60 patients, but right now, we had to scale down for safety reasons. We want to make sure there is adequate spacing between the patients in the treatment area." He explained further how they enforced the social distancing rules at his practice: "…as a matter of fact; we don't have patients in the waiting area. We usually tell patients to wait in their car in the parking lot. Once space becomes available in the treatment area, then we message the patient to come into the office. We try as much as possible to discourage patients from getting crowded in the waiting area and limit patients to two or three in our treatment area at any one time. All this means that the office must be even more efficient at time management compared to pre-pandemic days."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, dentists wore masks and gloves when dealing with patients, which placed them in a good safety position when the pandemic hit. Dr. Wu explained that dentists practiced Universal Precaution since the 1980s in the wake of the AIDS epidemic. There was a lot of concern from the patients and the general public that they could potentially contract HIV from health care providers, such as dentists. These public concerns were ultimately proven to be unfounded, thanks in part to the successful implementation of the Universal Precautions, which required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by dentists. However, what changed during the current pandemic, is that anyone can be infected with the Covid 19 virus as a result of respiratory transmission. Whereas HIV is more likely to be transmitted through bodily fluid contacts. "There is definitely a lot more concern regarding getting Covid 19 virus, so we had to make sure that every staff member follows the updated universal precautions, including the use of N95 masks and social distancing amongst not only the patients, but also the Staff. Break room is no longer a place where Staff members can congregate and eat lunch together."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6489,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_36.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6489"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While discussing the pandemic challenges, Dr. Wu told us that many healthcare professionals were nervous about going to work, but that they had to be strong and support the patient’s well-being: "I would say that I am really proud of my team.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though most of them have been in the dental industry for a long time, in terms of their duties, it is definitely more complex than before. Overall, they have been handling it pretty well. As time went on, it just became a normal part of everyday routine, but I think it adds more stress to the daily work schedule. Despite our own personal worries, we still have to appear calm and composed inorder to instill confidence in our patients. We really want patients to feel safe and well cared for when they enter our office for treatment."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although healthcare professionals scrambled to take charge when the virus hit, Dr. Wu recalled the state and federal regulators' lack of clarity. He said: "When the CDC recommended PPE protocols, they were looking at it from the hospital point of view, like what should they do for best practices in the ER and ICU settings. And I don't think there are many dentists on the panel at federal and state health agencies. I think we are trying to adapt our dental offices to a medical hospital standard when it comes to occupational safety. I think it makes it expensive for us to order a lot of equipment that may not be necessary within our practice setting, and at the same time, a lot of those resources could be better saved for the hospitals that really needed them. That is one thing I always struggle with. I wish that the state regulators can be better informed and provided narrower guidelines targeting the specific medical and dental fields, rather than just paint everybody with the same brushstroke and say ‘because the doctors in the intensive care unit needed certain PPE and equipment, and there is a shortage of those medical supplies, so we are going to mandate the closure of all orthodontic and none urgent care dental offices."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Speaking about the pandemic's solution, Dr. Wu shared that the vaccine will definitely slow the pandemic and lessen the economic and public health tolls. To reach that goal, he also concluded that technology is an essential part of the solution. While some healthcare providers were moving to some aspect of Teledentistry even before the pandemic, "…actual treatments are still done in person. In terms of orthodontic emergencies or questions, a lot of those can be effectively addressed through secure encrypted emails or one on one zoom call with the patient to demonstrate to them how to take care of a bothersome orthodontic wire for example," he explained. “Teledentistry will continue to be a major part of dentistry going forwards.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6486,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_33.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6486"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Wu continued by explaining how the current pandemic will render physicians and medical personnel more prepared for future outbreaks: "The other aspect of the solution to any future pandemic is related to the learning experience we are going through in the current crisis. For example, in places like Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. they went through the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s. Partly as a result of their experience during the SARS outbreak, many locals in those regions routinely wear masks in public prior to the current pandemic. I think wearing masks in public, as a socially acceptable behavior, is part of the reason why they are better able to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus. If there is one thing that we can take away from this Pandemic is that our state and local agencies must develop effective public health recommendations to better deal with or even prevent the next viral outbreak."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Wu has gotten himself vaccinated against Covid 19 virus, and encourages his entire dental team to do the same. He wants the general public to be aware that as dentists and doctors, they are ready to go the extra mile to keep people healthy. "We want to make sure that the patients are safe when they come into our offices, and we want to make sure that they are happy with their smile when they leave our offices." Although many patients are scared during the pandemic, he reminded us that healthcare providers have patients' best interests at heart and are there to take good care of them and their families.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Micheal-829x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/surviving-through-the-pandemic-how-the-frontline-heroes-responded-with-remarkable-efficiency/</url> </article> <article> <ID>6476</ID> <title>IDefine with Dr. Mason Harrell</title> <publishDate>2021-04-10 19:12:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Mason Harrell&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Amiable, accomplished, and passionate are just a few words to describe Dr. Mason Harrell, a Harvard-trained physician triple board-certified in Occupational Medicine, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and Aerospace Medicine. He is also a former flight surgeon and a devoted family man and father of two.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mason, or “Mase-dogg,” as his friends like to call him, decided to become a doctor because he longed to make a real difference in the world. With his strong wit and undeniably honest concern for others around him, it is no wonder why many prestigious organizations such as Harvard University, the World Health Organization (WHO), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) have taken him under their wing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:columns --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-columns"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:column {"verticalAlignment":"center","width":"100%"} --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center" style="flex-basis:100%"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:columns --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-columns"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:column --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-column"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:image {"id":7041,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_Screen-Shot-2021-04-19-at-10.43.07-AM-680x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-7041"/&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Photo Courtesy of Jackie Lynn of Jackielynnphoto&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:column --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:columns --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:column --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:columns --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Dr. Mason is also a co-founder of several organizations such as IDefine, Sequoia Port, American Analytical Medical Services (AAMS) and Gledson. He provides consultation services that deal with health and wellness for employees, medical-legal work, and improving medical record systems. But the organization closest to his heart is IDefine, which we will delve into a little more below.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is Kleefstra Syndrome?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On the first birthday of his daughter, Eleanor, Dr. Mason received the most devastating news of his life. Eleanor was diagnosed with Kleefstra Syndrome (KS), a rare genetic disorder from a single gene mutation causing autism and intellectual challenges. EHMT1 is an epigenetic gene that influences many other genes. In children, KS can also cause hypotonia or ‘floppy baby syndrome’ and seizures. When these kids reach puberty, they can become catatonic and exhibit psychotic episodes, making this disorder even more terrifying.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But why does Kleefstra Syndrome occur in the first place? “Well, it’s kind of like reverse evolution,” as Dr. Mason describes it. Genetic mutations ubiquitously occur; these mutations can either be beneficial or detrimental for an organism. When humans are in their gestation period, and they have a gigantic genetic mutation, this would result in the mother having a miscarriage. When the mutation is not significant enough to cause a miscarriage and is undetectable by tests, a baby is born with adverse health conditions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":6989,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-image"&gt;&lt;figure class="aligncenter size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Mason-Harrell-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-6989"/&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Photo Courtesy of Jackie Lynn of Jackielynnphoto&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;IDefine’s Soul Mission&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“Even being a doctor, when I found out about Eleanor’s diagnosis, it just knocked the wind right out of me,” Dr. Mason somberly remembers. Gutted by the grave news, he couldn’t even bring himself to research the syndrome, which is why his friends had to do the digging for him. However, he realized that sulking wasn’t going to make things any better, so he flew to the Netherlands and sought out Dr. Kleefstra herself to figure out a solution. They collaborated with other fathers of children with KS, children’s physicians from Harvard Boston Children’s Hospital, and KIDS IQ Project to establish the non-profit organization, IDefine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;IDefine focuses on the discovery of treatments for genetic causes of autism and intellectual disability. We are first focused on genetically correcting the EHMT1 mutation, which will cure autism and intellectual disabilities in cases of EHMT1 defects. This will give hope to the communities who face these disorders and usher in the light at the end of the tunnel!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Spreading Awareness and Creating Change&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The first step towards change is awareness, and a great way to heighten that is to increase genetic testing in patients, as Dr. Mason advocates. However, spreading awareness and fundraisers are a massive help to IDefine’s quest. Dr. Mason is optimistic that they will find a cure as it is just a matter of time. “We’re going to die trying. And we’re going to do it. It’s just a matter of time and money - millions of dollars more,” he added.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As we discovered Dr. Mason’s tenacity and relentlessness to find a cure, we at Top Doctor Magazine can’t help but feel inspired and confident that IDefine will fulfill their mission of restoring intellectual intellectuality back to individuals with intellectual disabilities.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;IDefine’s Soul Mission&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mason's work doesn't just stop at IDefine. When the COVID-19 outbreak surfaced last year, it was like life slapped him with the truth - that we are all just living through a series of never-ending obstacles we need to surmount. However, as a seasoned veteran who has been on numerous medical missions worldwide and has published dozens of articles about Ebola and its effect on health workers, Dr. Mason got the upper hand this time. He was ready to tackle this new challenge head-on.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Suddenly, CEOs saw themselves forced to put employee health and safety at the top of their priority list, which caused businesses to scramble looking for the few occupational medicine doctors available. And Dr. Mason, being the helpful person he is, jumped right into the action and offered his services where the need was urgent.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mason provides his knowledge and expertise by teaching companies how to implement proper safety procedures (i.e., following the hierarchy of hazard controls) and how to keep their employees safe and healthy, even when they are out of the workplace.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;On March 1st, 2021, Dr. Mason joined &lt;a href="http://www.workcare.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;WorkCare&lt;/a&gt; as their &lt;a href="https://www.workcare.com/resource/dr-mason-harrell-joins-workcare-as-chief-medical-officer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;Chief Medical Officer&lt;/a&gt;. Established in 1984, WorkCare delivers seamless, cost-effective occupational health services to employers of all sizes and types. Its mission is Protecting and Promoting Employee Health and well-being. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Top Doctor Magazine thinks that great people are only ordinary people who deal with life's challenges, and that is precisely what makes Dr. Mason one of the greatest ones out there.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Mason Harrell, you can visit his site: &lt;a href="https://www.masonharrellmd.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;https://www.masonharrellmd.com/&lt;/a&gt; for more info. Furthermore, if you want to be a part of creating history or want to help out a good cause, check out &lt;a href="https://www.idefine.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;https://www.idefine.org/&lt;/a&gt; for donation details.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_Screen-Shot-2021-04-19-at-10.43.07-AM-680x1024.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-mason-harrell/</url> </article> <article> <ID>6014</ID> <title>What's Next In The COVID-19 Pandemic - How Are COVID-19 Worker's Compensation Cases Going To Affect Your Practice?</title> <publishDate>2021-04-04 20:46:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:divi/placeholder --&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_475 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_556"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_581 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_609 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The coronavirus pandemic has created a global disaster as the virus led to the loss of millions of lives, triggered unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems, and disrupted the global economy. The devastating impact on the economy is scary. Aside from the rising death toll, thousands lost their jobs, and millions of people are at risk of falling into poverty. Even worse was the incredible milestone recorded in the U.S. The US COVID-19-related death toll has surpassed 500,000 – a staggering reality underscoring the virus's devastation as healthcare providers scrambled to put the pandemic under control. The vaccines were quickly developed, and the FDA granted EUA to vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, hoping to speed up the vaccination process as fast as possible to prevent another surge.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While the pandemic ravages on, a more complicated episode is emerging regarding COVID-19 worker's compensation cases and their effect on practices. As states relax the strict COVID-19 rules by allowing businesses to reopen, questions arise regarding employers' liability about employees contracting the virus in the workplace.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though many businesses have transitioned to a remote working model, businesses like aviation, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, construction, retail, and distribution cannot do so easily. Consequently, their workers will be at risk of exposure to the virus through close contact with coworkers and customers. By comparison, health care workers face similar challenges while providing care to COVID-19 patients. Ultimately, a potential increase in occupational illnesses is inevitable. The worker's compensation system's impact could be significant, including more claim frequencies, higher overall costs, and more financial and administrative burdens for many employers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:image {"id":6017,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6017"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:image --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mona Khanna, a board-certified occupational and preventive medicine specialist, commented to Top Doctor Magazine, saying, "There will be more compensation claims… in fact, the number of compensation claims will be higher and in direct proportion to a specific region's population." She went on to suggest that the compensation issue is best understood by attorneys who were involved right from the start. "The right course of action would be to point out attorneys that have become involved in the process at an early stage," said Dr. Khanna.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With a continuous flow of compensation claims, there is more pressure on companies than ever. People are turning to their insurance carrier and discussing the parameters of the long-term effects.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In most compensation claims, there is no immediate gratification. Instead, these investigations are unique and stand on their terms. Also speaking on the compensation claim issues, Brandi Prejean, a board-certified expert on workers compensation and an insurance defense attorney, provides a perspective regarding the sizable challenges employers face. Employers want to know how to protect their employees, manage their payroll amid the repeated compensation claims alleging workplace exposure to the virus. "When the virus hit, I got a barrage of questions from people, but I didn't have an answer at the time. I did a crash course and turned to the medical community to get as much information as necessary to formulate a better legal response."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Employers were determined to mandate vaccination and PPE on employees since they have the obligations to protect them and create a safe working environment for their workers. Brandi Prejean retorted, "You have to balance protecting the interest of the public at large with the constitutional right of the individual, and that is the delicate balance the pandemic created." She repeated that the pandemic created an unprecedented situation regarding compensation claims, and the authorities must take appropriate legal measures to handle potential problems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While frontline workers grappled with the virus, policymakers across the country are perturbed regarding how worker's compensation insurance would help employees infected with the virus. Even though worker's compensation is designed to benefit employees and employers, it doesn't cover illnesses like flu or cold, including coronavirus and other ailments that cannot be tied to the workplace. As COVID-19 is set to upend these rules, new measures or legislation are needed to shield businesses against lawsuits when employees fall sick or die after being exposed to the virus.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:image {"id":6015,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_24.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6015"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:image --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While policymakers are working hard to extend the compensation coverage, Dr. Khanna insisted that compensation claim investigation associated with COVID-19 is unpredictable and requires more thorough research. In comparison, this research is not so different from conducting interviews and asking questions that would help trace the virus's source of contraction. "I've been into the worker compensation world for a long time, and I've never seen anything like this," said Dr. Khanna. When it comes to track-and-trace of the virus, various questions come into play. "If an employee files a lawsuit against an employer for contracting COVID-19 at the workplace, the COVID-19-specific worker compensation claim may not be as simple as people realize," added Dr. Khanna. On the other hand, if someone suspects that they got the COVID-19 from a restaurant, it would fall under the umbrella of personal injury. The burden of responsibility would be on the restaurant that failed to uphold COVID-19 safety precautions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Speaking from a legal standpoint, Brandi Prejean disclosed, "We had to change our questions. At the beginning of the pandemic, we had to investigate all these cases that were being filed. We investigated people individually. We asked weird questions because it's the only way we can investigate this case and make sense of it." Brandi informed and continued, "If you claim that your job puts you at higher risk than the general public, we have to ask what your potential exposures are. For example, your child who plays sports and comes to the house to live with you poses a higher exposure than you going to work and wearing a mask. You probably have a higher exposure at home."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During the massive influx of COVID-19 patients, healthcare professionals were overwhelmed. As a result, hospitals created new patient care units, arenas, tents, and other unlikely places, while some physicians were forced to practice beyond their expertise to save more lives. Even though they were determined to put their lives on the line, a potentially dicey situation lurks, and our frontline heroes who were risking their lives might lose their reverence in a potential flood of COVID-19 compensation lawsuits after the onslaught.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Lawyers defending frontline heroes and employers are already advising their clients on avoiding liability when they are forced to choose between patients. Physicians need to prepare for the triage head-on as their actions amid the chaos will determine whether cases against them will be dismissed or escalated over the death of a patient. Speaking about the upcoming compensation claim issues, Brandi Prejean told us that bills are being filed on COVID-19 compensation cases, and they are developed on very preliminary data. "I am prepared to testify against them here [in Texas] because inaccurate data cannot be adopted as a workers compensation case. There is a danger in that," said Prejean. Dr. Mona Khanna, the award-winning medical journalist and former medical director pointed out that more research and thorough investigation is crucial. "In retrospect, it makes it all the more important to understand the causality trends, the number of cases, in comparison to other infectious diseases that can penetrate the work or commercial space. Once you establish clear parameters, then you can investigate without blurring the thin red line of journalism."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:image {"id":6018,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_27.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6018"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:image --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In her own words, Brandi Prejean revealed to us, "I have handled this disputed employee compensation case, and the argument that I am using to create a threshold is the CDC guideline and what their definition of high-risk exposure is." Prejean argued based on all the cases she has handled thus far. "My recommendation for clients who have denied cases discovered that their workers did not contract it at work. Suppose someone ignores the CDC guidelines, which is a duration of longer than 15 minutes closer than 6 feet without proper PPE of a person that becomes symptomatic days later. In that case, I don't believe they meet the threshold of what we will consider as workers compensation exposure." Prejean hopes each state will adopt this CDC guideline-induced logic because it has exonerated innocent employers and physicians.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As states allow businesses to reopen, policymakers aim to navigate the notoriously complex workers' compensation to address &lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;the drawbacks, benefits, and several key issues that are unresolved. While sharing her opinion, Brandi Prejean told us," the legal community is going to have to be careful regarding what legislation we allow, which is why I have continued to be adamant about creating laws." Prejean reiterated the risk in acting based on developing information because it is dangerous. "If we have learned anything from 2020, it is that we have to be prepared to evolve as information changes."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- divi:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Rather than creating legislation that will allow for fraudulent claims in the coming months, healthcare providers deserve legal protection from malicious claims as long as the protection does not excuse negligence or wanton intent to cause harm.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /divi:paragraph --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:divi/placeholder --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_26-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/whats-next-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-how-are-covid-19-workers-compensation-cases-going-to-affect-your-practice/</url> </article> <article> <ID>6007</ID> <title>Dr. Antonio Gamboa: Bridging the Gap</title> <publishDate>2021-04-04 20:35:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Antonio Gamboa was born into an underserved world. Now, he is a founder and the CEO of a growing company, Elite Patient Care. As the first son of US immigrants, Gamboa has a unique perspective that makes him more aware of the needs of others.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“My modest upbringing showed me good skill sets that provided me with a great background and understanding of how relative things are in life,” Gamboa said. Perspective, which he calls one of the greatest gifts next to humility, helped Gamboa realize his community’s need for healthcare services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This realization turned into focused determination as Gambo graduated from college and medical school. Despite not having the money to go to the notable colleges that accepted him, Gamboa made the most of his time at the University of Texas at El Paso before getting his doctorate at the Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He went on to get board-certified in internal medicine and palliative care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“I was already over-achieving at this point, so frankly, any grandiose vision of me being a business owner or having my own practice that expands to multiple states was not even an expectation or vision when I was early in my career. I just was happy to have an opportunity to better the circumstances of my own family,” Gamboa said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6858,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_23-1.png" alt="Dr. Antonio Gamboa: Bridging the Gap" class="wp-image-6858"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;An Entrepreneur with a Mission&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;During his time as a hospitalist, Gamboa noticed some difficulties within the healthcare process.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Medicare changes had impacted patient care, specifically patient discharge. Treatment that had initially taken 7-10 days at the hospital was now completed in two to free up hospital beds.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“I realized the real dramatic need and the underserved population that was in that community and the changes in acuity that really drove for positions that have the skill set that I had,” Gamboa said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Gamboa, partnered with Dr. Paula Requeijo, created Elite Patient Care, a business that would help patients transition from hospital to home. They started in 2009 with 10 to 12 providers in 1 state and have now expanded to 250 providers in 10 states. Gamboa sees their continued growth as a confirmation of a real need for their services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The difficulty of serving the elderly increased when COVID-19 hit. Elite Patient Care had already been using telehealth services, but not all of their care could be done over the phone. They had to work with the nursing home community to facilitate a safe visit without spreading the virus.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As COVID-19 hit different states, Gamboa and the team utilized their resources and kept all their workers employed. They also helped ease families into end-of-life care for their loved ones. Helping the community is invaluable to Gamboa, and he hopes to inspire long-lasting change.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6008,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_22.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6008"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;His concern now is that nurses, many of whom are minorities, won’t get the vaccine due to distrust. Gamboa hopes that he, as someone from a minority, can reassure and help nurses see the vaccine’s benefits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Long term, Gamboa is hopeful that Elite Patient Care will continue to extend its positive reach. “While these times are trying, there is also an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to bridge creativity and intelligence, to look for ways that can help our communities get beyond COVID,” Gamboa said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For more information on Dr. Antonio Gamboa and Elite Patient Care, you can visit &lt;a href="https://elitepatientcare.com/antonio-gamboa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;their website here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_23-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-antonio-gamboa-bridging-the-gap/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5997</ID> <title>2020 Vision with Dr. Ethan Wonchon Lin</title> <publishDate>2021-04-04 20:27:49</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Ethan Wonchon Lin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Ethan Wonchon Lin is an ophthalmologist practicing in Las Vegas, NV. He graduated from the Baylor College of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, part of the UCLA Medical Center. He further completed his fellowship at the Duke University School of Medicine, specializing in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For the past four years, Dr. Lin has been practicing in the Las Vegas area, slowly establishing his own medical practice, which opened its door to the public last year. His work has attracted the praise of the top ophthalmology boards in the country like the American Board of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), of which Dr. Lin is an active member. Additionally, he has received the American Board of Ophthalmology certification, the highest standard for US-based ophthalmologists.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6953,"width":792,"height":989,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Ethan-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6953" width="792" height="989"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;From Science to Ophthalmology&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Growing up in Austin, TX as the son of an engineer and a computer programmer, Dr. Lin always surrounded himself with technology. “I was always very interested in the sciences and how it worked.” With numerous tech giants moving their bases to Texas and a solid high-tech community behind, Dr. Lin’s future bioengineering career seemed locked in a deal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, fate had another thing in store for him. After a short spell in the cardiology field, Dr. Lin went on a quest to find something more in line with his interests, and, not long after, he settled in the ophthalmology field, looking forward to helping future patients with their eyesight.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When asked by the Top Doctor Magazine interviewer about the process of choosing ophthalmology, Dr. Lin made a comparison with “choosing a fraternity or sorority.” For him, getting the opportunity to see people excited about a specific field during events or conferences weighed considerably in his choice. “The doctor that came and spoke (i.e., about ophthalmology) really resonated with me and made me want to talk to him more and spend some more time in his clinic and his surgeries just to see what it was like.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6855,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_20-1.png" alt="2020 Vision with Dr. Ethan Wonchon Lin" class="wp-image-6855"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ophthalmology and the COVID-19 Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic gave the medical field enough time to reflect upon its flaws and look towards a brighter, safer future, Dr. Lin tells us. Some changes that Dr. Lin made in the patient care field with the CDC guidelines as a starting point include: no double-bookings, dividing patients into separate waiting rooms, less total patients per day, etc.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;For Dr. Lin, who runs a small practice, this translated into spending more time with his patients and bonding with them. This approach is substantially different from the large medical practices that most people are familiar with, where physicians delegate responsibilities to different staff members and spend more time outside the exam room rather than inside.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Though he enjoys a constant number of patients every day, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic provided a different picture, as it took a toll on his growing practice. Due to the general mystery and insecurity surrounding the new virus, not a few patients decided to postpone their consultations or procedures regularly, making Dr. Lin’s day to day schedule a dynamic process. Though the status quo has only improved gradually over the past few months, Dr. Lin is confident that both himself and his practice will emerge victorious from this pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5999,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_18.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5999"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ophthalmology and Telemedicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;One of the reasons why ophthalmology needed more time to get back in gear is the complicated relationship between this medical field and telemedicine. Medical fields such as dermatology thrived on telemedicine all across the country, limiting patients from trips to the outpatient clinics.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Unfortunately," as Dr. Lin tells us, "ophthalmology is a field where not a lot can be done over the phone or the internet." Even the most common medical issues in ophthalmology, such as red eyes, require a microscope, and procedural steps such as administering eye dilation drops require the physician's presence. As such, where others benefited immensely, Dr. Lin's relationship with telemedicine has been less impactful.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5998,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5998"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2021 and Its Challenges&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With a very optimistic spirit, Dr. Lin is confident that the remaining months of 2021 have numerous moments of joy in store for us. What we need to do, however, as a society, is to sit down and find answers to some difficult questions, namely "Can we continue to do the surgeries our patients need?" and "Can we continue to see patients in a safe manner and patients can continue to stay healthy?" Only after finding answers to these questions will the medical field rise superior and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When asked about the proper way of dealing with the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Lin humbly responded: "I don't think anyone thing by itself is going to fix the entire issue." A solid response to the pandemic contains several ingredients: dedicated physicians and medical staff, an understanding general population, vaccination campaigns, etc. But, as a parting reminder, the crown jewel of our response to COVID-19 is a strong belief in a better, brighter, pandemic-free future, to which we should turn our focus and make it happen.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Lin and his practice, you can check out his website &lt;a href="https://westwoodeyelv.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Ethan-819x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/2020-vision-with-dr-ethan-wonchon-lin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5988</ID> <title>Perfecting the Lost Art of "Doctor to Door" Medicine with Clay Hall</title> <publishDate>2021-04-04 20:17:28</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Thirteen years ago, Clay Hall, MSN, FNP, MBA, responded to a call in Scottsdale when he was working as a paramedic. He found an older gentleman living alone in a house with no air conditioning and eating dog food for lunch on what seemed to be one of the hottest days in record history. When Clay saw how dreadful the man's living conditions were, it became a turning point in his career. He realized that when you are dealing with patients inside the hospital, you only get to see the tip of the iceberg. If you go into their homes, you get a clear-cut view of the patient's life - and this is invaluable information when it comes to providing the proper medical care. That's when he decided to move away from hospital-based setting treatments and go into home-based preventative medicine instead.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6964,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_image-2-766x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6964"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Now, Clay Hall is the Vice President of Team Select Mobile Physician Services, where their mantra is, "We do everything we can to keep patients out of the hospital and keep them safe in their homes." Their primary focus is on Chronic Care Management, wherein they have full-time nurses dedicated to monitoring patients and keeping them on track with their prescriptions and directives. This program prevents everyday situations where patients forget to follow through with the doctor's orders from the initial check-up, which leads them to showcase more problems on the next visit. Their goal is to guide their patients on the path to wellness.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Makes "Doctor to Door" Medicine Special&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Clay fondly remembers when he answered a call from a patient's daughter where she was thanking him for Dr. Porter's, one of his doctors' acts of kindness. What happened was, Dr. Porter visited a senior home to do a check-up on the caller's mother. When she got there, Dr. Porter found that the patient hadn't eaten anything in days, so she decided to cook her breakfast.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The doctor ended up spending two hours with the patient and running late for her next appointment. In usual hospital settings, Dr. Porter would have been in trouble for being an hour late to her next engagement, but Clay commended her because what she did perfectly exemplified what they do and why they do it.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In hospitals, physicians are scrambling around in a hurry to see as many patients as possible. But when they are doing home preventive care, physicians focus on the quality of care they give instead of the quantity. Having the time to sit down, drink coffee, and talk comfortably in a patient's home develops an authentic connection between doctor and patient that is just not possible inside a clinic setting.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, we cannot disregard the fact that there will be times when the patient's situation calls for in-hospital treatment. Having access to 24/7 monitoring, comprehensive testing, and specialists right at your fingertips is something home care cannot provide yet. Clay clarifies that home care is not a replacement for hospital care. "It's not necessarily us versus them. It's more of working synergistically and using the resources we have at our disposal at the appropriate capacity," he shares with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6841,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_8-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6841"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Has Covid-19 Impacted Home-Based Care At All?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Because Clay and his team are running a home-based medical care system, they are fortunate that the pandemic's impact on them isn't quite as severe compared to other medical services. With telemedicine at the forefront now, he was pleasantly surprised to see that many of their older patients are now picking up smartphones.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"We are moving into a tech-savvy world for sure," he claims. His company has even partnered with QliqSoft - where patients can now fill up medical information online through an app. He thinks that this technology can increase patient compliance and enrollment, therefore enhancing patient care. However, Clay's focus is still on getting physical hands and eyes on patients, but telemedicine is a fantastic alternative, especially with this pandemic.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5991,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_10.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5991"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Natural and Holistic Future for Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another fun fact about Clay Hall is that he is a big advocate for regenerative medicine. Even though regenerative medicine is still quite off-label due to a lack of clinical trials, he believes that it will become a massive player in medicine one day. There are already several successful reports wherein the amniotic fluid is being used to treat orthopedic injuries - and it is only a matter of time before this style of treatment will pick up in the mainstream.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Meanwhile, primary care providers should continue to focus on sitting down with the patient and re-educating them on the wonders of proper nutrition, exercise, and sleeping habits. Clay sees that going back to the foundations of health and sticking with a wellness-based intervention will help with the general goal of primary care to reduce polypharmacy, which uses several different pills to treat one illness. He hopes to see medicine shuffle towards a more natural and holistic way of healing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Clay Hall's Advice for the Masses&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the world slowly starts to shift back into its pre-pandemic routine, Clay is worried that people are starting to let their guard down against COVID-19. That is why he urges the public to get the vaccine when they can, for it is a necessary act of human kindness. He says that if you don't want to get vaccinated to protect yourself, do it to protect others around you who are more susceptible to a fatal COVID-19 reaction.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Clay hopes that everyone, especially the low-income population, will have the opportunity to get vaccinated and receive proper health care. And, to aid in making health care more accessible, Clay Hall and his team of physicians will continue to do their part in providing patients with value-based service and extensive continuous care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Clay Hall and Team Select Mobile Physician Services, visit the &lt;a href="http://www.teamselectmd.com" data-type="URL" data-id="www.teamselectmd.com"&gt;website here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_image-2-766x1024.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/perfecting-the-lost-art-of-doctor-to-door-medicine-with-clay-hall/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5808</ID> <title>The “Winning Strategy” of Sports Medicine Surgeon Daryl C. Osbahr</title> <publishDate>2021-03-28 12:20:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a little boy, Dr. Daryl C. Osbahr wanted to be a professional athlete. And if not that, he wanted to be a sports medicine surgeon who took care of professional athletes. "What I learned really quickly was that I couldn't keep myself healthy enough, and so I had to devote my life to working on keeping other people healthy enough to play sports," Osbahr said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Inspired by mentors Dr. Don Ames and Dr. James Andrews, Osbahr threw his passion for athletics into pursuing his doctorate in orthopedic sports medicine. His mentors taught him to pursue his work with excellence and discipline, and Osbahr keeps their advice at the forefront of his mind.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6967,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Daryl.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6967"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Today, he serves as the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Managing Director for the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in Florida. He is currently preparing Rothman Florida to expand their community outreach and has helped numerous teams, ranging from ballet to basketball.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6846,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_16-1.png" alt="The “Winning Strategy” of Sports Medicine Surgeon Daryl C. Osbahr" class="wp-image-6846"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Passion for Sports&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I find myself constantly learning and falling in love with my job when working with athletes from all sports as you can become easily inspired by the dedication and work ethic of many of these athletes. It’s humbling when you have an opportunity to help them get back on track to being successful," Dr. Osbahr said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Many doctors gravitate toward helping athletes within their sport of interest. Osbahr's appreciation for the skills in each sport naturally created more opportunities to work with athletes in different fields and at different stages of life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He uses his position as Co-Chief Medical Officer of USA Baseball, Committee Member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), Board Member of the Florida Alliance for Sports Medicine, Medical Director for the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, and other organizations to help young athletes learn how to maintain their health. He also teaches preventative care, which helps athletes avoid and minimize injuring themselves even in contact sports.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treating the Whole Person&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The world of sports medicine wasn't always so intentionally-focused, according to Dr. Osbahr. Historically, sports medicine was about treating injuries. Now, the focus has become holistic - building a team of support around the athlete.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Often in medical care, we tend to just focus on the physical injury and not really address the mental effects of the injury," Dr. Osbahr added. "Optimal treatment of the patient needs to include analyzing their psychological approach and how mentally they're dealing with their injury because it will directly reflect upon their successful or unsuccessful recovery."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5809,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5809"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Winning Strategy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He believes in building trust with his patients, an authentic connection that allows him to improve their care. When past clients call him to ask for advice, he always connects with them because he believes in maintaining that relationship even past retirement. Osbahr finds fulfillment in connecting people with the right solutions and impacting their lives for the better.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Building that connection allows Osbahr to maintain accountability with the athletes in his care. He ensures that, even in these times of Covid-19, his athletes are taking the appropriate steps to recover and stay healthy.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Daryl C. Osbahr and the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, you can visit &lt;a href="https://rothmanortho.com/physicians/daryl-c-osbahr-md" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;his website here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Daryl.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-winning-strategy-of-sports-medicine-surgeon-daryl-c-osbahr/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5801</ID> <title>An Interview with Dr. Timothy Trainor</title> <publishDate>2021-03-28 12:14:22</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Trainor&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Timothy Trainor is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon based in Las Vegas, NV. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, IN, with a B.A. in Pre-Medicine &amp;amp; Communications. He continued his post-graduate work at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, and received his medical degree from the Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL. He completed his residency training at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Trainor focuses on various orthopedic conditions and performs several orthopedic procedures, such as arthroscopic surgery in the knees and shoulders, adult and pediatric orthopedic care, joint replacement, and fracture care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6970,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Timothy-712x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6970"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Outside the operating room, Dr. Trainor maintains close ties with several institutions renowned in the orthopedic field, such as the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons. He has won multiple awards from Nevada-based journals, and he regularly publishes articles on the subject of sports medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;From an Athlete to an Orthopedic Surgeon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Born and raised in eastern Massachusetts, Dr. Trainor, taking his parents’ example, was all about sports - baseball and basketball, to name a few! – as a young man. However, after suffering from a boxing-related injury, he had to look for professional help. That’s when Dr. Trainor discovered the wonders of orthopedic surgery and began to dream about following the same career path. A simple idea took a turn towards reality, and Dr. Trainor has never looked back since:&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:quote --&gt; &lt;blockquote class="wp-block-quote"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“Right when I got into the medical school, I was certain that I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:quote --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5802,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_14.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5802"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;From an Athlete to an Orthopedic Surgeon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although he doesn’t have to deal with life-and-death situations, Dr. Trainor is proud of his practice and how it helps patients whose hip or knee issues make their lives harder to bear. &lt;em&gt;“What my surgeries do for a lot of people is just really increase their quality of life,”&lt;/em&gt; Dr. Trainor tells us, pointing out the fact that patients who have trouble walking are less likely to spend enough time with their families due to pain that prevents them from fun activities such as going to a restaurant together. However, after a knee or hip replacement, &lt;em&gt;“the patient is given back that portion of their lives that they couldn’t do before.”&lt;/em&gt; That is why ecstatic patients go back to his office and shower him with hugs and honest gratitude, with these words on their lips: &lt;em&gt;“I have my life back.”&lt;/em&gt; – enough of a reason for Dr. Trainor to return to the office every day.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Back to Normal or a “New” Normal?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 vaccines came as a miracle for medical practitioners and the general population alike. The same goes for Dr. Trainor, who firmly believes that we, as a community, should put our faith in science and be vaccinated unless medical contraindications say otherwise: &lt;strong&gt;“For the most part, vaccines are a vital part of medicine, in my opinion.”&lt;/strong&gt; The vaccination campaign should be integrated with an effort to dispel misinformation and bring science and facts to social media.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When asked about a possible return to “normal” in the near future, Dr. Trainor shared his optimistic views with Top Doctor Magazine. He sees, for the most part, a return to the pre-COVID-19 world. However, with a few tweaks: the COVID-19 vaccine will be integrated into the yearly vaccination routine, and the medical world will look towards further developing telemedicine, with long-lasting benefits, for example, in the rural area, where the physician numbers are reduced.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Teaching Future Generations of Orthopedic Surgeons&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from his work, Dr. Trainor took it upon himself to prepare future generations of orthopedic surgeons. In association with institutions such as the Touro Medical School or the Roseman Medical School (both based in the Las Vegas area), Dr. Trainor mentors his students in the knowledge necessary for the operating room and outside of it.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ever since they graduate, young practitioners have to deal with business management, insurance companies, and reduced reimbursement rates without any prior knowledge. Medical schools do not include these subjects in their curricula, leaving young practitioners exposed once they graduate. Fortunately, Dr. Trainor dedicated his past 15 years to business management and protection, learning how to keep his practice alive in a harsh environment. Now, he’s making sure that younger generations are equipped with the right tools to thrive in their practices as well.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5803,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_13.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5803"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“You Should Not Go Into Medicine for Money”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With vast loads of work and reduced reimbursements, Dr. Trainor advises those who want to pursue a career in the orthopedic field for financial reasons to reconsider their decision: &lt;em&gt;“You should not go into medicine for money.”&lt;/em&gt; At the end of the day, the excitement of doing what you love and helping your patients is what makes a true orthopedic surgeon. And Dr. Trainor himself is a personal testament to that: a heart for his patients, and a passion for his practice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Timothy-712x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/an-interview-with-dr-timothy-trainor/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5793</ID> <title>The Future of Surgery with Dr. Vladimir Sinkov</title> <publishDate>2021-03-28 12:05:54</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;More than twenty-five years ago, Dr. Vladimir Sinkov came from Russia to study as a high school exchange student in Kansas. Enthralled by experiences in a new world, he decided to stay in America and study medicine at John Hopkins University. In 2010, he completed his spine surgery fellowship from St. Joseph Hospital in Baltimore. After ten years of mastering spine surgery, Dr. Sinkov finally decided it was time to open his own private practice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6977,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Vladimir-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6977"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In June 2020, Dr. Sinkov and his wife launched Sinkov Spine Center in Las Vegas. However, opening a new business right smack in the middle of a pandemic did present quite a few challenges that Dr. Sinkov discusses a little bit more of below. Despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, Dr. Sinkov told Top Doctor Magazine that he feels very blessed by the continual growth of his practice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Real Issue of Opening a Practice During a Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic has been a struggle for many business owners. Countless enterprises had to shut down, but for those fortunate enough to continue running, the new reality challenged them to adapt to new safety precautions like constant disinfecting, temperature-checking, and social distancing; this, however, was not a struggle for Dr. Sinkov. Since he opened his business during the height of the pandemic, the new "normal" of doing things is, well, just "normal."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The real issue, aside from the unpredictability of running a business in these unprecedented times, was dealing with insurance companies that reduce reimbursement rates for doctors, especially those in smaller independent practices. Dr. Sinkov revealed to Top Doctor Magazine the shockingly offensive rates that one insurance company tried to offer him: "Probably the worst was Blue Cross Blue Shield. They offered us less than 50% of what Medicare pays. And, just to put it into perspective, when I was in the Northeast, Medicare was the lowest reimbursing insurance that we had." Dr. Sinkov said that the company offered less than $13 for a visit with a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with ten years of experience. "Some people pay more for a cup of coffee," he said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Sinkov believes that health insurance companies are not in the business to help patients or doctors, but rather, they are in the business with the sole purpose of making money. That is why Dr. Sinkov is choosing to opt-out from working with them and going for a direct-pay model, wherein the patients pay their physicians directly. Contrary to popular belief, if you consider the ever-increasing health insurance premiums, patients overall spend less this way because you cut out billing, collection, and service expenses. This type of arrangement is more beneficial to both the patient and the physician. Patients also regain control over their care because there are no referrals needed and there is no insurance company clerk to deny payment for care.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5795,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_11.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5795"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What's So Cool About Spine Surgery Anyway?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;So now, let's dig a little deeper into the backbone of Dr. Sinkov's practice (no pun intended). Dr. Sinkov specializes in surgical treatments of spine such as decompression, fusion, disc replacement, minimally invasive, and robotic spine surgery.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When people get spine surgery, it is usually because of a degenerative condition like arthritis or a herniated disc. Nerve compression causes patients to experience pain in their legs or arms. Dr. Sinkov can address this with decompression surgery. When a patient has more significant structural problems in the spine, like deformity or instability, Dr. Sinkov treats it with fusion surgery, wherein he fuses two or more bones so that they no longer move. The excessive motion of the bones can cause severe back and leg pain, so by linking them, Dr. Sinkov alleviates the problem.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, performing surgery on the spine is not a walk in the park. The biggest challenge that spine surgeons face is how to get to the spine without too much damage to the surrounding tissues. Because the spine is located in the middle of the body, a surgeon has to get through a lot of muscles and safely around major organs and blood vessels to get to the vertebra and the nerves. With traditional fusion surgeries this means big incisions, significant bleeding, a lot of pain, long recovery, and a risk of complications. This makes a lot of people afraid to undergo spine surgery because it is so invasive with many potential negative repercussions. Dr. Sinkov utilizes new minimally invasive techniques to get to the spine safely through small incisions to fuse the bones and get the pressure off the nerves. This results in less bleeding, less pain, and quicker recovery and return to normal function with much lower risk of complications.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;To aid in this minimally invasive process, Dr. Sinkov uses the ExcelsiusGPS® robot that he helped develop together with Globus Medical. Dr. Sinkov walked us through the process of how it works: "We'll get a CT scan of the spine before surgery and then load it into the robot. I pre-program the trajectory of all the screws where they need to go. During the surgery, we basically tell the robot where to go with a push of a button. The robot orients a little tube over the trajectory for the screw, and I put it in through a minimal incision with high precision. The robot knows the anatomy of the patient, so I'm avoiding all the tissues and organs I don't want to hurt." Helping his patients feel better with minimally invasive robotic spine surgery is where Dr. Sinkov's passion lies.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When asked about his take on regenerative medicine and stem cell surgery, Dr. Sinkov admits that he uses stem cells when performing fusion surgery. He incorporates his patient's own stem cells or sometimes a cadaver bone's stem cells to help speed up the fusion and healing process. However, he does not necessarily use stem cells to regenerate the spine structures because the technology is not at that level yet. When it does arrive, he will be sure to apply it in his practice. Meanwhile, his best advice for rejuvenating your spine is staying healthy, avoiding bad habits, and keeping your spine and muscles in good shape.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5796,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_10.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5796"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Robots and Augmented Reality Are The Future&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As we continue moving forward in this digital age, Dr. Sinkov sees a bright future for minimally invasive surgeries. Aside from upgrading the spine assistant robots' functions, he is also excited to see how augmented reality will play a key role in future surgeries. Although augmented reality technology is still in its early stages of development, Dr. Sinkov looks forward to one day being able to navigate through a patient's tissue layers to the spine by using special goggles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He believes that minimally invasive surgeries will be the only way to do surgeries in the near future. It takes time to learn how to do it, but he is happy to teach the new techniques to aspiring surgeons. After a brief pause due to COVID, Dr. Sinkov is back to teaching medical students how to treat patients with spine problems and how to perform this kind of surgery in a real-life hospital setting.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5797"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Reason Why Healthcare Is So Expensive&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Of course, with all the fantastic perks that come with being a surgeon, there are also some downsides. Dr. Sinkov opened up about the poor state of the American medical system. "There's tons and tons of waste and inefficiency in healthcare because it's not really a market economy-driven industry. A doctor’s ability to care for their patients is constantly stifled by a mixture of burdensome government regulations, unreasonable insurance rules, and fear of litigation."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Sinkov cited the HIPAA and HITECH laws as an example. Initially, the laws sounded like a great idea that would help protect patient's health information and create accessible electronic medical records. The implementation of the laws, however, was extremely burdensome and poorly thought through. The compliance requirements ended up causing doctors to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for legal consultants and new computer systems and software to store medical information electronically - which, in turn, made healthcare more expensive to the patient.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another reason why healthcare is so expensive is that suing doctors for medical malpractice is so common in the U.S that, in most places, it is a requirement for a doctor to have malpractice insurance before they are allowed to practice. Dr. Sinkov even got sued one time for not ordering an extra MRI, which in his opinion was unnecessary. Although he was proven innocent and the charges were dismissed, Dr. Sinkov spent precious time and money to get through the lawsuit, the time he could have spent treating patients. "The efforts required to avoid unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits are causing doctors to do a lot of work that has nothing to do with helping patients," Dr. Sinkov stated.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;In a healthcare system where insurance companies are only concerned about the dollars they pocket from the unsuspecting public, Dr. Sinkov refuses to be a part of a rigged system. Instead, he would go about medicine the old-fashioned way, where his patients get high quality care without administrative hurdles or unnecessary expenses.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_10.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-future-of-surgery-with-dr-vladimir-sinkov/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5437</ID> <title>Fighting the Stigmas within the Opiod Crisis: An Interview with Dr. Kenji Oyasu</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 11:57:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Don't worry. He won't die; he'll just wish he was dead."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kenji Oyasu stood shocked at the words coming from his senior medical resident when he was an intern in Chicago. Oyasu just had his first encounter with a person in heroin withdrawal in the ER, and his concern led him to ask how he could help. This moment haunted him for years and 20 years later as the opioid crisis hit a new high, it inspired him to dig deeper into emergency medicine, particularly dealing with drug addiction.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6973,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Kenji-677x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6973"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Oyasu has twenty years of experience in emergency medicine and acts as the physician executive and founder of ModernMed Recovery. He created ModernMed Recovery to provide lasting change to those with drug addictions and is board certified in addiction and emergency medicine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Red Tape Regulations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As Dr. Oyasu began working in the ER, he and his peers watched the opioid crisis develop before their eyes as overdoses and opioid-related complications began to increase. The increase came at the hand of changes in opioid regulation that took, according to Dr. Oyasu, "a billion pills off the market."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The decrease in the available drug led people to seek out heroin and deadly cocktails like morphine mixed with fentanyl. A mom of two in her 30s, a young kid just beginning his life, a 78-year-old man - Dr. Oyasu has seen people from all walks of life during his practice. The drug addiction, which he recognizes as a disease process, does not discriminate.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, medical practices do. A cursory search on the Internet seems to provide a host of practices and resources for those seeking recovery, but calling up those practices will most likely get you a "no room at the inn" notice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5439,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_51.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5439"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Complicated regulations surrounding prescriptions for lesser opioids, such as buprenorphine, make it difficult for any practice to increase their patients past 30. If they want to prescribe lesser opioids as a treatment for drug addiction, they need an extra waiver on their DEA license.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Ironically, I can write for all the oxycodone and fentanyl patches I want unlimited, but for buprenorphine, which is a only a partial opiate, I have to take an 8-hour course which I can take online, and then I can only see 30 patients," Dr. Oyasu said. "There are millions of people needing treatment that we over-prescribed for the last 16 years, and you're telling me I can only treat 30 patients at a time."&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Since the opioid crisis became more mainstream, some regulations have changed. If a practice can have 30 patients successfully for a year, it can apply for a 100-patient license. But getting past the red tape to start treating patients is just one hurdle.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creating Real Change&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Addiction medicine is very difficult to treat. Why? Because addiction is all about compulsive behavior, so once you're speaking to addiction, it doesn't matter the substance. It becomes a lie, cheat, and steal lifestyle," Dr. Oyasu said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Oyasu works with his team to fight the stigmas attached to treating those with addiction. "We now know about the neurochemical nature of the disease," he said. "All the PET scans and the MRI that we see just demonstrate how this is a neurobiologic disease process, but people still have it in their heads that [drug addiction] is a moral failure or a character flaw."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5438,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_50.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5438"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Educating patients and anyone who will listen about drug addiction and the appropriate way to treat it is Dr. Oyasu and his team's passion.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Currently, many drug rehabilitation programs create a controlled environment where patients quit cold turkey. Dr. Oyasu compares this to a diabetes program that teaches patients what to do but sends them off without insulin access. Patients are prone to failure if they don't receive the best opportunities and tools to succeed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Compassion First&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Oyasu's approach involves listening to the stories of his patients. Every single one of his patients receives his personal phone number so that if they have a breakdown, they can have immediate access to someone who will talk with them.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Oyasu is determined to restore people to healthy lives free from addiction.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I don't honestly know how long people need to be treated, but you have to treat it with the same compassion and respect you with any other chronic medical condition, whether it's heart failure, diabetes, and so on."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Oyasu and his practice ModernMed Recovery, &lt;a href="https://www.modernmedrecovery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;you can visit his website here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Kenji-677x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/fighting-the-stigmas-within-the-opiod-crisis-an-interview-with-dr-kenji-oyasu/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5429</ID> <title>Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Leon Varjabedian</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 11:49:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Leon Varjabedian is an experienced interventional cardiologist with multiple years of experience in the medical field. He takes an interest in cutting-edge minimally invasive cardiac procedures, including coronary arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease, and Structural heart disease (i.e. Valvular heart disease). Dr. Leon Varjabedian is a board-certified member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, National Board of Echocardiography, and ABIM-Cardiovascular disease.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Aside from being a career choice, Dr. Varjabedian has several publications to his name, including CardioMEMS in a Busy Cardiology: Less than Optimal Implementation of a Valuable Tool to Reduce Heart Failures Readmissions, Cardioprotection by Metformin: Beneficial Effects Beyond Glucose Reduction, and several other related publications in the medical journal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5430,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_47.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5430"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Pandemic and Reality&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;“We saw three different waves of the virus. People were markedly confused and frightened during the first wave in spring of 2020 because no one understood clearly what we were dealing with, this led to patients unnecessarily avoiding hospital visits. During the second wave mid summer of 2020, the misinformation subsided immediately after the CDC guidelines were shared, however public deception was prevalent mostly via social media, but in the third wave starting November 2020, we had a lot of patients that are occupying the ICU beds. We had difficulty finding a bed for critically sick cardiac patients because COVID-19 patients have occupied all the beds, this led to cardiac procedures being postponed for an extended period of time resulting in non COVID related morbidity.,” said Dr. Varjabedian in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pandemic and Telemedicine: How to mitigate the challenge through Telehealth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Telemedicine is an effective alternative to in-patient service, especially during the pandemic, when patients were scared to visit the hospitals. Patients are generally relieved with telemedicine. Still, it falls short regarding the physical exam part of the service. “With telemedicine, the element of touching patients and physically examining them is lost. We depend so much on history and subtle signs we see during the video session, which is not enough for physicians to make an accurate clinical judgment,” explained Dr. Varjabedian.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5432,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_48.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5432"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Overcoming the pandemic through Vaccination, Social-distancing, and Specific Antiviral medication&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Vaccination is the most vital tool to help create a population that is immune from the virus. In this regard, Pfizer and Moderna have done a great job by developing a vaccine in a very short time. Social distancing guidelines are crucial as well. People need to change the way they socialize until there is a drastic improvement to the status quo. Ultimately, specific antiviral medication towards treatment can also help. “Unfortunately, this virus will not completely disappear by itself. There are a lot of proactive things that we have to do,” Dr. Varjabedian informed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Coronavirus and its Mutating Variants&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Varjabedian warned that the reports of the virus mutation are disturbing. There is a feeling of uncertainty whether the vaccines developed so far will be efficacious against this new mutation. For Dr. Varjabedian, a mutation that is so fast and that superseded the vaccine efficacy would be a big problem. “If the population is not vaccinated before the virus takes a chance to mutate and become more dangerous, that is worrisome for me,” Dr. Varjabedian complained.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5433,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_49.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5433"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Devastating Effect and The Future of Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;2020 was a very gloomy year for many physicians. Many patients suffered and died alone in miserable conditions, which affected everyone, including the health care providers. The situation was so much for physicians to handle. Dr. Varjabedian hopes that things will improve in the New Year.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ultimately, the vaccine was developed at a record speed, and it will be a game-changer for new ways of approving treatments in the future. Traditionally, medications go through phases of trials for years before getting approved. Dr. Varjabedian hopes that we can take advantage of this to cut back on the bureaucracy and the slow process necessary to approve new medications.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_47.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/doctor-spotlight-dr-leon-vajabedian/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5421</ID> <title>Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Arvind Mahadevan</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 11:36:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Arvind Mahadevan is a Family Medicine Specialist with over 16 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Mahadevan is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Since he began practicing in 2008, Dr. Mahadevan has provided full-spectrum medical care to hundreds of patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mahadevan enjoys providing care to multiple members of the same family to establish long-term optimal health across generations. Even though he provides full-spectrum care, Dr. Mahadevan takes a particular interest in sports medicine, geriatrics, clotting disorders, high cholesterol, and hypertension.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Providing Optimal Care And Patient Satisfaction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"We try very hard to work with our patients and make ourselves accessible to them. We also use technology to facilitate communication, and we try as much as we can to be innovative in providing care. All these make it easier to provide care to our patients. As a result, we create a very positive ecosystem for healthcare," said Dr. Mahadevan in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine. Dr. Mahadevan dedicates his time and energy to improving patient's experience in the context of primary care because of the capacity to be more proactive rather than reactive to problems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5425,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_46.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5425"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Obesity And Its Impact On Optimal Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mahadevan explained that obesity is not just a cosmetic concern but a condition that involves excessive fat and increases the risk of other diseases and health problems. "We know pretty much every problem you have is made worse by being too heavy, and I think that prevention is key, but we are struggling as a society because we do not emphasize the dangerous effect of obesity. We don't reward a patient's efforts to overcome it, so every progress on it doesn't count for anything," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He further discloses that if people valued a healthy lifestyle, burning fats, and achieving health milestones more, we would have more success than we do.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Impact on Family Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;When the pandemic was at its peak, patient volume dropped, and it became clear that family medicine and major healthcare practices will transition to telemedicine. "Thankfully, our practice had set up telemedicine before COVID-19. So, we hit the ground running when it became necessary."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though healthcare professionals responded swiftly to the pandemic, Dr. Mahadevan explained that the whole dynamic became very much politicized. As a result, many people put their regular care to the side. "We told our patients that COVID-19 doesn't care who you vote for. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to take care of everything else," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5424,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_45.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5424"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 And The Vaccine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The vaccine development process created serious concern across the medical community regarding its safety, efficacy, and reliability to provide permanent immunity. Although Pfizer and AstraZeneca have done a great job, there are many answers healthcare providers can't give with confidence.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I try to tell my patients that there is a lot that we don't know. If the COVID-19 vaccine can create a sense of normality, whether we eradicate it will take years, but we can try to put it under control by taking the right steps which will help us get closer to normal," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Pandemic And Its Effects On Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic created emotional and mental stress for healthcare providers as they were forced to stay away from their families for fear of exposing them to the virus. This disturbing reality addresses the notion that medicine is immune to recession and depression because everyone goes to the doctor. "This is true except during a pandemic when nobody wants to go to a doctor. That was a big stressor for us," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;wants to go to a doctor. That was a big stressor for us," said Dr. Mahadevan.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Mahadevan warned that we're looking at a long period of abnormal before we'll eventually ease our way back to normal as it was pre-COVID. "Since it's not a flip of a switch to go abnormal, it won't be a flip of a switch to go back to normal, but it is going to be a slow and methodical return back to normal," he concluded.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Mahadevan and his practice visit his website: &lt;a href="http://www.tridenthealthcenter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;http://www.tridenthealthcenter.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_46.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/doctor-spotlight-dr-arvind-mahadevan/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5413</ID> <title>Root Cause Medicine in the Pandemic Era</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 11:20:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tom Blue made his mark in the healthcare industry when he set up Virginia's first concierge medical practice in 2002. Since that time, he has dedicated himself to researching and synthesizing new approaches around the commercialization of root cause medicine and precision health, either directly through the delivery of services or through the creation of tools and technology that essentially make the services more efficient to deliver.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Mr. Blue is the Strategic Advisor for the Institute of Functional Medicine and serves on the board of the American Nutrition Association.&amp;nbsp; He is a serial healthcare entrepreneur and active advisor to a number of firms in the areas of personalized nutrition and digital health.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Root Cause Medicine Amid Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"When COVID-19 hit, two of my colleagues and I created what we thought of as a Rapid Response Initiative for COVID to assist independent medical practices. We set out to assemble the tools, approaches, protocols, and workflows for the reinvention of a medical practice to thrive in COVID Era," said Mr. Blue in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine. As an expert specializing in functional medicine in the U.S, Mr. Blue focused on assisting practices to weather the impact of COVID-19, which put healthcare professionals under immense pressure.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5415,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_42.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5415"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Functional Medicine And The Pandemic: How Disease Reversal Is Better Than Disease Management&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused great damage within our healthcare system, Mr. Blue believes that it has elevated the significance of addressing the root causes of chronic disease rather than simply managing the symptoms. "We have seen very clearly through the lens of COVID that there is a big difference between managing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension - and reversing those conditions," he said. “Disease reversal requires that the causes be addressed.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Blue speculates that to the extent there are silver linings to be found from the pandemic, the heightened prioritization of real health across the population would be near the top of the list.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Functional Medicine And The Future Of Public Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There is a groundswell of interest in functional medicine on the parts of consumers, physicians, and employers. "Culturally, we are evolving into a new generation of people who are not willing to accept life-long dependence on the healthcare system to manage a burden of disease that could actually be reversed given the proper guidance and behavior change. Who wouldn’t prefer to treat the cause of a disease than merely masking its effects?” says Blue. “But economically, the biggest winner is the payer. Consider the long-term difference in cost between disease management and disease reversal.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"The story of health, and the locus of control, has flipped for the first time in human history. Since the first person became aware of health and disease, humans have held the belief that what happens to our health is a matter of fortune or fate. In 2001, the story became more high-tech with the sequencing of the human genome, but the story at the time was still one of genetic predestination.&amp;nbsp; Today, we realize that only about 20% of our health is dictated by genetics, and the other 80% is determined by the expression of our genetics - which is dictated by lifestyle - sleep, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, environmental exposure. These are the choices we make. So if 80% of our health is determined by our behaviors, we are left to conclude that health is fundamentally a skill." Blue concluded.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5414,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_41.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5414"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine And Functional Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Functional medicine lends itself well to virtualization because it is a very consultative method of managing health. It relies heavily on data interpretation - unpacking and interpreting the patient story, and then assisting the patient to make the necessary changes to resolve the causes of their health issues.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While doctors are embracing functional medicine in growing numbers every year, consumer demand for this type of care is greater than the supply in most markets. The ability to work remotely with a functional medicine provider will dramatically increase access to this type of care and will drive greater efficiencies for practices now that telehealth visits are reimbursed equally to office visits.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_42.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-tom-blue/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5401</ID> <title>Serving the Underserved: An Interview with Dr. Lipi Roy</title> <publishDate>2021-03-21 10:49:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Lipi Roy is a woman of many talents, interests, and facets. In her interview with Top Doctor Magazine, she shared that not only is she currently on the journey to publishing a book, but she is also an avid sports fan and enthusiast of the arts. Recently, she had the pleasure of being one of the COVID-19 Consultants for a special performance of The Nutcracker in Upstate New York.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;I come from a big extended family… Many of whom are physicians, but I never received pressure to become a doctor," said Dr. Roy. That being said, her mom and dad always emphasized education. "They wanted me to do well in school, and they wanted me to be well-rounded. The first thing they enrolled me in was actually ballet, so there are pictures of me at 2 or 3 years old in a little tutu. Then they got me into swimming lessons, playing chess, tennis, you name it! But at the age of 7, I fell in love with piano."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6981,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Lipy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6981"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though buying a piano is a significant investment for parents with a young child, after much begging on Dr. Roy's part and seeing her dedication, she would receive her first piano at 8. For the next twenty years, she took lessons, performed in recitals, and competed across her hometown of Toronto, Canada. She would even become a student at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her love for music and piano would continue to be a balm as she transitioned into medical school. "Fast forward to when I was doing my residency in North Carolina at Duke Medical Center. I would work 12-14 hour days. I would be exhausted when I got home, but when I got home, I would look at my piano and go 'alright Lip, just 15 minutes'," said Dr. Roy. "Then I would play classical, I would play Simon and Garfunkel, whatever I wanted to, and I would just feel calm. Soon, I'd look up at the clock, and two hours would have passed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:columns --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-columns"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:column {"width":"100%"} --&gt; &lt;div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:100%"&gt;&lt;!-- wp:gallery {"ids":[5454,5457],"linkTo":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped"&gt;&lt;ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"&gt;&lt;li class="blocks-gallery-item"&gt;&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PianoJavits1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" data-id="5454" class="wp-image-5454"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class="blocks-gallery-item"&gt;&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PianoJavits2-768x1024.jpg" alt="" data-id="5457" data-full-url="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PianoJavits2-scaled.jpg" data-link="https://topdoctormagazine.com/news/serving-the-underserved-an-interview-with-dr-lipi-roy/attachment/pianojavits2/" class="wp-image-5457"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:gallery --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:column --&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:columns --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Journey into Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There was no single "defining moment" for Dr. Roy on her journey to become a physician. Instead, a series of events captured her attention, fascinated her, and grew her desire to learn. From getting malaria as a child to doing a project in Biology class on leprosy, Dr. Roy always had an interest in the disease. Her interest would eventually lead her to India, where she would learn about international health and tropical diseases.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"I started volunteering in hospitals and talking to other people who were in the health profession. Later, I worked for Pharma as a scientist and biomedical researcher and came to realize that I didn't enjoy being in a lab all the time," said Dr. Roy. This realization eventually led her to complete a dual degree at Tulane University in New Orleans, earning both a medical degree and her Master's in Public Health. Following, Dr. Roy's self-proclaimed first academic and public swaray into public health was actually during Medical School when Hurricane Katrina struck.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Due to the immense flooding, the medical school closed, and Dr. Roy's class was moved to Houston for nine months to continue training. Upon returning, she remembers coming back to a very different New Orleans. As a result, Dr. Roy and several of her fellow classmates began volunteering at grassroots clinics in the area where they were confronted with patients who had lost everything in the natural disaster. "We took care of the residents of the city, especially the Ninth Ward, who just lost everything. They lost medications, their clothing, everything they needed that related to health," explained Dr. Roy, "And when you lose such vital necessities, things start to break down. We took care of patients with florid heart failure, diabetic complications, and vision problems, all because they were disconnected from the healthcare system and their own medications. That was my first real touch with what public health means."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Throughout her career, Dr. Roy has been able to serve underserved populations in a wide variety of ways. Early on, it became evident that she would be drawn to the dedication in caring for the vulnerable homeless and addiction medicine populations. "They teach you on the first day of medical school that your best teacher will be your patients, and I sure learned that first and foremost," Dr. Roy told Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As Dr. Roy immersed herself even deeper into working with the vulnerable homeless, she quickly discovered the link between living on the streets and drug overdose.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This realization completely reshaped Dr. Roy's approach, opening up a certain path towards the subject of addiction and addiction medicine: "We discovered that the leading cause of death among my homeless population of patients was drug overdose. That completely transformed the way we provided our care. I learned a lot more about addiction; we hired a lot of substance use counselors, just learned a lot. I became board-certified in addiction medicine. All of this in an effort to learn more about addiction as a chronic medical disease, a disease of the brain. We learned that most people with addiction, once connected to the appropriate treatment and care, get better."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Eventually, her dedication and expertise landed her the position of the first chief of addiction medicine for New York City jails, where the gravity of the situation unfolded before her eyes even more dramatically: a population riddled with criminal activity, high poverty, and substance use disorders, who distrusted the authorities, and who was treated as just another statistic. "Because men and women who are experiencing homelessness, or in and out of emergency departments and hospitals, are also often in and out or in touch with the criminal justice system in large part because they all have such a large mistrust of authority and for good reason," Dr. Roy shared with Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;An Empathic Approach to Serving the Underserved&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Only in a moment of crisis do true heroes emerge, and Dr. Roy was ready to put on her cape and bring change to how we care for patients with substance use disorders. While health professionals receive some degree of training concerning addiction, it is not always put to good use: "Most of us never got trained in treating people with substance use disorders or drug addictions, alcohol addictions, not in a way that was evidence-based or empathic. It was more, I'm the doctor, you're the patient, this is what you need to do." Instead, Dr. Roy followed a path sprinkled with empathy, trying to understand her patients' history, their traumas, all to forge real connections and build trust with those in need of help, one baby step at a time: "I discovered that a vast majority of my patients are men and women that are in and out of the housing systems, the criminal justice systems, a vast majority of them have some type of trauma history, neglect, verbal, physical, sexual assault, you name it. Some form of abuse, trauma, and suffering. So when you come at it from that angle, just listen without judgment. It goes a long way to building trust."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;With the pandemic sweeping the nation and exposing the cracks within our society at a deeper level, the misfortunes of the vulnerable grew exponentially. When asked about liquor stores being allowed to stay open during the quarantine, Dr. Roy saluted this decision, although begrudgingly, since there was no better alternative to manage cravings for people with alcohol addiction: "Many people, they resort to alcohol and other drugs to deal with loneliness, isolation, anxiety, depression, that's not necessarily the safest or healthiest thing to do, but unless you present an alternative like a society that fills in those gaps of isolation, that manages and treats and prevents anxiety and depression then we need to find other tools that are from a harm reduction standpoint."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, with COVID-19's notorious fame taking over TV, social media, and day-to-day interactions, addiction issues became of lesser interest. One example that perfectly illustrates how every major health issue fell second to COVID-19 is opioid addiction, which, from Dr. Roy's stand, is alive and thriving on the streets: "It didn't magically disappear just because COVID is here; we're just not talking about it. It's just not making headlines the way COVID is because COVID for what it is, it has taken over every headline."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;A strong feeling of isolation exacerbated inadequate care, leaving the vulnerable praying for a miracle. That's when Dr. Roy stepped up and proposed a more proactive approach by keeping in touch with the ones in need in an empathic and compassionate setting: "We need to work even harder and find creative ways to connect to people. So what you are doing right now by via phone, via zoom, using technology, picking up the phones, how are they paying visits, but in a safe way, say dropping off food, dropping up reading materials, clothing, you know, doing things, but from a distance, mask, you know, they're safe ways to do these things. We just need to really be outside the box and approach it from an empathic and compassionate point of view."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Such an empathic approach to vulnerable populations does not have to be the exception, but the rule, coming from each member of our society as a whole, especially from those who interact with alcohol&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;or substance use disorders or mental illnesses daily. "We need to provide it (i.e., mental health training) to police officers, fire department folks, again, not to make them mental health experts, but to give them this important training, to make their jobs easier, to make their interactions with clients and patients easier and government and policymakers, you know, we need significant funding towards these areas that have been grossly underfunded health in general, typically mental illness and substance use, but you got to educate folks in government that are in decision-making areas, policymakers so that they're all aware that mental illness needs to be addressed," Dr. Roy explained to Top Doctor Magazine. After all, when dealing with another human being, we often distance ourselves from their issues, forgetting that we are all dealing with personal issues, such as job insecurity or eviction. And it's not just adults – young students, who, in extreme cases, end up resorting to suicide, are suffering from isolation and lack of human interaction. For them, going back to school is the best, most straightforward solution: We have to keep making it so schools are safe to open them up, so students can go back."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Long-Term Effects of COVID-19&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Turning towards a more COVID-19-oriented discussion, Dr. Roy spoke about the unpredictability of the virus and its long-term effects. From cardiac issues and hypercoagulability to pulmonary embolism and strokes, the COVID-19 virus can leave terrible scars on those who suffer from it, enough of a reason for society to pay closer attention to preventive measures and the ongoing vaccination campaign. "We need to really continue practicing preventative measures, so we can reduce the number of cases, and then, of course, encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine because, without 70, 80% of the population vaccinated, we just won't achieve herd immunity, and we just won't be able to contain this pandemic," Dr. Roy shared with us.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Another long-term effect, or, to put it in a better way, an exacerbated effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the social and racial inequality which are plaguing our society: "We need to dismantle racial injustice in every sector, medicine, government, education, criminal justice, you name it. And&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;last, but certainly not least, we need to really educate and empower and compensate girls and women, because we've seen that this pandemic has again disproportionately affected women, in terms of unemployment, it's affected women far more than it has men. And we need to compensate for childcare. We need to because without that 50% of the population is being&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;handcuffed. And, without that, society will just never succeed."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Will the vaccination campaign be enough to bring the COVID-19 virus down?" "Not at all," Dr. Roy shared with Top Doctor Magazine, giving the example of countries with fewer resources who kept the pandemic in check through hard work and humility: "Other countries have handled this pandemic far better than the US even though we have far more resources and wealth, so we need to learn from other countries, and you have to be humble."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, a strong administration, committed to bringing the pandemic to a halt, will bring the much-needed support to the frontline medical heroes engaged in all-out warfare with the virus: "I'm hopeful of the leadership; we now have an administration, at least in the United States that is committed to addressing the first problem right now, which is the COVID-19 pandemic."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LRoyMD-Family2_Credit-Vlad-Cupsa-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5459"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of Self-Care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, the strongest sign of resilience must come not from the medical community but from every one of us, translated into self-care. As long as we put general health first and follow official guidelines to the letter, our triumphs against the virus will overcome our past defeats. "Let me tell you. You do not have to have an MD or an RN, or have a Ph.D. behind your name to be able to practice self-care and to have the tools to take care of yourself."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;To help people understand what self-care is and how they can achieve it, Dr. Roy will be leading seminars designed for her colleagues. Although people might expect some sort of deus ex machina stories, Dr. Roy is here to disappoint, in an unexpected way: "I'll just share with what I do every morning. I meditate for 20 minutes. I try to eat healthy meals throughout the day, plenty of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins and whole grains, and drink plenty of water. And I also treat myself to things that I enjoy, like say cookies or ice cream. And then, I even get a little bit of a workout, a little bit of exercise." As she tells us, this exercise time doesn't have to be marathon-style since it's all about enjoying oneself.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;It would be more helpful to socialize regularly with the people we love and care for, whether through a Skype or Zoom call, and, at the top of the list, enjoy eight hours of sleep every night: "I know it's hard, but getting seven to eight hours of sleep because poor sleep hygiene has been associated with every chronic illness from heart disease and diabetes to cancer and Alzheimer's, so getting that good sleep also reduces your rates of anxiety and depression, so good sleep and mindful practice."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the general population has been lamenting the loss of day-to-day activities that brought joy and community amongst each other, such as seeing a musical or watching a game at the Madison Square Garden. However, this is not a reason to despair, as Dr. Roy tells us, but, on the contrary, to rejoice: "There's plenty of other things you can do. And I'll share with you what I do. I now have a piano, so I can play that, but&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;in other cases, find things that you enjoy. Coloring, drawing, dancing, writing, listening to music, watching TV and movies. I watch comedy every night because it relaxes me. I like laughing."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Such an approach teaches us that staying mentally sane during a pandemic is not so hard, as long as we embrace novelty with an open heart and try our best to let go of our anxiety constructively. By following this road, we will keep our heads up until we bring the COVID-19 virus down, staying away from anxiety, depression, and addiction. As a parting reminder, Dr. Roy reminds us that, in the end, laughter and enjoying oneself genuinely are the best medicine: "Laughter is in many ways the best medicine because it relie anxiety. So I really want to emphasize to people, do what you enjoy, what makes that fun, but that's also safe." We wish Dr. Roy the best of luck in her future endeavors and all the strength and resilience she needs to bring her patients back on the right track.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dr-Lipy.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/serving-the-underserved-an-interview-with-dr-lipi-roy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5119</ID> <title>Profile Spotlight: Dr. Michael Greiwe</title> <publishDate>2021-03-20 17:24:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Michael Greiwe is an orthopedic surgeon with more than ten years of experience. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, He specializes in shoulder replacement, rotator cuff pathology, instability, and labral tears. Dr. Greiwe created a telemedicine platform dedicated to orthopedic providers to optimize care and increase practice revenue. He is determined to facilitate cutting-edge healthcare delivery for clinics in a way that offers patients incredibly convenient treatment options.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, Dr. Greiwe also specializes in advanced arthroscopic surgical techniques for sports-related injuries of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine amid Pandemic: An alternative medium for healthcare providers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When the pandemic hit the U.S, physicians needed an alternative way to provide care. Since we had the structure pre-COVID, we grew ten times in two months. It was really tough; obviously, there were so many bad things happening at the time, but our practice grew in a way that helped establish telemedicine as something that was very helpful for patients and providers," said Dr. Michael Greiwe in an interview with Top Doctor Magazine. It is essential to understand that Dr. Greiwe and his staff have provided care for over 50,000 patients.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insights on Orthopaedics and Telemedicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;There are a lot of ways you can use telemedicine inside orthopedics, with a focus on three basic ways. Dr. Greiwe stated that the first one is a post-operative recheck appointment, where patients answer questions. The second stage is the imaging follow-up, designed to review a patient's X-ray and MRI scan through screen sharing while the physicians explain everything in detail. The last stage is the injection follow-up, designed to see how a patient is doing after receiving injections.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5121,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5121" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_29.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 effects on Orthopaedics&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"It has been tough. We have had to adjust significantly. We were unable to perform surgeries for six weeks in April; we were only doing urgent surgeries. That slowed us down. It allowed us to reset and make sure that we are doing the small things right. We transitioned to telemedicine, and it was what helped keep our lights on, to be honest, because, during that time, we couldn't see so many patients.," said Dr. Greiwe. He stated that orthopedic surgeons made some adjustments to survive through the challenges. Dr. Greiwe was grateful for the PPE money that was distributed because it helped tremendously.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Orthopedic Practice and the New Normal&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Greiwe disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing a couple of changes, eventually becoming the new normal. Physicians will perform many outpatient surgeries because patients don't want to spend a night in the hospital due to COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Also, we will see more computer-guided and robotic surgery and patient-specific guides and 3D printing, which will allow us to create implants and things that are specific to patients' anatomy. New approaches are happening particularly in the shoulder where we are developing rotator cuff sparing approach for total shoulder replacement," continued Dr. Greiwe.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19: Potential change in PPE usage and Social Distancing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Greiwe predicts that governments will enforce PPE use in 2021 and beyond. He also added that social distancing would continue as well. For Dr. Greiwe, it's likely that people will still maintain social distancing and the use of PPE for the next 24 to 36 months.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telemedicine and the Future of Healthcare Services&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think we are going to continue to see telemedicine as a primary way of seeing patients. One of the things that have been holding telemedicine back in the past was rules around licensure for particular states, and that was taken away by pandemic," said Dr. Greiwe. Ultimately, the new administration needs to support telemedicine to provide healthcare access across the country and provide reimbursement for telemedicine, which will be useful for patients and physicians.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_29.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-michael-greiwe/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5187</ID> <title>SURVIVING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC: BEN KENUK, HIS RPM APP, AND ULTIMATELY THE MARK OF A HERO</title> <publishDate>2021-03-20 09:02:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic made an enduring mark on our healthcare system and affected the lives of billions worldwide. The virus spread across the globe at an unprecedented rate creating disturbing morbidity and mortality statistics that put everybody on high alert. As many of us grapple with the new reality by staying away from people to avoid illness, healthcare workers put their lives on the line by gearing up and running into the fire. Healthcare workers have emerged as the new soldiers in countries across the world. But, as F. Scott Fitzgerald said: "show me a hero, and I'll write you a tragedy." During the pandemic, the risks to frontline heroes are considerably more significant than those encountered in standard practice. In addition to the risk of contracting the virus, health care workers suffer mental and physical exhaustion and emotional pain. Even though some personal dangers are inherent in working in the medical field, these risks have been amplified in a way that justifies associating the word 'heroism' with the medical profession.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":6961,"width":626,"height":877,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-6961" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Ben-1-731x1024.jpg" alt="" width="626" height="877" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;During a discussion with Top Doctor Magazine, Ben Kenuk, a physical therapist at the University of Pennsylvania hospital, told us, "Adjusting to the new reality is pretty overwhelming and exhausting. I have been on the COVID-19 therapy team since May. We had to adjust all of our schedules to make sure there weren't too many therapists in the department at one time." Ben worked in heart failure and on cardiac surgery patients pre-pandemic, but his role changed to accommodate the new reality. Even when the pandemic was at its worst, the hospital only minimizes the number of therapists working on COVID-19 patients just in case of exposure so that other available therapists will proceed with the treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5188,"width":755,"height":359,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5188" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_31.png" alt="" width="755" height="359" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As everyone tries to practice social and physical distancing, healthcare workers rose to action and worked round the clock to provide care to patients with the virus despite the risk of being infected. While discussing the impact of the pandemic on his practice, Ben explained that "patients who require different levels of care couldn't proceed with their treatment because a lot of the facilities were closing their doors off because they were a lot more selective with who they will accept. Most of our patients stayed a little longer than they should have, which doubled our effort and affected the time we could have spent providing care to other patients."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Unfortunately, as the frontline heroes strived to keep us safe, the lockdown and the pandemic's effect became too much for people to handle. Consequently, they were complacent and less careful with the virus. As a result, over 400,000 people have died from COVID-19 related complications since the pandemic began.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Ben Kenuk studied physiotherapy at the University of Southern California and graduated in 2017. His dedication to the practice led to the creation of Mobile Measures, an app for physical therapists to help optimize the use of functional outcome measures. When the hospital was getting crowded during the pandemic outbreak, physiotherapists were doing a lot less than other physicians. Still, Ben wanted to help people get access to care through a unique approach. The Mobile Measure app provides access to patient assessment tools proven to measure critical aspects of a patient's health and functional status, including hospitalization, risk of falling, frailty, and much more.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;This app guides users to the best test, calculates scores, interprets the results and uploads them into a patient's documentation. Physicians can track progress, visualize their patient's current condition, and determine the impact of treatment immediately at the point of care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5189,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5189" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_32.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When asked why he created the app, Ben shared that he wanted to help people access care and improve healthcare providers' efficiency. "I use it, and a lot of my coworkers use it. However, I don't feel comfortable pushing people to use it. I have been telling people about it because I believe it will help our practice and help our hospital, but I am now in the process of partnering with other health organizations and software companies to get widespread use of the app and help everyone's practice."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As Ben put in the hard work to help people by creating the Mobile Measure app, he faced a really tough challenge to convince people to use the app. He thought that the app would be utilized more during the pandemic. Still, many organizations were reluctant to incorporate a new app into their system. "Theoretically, you think it should be used more, but some health organizations that I told about it put it on hold because their therapists were overwhelmed with the COVID, and they didn't want to add something new to their practice. Even though it would help them to identify which patients actually needed therapy and improve their efficiency allocating resources a little bit better and minimize the time going to patient's house, it was just from an administrative standpoint that it is not the right time to implement something new in their practice."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;To overcome the challenge, Ben hired a marketing company to help create awareness so that more people could get to know about the Mobile Measure app. "I was initially doing it myself, just trying to write all these articles on social media, but it is stressful. So I hired a marketing company for a short period of time." When his savings depleted, Ben struggled to continue with the marketing campaign because it was not really sustainable for him. "It is kind of a balance between time and money. Pay someone to do it or lose another hour of sleep. It is a balance I am struggling with."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Ben was actively connecting with people hoping that he could build relationships to spread the message about the Mobile Measure app. Still, he immediately surrendered his pursuit for a greater cause when the pandemic ramped up. "It has been a lot harder to develop the kind of relationship with a potential client because I can't meet them in person." He hoped that he could start all over again when the pandemic is over. Talking about his experience at the hospital at the time, "We had to shuffle things around a lot, I was brought onto the COVID-19 therapy team, and I saw COVID-19 patients. When the cases started going back down, I went back to usual business. A few weeks later, the number went up again, and I went back to seeing COVID-19 patients again."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5190,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5190" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_33.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 vaccine was developed rapidly to help combat the raging virus, but the FDA EUA approval triggered mixed feelings across the medical community. In this regard, Ben said, "I am cautiously optimistic. We have heard a lot about the vaccine.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;We have been told that healthcare workers will be the first to have access to it, and it would be optional for us to get it or not. Many people are afraid because of how quickly they came out because they don't want to be the first to take it. But I guess someone has to. I am optimistic that FDA did it after making sure it is safe. I plan to take it when it is available. I definitely have my reservation about it. I am not totally confident, but I think it is necessary."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;He told us that widespread use of the vaccine would take a while because many people will hold off at least a year to see what happens. In his opinion, Ben believes that the vaccine might help with the virus but ultimately, we need to have an extended lockdown again. However, this time it needs to be consistent across states because when the restrictions were enforced in Pennsylvania, people went to New Jersey for social engagements. If there is consistency across the border, we will have fewer cases, and more lives will be saved.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As the whole world struggles with the virus, Ben hopes that the rest of 2021 will be different. Although healthcare providers will likely honor their oath in a time of great need, Ben cautioned that we have to respect the virus because it will not go away. We have to work as a team and do our part to control the spread.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dr.-Ben-1-731x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/surviving-through-the-pandemic-ben-kenuk-his-rpm-app-and-ultimately-the-mark-of-a-hero/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5176</ID> <title>The Freedom of Health with the Jiu-Jitsu Doctor: An Interview with Dr. Neil Morris</title> <publishDate>2021-03-17 08:27:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Neil Morris&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Neil Morris is a naturopathic medical doctor practicing in Mesa, AZ. He graduated from Troy University with a bachelor’s in Nursing and practiced as a registered nurse for 16 years before graduating from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, SCNM.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;He focuses on regenerative therapy, providing specialized treatments such as Hormone Optimization and Regenerative Injection Therapy. As a registered nurse, Dr. Morris gained significant experience in the fields of Cardiovascular Intensive Care, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care, Post-Surgical Anesthesia Recovery, Endoscopy, and Special Procedures, such as Bone Marrow Biopsy.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Meeting “The Jiu-Jitsu Doctor”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With a cheerful voice and a strong sense of humor, Dr. Neil (as his patients call him) opens up about his past to our Top Doctor Magazine. His proactive life, with college football and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at its core, guided Dr. Morris towards effective, less dramatic alternatives to surgical treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;After suffering from an accident during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match many years ago, Dr. Morris was close to letting go of his passion. However, after receiving regenerative injections, not only is he back doing what he loves, but he’s also helping patients recover from sport-related medical issues such as knee or shoulder injuries. Hence, “The Jiu-Jitsu Doctor” nickname.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Regenerative Medicine and Nursing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;For more than ten years, regenerative medicine's popularity has been growing. Dr. Morris links this trend to the extended time spent by naturopaths with their patients. "More people are looking forward to working with a naturopath, now more than before. To be a naturopath ten years ago would not have been as easy as it is nowadays," he tells us.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Looking back to his training, Dr. Morris sees his background in nursing as a crucial factor in his naturopath development: "When a patient comes to me, I look at things from both sides." Apart from other naturopaths, Dr. Morris' expertise helps patients reach the end of the recovery road with maximum results.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Approaching Patient Treatment Differently&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As a specialist in regenerative therapy, Dr. Morris focuses on Regenerative Injection Therapy. However, as he noticed beforehand, to heal correctly, one must prepare the body for optimal work. For that reason, he introduced Hormone Optimization as the first step towards proper healing. "If your body is not ready to repair, you're not going to get the most out of it," said Dr. Morris.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5183,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5183" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_30.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Power of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When asked about his favorite patient case, Dr. Morris recollected the story of a 70-year-old with extensive surgery to her back. At first, he was unsure whether stem cell products could improve her quality of life due to her advanced age. Dr. Morris' doubts did not disturb the patient, who was ready to take a shot and receive treatment. Within two weeks, she returned to him with improved posture, dramatically reduced pain levels, and quite an exciting complaint: "Her new big complaint was, I get tired because I'm walking so much now."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“The Freedom of Health”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Although the pandemic's initial months took their toll on his practice, Dr. Morris was one of the privileged few to have kept his practice open. Nowadays, he sees even more patients than regular, who are looking at self-care from a more serious perspective.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic led towards more self-care awareness. However, while talking about his concept of "freedom of health," Dr. Morris believes that we, as a society, need more than just awareness: "We should start taking ownership of our health more, and not rely on a drug to make us healthy." He stresses the obesity factor as an" epidemic inside the pandemic:" "If our overall health was better, we would not be as affected as much as we are."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As a parting reminder, Dr. Morris advises us to look towards our health more seriously and boost our immune system as much as possible through exercise, proper diet, and through supplements, such as vitamins A, D, C, or Zinc.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about Dr. Morris and regenerative medicine, you can check out his website &lt;a href="https://rhg.health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_30.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-freedom-of-health-with-the-jiu-jitsu-doctor-an-interview-with-dr-neil-morris/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5196</ID> <title>DISTRUST AMID VACCINATION: HOW RESEARCHER'S REMARKABLE SUCCESS MIGHT BE AN UNDOING</title> <publishDate>2021-03-15 09:27:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The novel coronavirus pandemic triggered an unprecedented global emergency in a way that disrupted every aspect of our lives. As countries worldwide come up with different strategies to curtail the spread of the virus, the global healthcare system's repercussions have been intense. Aside from the fact that the pandemic put our health system under immense pressure, we have also seen health facilities stretched beyond capacity in a way that affects health care provider's personal and professional lives.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Traditionally, we expect the military or financial bodies to take control during crises. Still, the COVID-19 pandemic switched the pendulum towards the medical community and created opportunities for healthcare professionals to honor their oaths in a time of great need.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As these fantastic professionals went to work, the pandemic ravaged on, threatening to undermine their selfless service to keep us safe. More than 300,000 people have died from COVID-19-related complications, including frontline workers – researchers are struggling to tally global mortality statistics and gauge the outbreak's actual toll.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;This grim reality put us all on high alert regarding the future. Nothing seems normal about life as we envisage a time when things will go back to normal.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Today, staying healthy has taken on more meaning for those still alive than it used to be. As the pandemic gravely affected the economy at its core, the impact varies from person to person. It necessitates the need to focus more attention on our healthcare system and providers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Steffini Stalos, a lab consultant practicing at Blood Associate in Texas, commented to Top Doctor Magazine, saying, "we are now in the coronavirus time, and this is a new thing for a lot of people. Some labs have been able to cope, and some have not. I think this is a public health issue that we want people to help us with." She went on to encourage lab consultants to offer more help. "This is the opportunity for those in the lab world. We have to be adaptive and creative to bring what people's needs are to the table," she said.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5202,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_35.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5202"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though our healthcare system is in a problematic state, the pandemic further exposed the design flaws and dragged the topic into the spotlight. In reality, every one of us has a role to play during this challenging time. Speaking on the need for help, Dr. Mark Merlin, an MD1 physician in Emergency Medicine in New Jersey – a non-profit 24/7 physician response unit said, "When COVID hit, my docs were on the road even when paramedics were getting COVID-19. I told my doctors to put on their PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator). While we were putting people on ventilators, paramedics started calling us since they don't want to be exposed because they do not have PAPR. The reason they do not have one is that they cost more than a thousand dollars, and the health care system didn't provide that."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;They do this at no charge to the patient. Speaking further on the request for help, Dr. Mark said, "There are so many potential people we can save on the roadside who are trapped in the car, some services we can provide to patients who can't get to the hospital. I am hoping that I could get someone to donate for us. All the money around is earmarked for 911 EMS. It is difficult to explain to government agencies that we are doctors who are trying to get reimbursed so that we can help people during a challenging time like this," he disclosed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Less than a year after the pandemic started, researchers have worked tirelessly to develop a vaccine at record speed. Ideally, the process takes ten to fifteen years, but the US FDA has granted EUA – a green light of sort which is not the same as official approval – to vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. Before now, the fastest vaccine that was developed for mumps took 48 months in 1960. The FDA can authorize unapproved medical products in response to public health emergencies to diagnose and treat patients when there are no alternatives. This unusual process polarized the medical community regarding the efficacy of the virus.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Gross, a neurosurgeon who resides in Nevada, California, spent over two decades providing care to patients in need. He stated that "the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine; they evaluate and approve claims in terms of efficacy and safety for certain medication and devices.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;So if they haven't evaluated certain medication, it doesn't mean it is not useful, just not approved. Not approved doesn't mean unapproved. It is just not yet evaluated, and I think people see prejudice in the phrase "not approved by the FDA."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Gross encouraged people to be optimistic about the vaccine and told us to trust the scientists. He explained that "for example, we use a medication that is off the label all the time like aspirin, which has not been investigated by the FDA. One of the reasons for that was because the FDA was formed in the 70s, and we were already doing certain things. They didn't look backward but only forward. We need to try what is best for the patients sometimes. That comes before long term population study by the FDA."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The media played a crucial role in influencing people's opinions during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the bias in information sharing subject audiences to a skewed reality, distorting the general knowledge about what is right and wrong.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5197,"width":235,"height":352,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/334162_249749231809527_2052331145_o-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5197" width="235" height="352"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Topher and Dr. Thomas Pearson were partners in the medical school, and they decided to start practicing immediately after residency. They started Alevea Mental Health Clinic in Tempe, Arizona. The duo had just one goal in mind: creating a simple and easy clinic for patients to get access to adult psychiatrist care. Unfortunately, the pandemic caused so many issues in people's lives. Dr. Topher and Dr. Pearson saw an increase in depression and anxiety among their patients in all demographics, including patients working in the medical field. "Our patients in the medical field, especially those in ICU who saw COVID-19 patients that are acutely ill, are having really high anxiety and depression." As their patients' numbers grew amid the pandemic, they transitioned to telemedicine to make their service more straightforward and faster.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Topher has a similar view about the media. He stated, "Although some people have some mistrust triggered by the misinformation and different opinion coming out right now. It is challenging to figure out what is true and what is not. I think social media is further worsening the situation and creating misinformation. There is a lot of work to be done to build trust and get everyone vaccinated. My biggest advice is that you should listen to your health care providers. Obviously, I think you need to listen to the scientist and what they are telling you. The vaccine is important and what these people can do in such a short time is a monumental task. I would encourage people to listen to health care professionals and follow their guidance."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;There are a lot of assumptions everywhere, but he told us, "We are running out of time, so we have to do what is right to keep people safe."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Manuel Diaz attended Christopher Columbus High School before he proceeded to medical school in New York. His family lived briefly in South Florida and relocated to New Jersey for a couple of years for work reasons and relocated twelve years later. When the interstate relocation took its toll, Dr. Diaz never lost sight of his dream of becoming a doctor. A few years later, he started Executive Health with a senior partner in South Miami, Florida. Dr. Diaz was quick to express relief about the progress researchers made on the vaccine after a gloomy monologue about the virus's effect on the healthcare industry. He said, "I am actually optimistic, I believe there is real light at the end of the tunnel, but there are precautions that need to be taken. The hope is that perhaps sometime in the spring or summer of 2021, we will start leaving this behind us."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The human race has experienced multiple crises, but at no point – since the beginning of time – has a health crisis crippled the entire global economy, demonstrating how interconnected healthcare and the economy have become. The pandemic exacerbated fear, influenced political choices, and threatened to shut down our lives in a way that pushed professionals towards self-abnegation. Although our healthcare system has improved over time, it is simply not designed to withstand a monumental crisis as unpredictable as COVID-19. Because the pandemic is opposed to our health care system's direction, every branch of medicine was caught off guard, and experts scrambled to rise to the challenge and keep people safe. As expected, health care professionals expressed concerns and a unified desire to help, even as their businesses struggle to stay afloat. "We were low on testing kits and modalities. In that low, I did briefly get involved in the PPE. I created Core Medical Industry, which is the medical device side of Blood Associate, to advance more or better PPE for protection against pandemic pathogens. I am not a big medical device maker, but I was worried about the lack of PPE and how other supply chains will affect the lab world. I pivoted, hoping I could play any part and help people get access to the care they so much need." Dr. Stalos, the lab consultant, explained the reason why she started a medical device company.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5199,"width":275,"height":346,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Merlin_Headshot-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-5199" width="275" height="346"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As Dr. Topha and Dr. Pearson specialized in young adults between 18-35 years, they saw a lot of anxiety and depression associated with the pandemic among their clients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"You know, people were losing their jobs, there was a lot of financial stressors and depression from having to isolate at home. A lot of increased anxiety associated with school and college because a lot of those who converted to online studying were having a hard time keeping up with school work from transitioning to online versus being in class." Speaking of how they helped, the duo decided to transition into telemedicine. "We spend a lot of time with patients about the COVID situation and advise them to follow the guidelines of the CDC, and that has helped a lot of these people, especially those that live on campus."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;MD1, the non-profit medical organization, was stretched beyond the limit. As a flexible healthcare provider, they switched to COVID-19 emergency cases to provide care to patients. "When COVID really hit us, we wound up initially throughout the country, putting several patients in the ventilators. As care providers, we run the risk of getting COVID. We were on the road almost all the time. We got a lot of 911 calls from morning to night attending to COVID- patients." Dr. Merlin explained. When we asked how they could stay safe from being infected, he told us that they use the PAPR, the spacesuit health officials wear, to avoid exposure to COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The COVID-19 vaccine's arrival, less than a year into the pandemic, trumped the previous record of four years when a vaccine was developed for mumps. Pharmacists now face a significant challenge to convince those who are hesitant to take the vaccine. "Everything depends largely on the vaccine which just hit the street. Another issue is, are they going to be safe? Are we going to see in five years people being damaged by vaccines and people calling to hire an attorney? We don't know, because the FDA did not go to its usual, very stringent, scientific, longer-term approval process, because it is more important on an emergency basis to help people at risk to get immunity." Dr. Gross informed us.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5200,"width":240,"height":361,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Steffini_Stalos-0105_low_res.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5200" width="240" height="361"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Diaz supported the rush when he responded to questions regarding the vaccine, "In the trials, the vaccine is deemed very safe, and that is the primary reason why the FDA granted them Emergency Use Authorization." He disclosed that we'd eventually be in control once everyone is vaccinated; at this stage, we'll have "herd immunity, meaning that people that get the vaccine will join those who have been infected."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;While it was incredibly disruptive and challenging, crises usually nurture the emergence of common purpose, creativity, solidarity, and improvisation, which was evident among the healthcare experts. "I feel very positive now, and also about the New Year. There is always development in the CDC, FDA weekly meeting regarding the progress. That is very promising about the pandemic. Basically, we are getting our act together." Suggesting a more comprehensive approach to combating the virus, Dr. Stalos said, "We need to amplify testing. Even if we amplify the testing, how do we use all the different pieces of testing to create a cohesive picture for the patients? For instance, if a patient is having a PCR test, serology test all at once, how do we relate this information together to talk about what the patient is experiencing? There are even new inflammatory markers coming into play that can differentiate between patients who have coronavirus and those that will experience more severe pain than other patients."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As the vaccination process progresses, healthcare providers beamed with satisfaction, hoping that life quickly returns to normal. But Dr. Stalos cautioned that it is not a time to relent; instead, a time to look inward and fix our healthcare system. "Pandemics have periodicity. That means, even after we overcome the coronavirus challenge, we can expect another pathogen in the next five or six years." Ultimately, the government has a role to play. "I think this new political administration needs to be forward-looking that this is going to happen again that we as a nation need to step forward and act proactively because the next agent pathogen may be deadlier than the coronavirus. We won't have the luxury of time as it was when the coronavirus hit," says the consultant, Dr. Steffini Stalos.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_35.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=5196</url> </article> <article> <ID>5111</ID> <title>Profile Spotlight: Dr. Shivesh Kumar</title> <publishDate>2021-03-14 17:15:50</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Shivesh Kumar is a Family Medicine Specialist with over ten years of experience. He is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine, focusing on partnering with large insurance companies and hospital systems. Standing in the middle of the two prominent health care forces, Dr. Kumar also focuses on providing population help, systemic help, alleviating disparities, and helping systems overcome inefficiencies.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kumar combines a wide range of expertise, experience with clinical and transition care work, and post-hospital care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Family Medicine Amid the Pandemic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When the pandemic started, there was panic across the country because nobody knew what was going to happen. We had over mobilized, so we had to cancel vacations, cancel breaks. We needed everyone on the frontline to see as many patients as we could," said Dr. Shivesh Kumar in an interview with Top Doctors Magazine. He explained that hospitals were clogged with COVID-19 patients while patients with chronic illnesses avoided hospitals.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;COVID-19 Pandemic: The Overall Impact On The Healthcare System&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The current market situation has affected businesses so that certain groups have been falling off since last year. Even worse was the news about two of the largest insurance groups, operating for over 18 years, both simultaneously filed for bankruptcy. As we advanced, Dr. Kumar explained that there would be a lot of uncertainty because people are losing their insurance, especially in Las Vegas.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5112,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5112" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_26.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creating Awareness To Help Overcome The Challenge&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kumar believes that there needs to be a national movement towards a universal health care insurance type of safety net coverage. It does not have to be expensive, but it could be Medicaid level care where costs are being covered, and providers and hospitals are being paid.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think that is the most important thing for the next administration. That kind of funding is crucial to keep the health system intact. Provider groups are going to have huge revenue shortfalls," said Dr. Kumar&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Family Medicine And Technology: Remote Patient Monitoring&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Kumar explained that technology would help healthcare workers optimize their service in the future. He raises the point that wearable technology will aid remote monitoring so that healthcare providers can monitor and spot worsening diseases.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Although it may happen slowly, we will be there in five years. Patients will be able to use their iPad or other biometric equipment to receive care from their doctor. Also, we will see the use of holograms of a doctor providing care to patients through 3D or Virtual Reality where doctors will put on a headset and appear in front of a patient," said Dr. Kumar.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Overcoming The Pandemic Through Vaccination&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The virus hit the U.S hard and working together to fight it is crucial. Evidence has shown that if everyone gets vaccinated and we achieve herd immunity, COVID-19 will become a common cold, and it will be treated as such. It won't be a devastating illness anymore.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"If we understand and trust science and get vaccinated, we will be talking about the common cold in the next year and not a devastating illness. We all need to work together to get each other vaccinated so that all of us as a society can get past coronavirus."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_26.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-shivesh-kumar/</url> </article> <article> <ID>5105</ID> <title>Dr. Burak Ozgur Spotlight</title> <publishDate>2021-03-11 17:04:39</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As a child, Dr. Burak Ozgur noticed his father's gentle spirit and humility, which he carried into his neurosurgery practice. His father's lack of ostentatious details, such as a flashy car or an expensive watch, conveyed to Ozgur a deep sense of peace and respect for the work he was doing and the people he was helping. This inspired the character Dr. Ozgur brings to his medical practice today.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Burak Ozgur is a top US neurosurgeon with certification from both the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Spine Surgery. His specialty is minimally invasive spine surgery, which involved techniques that were just coming into practice while he was in his seven-year residency.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Training to Lead&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Neuroscience is like space; we have a few things we know, but it's still like a completely undiscovered field," Ozgur said.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"And I think that mystery, that excitement, drove me towards neurosciences."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;At first, Ozgur's enthusiasm kept him away from the one place he would later gain notoriety: spinal surgery. "Before minimally invasive spine surgeries, traditional surgeries struck me as barbaric and extremely painful for the patients, and I didn't want to be involved with that," he said.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;But when a neurosurgeon in Brazil began experimenting with minimally-invasive spinal surgeries, Ozgur became intrigued. He began experimenting with possible minimally-invasive treatments and requested to learn from this doctor directly. His request was granted. Then, after years of training and research, Ozgur wrote and released the world's first paper on a minimally invasive spinal surgery technique called XLIF, which to this day remains in popularity.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;From then on, Ozgur has created programs to help patients in all conditions receive the relief they deserve. His work has slowed but not been daunted by the current pandemic, and his desire for better healthcare is evident.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":5107,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-default"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-5107" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_24.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;No Patient Left Behind&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The problem with the current healthcare system, Ozgur finds, is that many primary doctors are unaware of the options their patients have. An unfortunately typical example revolves around spinal stenosis, which typically affects older patients. "It can be a very debilitating problem, but it's also very easy to treat with the right diagnosis and skill set," Ozgur said.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;However, from his observations, many of his clients were told that they were too old or would have to deal with the pain because their doctors thought they were no longer suitable candidates for surgery.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"Literally, it brings tears in my eyes to see these patients suffering, who can barely walk or come in a wheelchair. And I think they're reat candidates for a minimally invasive cure," Ozgur said.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When they come out of a surgery, they are smiling; they have a new lease on life," he continued. "They say to me, 'I feel like I'm 20 years younger, and I can now play with my grandkids!'"&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;These fulfilling experiences drive Ozgur to expand options for his patients and those outside of his clientele so that no one has to live in pain. Before COVID-19, Ozgur would undertake medical missions with his team, traveling to impoverished communities and giving them health care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Moving Forward&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With US travel posing a risk, Ozgur looks forward to the day when he can help his community here and abroad in person. He also would love to visit his parents, whom he hasn't seen since the pandemic began.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;In the meantime, his practice offers telehealth services and performs only the most urgent surgeries. He continues to look at new research that will advance minimally invasive surgeries, which he believes is the future.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Burak Ozgur is a frequent writer and is currently working on his second book to help patients understand spine health and treatment options. You can learn more about him via &lt;a href="https://ozgurmd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;his website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;www.&lt;a href="http://ozgurmd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"&gt;ozgurmd.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_24.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dr-burak-ozgur-spotlight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4957</ID> <title>Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Robert Vadovic</title> <publishDate>2021-03-03 08:59:07</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Robert “Bob” Vadovic&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Robert "Bob" Vadovic is a Nurse Practitioner with a Ph.D. in Nursing Practice. He started as an Office Provider at Intermountain Healthcare and is currently the Medical Director for High Risk and APPs and Program Director for the APP Fellowship Program for about a year and a half.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Teamwork and Telehealth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When COVID-19 took over, and everyone was scared to leave their houses, health care providers had to get creative and think of other ways to assist their patients. That's what gave rise to telehealth.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Vadovic mentions that what they once took for granted became the linchpin to providing proper care for their patients - and that is teamwork. "We are now more reliant on each other to get moving and help everybody," he says. Dr. Vadovic, who oversees all the APPs in Las Vegas, understood the importance of increasing touchpoints from people. From the medical assistants to the case managers, everyone in the team had the initiative to reach out to their patients to make sure they have what they need.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Social Determinants of Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Despite the convenience that telehealth has given many people, unfortunately, some individuals don't have access to it. Dr. Vadovic admits that they still struggle with reaching some of their patients because they don't have a smartphone or computer or don't know how to use it.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think the biggest issue that I have seen is that this has brought out the social determinants of health to the forefront. It really separates people that have the ability to meet their needs versus those that don't," Dr. Vadovic shares with Top Doctor Magazine. It can be frustrating for Dr. Vadovic and the rest of his likes to be unable to provide the care that their patients deserve.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4960,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4960" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_3-2.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rationality and Continuous Education&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;It has now come to a point where many people, especially the younger generation, have grown tired of staying indoors. Many of them resumed their pre-pandemic lifestyle because they see themselves healthy even after catching the virus. However, most of these young folks go home to see their parents and grandparents - who, unfortunately, will not be as healthy if the virus hits them. Dr. Vadovic even mentions that the ICUs of their partner hospitals in Utah have become occupied by mostly parents or grandparents affected by the virus that their children brought home.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;To manage or prevent this occurrence, Dr. Vadovic believes that more awareness on this issue is vital, without, however, insisting on these points due to both sides' heavy biases. Instead, we should lead the conversation with rationality. "It has to be a rational two-way conversation where each side is allowed to give their thoughts and feelings and come to a common solution," he emphasizes.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health Care For The Masses&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I really do believe and see that population health - that encompassing a holistic approach to health care, where we take care of the masses and provide the care that they need to do well broadly rather than on just specific issues, is how patients are gonna do well," stresses Dr. Bob Vadovic. He would love to see more support going to social determinants to make a more significant impact on patients who need help the most. Luckily, Las Vegas has many non-profit organizations that are willing to help out.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Telehealth Is Here To Stay&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Telehealth has made medical care so much more accessible to thousands of people - especially those who get into a hassle because of transportation and work shifts. Now, people can access care at odd hours because telehealth is available 24/7. Although it still does not replace face-to-face check-ups and examinations, still, it's an excellent substitute for when you need to see your doctor for consultations. "I see telehealth staying. It was forced upon us due to necessity, and I don't see it going away. I think it's the way of the future," Dr. Vadovic expresses.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot_3-2.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/doctor-spotlight-dr-robert-vadovic/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4870</ID> <title>Profile Spotlight: Dr. Javaid Khan</title> <publishDate>2021-02-27 17:13:12</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Dr. Javaid Khan&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Javaid Khan, DO, is board-certified in two different specialties: Internal Medicine and Allergy and Clinical Immunology. He went on to medical school at Touro University in Henderson, Nevada, and then completed his 4-year residency at the Johns Hopkins University-Sinai Hospital Program in Baltimore, Maryland. He then completed his fellowship at Nova Southeastern University, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4872,"width":223,"height":277,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4872" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-25.png" alt="" width="223" height="277" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Currently, Dr. Khan is working with the Kaiser Permanente Group, specifically the Permanente Medical Group (TPMG), covering California’s Northern Bay area, particularly Marin and Sonoma County. He has been heading the office for the Allergy Department for five years now.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Health Effects of California Wildfires&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With Dr. Javaid Khan growing up in Claremont, California, he is not a stranger to the area’s notorious wildfires. Dr. Khan shares that his childhood home almost got burned down due to a wildfire that got a little too close.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;When asked about the effects of the recent forest fires on people’s health, Dr. Khan reports that there has been a notable increase in patients with sinus problems and respiratory conditions related to low air quality.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Immune Targeted Treatments&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Dr. Khan boasts that most medical advancements are coming from the field of Allergy and Immunology. “A lot of Ph.D. lab researchers are developing novel cancer treatments that use different immune responses to treat different types of cancers in a very targeted way,” he tells Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;In his field, Dr. Khan and his colleagues use a similar immune-targeted therapy to treat patients with chronic hives (which people didn’t have treatments for in the past) and develop new medications to treat severe sinus disease, severe eczema, and severe asthma.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kaiser’s Response to Covid-19 and Thinking Forward&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Kaiser Permanente shows commendable action not only with the crazy wildfires but also with the onset of COVID-19. Dr. Khan happily shares that Kaiser has been very proactive during the whole COVID crisis. He mentions that they were one of the first to provide drive-thru COVID testing, as well as participate in the clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine. And, aside from rigorously practicing all the safety and health protocols, Kaiser also quadrupled their bed capacity in their hospitals.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Furthermore, Dr. Khan mentions that Kaiser has already been doing telemedicine for a fairly long time and is quite familiar with the whole process of telephone and video appointments - so much so that they developed their unique platform for these appointments. They also created an app called ‘My Doctor Online’ where people can access all their medical history, tests, notes, etc., and order prescriptions and have them delivered right to their doorstep. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Kaiser also developed an app called ‘Cortext’ wherein people can text doctors for any medical-related questions. The future is digital, and so Dr. Khan believes all of these are here to stay.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4873,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4873" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-26.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Financial Effects of Covid-19 to Kaiser&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Because of Kaiser Permanente’s well-thought-of implementation of their membership and health plan, it comes as no surprise that they are doing well financially compared to other hospitals that might have suffered some financial losses. Another bonus is that Medicare and other medical insurance companies are willing to reimburse for video appointments, Dr. Khan states.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get the Correct Information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With the vaccine coming out, tons of misinformation is being circled online. “I’ve been getting a lot of emails about the COVID vaccine: Is there a microchip in it? Or is it going to alter my DNA and become a permanent part of my DNA?” shares Dr. Khan. These are all false, and a lot of them stem from conspiracy theories. That is why Dr. Khan says, “With regards to vaccines and health care, one of the things that I think needs to be emphasized is communicating directly with your doctor and looking at validated sources.” Some examples of where to find credible sources are articles published by the New England Journal of Medicine, CBC, and FDA, as suggested by Dr. Khan.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Getting the correct information and looking up at proper vaccination guidelines could also stop people from being afraid of the vaccine. Dr. Khan explains that people are scared of the mRNA vaccine because it’s relatively new. However, mRNA technology has already been used before. To explain, this type of vaccine uses our cellular machinery to produce a protein to which our immune system can then form antibodies. With the 94% effectiveness shown in data, he believes that there is no contraindication for people to receive the vaccine unless stated otherwise by their physician.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don’t Forget Your Yearly Check-ups&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;A parting reminder from Dr. Javaid Khan is to seek medical and preventive care when appropriate. “We are seeing a decrease in hospital admissions for heart attacks and strokes because people are scared to go to the hospital because of the pandemic. That can result in permanent heart and neurological damage,” he says. He adds that they have also been seeing a dip in colonoscopies, mammograms, and other routine cancer screenings. That is concerning for Dr. Khan, and he worries that there may be a considerable rise in metastatic cancer and late-stage cancer in the near future. That is why he encourages everyone not to be afraid to go to medical centers and get their check-ups as the centers have a reliable system in place to lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-25.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/profile-spotlight-dr-javaid-khan/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4866</ID> <title>Kian Karimi Spotlight</title> <publishDate>2021-02-25 16:58:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"When I first saw my first rhinoplasty procedure, I was so intrigued by the complexity… all of the emotional and psychological things that went along with it. &lt;strong&gt;And I, at that point, realized that facial plastic surgery is the perfect harmony of science and art, and I was captivated right away&lt;/strong&gt;," Dr. Kian Karimi said regarding the moment that sealed his future as a cosmetic surgeon. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Karimi is renowned for his innovative contributions to facial surgery and has a flourishing practice, Rejuva Medical Aesthetics, located in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Karimi is the United States leading expert on PDO Thread - which he introduced and popularized as a non-surgical treatment for rejuvenation - and microcannulas and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In Development&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"At the time, it was a bit of a risk," Karimi said regarding bringing PDO threads into popularity.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;After facing concerns about the non-surgical procedures and meeting with international doctors to study their techniques, Karimi became excited about the PDO thread's potential. "Once the PDO thread gets metabolized by the skin, it undergoes an amazing callogenesis response, increasing up to 20 times the concentration of type 1 collagen... weeks and months after the thread lift is performed," Karimi said. "It's really the gift that keeps on giving."&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Karimi and his team continue to search for ways to innovate in the aesthetic space of cosmetic surgery. He is currently looking at PRFs, which inject one's red blood cells to heal wounds and create aesthetic enhancements. This autologous therapy and others strike Karimi as promising for effective natural ways to help people achieve their desired aesthetic.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4868,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4868" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-23.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Putting Your Best Face Forward&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:heading --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The pandemic created a sudden, increased demand for cosmetic surgery. Karimi describes this occurrence as people being forced to look into the digital mirror, with increased Zoom and FaceTime usage. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"I think people are really realizing the impact that our expressions have, our words have, and our appearance has on others both personally and professionally," Karimi said. &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;"If you put your best forward," he continued, "then it can really positively impact those around you in all aspects of your life." &lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With his work gaining momentum in the aesthetic space, Dr. Kian Karimi shows the beauty of helping people recover from past surgeries or regain their confidence. His growing clientele and visibility indicate that he has found something that resonates with people: personal fulfillment through aesthetic expressions.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;If you would like to read more about Dr. Kian Karimi, you can visit his website &lt;a href="https://www.rejuvamedical.org/plastic-surgeon-los-angeles-dr-karimi/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;. You can also read more about the boom in the cosmetic surgery industry &lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/news/zoom-pandemic-how-cosmetic-doctors-are-seeing-a-50-surge-in-business-and-you-can-too/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-23.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/kian-karimi-spotlight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4844</ID> <title>The Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Giving Birth: An Interview with Nicole McDonagh</title> <publishDate>2021-02-23 16:10:59</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Relax, put your mind at ease, and visualize yourself achieving the imaginable. You can also concentrate on the mundane—like flannel or the clouds, while you dull every other sound around you. Sometimes, it numbs the pain and anxiety; other times, it makes you feel like you are in control. Sound familiar? The above are different analyses of hypnotherapy. We spoke with Nicole McDonagh, a professional clinical counselor, trauma focus therapist, and childbirth educator with more than ten years of experience. Nicole is a UNLV graduate and the founder of Mental Edge Therapy—a firm dedicated to helping people take control of their circumstances through psychotherapy.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;“I have always done trauma focus therapy,” says Nicole. 'With Covid and everything else, I realized that, “Okay, there is a calling for helping expecting moms with dealing with all the anxiety and stress that naturally comes with being pregnant.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;The Global Pandemic stretched the United States’ healthcare system beyond measures in 2020; many pregnant women would inadvertently feel unsafe in hospitals. Childbirth is painful, stressful, and can have unexpected consequences—even in the most controlled environment, let alone in an environment plagued with coronavirus fears and life uncertainties. “The unknown can be frustrating. No one knows anything about what,” said Nicole. The tensions of the unknown, the increased level of stress, and fears led Nicole to herald her practice dedicated to helping expecting mothers alleviate some of those anxieties and achieve 'peace of mind.’&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Nicole, however, did not begin her career as a childbirth therapist. “It all started with hypnotherapy.” She claims. “After I was hypnotized on the Las Vegas Strip, my professor asked me, ‘Have you ever thought about being a hypnotherapist?’ Following that, I went to the first nationally accredited school of hypnosis and did two years there.' 'I had to get certain amounts of hours to get certified.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Hypnotherapy, also known as guided Hypnosis, uses relaxation, intense attention, and deep concentration to achieve a heightened state of consciousness. Hypnotherapy essentially puts you in an 'altered state of awareness.'&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Hypnosis, a form of psychotherapy, is used by hypnotherapists to push their clients into a hypnotic state—or a trance. In this state, clients are able to access recessed memories buried in the unconscious mind. Some of these memories may stem from painful and traumatic experiences that have been wholly repressed from the conscious mind.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4861,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4861" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-19.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;A hypnotherapist will often help a client gain a different outlook on life and experience circumstances from a different perspective. For example, a patient can be made to re-experience a seemingly painful incident —but this time, from a truthful acceptance of the pain followed by the power that comes from surviving the pain. Hypnosis is powerful, and in all instances, a client will become open to a psychologist and follow the psychologist's instructions. While Hypnosis is an excellent tool used by psychotherapists to help their clients overcome anxiety, fears, doubt, pain, and bad habits like drinking and smoking, the field certainly comes with its risks. One of such risks is that Hypnosis is not licensed, making it impossible for hypnotherapists to insure themselves if there is an accident or a lawsuit. Nicole says, “I cannot take insurance, so there were moments of doubt.”On her journey to becoming a psychotherapist, “I went back to school to become a nurse, but I did not like biology. Somehow, I found myself in counseling, and that was a big fascination.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“I studied Psychology and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Minor Addiction Treatment Studies. I went to UNLV, and here I am.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;According to Nicole, a pregnant friend she met during her CPC internship led to an 'epiphany’ moment. She immediately recognized her path to specialize in hypnobirthing when she helped her friend through the fears. “I first became certified in childbirth education in 2014, but I focused more on people with anxiety. As a hypnobirthing professional, helping mothers give birth to their babies, removing the placenta, and putting the baby on the breast is ‘fascinating.’”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4862,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4862" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-20.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Childbirth can be scary. There are many uncertainties, and medical professionals must make the patient feel like she is in control. Hypnobirthing does not necessarily replace traditional science and medicine in childbirth; instead, it complements other medical personnel's efforts. “Education is great.” A mother who understands why she feels what she feels is better equipped to fight the pain and push the baby into this world. Traumatic experiences from previous deliveries, unexpected complications, pain, fear, doubt, anxiety, and a general lack of emotional support can lead to an accumulation of stress—which is terrible for the mother and child. As a childbirth educator, Nicole is keen on ensuring that her patients understand precisely what is going on. Education eases fears and anxieties—in turn, reducing trauma. “A lot of trauma happens during birthing when there isn't sufficient education. It can be scary 'when you are in the hospital, and they are doing many things, and no one can explain what is going on.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;\With education, a patient will feel more in control. In any birthing environment, a patient should get at least a minute of uninterrupted explanation of what is going on and how she should prepare. If the doctors cannot spare the minute, a patient will feel like there is an emergency—and these feelings only build up stress levels. “When you are stressed, you lose everything. Contraction occurs and you clench. You should relax. Hypnosis can help a patient relax.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Hypnotherapy in childbirth takes a patient's mind away from stressors and pain and helps them relax and allow the process to take over seamlessly. When a patient feels in control, she is better equipped to give birth smoothly—and even if there are complications, her mind is better equipped to fight, survive, and give birth.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;“I use hypnotherapy as a modality for my client.” Nicole says. “Hypnosis is a higher form of learning. You are driving home, and you do not remember the drive; instead, you are thinking about grocery.” Driving—just like many other activities we do, is automatic. When you focus on the action, you become stressed out, and the action becomes painful. Try to concentrate on blinking, and it becomes hard to blink. Hypnotherapy helps put your mind at ease by shifting your focus to an entirely different activity.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Other than childbirth education and hypnobirthing, Nicole has many other clients with different issues. She tells us that some of her clients are afraid of the mall. “Every time they go to the store, they have a panic attack.” Nicole’s process is to bring up the dreaded emotion so that the clients will come face-to-face with their fears. Once a client can get in touch with his fears and anxiety, “we give them another emotion.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;According to Nicole, one cannot have a negative and a positive emotion simultaneously, “so, I will have to bring up one emotion and bring down the second emotion.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4863,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt;&#13; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-4863" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-21.png" alt="" /&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Human psychology is like two sides of the same coin: there are relationships between people's interpretation of experiences, yet for others, the same experience can have very different meanings. If a puppy walks into a room, it can be a positive emotion for a person yet a negative emotion for another person. If a person identifies a puppy with negativity, each time he encounters a puppy, the negativity solidifies. And it is the same for people who have positive emotions.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;A practical example is one of Nicole’s clients, a gymnast, who could not do a backflip after having a previous accident on the high beam. Every time she thought about the impossibility of a backflip, doing it became impossible. Nicole helped her “backflip over and over again in her mind.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;“It is like perception and visualization,” and there is no concept of time. During a hypnosis session, a client can be made to achieve the things he believes he cannot. It does not matter if graduating law school will take five years; in your mind, you can achieve it over and over again within a 1-hour hypnosis session.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;With the Global Pandemic ravaging most of 2020 and ensuring a lockdown of non-essential businesses, we wanted to know how Nicole coped. “A lot of therapy is online at the moment because most of my clients are not comfortable with, or it is not convenient for them, coming into the office.” Nicole says, “It is still a process working on the effectiveness of Hypnosis and hypnotherapy through online medium.”&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;Hypnobirthing is a field without many scientific studies. An NHS-funded research team studied a randomized selection of 680 women in 2013. Results were not conclusive enough to support or debase hypnobirthing's general effectiveness; that is, it may work on a patient and be ineffective on another patient. While NHS’s research may be inconclusive, it is essential to understand that hypnobirthing puts a woman in control of the birth process and gives her a higher chance of having a successful birth—even if there are complications.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-19.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-benefits-of-hypnotherapy-for-giving-birth-an-interview-with-nicole-mcdonagh/</url> </article> <article> <ID>4829</ID> <title>Vaccines, the Future of Medical Education, and the Reality of Reimbursements: An Interview with Dr. Thomas d'Amato</title> <publishDate>2021-02-21 15:36:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Armed with an impressive scientific education, cardiovascular &amp;amp; thoracic specialty, and experience as Ship's Surgeon on the USS Enterprise, Dr. Thomas d'Amato of Las Vegas has seen plenty of ups and downs in the medical community. However, no amount of training, experience, and notable repute could have prepared him and his colleagues for the COVID-19 pandemic. The year 2020 has been full of reflection on the past, present, and future – and Dr. d'Amato has valuable insight on how COVID-19 has affected his field, the current state of elective cases and vaccines, the future of medical education, and the reality of reimbursements.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Regarding the pandemic, coronavirus hit close to home. "I got COVID," Dr. d'Amato shared in an interview. "It was very mild symptoms. I had monoclonal antibodies, so things continued to be mild… My symptoms were a little bit of fatigue and anosmia – inability to smell." Dr. d'Amato explained how he had caught COVID right before Thanksgiving, a time where cases were spiking in the U.S. But even now, months later, he is still feeling the effects of the sickness. "It's getting a little bit better,"&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4855,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4855"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;He said about his anosmia. "But we [in healthcare] are not immune to getting [COVID]."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;However, for Dr. d'Amato, his own experience with the novel virus is the least of his worries. Amongst his concerns, he finds that current conditions make it increasingly challenging for doctors to establish a meaningful relationship with their patients during a time when patients need their doctors more than ever. Dr. d'Amato explained the strategy used to determine between essential and non-essential procedures: "You define cases…as elective, meaning someone can recover at home, whereas urgent is…where it's probably unsafe to let them go home. Emergent is taking them to the operating room as soon as you can. And salvage is someone you're not going to take to the emergency room and isn't going to make it." Because of COVID, many states are urging that people who would qualify as "elective cases" stay away from hospitals and doctors so as not to overwhelm hospital beds and to help slow the spread. However, with private practices such as Dr. d'Amato's, this has become a challenge. "We are way behind with what you would call an elective case. [For example] we usually do a fair amount of aortic dissections, and we're just not seeing that amount now."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Additionally, Dr. d'Amato explained that many of his patients fall into the 3rd category of "emergent," where "patients suffer life or limb loss if you don't operate on them within the cardiovascular specialty."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;But even getting those patients into the hospital has proven to be complicated. He explains, "The challenge that all of us have is getting these patients into the hospital. There's some supposition… that patients are dying at home where they're ignoring symptoms because they're afraid to come to the hospital." He shared. "I think that's challenging from both a fiscal and being-able-to-provide-good-patient-care standpoint." However, the solution isn't as easy as simply resuming practice as usual: "There's different issues that occur, it can be hospital staffing, it can be hospital beds, it can be O.R. staffing, nursing staffing, any one of those things depends on where we are on the curve for this pandemic. It changes."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4856,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4856"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nonetheless, Dr. d'Amato is cautiously optimistic that the vaccine is a promise for better days ahead. "We want to start knocking out those elective cases as soon as possible, as soon as we have light at the end of the tunnel, and so far, it's getting a little better." He says, stressing the importance of treating elective cases before they worsen. "I think, since the vaccine's coming, people are hoping it'll make a big difference."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Having received his Bachelors of Science in Microbiology &amp;amp; Cell Biology plus a Ph.D. in Biological Science, Dr. d'Amato is personally very interested in the mechanisms behind the COVID vaccines. "I keep up with some of this, I speak the language, and I'm not very concerned." He said. When asked about people's hesitations about the vaccines, he replied, "I'm a big proponent of the two vaccines which are out now [Moderna and Pfizer], but I can't comment on all of them." He went on to explain more about how the vaccine works: "I think it's a very amazing, novel thing that they d regarding these RNA vaccines regarding Moderna and Pfizer. Our RNA's are very fragile macromolecules that get chewed up very easily by enzymes that we have, and they're ubiquitous all over…the lipid nanoparticles are just a way to get it into our muscle cells that translate into our mRNA and turn it into a protein, a spike protein. And we excrete the spike protein, which is foreign to our bodies, and we make antibodies against it."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;From his personal experience, the only people he knows who've had adverse reactions are people who've had COVID and have gotten sick for a few days, plus arm soreness. Other than that, though, he says, "I think enough people have had this to show it's safe…what they're putting in your arm will eventually go away. I'm encouraging people to get it." However, Dr. d'Amato warns against an early victory and quickly returning to normal. Even with the vaccine, he asks, "Who knows how long immunity will last?... It will be interesting. Is it going to be the 'be all that end all'? Probably not, but it's going to slow it down."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4857,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4857"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Will a COVID world of social distancing, quarantining, shutdowns, and online everything be the "new normal"? Dr. d'Amato doesn't quite think so. "My opinion on that is very simplistic. I think that when I was a kid growing up, my mom used to tell me to wash my hands, don't touch your face, stay away from people who are sick, wash your hands a lot. And I think we've lost those things. That's what we need to teach our kids from the time they're toddlers. That ought to be the new normal, to keep your environment, hands, face, food, drink – all that clean, and try to stay away from sick people." He credits the low rate of influenza to people being more conscious about hygiene and cleanliness. "And I think that's despite this year's flu shot…why? I can speculate. People are washing their hands, staying away from sick people, not touching their faces, basic things. It's amazing how those simple things might make a difference."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;As for technology, the online world, and virtual networking, Dr. d'Amato thinks those changes are here to stay, evolve, and revolutionize learning, particularly for the medical industry. Today, medical students are using technology, simulations, and the virtual world as a significant part of their education – even more than before with the rise of distance learning. For some, simulations and virtual experiments are entirely replacing the classroom. While this offers promising technological gain, it also has its downsides: "What worries me is some of the technology that we are using ends up being a crutch, and we end up not knowing how to do things... I hate to say this... the old fashioned way." Dr. d'Amato warns. "When I was in academia, we had residents and students learning from us. And I would tell them I was going to 'hit them with a secret weapon' and they would ask me 'what's the secret weapon?'…It was the physical. [But now] we're losing the hands-on part, and I'm not sure a lot of that is going to come back."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;"Learning will change." Dr. d'Amato promises. "[Technology] is going to improve, it's going to keep getting better…Management of people with stents has improved, medications have improved, you can't deny the ethical value of some of the cholesterol-lowering drugs and those things." He points to the COVID vaccine as yet another example of how incredibly beneficial technology has been and shares his hope that this is only the beginning. But on the other hand, he still wholeheartedly believes in the importance of real, hands-on work: "You're not going to be able to do [everything] virtually. You can do simulations, but it's not the same. Yes, some of the simulations are really good, and they do help. Sometimes I'm like, 'Oh wow, I wish I had that,' but you don't come out of medical school knowing how to operate. And you're certainly not going to have the judgment for that." His biggest worry is that virtual will gradually chip away at the patient-doctor relationship, which has already been strained. "Nothing beats going to the patient bedside and learning from the patient. But that's kind of gone away."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:image {"id":4837,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --&gt; &lt;figure class="wp-block-image size-large"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4837"/&gt;&lt;/figure&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:image --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Additionally, medical reimbursements have been a particular difficulty for doctors this year, adding to the already-challenging private practice field. Dr. d'Amato compares the medical business to an airline business – they're both highly-reliable organizations held to high-quality standards. However, Dr. d'Amato notices a big difference: "We have biological entities in it." He states. And in order to fulfill the high-quality standards and maintain the best patient-doctor relationship -- "well, what's disheartening is that all costs money."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. d'Amato explains that doctors cannot write off what they don't collect, and overall reimbursements have gone down. "The reimbursements are incredibly much much lower than when I started and definitely lower than when my specialty started. And your big concern is that there's going to be a massive collapse of private industry in medicine, and it'll be completely controlled… for good or bad reasons."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dr. d'Amato foresees that if things don't change soon, the private medical industry may indeed collapse: "It gets to a point where you won't even be able to turn your lights on. It's going to be almost impossible to do that in the future. [Private collapse] may not be the worst thing in the world if it's done properly…but the whole quality issue, that's hard." Dr. d'Amato explains that physical location, loyalty to one's practice, and doctors being stretched thin due to finances has been difficult for some private practices. "Higher tax burdens, lower reimbursements, these are negatively going to affect most of us."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;The fancy dream of the medical field being a life of luxury is no longer the case. "The billionaire doctor doesn't exist anymore." Dr. d'Amato says. The fact that medical school is so expensive and the real world is becoming increasingly costly adds up. And Dr. d'Amato is especially worried about how this too will affect patient-doctor relationships. "[Some doctors] have to see 35 patients a day to make ends meet, and they're not bringing home a lot of money…but nonetheless, they can't turn on the lights if they don't see 35 patients a day. But how can you spend quality time with 35 patients a day? You can't, and that's worrisome."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt; &lt;p&gt;Like the entire world, the medical community is facing a significant change in the traditional status quo. New challenges, hopes, dreams, problems, and solutions are popping up left and right. From COVID to vaccines to technology to finances, doctors have had to juggle handfuls in 2020. Still, Dr. d'Amato believes that the transition from the usual to the new doesn't have to be one of the challenges. "We need to have mentors, lifelong mentors, and colleagues that can mentor you," He advises young people going into the medical community. "Mentorship programs, mentorship philosophy…everyone has something they can bring to the table." He once again emphasizes the importance of the patient-doctor relationship, saying that it is a priority above all: "Nothing substitutes number of patients that you see and what you observe. That's kind of my old-fashioned take on this. But it's important... Haha! I hate to say it. I never thought I'd call myself old fashioned."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;!-- /wp:paragraph --&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image-15.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/vaccines-the-future-of-medical-education-and-the-reality-of-reimbursements-an-interview-with-dr-thomas-damato/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>15138</ID> <title>Dentistry and Beyond: A Multidisciplinary Approach with Dr. David A. Woodruff, DDS</title> <publishDate>2021-12-22 17:01:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_476 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_557"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_582 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_226"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/meet-dr-david-woodruff-1.jpg" alt="" title="meet-dr-david-woodruff" class="wp-image-15140" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_583 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_610 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When your dedication to your patients drives you to grow your capabilities and evolve your practice continuously, your patients benefit tremendously. Such is the case of Dr. David A. Woodruff, DDS, who practices general and cosmetic dentistry in Modesto, California. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_558"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_584 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_611 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I chose dentistry because I noticed that most dentists have a personal relationship with their patients in a professional way, and that was attractive to me. Also, I like to work with my hands. I like to build things, and I enjoy solving problems," Dr. Woodruff shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Committed to providing the best possible solutions for his patients, Dr. Woodruff thinks beyond the world of dentistry by incorporating concepts and practices from other medical disciplines. This holistic, multidisciplinary approach often yields complete, individualized solutions for each patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I have a passion for connecting with my patients. I strive to be the type of dentist I would want to see as a patient. By offering painless care that's tailored to each person's goals and needs, I make sure each person has a great experience and even better results," Dr. Woodruff added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Science and Continuous Learning&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Using science and your imagination as tools to help your patients is really rewarding. I was originally drawn to the field out of a love of biology and science. I'm intrigued by how the body functions and the physics and engineering of dental materials and structures. As a dentist, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.woodruffdds.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I bring together the science and technical knowledge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, along with my passion for connecting with my patients," Dr. Woodruff shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This broader perspective led Dr. Woodruff to an extended range of possibilities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It isn't that I have to have all the answers. If I don't, let me see what I can learn about it. That's how I found out about things like light laser therapy, platelet-rich fibrin, electromagnetic field therapy, and other technologies that don't always come through the dental societies," he explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medicalfuturist.com/the-amazing-future-of-dentistry-and-oral-health/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;new technology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; always on the horizon, such as artificial intelligence, smart toothbrushes, teledentistry, Intra-oral cameras, regenerative dentistry and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dentistrytoday.com/sp-1773020150/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;CAD/CAM&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Woodruff will never run out of new things to learn and bring to his patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_348 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1044 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1045 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1046 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_559"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_585 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_227"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/young-woman-receiving-dental-check-up.jpg" alt="" title="young-woman-receiving-dental-check-up" class="wp-image-15142" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_612 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Physiologic Dentistry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physiologic dentistry &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cranberrydentalstudio.com/physiologic-dentistry/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;connects symptoms such as headaches and migraines, neck pain and tinnitus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to pathologic occlusion (a "bad bite"). Affected areas and functions include problems with posture, airway obstruction and sleep apnea. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Woodruff describes physiological dentistry as "a way to practice using objective tools and measurements. It looks at the physiology of the patient. And so when a physiologic dentist looks at the airway, for example, they're going to look at the patient's muscle activity. They're going to look at how they speak."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another example is sleep apnea, which Dr. Woodruff screens for in his practice. In addition to losing weight, stopping smoking, and other recommendations from primary care physicians, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.woodruffdds.com/sleep-apnea"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dentists can provide oral devices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that prevent throat blockage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I offer a screening test and look for snoring. For a lot of patients, just helping them get their sleep cycles right is hugely beneficial," he added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Woodruff credits a fellowship with the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Esthetics and Neuromuscular Science for his specialized training. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm a fellow, and I'm working towards a mastership with them, which few dentists achieve," Dr. Woodruff explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Links to Other Conditions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's expand on the previous section a bit. The mouth is part of the human body, so it should be no surprise that its ailments affect or are affected by the conditions of other body parts. It's all connected. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Mayo Clinic describes oral health as "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a window to your overall health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;." It can contribute to such conditions as cardiovascular disease, complications in pregnancy and pneumonia. Also, other conditions affect oral health, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Most oral health problems are linked to airway issues and anything from migraine headaches to mouth breathing dependency. So even having a lot of cavities isn't necessarily because a patient has bad teeth. It's because of other issues in their body that they're dealing with. And so dentists can work with other healthcare professionals or address those airway issues or other problems," Dr. Woodruff said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6986941/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;airway disorder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and the mouth breathing it causes, leads to complications such as enlarged tonsils, tooth erosion, periodontal disease and sleep disorders. But dentists can collaborate with other medical providers to detect the disorder early, examine facial and dental bones and tissues and provide a complete, effective treatment. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Woodruff offers an example: "A woman came to me with some abscesses, and her mouth hurt. Looking at her, I could tell that she had an airway issue and neck posture problems related to her bite. Being a physiologically trained dentist, I used technologies like EMGs and electromyography and was able to establish a new bite for her. She later became a huge referrer for my practice."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Woodruff's ongoing pursuit of his knowledge, skills and professional network beyond dentistry is his key to providing solutions and building fulfilling personal connections with each patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's really rewarding when a patient sends you a text on Christmas day to say, 'Hey, Dave, you know, this is the first Christmas in over 10 years I have not had a migraine!' Something like that makes your heart melt and just makes your day," Dr. Woodruff joyfully shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Woodruff's journey of knowledge is ongoing, and he continues to be open to new ideas. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he learned new technologies to continue to operate without his usual staff in the office, who did not return back to work until June 2020. As for the future, "a lot of what we're going to see is the incorporation of lasers with our therapies, platelet-rich fibrin (for healing wounds) in combination with a lot of our surgical procedures and bone grafting."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through his unshakable dedication to his patients and continuous pursuit of education, Dr. Woodruff is ready for what the future of dentistry has to offer. And his many loyal and appreciative patients' lives will be healthier and happier because he went the extra mile for them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/meet-dr-david-woodruff-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/dentistry-and-beyond-a-multidisciplinary-approach-with-dr-david-a-woodruff-dds/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>30007</ID> <title>Spring into the New Season with a Fresh Salad</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:32:44</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_477 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_560"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_586 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_613 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you live in a warmer climate, you might already be seeing spring bloom on your corner. As everything is waking up from the winter’s cold and embracing sunnier days, you might start craving some fresh produce that comes with the new season. Along with the flowers and trees starting to bloom, various warm-weather produce will become available, letting you have a taste of spring wrapped into a delicious salad. Check out the recipe below and make adjustments to your diet and liking!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30012 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/strawberry1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strawberry Rhubarb Salad&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ingredients&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 Serving&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Salad&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Cup Arugula&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 Handful Kale&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 Handful Spinach&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Rhubarb Stalk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 Cups Whole Strawberries &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ Cup Radish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ Cup Walnuts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅛ Cup ¼ Cup Chopped Spring Onion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salt and Pepper to Taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get in your daily protein by adding farm-raised chicken or quinoa for a vegetarian option, cooked how you like!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dressing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ½ Rhubarb Stalks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Cup Chopped Strawberries &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅛ Cup Olive Oil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TBLS Honey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salt and Pepper to Taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30013 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/strawberrysalad2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instructions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Salad&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add kale and spinach to a medium bowl and set aside&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut rhubarb stalk into small pieces &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chop strawberries in halves &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut radish into thin slices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add rhubarb, strawberries, and radish slices and toss salad&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add chicken or quinoa &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add arugula, walnuts, and spring onions for garnish and season with salt and pepper to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dressing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chop rhubarb stalks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dice strawberries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Put rhubarb, strawberries, olive oil, and honey into blender and blend until liquid consistency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If needed, add a splash of water to make dressing thinner or leave out if thicker dressing preferred&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add a dash of salt and pepper to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We hope you enjoy this spring produce-focused salad! It’s a great way to get in your greens and protein for lunch or a snack during the day while getting a refreshing taste of spring.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/strawberrysaladcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/diet/spring-into-the-new-season-with-a-fresh-salad/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29897</ID> <title>Savory or Sweet? You Choose! Two Heart-Healthy Breakfast Recipes</title> <publishDate>2024-02-05 22:21:04</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_478 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_561"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_587 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_614 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;February is well-known for being American Heart Month. Considering heart-related problems are the leading cause of death in the United States, it’s important to consider easy lifestyle improvements that can make a world of difference in your heart health as you age. One easy way to make a small shift is to start your day off right with a heart-healthy breakfast. Whether you like a sweet or savory breakfast, we have included two easy recipes to start your day right and move toward a healthier heart. Let’s dive in!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29903 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sweet1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Morning Oatmeal Recipe&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INGREDIENTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅓ Cup Sprouted Quick Oats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;¾ Cup Water or Milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pinch of Salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅓ Cup Cranberries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Cup Peaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TBSP Flax Seeds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TBSP Hemp Seeds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TBSP Honey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INSTRUCTIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring water or milk to a boil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce heat to a simmer and add oats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover for 2-3 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While oats are cooking, wash and cut fruit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take off heat and pour into bowl&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add fruit, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and top off with honey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let cool, and enjoy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29902 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/savory1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Breakfast Quinoa Bowl&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INGREDIENTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 Cup Organic Quinoa&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 Cups Water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 Garlic Cloves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Cup Green and red peppers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Avacado&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1TBSP of Sesame Seeds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TSP Salt&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TSP Pepper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 TSP Red Pepper Flakes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;½ Lime&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 TBSP Honey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INSTRUCTIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add quinoa, salt and water and bring to a boil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mince garlic cloves and green and red peppers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add minced garlic and peppers and reduce to a simmer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cover and let cook 15 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cut avocado into thin slices, set aside&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Squeeze lime into bowl and mix in honey and red pepper flakes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once quinoa is cooked, season with pepper, add avocado, sprinkle sesame seeds and lime dressing on top&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let cool, and enjoy!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can pair both of these dishes with your favorite protein for a well-rounded, heart-conscious breakfast. We hope you enjoy these recipes. Take a picture and tag @topdoctormagazine to show off your cooking skills!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/savoryorsweetcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/savory-or-sweet-you-choose-two-heart-healthy-breakfast-recipes/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29377</ID> <title>Christmas Cranberry Potpourri</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:25:27</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_479 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_562"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_588 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_615 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the holiday season approaches, the warm and inviting scent of a natural stovetop potpourri can infuse your home with the delightful aromas of Christmas. This cranberry and orange potpourri recipe not only fills your space with a festive fragrance but also adds a touch of seasonal decor with its vibrant colors. Whether you're hosting a gathering, wrapping presents, or simply enjoying a cozy day by the fire, this potpourri will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ingredients:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 cup fresh cranberries&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 2 oranges, sliced&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 3 cinnamon sticks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 6 whole cloves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 small sprig of fresh rosemary&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 small sprig of fresh thyme&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- 1 small pine branch or a handful of pine needles (optional)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29382 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instructions:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Prep the Ingredients:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Rinse the fresh cranberries and set them aside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Slice the two oranges into rounds. You can also cut them into smaller pieces if you prefer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Assemble the Potpourri:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - In a small pot or saucepan, add the cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Place the fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs on top of the other ingredients. These herbs will release a wonderful fragrance as they simmer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Add Pine (Optional):&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - If you have a small pine branch or a handful of pine needles available, you can add them to the potpourri for an extra touch of Christmas tree scent. This step is optional but highly recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Simmer on the Stovetop:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Fill the pot with water until it's about 3/4 full or as desired.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Place the pot on the stovetop over low heat. Allow the potpourri to simmer gently.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - As the mixture heats, the scents will combine, filling your home with the delightful aroma of cranberries, oranges and spices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="5"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Keep an Eye on It:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - Check the water level periodically, and add more water as needed to prevent it from evaporating entirely. You can continue simmering the potpourri for as long as you like; just remember to keep an eye on it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="6"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Enjoy the Aroma:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   - As the potpourri simmers, your home will be filled with the warm and comforting scents of the holiday season. The cranberries and oranges will release their fragrant oils, and the spices will add depth to the aroma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29384 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This natural stovetop potpourri, infused with the delightful combination of cranberries and oranges, evokes the spirit of Christmas and will make your home feel even more special during this festive time of year. The warm, inviting scents will create a cozy atmosphere that's perfect for holiday gatherings, quiet moments by the fire or simply adding a touch of Christmas to your everyday life. Enjoy the season and the wonderful aromas that this potpourri brings to your home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry-potpourri-cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/recipes/christmas-cranberry-potpourri/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29340</ID> <title>Winter Wellness: Strategies to Combat Cold Weather's Impact on Your Body</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:23:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_480 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_563"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_589 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_616 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with the cozy feelings of the holidays come earlier sunsets and colder winter weather. As the air gets cooler, you might find your body and mental health are also going through some seasonal changes. These are things you can easily prepare for, prevent and address as winter sets in. In this article, we will explore a few ways winter weather might affect your body, how to combat these effects and ways to stay active mentally and physically during these chillier days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Winter Weather Effects on the Body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle Stiffness and Joint Pain: Cold weather can contribute to muscle stiffness and joint pain, making movement more challenging and uncomfortable. While cold temperatures can have an impact on people with normal muscle and joint use, it could have a greater effect on those with pre-existing conditions like arthritis or Lyme disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry Skin: The cold, dry air of winter can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and even cracking. Those with skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis or cystic acne will most likely notice an increase in sensitivity during the winter months.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): There could be an explanation for why you feel a bit down during the holidays and following cooler months, even if you feel like there isn't a reason. With the winter months come shorter days. Reduced sunlight during winter can affect mood and lead to symptoms of SAD, including feelings of lethargy and sadness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29345 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Address Winter Weather Effects&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warm-Up Exercises: Easily combat regular muscle stiffness and joint pain with some simple stretches and warm-ups. Prior to outdoor activities, engage in thorough warm-up exercises to increase blood flow, loosen muscles, and reduce the risk of injuries in cold weather. If you have any pre-existing conditions, ensure that any stretches or warm-ups you do are gentle on your muscles and joints and properly address any pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moisturizing: The best way to combat dry skin is prevention! Regularly moisturizing the skin helps prevent dryness and maintains its natural barrier against harsh winter conditions. If irritation and extreme dryness persist, research a holistic care doctor or dermatologist in your area and see if they have any suggestions to combat abnormal dryness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Light Therapy: Exposure to bright light, especially in the morning, can help alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and regulate mood. An easy way to do this is to get 15 minutes of morning light and 15 minutes of evening light. Bundle up and go for a walk, or simply open your blinds and sit by the window for a while. Some people find that sun lamps are also effective in combating SAD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29347 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Activities to Stay Physically and Mentally Active During Winter:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Winter Sports: Just because it is cold out doesn't mean you can't stay active outside. Embrace the season by engaging in activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or even just going for a walk during the warmer parts of the day. As suggested above, make sure to stretch or do some warm-up exercises inside in order to maintain good muscle and joint health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indoor Workouts: If winters get too bitingly cold where you live, there are other options to stay physically active that can also improve your mental health during winter. Join a gym, take fitness classes, take up indoor rock climbing or follow online workout routines to stay active indoors. Research to see if there is an indoor pool near you and join for a low-impact way to exercise. Keeping active is also proven to improve mental health. So, continuing to exercise during the winter months could not only help your physical well-being but also your mental and emotional well-being. A lot of these indoor exercises can also help you socialize more this winter. Grab a group of friends and join a Pilates class, or see if you could join an indoor running group. The possibilities are endless!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Puzzles and Books: Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise, especially if you are looking for ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder or regulate your mood with less light during the daytime. Nothing is better than curling up by a warm fire and reading a book or putting a puzzle together. Both of these activities are great ways to engage your mind and tune out any racing thoughts for any amount of time. You could pick up a book while waiting for something to bake or work on a puzzle when you have some downtime and need to be doing something. These don't have to be activities done alone, either! Joining a monthly book club can help you meet new people, or having friends over for dinner and a night of puzzles and games can help you enjoy social interactions with people you have established relationships with already.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29346 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Winter-Wellness-Cover-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't have to endure the winter months with persisting pain, skin irritation and feelings of sadness without knowing how to combat them. While everyday muscle and joint pain can worsen with cold weather, stretching and warming up before going outside or participating in outdoor activities can help ease any stiffness. Along with stretching before being outside in the cold, be sure to put on your favorite moisturizer to prevent any dryness or skin irritation. It's good to put this into practice, even when you're inside, as house heaters can also dry out the air, causing skin irritation. If you do choose to take a walk outside, remember that the sunlight can also help regulate your moods and aid in combating Seasonal Affective Disorder. Don't be afraid to pick up a new hobby or join a club to meet new people and boost your mood! Combating the effects of cold weather starts with taking these easy and practical steps toward a winter full of physical and mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness2.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/winter-wellness-strategies-to-combat-cold-weathers-impact-on-your-body/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>14444</ID> <title>How Wildfires Negatively Impact Air Quality</title> <publishDate>2021-10-14 15:54:30</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_481 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_564"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_590 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_228"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/malachi-brooks-HVh7BRp3ls-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="malachi-brooks--HVh7BRp3ls-unsplash" class="wp-image-14446" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_617 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Wildfires have become troublingly customary in the Western U.S. over the past decade. Only last year, over &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-wildfires-occur-in-the-us/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20wildfires%20nationwide,million%20acres%20burned%20in%202020."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10 million acres&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; were scorched nationwide, doubling 2019's figures. That is a landmass equal to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-wildfires-occur-in-the-us/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20wildfires%20nationwide,million%20acres%20burned%20in%202020."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Massachusetts and Connecticut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; combined. Unfortunately, this devastating trend is only going to worsen itself, as uncontrolled fires will gradually become &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/science-health_wildfire-smoke-impacts-air-quality-across-us/6209681.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;longer, larger, and more devastating for our communities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smoke Spreads like Wildfire&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're currently residing on the East Coast, news of wildfires might not sound as grim, considering the distance factor. However, the intensity of this year's Dixie Fire proved once again that smoke knows no boundaries. In August, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/science-health_wildfire-smoke-impacts-air-quality-across-us/6209681.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Denver officials reported the poorest air quality out of all major cities in the world&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; due to California wildfires. Such patterns are noticeable all across the world. Inhabitants of Central Europe have to suffer smoke traveling from Eastern Russia, and Greeks and Italians have become accustomed to evacuating their homes from the firestorms' path. Basically, wildfires make no distinctions between populations, countries, and continents.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The apocalyptic images of crimson-red skies serve as a warning that fires could trigger a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.labroots.com/trending/earth-and-the-environment/21259/wildfire-effects-air-quality-2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;public health crisis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; anytime in the near future. The clouds of smoke carry microscopic particles that, once inhaled, negatively impact our respiratory systems and add to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3346787/#:~:text=Objective%3A%20We%20estimated%20the%20annual,landscape%20fire%20smoke%20(LFS).&amp;amp;text=Results%3A%20Our%20principal%20estimate%20for,tested%20estimates%20was%20260%2C000%E2%80%93600%2C000"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;339,000 premature deaths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; caused by wildfire smoke every year. Today, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team will help you learn more about the troubling repercussions of wildfire smoke on the air we breathe and how to protect your family from its toxic air pollutants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Smoke's Stratospheric Journey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The advent of the summer's warmth poses significant dangers to areas with dry climates. With the rise in temperature, ground-level vegetation provides the material to fuel unchecked wildfires. The flames turn everything in their path into &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/four-times-more-toxic-how-wildfire-smoke-ages-over-time"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;smoke, soot, and other pollutants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which rise many miles into the sky. Once they reach the stratosphere, smoke is haphazardly spread by wind and currents, traveling, under the right conditions, thousands of miles away from the fire.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The communities adjacent to wildfire sites bear the full brunt of poor air quality. Even with closed windows, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/118/36/e2106478118"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the indoor concentration of noxious smoke particles triples during wildfire events&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Air conditioning and filtration systems do their best to keep these figures in check, although they cannot guarantee complete protection from air pollutants. Due to the sheer number of wildfires in some parts of the country, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theverge.com/22600224/wildfire-smoke-worse-air-pollution"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;California&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, scientists believe that wildfire smoke will become the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theverge.com/22600224/wildfire-smoke-worse-air-pollution"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;primary source of air pollutants&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, overcoming toxic emissions from automobiles and industrial plants. As a result, wildfires will only lower air quality in these regions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_349 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1047 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1048 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1049 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_565"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_591 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_229"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ryan-arnst-q_oAQezJr9U-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="ryan-arnst-q_oAQezJr9U-unsplash" class="wp-image-14445" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_618 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Dangerous Is the Smoke?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Have you ever passed by a cigarette and inhaled its smoke? If so, then you can probably relate to the unpleasant feeling of smoke inhalation. Akin to cigarette smoke and vehicle gas emissions, wildfire smoke is filled with hazardous particles to your respiratory system, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://csl.noaa.gov/factsheets/csdWildfiresFIREX.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;carbon dioxide, black carbon, brown carbon, ozone precursors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.labroots.com/trending/earth-and-the-environment/21259/wildfire-effects-air-quality-2"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;nitrogen oxides, and nitrous acids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, the poisonous matter spread by wildfire smoke is not our only source of concern; unlike cigarettes and car exhaust systems, wildfire smoke is unfiltered, which increases its danger factor exponentially. Wildfire smoke only becomes more noxious as it burns through manufactured constructions filled with poisonous chemicals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fighting against Microscopic Enemies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As if battling one microscopic enemy (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19) wasn't enough, wildfire smoke is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/wildfire-smoke-blowing-across-country-more-toxic-than-we-thought"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;80% composed of fine particulate matter or PM2.5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Although &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theverge.com/22600224/wildfire-smoke-worse-air-pollution"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair follicle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, these microscopic particles are strong enough to penetrate our respiratory system and the bloodstream, thus affecting the entire body. Shortness of breath, respiratory tract irritation, and more severe disorders, such as reduced lung function, bronchitis, and heart failure, stem from PM2.5 inhalation. This is why the number of hospitalizations increases by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/wildfire-smoke-blowing-across-country-more-toxic-than-we-thought"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10% on average during wildfires&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, while &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/wildfire-smoke-blowing-across-country-more-toxic-than-we-thought"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exposure to common sources of PM2.5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; barely affects it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PM2.5 becomes a more dangerous enemy when we consider the pandemic times we're living in. Studies have proven that COVID-19 patients whose &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/air-pollution-linked-with-higher-covid-19-death-rates/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;immune systems are already battling against PM2.5 particles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; find it harder to repel the COVID-19 infection. A weakened immune system means higher infection rates and, consequently, diminished chances of survival.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smoke Is a Long-Term Enemy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Evacuating the general population from the wildfire's path is merely a temporal solution. Although the wildfire dies down eventually, the smoke poses a different challenge. Researchers from Greece studied the chemical composition of smoke over multiple days, and their discoveries are quite alarming: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/four-times-more-toxic-how-wildfire-smoke-ages-over-time"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the smoke toxicity doubles five hours after being released in the air and almost quadruples after one day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This chilling turn of events stems from the oxidation process (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;when smoke particles react with other molecules known as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/four-times-more-toxic-how-wildfire-smoke-ages-over-time"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;trace radicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;). The oxidation process turns smoke particles into reactive compounds, which, once breathed in, can cause cell and tissue damage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vigilance Is Our Best Response&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Doing our best to prevent wildfires in order to protect ourselves and others from potential harm is the best response we can have as Americans. In the meantime, we are responsible for our own health, which is why we recommend that you take &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/science-health_wildfire-smoke-impacts-air-quality-across-us/6209681.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;air quality alerts and warnings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; seriously. Such vigilant acts will help keep the population healthier and the number of hospitalizations down to a minimum. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; hope that fewer and fewer of our readers will have to face the adverse consequences of wildfires in the future. If you're more interested in thoroughly researched medical and lifestyle articles, check out our vast selection of topics &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/malachi-brooks-HVh7BRp3ls-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/how-wildfires-negatively-impact-air-quality/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29285</ID> <title>Cultivating a Room of Excellence: Chris Himel's IV Biz Bash Event and the Future of Medicine</title> <publishDate>2023-11-22 19:47:22</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_482 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_566"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_592 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_619 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our true mission is that we want to impact 1 million alternative medicine practitioners and holistic medicine business owners so they can go out and affect a thousand people. And with that, we can impact the health and the life of a billion people," Chris Himel said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second annual IV Biz Bash event, held on October 13th through 15th in Austin, Texas, is a collaborative event for medical professionals to increase sales, gain insight into social media marketing, learn marketing strategies and create connections with other professionals in the industry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Financial worry is typical for most people in the United States, and medical professionals are no different. They stress like anyone else, which can affect their business and overall wellness.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"And that's something we as a company are on a mission to solve. And if we solve the first problem- that's helping the business owners- we can solve the second problem of getting the modalities and these new things coming out into the hands of the consumers so they can stop suffering. Most people just don't know there are things out there they can do to live a more vibrant life, and some of it's a simple medic task," Himel said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The thing about IV therapy is that only some medical professionals know the proper ways to market the treatment. Oftentimes, medical marketing involves a bland commercial that consumers dislike seeing or a lot of description with little interaction. However, the IV Biz Bash event is seeking to change this narrative and give the professionals in the field something else to create that will attract consumers on a different level. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29293 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CH6.JPG-918x1024.jpg" alt="" width="918" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Attendees will get the chance to network with some of the top people in the industry and learn everything they need to know. If you want to add IV therapy if you haven't already, if you want to know how to make it better, how to increase your profits on the IV therapy side, and learn about what regulations are coming out so you can run it safely as well this event is for you," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On the last day of the event, they are hosting a workshop with five different rooms for more intimate hands-on help from their top speakers. Then, on Friday night, they will have a VIP dinner and speaker and host a huge party on Saturday night. The event seeks to combine business and fun for an unforgettable experience to gain exposure and connections to those in the IV therapy field. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Last year, the IV Biz Bash event looked slightly different for Himel and his team. The event had the attendees working more independently. In contrast, this year's IV Biz Bash event will have professionals mingle together and ask questions with more people involved and special speakers covering the most critical topics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Our core mission is all towards a bigger picture. And in alternative medicine, it's not hard for us to know if something is a good fit. So, regarding our business goals, 'we ask how do we reach that $1 million practitioner?' How do we reach them so we can reach a billion people and, in return, make their lives better so they don't have to suffer? It is all about helping people," Himel said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a business owner, one is always asking how to improve their business and increase revenue. And that's what the IV Biz Bash event is seeking to do- it is answering all those questions for business owners and medical professionals in the world of IV therapy. The space allows people to ask questions and take advice from those already in the IV therapy space. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29290 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CSH1.JPG-958x1024.jpg" alt="" width="958" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You know, if you're thinking about adding red light therapy, you are able to have conversations with red light therapy users. You get the chance to talk about everything, like adding in a sauna, rather than just doing some research online. And you're going to be in the room and ask those questions from real users," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spaces like this event are rare in the medical world. Oftentimes, medical professionals are alone or at least feel alone with introducing new medical equipment or regenerative medicine into their practice. However, the IV Biz Bash event is seeking to close this gap and answer the questions that professionals have through others in the industry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"This event is not just like a medical seminar, but you're going to leave here with growth stories. We heard from people last year that went from $1 million to $5 million yearly in revenue. You get the chance to optimize your training and marketing and add new modalities. You come out on fire, and the next three months will be the best three months of your calendar year because you're just gonna absolutely crush it," Himel said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being able to host so many medical professionals at one event is the opportunity of a lifetime. Spots are limited, but the knowledge that medical professionals and those in regenerative medicine will experience is unfathomable. Register today at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ivbizbash.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.ivbizbash.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to attend this life and business-changing event. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IVBizBashArticleCover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/business/entrepreneurship/cultivating-a-room-of-excellence-chris-himels-iv-biz-bash-event-and-the-future-of-medicine/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>13667</ID> <title>What Does AI Look Like in the Medical Field</title> <publishDate>2021-08-28 15:42:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_483 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_567"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_593 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_230"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/brain-study-background-mental-health-care-medical-technology-e1630683203531.jpg" alt="" title="brain-study-background-mental-health-care-medical-technology" class="wp-image-13672" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_620 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What Does AI Look Like in the Medical Field&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Imagine the future. You are sitting on a plush couch, but you don't feel well. So, you insert your arm into your AI machine, which monitors your blood and heart rate. After the machine samples your blood and runs the tests, it sends the data and the analysis to your doctor for review. There is no traveling, long lines, and wait time, but instead an analysis accuracy that beats human judgment with precision. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This dream of artificial intelligence paving the way for an effortless revolutionary world is not so far away as incredible advances in medicine are being made. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Helpful Tool&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When people think of artificial intelligence, they think of how we portray AI in Sci-Fi movies. And while Sci-Fi movies do entice our imaginations, they don't provide an accurate picture of how artificial intelligence works. Although AI robots are stereotyped as the villains of the story, AI in real life isn't limited to a robot and looks more like a fantastic way of processing data through algorithms. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.brookings.edu/research/what-is-artificial-intelligence/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Artificial intelligence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in its current form is best described as a machine programmed with algorithms designed to make data-based judgments. Programmers create the algorithms to perform tasks with speed and accuracy. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Within the medical field, programmers have experimented with creating algorithms that will spot the difference between healthy and unhealthy cells. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/artificial-intelligence-in-medicine-applications-implications-and-limitations/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Harvard&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the AI test trials have a 99% accuracy rate and could lead to treating root causes of diseases instead of mediating the symptoms. As a result, AI could be one of the best tools a doctor has at disposal. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Benefits of AI in the Medical Field&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The potential benefits of AI cannot be overstated. For example, one AI machine can process data and then provide a detailed summary faster and more accurately than a doctor can. However, such a development doesn't render doctors obsolete. Instead, the machine will help doctors serve more people and focus on their connection with their patients with the time freed up. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to more time, doctors can review the AI's results to give the patient a detailed diagnosis and recovery plan. The implications of AI's early detection involve better medicine, higher life expectancy, and lower mortality rates. In addition, AI virtually eliminates human error.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When AI is used more commonly within medicine, the out-of-pocket cost for patients per visit should decrease. With more of the work shouldered by AI machines, doctors and patients alike benefit from the convenience and efficiency AI offers.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gaining Credibility and Trust&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Currently, AI still has a few hurdles to jump before becoming an integrated part of medicine. Before it reaches doctors en masse, it must go through extensive testing and receive an FDA approval. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The testing isn't arbitrary either. Programmers test AI by having the algorithms provide an analysis. The analysis is compared with the correct outcome and then repeated with new data or adjusted to make the algorithm more accurate. This process is scrutinized to make sure any mistakes in the algorithm and its results are caught and fixed.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What may prove to be the biggest hurdle is gaining acceptance among patients who are skeptical of AI being used with a doctor. AI is not exactly personable, and some patients may feel more comfortable with a doctor making a diagnosis, even if it is wrong. Hopefully, refined AI algorithms will inspire confidence in patients that the benefits far outweigh the initial unfamiliarity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To The Future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An AI directly involved in medicine is still years away, but steady progress and continual education will make medicinal AI much closer to reality. The potential of AI and the advancement of better medicine is excellent and promising, making the future seem all the more bright.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy this as well: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/telehealth/the-next-telehealth-revolution-is-here/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The Next Telehealth Revolution is Here."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/brain-study-background-mental-health-care-medical-technology-e1630683203531.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/what-does-ai-look-like-in-the-medical-field/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13649</ID> <title>Could This Popular Treatment Eliminate Your Chronic Pain?</title> <publishDate>2021-08-25 15:02:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_484 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_568"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_594 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_231"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best-e1630680271892.jpeg" alt="" title="Best" class="wp-image-13654" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_621 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;Could This Popular Treatment Eliminate Your Chronic Pain?&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Jim Moharter suffered from an unfortunate accident back in 2003, when his vehicle took part in a massive car crash. Severe injuries to his neck and spine plagued his existence ever since, nor could he find an adequate solution to his pain – high-dose narcotics and pain medicine became the word of order, mainly comprising dangerous opioids such as Fentanyl. In addition, the accident impaired Moharter's locomotor abilities up to the point where he could not avoid the wheelchair any longer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such was Moharter's state when &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/aashish-jay-kumar-md"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Aashish Jay Kumar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a Wayne State University graduate who runs his clinic in Raleigh, NC, under Duke Health, welcomed him into his office. "When he first came here, he was on high-dose narcotics; he was in a wheelchair, he didn't walk." Instead of replacing the narcotic Band-Aid, Dr. Kumar decided to replace this vicious approach with a tangible and practical solution in the shape of a neuromodulation procedure. Now, Moharter is free to walk at will, without worrying about past pain or medication. "It's very empowering, psychologically and physically."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moharter's story has a happy conclusion; however, thousands of chronic pain patients out there would be much better off after a neuromodulation procedure in a painless, medication-free world. Dr. Kumar kindly agreed to share his wealth of knowledge with the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team in order to help these patients and raise more awareness on the astounding benefits of neuromodulation. Now, it is our turn to synthesize his thoughts and present to our readers the science behind neuromodulation and the benefits stemming from this narcotic-free approach!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Explaining a Neuromodulation Procedure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A wind of change is sweeping the interventional pain field, bringing about neuromodulation's rise in popularity. Instead of long narcotic spans, small devices work their magic in inhibiting pain signals from arriving at the brain; such news can only cheer up 8 out of 10 patients, who, as Dr. Kumar discloses, do not require controlled substances as treatment. Instead, their best and safest bet lies in a neuromodulation procedure capable of delivering electric stimulation benefits in one go!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The neuromodulation procedure entails little to no effort from the patient's side. First, a thin &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;lead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is implanted under the skin and guided to the target nerve through X-ray and ultrasound. Then, the doctor will attach an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;impulse generator &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to your skin to communicate with the lead. Once in place, you can cause the device to send electrical stimulation to the nerve through a remote called a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patient programmer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The impulse generator delivers low-dose electrical stimulation to the target nerve to "reset" the nerve and provide pain relief. For a more precise understanding, Dr. Kumar proposed the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;circuit&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;overload&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; analogy – the exterior electrical stimulation block the pain signals traveling from the nerve to the brain. Thus, instead of focusing on the pain, the nerve will turn its attention towards the novel stimulation, consequently liberating you from pain!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treating Multiple Types of Pain with Versatility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neuromodulation travels far and wide when it comes to treatable pain areas. Anything from fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) falls under neuromodulation's jurisdiction. Whether it is in the knees, wrists, shoulders, or back, neuromodulation inhibits the painful sensation left after certain surgeries, such as replacement surgery. It might sound surprising, but even patients plagued by migraines from occipital neuralgia see Dr. Kumar for neuromodulation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Neuromodulation's versatility lies not only in the treatable pain types; the Duke Health team understood the need to accommodate the device to the patient's needs. Therefore, while some patients cannot wait to enjoy the permanent benefits of neuromodulation, others might want to give it a test run. Consequently, Dr. Kumar spoke to us of two device types:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Temporary peripheral nerve stimulation devices: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the patient wears the device for sixty days until removal, with pain relief effects lasting upwards of two years. At Duke Health, temporary devices come in the shape of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sprtherapeutics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;SPRINT device&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Permanent peripheral nerve stimulation devices: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;no different from their temporary counterparts, except for two things – they are permanent and do not malfunction underwater! Duke Health recommends the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="about:blank"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bioness StimRouter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as a permanent peripheral nerve stimulation solution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kumar does not see an issue with patients who make their debut on temporary devices; on the contrary, the opportunity to experience the peripheral nerve stimulation benefits prompts patients to transition to permanent devices. "If it works well enough, they're going to want to get it permanently anyway. 'I want a permanent version of this so that I don't have to come back every two years.'"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Raising Awareness around Neuromodulation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the past few years, neuromodulation has experienced a steady rise in popularity. The growing number of distributors and the patients' willingness to avoid invasive treatments and narcotics brought traction to peripheral nerve stimulation devices. "It's something that patients can consider to be less invasive than something going in their back. So, I think that's why it's gaining traction." Because of this increase in popularity, Dr. Kumar performs around fifteen neuromodulation procedures every month.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, for the time being, the snowball still needs time before it turns into an avalanche. Akin to other pain relief methods, such as CBD-based products, neuromodulation must wait for more data, more research papers, and more publicity before turning mainstream.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the meantime, Dr. Kumar and his pain relief peers hope to see more patients bring positive change to their lives through neuromodulation. Insurance companies cover the procedure; therefore, numerous patients could potentially benefit from a peripheral nerve stimulation device right away!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best-e1630680271892.jpeg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/could-this-popular-treatment-eliminate-your-chronic-pain/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12291</ID> <title>What to Watch for in The Growing Skincare Industry</title> <publishDate>2021-08-14 07:02:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_485 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_569"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_595 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_232"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash" class="wp-image-12293" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_622 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More organic product awareness as compared to their synthetic counterparts is driving an increase in production demand. Organic products come from natural resources and are free from damaging toxins and chemicals. Their benefits compel manufacturers to launch new products and conduct more research on new developments. As more people turn to these products, the trend will likely continue in the future. Consequently, the market for organic skincare products is also expanding.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why are Organic Skincare Products Becoming Popular?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The growing popularity is not the only factor that is driving demand for organic skincare products. A steady increase in distribution channels is allowing consumers to choose the best products. E-commerce platforms allow consumers to enjoy access to products they can’t buy from their local malls and stores. Such advancements pave the path for numerous emerging skincare brands.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Products indicate the evolving preferences of consumers for better health, beauty, and hygiene in modern times. Thus, R&amp;amp;D efforts and new technologies will result in the development of oral care and other hygiene products from various brands.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The modern consumer is willing to pay a high price for such products, first, because consumers now trust organic products more, especially from countries like Japan, U.S., China, and India; second, because organic products claim more benefits than synthetic products. Consumers are keen to purchase these products because natural ingredients ensure fewer to no side effects.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effect on Popular Beauty Brands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Successful brands are already working to capture the target audience that is slowly shifting towards organic products. Big brands are now setting up internal incubators that are quick to launch groundbreaking skincare products. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For instance, Unilever, the brand behind world-famous products such as Suave and Dove, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acquired new skincare-focused brands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Another famous brand, Procter &amp;amp; Gamble, added another skincare brand to their portfolio when they bought &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kiwi&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. That’s because the company&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from New Zealand was making headlines because of their natural products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, the skincare industry is observing a shift from an older consumer base to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mintel.com/blog/beauty-market-news/beauty-trends-for-younger-consumers"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;younger consumer base&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Thanks to the global impact of fashion influencers on the internet, teens are now beginning to capture the market more than women do. Hence, skincare brands are now targeting the younger generation and making efforts to retain their older consumer base.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The U.S. skincare industry is now focusing on using natural ingredients for manufacturing safe and organic products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. According to a survey, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;35% of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed interest in using all-natural and organic skin products in 2016.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hence, brands continue to develop innovative skincare products that are great for us and the environment. The concept of using locally sourced ingredients and adapting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/organic-cosmetics-market"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eco-friendly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; production methods is also gaining more popularity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Anti-Aging Organic Products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emerging and successful brands are producing a variety of organic anti-aging creams, lotions, and serums. Today’s consumers are more wellness-conscious than before. Groundbreaking trends like CBD, Ayurvedic herbs, and personal rituals are changing the way consumers use skincare products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modern consumers look forward to developing a deeper relationship with their wellness. That’s the reason many brands focus on creating an “experience” rather than a “product.” Another factor to consider is that many of our current interest-driving skin concerns were less relevant in the past. Work-related stress during the pandemic, sun protection, and pollution influence brands to develop new and improved skincare products. UV exposure, daily exposure to pollution, and premature aging are common problems of today’s consumers; consequently, brands are switching to natural and local ingredients to develop relevant and effective products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consumers believe that natural products will reverse or slow down the progression of these problems. Organic skincare products do not have parabens or synthetic ingredients, which guarantee effective results.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bottom Line&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cell communicating ingredients can improve the appearance of our skin. Brands are partnering with researchers and scientists to identify the most valuable elements and ingredients for improving the health of our skin. Skincare brands continue to place a high emphasis on manufacturing products out of natural and local ingredients, an approach that will help them drive revenues and expand their services in emerging markets such as Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-care-trends/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-care-trends/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://crstoday.com/articles/2015-aug/a-consumers-perspective-on-skin-care/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://crstoday.com/articles/2015-aug/a-consumers-perspective-on-skin-care/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-personal-care-market"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-personal-care-market&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/what-to-watch-for-in-the-growing-skincare-industry/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12255</ID> <title>How Lifestyle Medicine Effects Modern Healthcare</title> <publishDate>2021-08-11 06:25:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_486 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_570"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_596 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_233"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-negative-space-48604.jpg" alt="" title="pexels-negative-space-48604" class="wp-image-12256" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_623 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Written by: Oyalola M. Lateef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle medicine is an evolving healthcare approach using evidence-based therapeutic intervention and natural treatment for holistic care. As an evolving branch of medicine, it deals with research, prevention, treatment, and reversal of lifestyle-related diseases. In addition, lifestyle medicine encourages the adoption and practice of healthy behaviors by motivating patients to embrace a plant-predominant diet, restorative sleep, regular physical exercise, stress management, and healthy social relations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the years, humans generally retrogressed into harmful and unhealthy lifestyles, creating a burden of non-communicable diseases that account for about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acpm.org/getmedia/f297c5aa-5ebc-4d96-9987-e511167a908d/kushner_lifestyle-medicine.pdf.aspx"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;63% of global deaths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Recognizing that the status quo – a pill for every ill – is unsustainable, given that American's health hasn't grown appreciably in recent decades, health care professionals are focusing on creating a movement around lifestyle medicine to eradicate the root cause of disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/pdf/guidelines/environmental-guidelines-P.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the quality of medical care affects a patient by 10%, genetics by 18%, environment by 19% but lifestyle has over 50% effect on an individual's quality of life. In conjunction with the World Health Organization, the CDC also reported that 70% of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and hypertension result from major lifestyle-related risk factors, including lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and long-term stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrary to opinion, lifestyle medicine doesn't replace conventional modern medicine but complements it with its potential to mitigate and even reverse chronic disease. As a viable first approach to health care, lifestyle medicine is gradually gaining traction both in the United States and worldwide, creating a trend of daily habits and actions with a profound positive effect on long-term health and quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle medicine created a multi-million dollar industry as mineral and vitamins supplements to prevent the occurrence or progression of chronic diseases. Vitamins and minerals are organic compounds every human needs in small quantities. The human body produces a small quantity of some vitamins while the rest come from food. For example, humans get vitamin C from their diet while dogs produce all the vitamin C they need. By comparison, only a tiny quantity of vitamin D is available in human food, while the human body synthesizes the vitamin when exposed to sunlight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body needs all the vitamins in the correct quantity to function optimally and maintain good health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eheintl.com/the_13_essential_vitamins/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thirteen essential vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are crucial for human metabolic processes. Unfortunately, with all the inherent benefits of supplements, a dangerous trend is creeping into the spotlight: supplements receive much less scrutiny by the FDA before hitting the market. Even though the FDA ruled that supplements must meet specific quality standards, the rules don't guarantee that the supplements are safe for anyone. The FDA also reserves the right to remove dangerous products from the market, yet thousands of companies make false, unsupported claims to sell their products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ignoring the overly exaggerated claim by supplements makers, are their products safe? Does the label carry honest information about the contents in the bottle? Private labs and researchers waded into the matter and uncovered a shocking reality – one-quarter of the tested supplements have different problems that make them pretty unsafe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the last decade, an independent company tested hundreds of supplements, and one-quarter have had issues. Some supplements contained contaminants, while others had ingredients that exceeded the safe limit. Others had contents that didn't match label claims, and in some, real drugs were added as natural supplements. Although supplement makers intensify publicity about the potential benefits, using these products can land users in the emergency department.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1504267"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; revealed that adverse effects of supplements led to an average of about 23,000 medical visits per year. The 10-year study looked at data from 63 hospital emergency departments and reported that weight-loss products make up one-quarter of all single-product emergency department visits and affect primarily women while men experience adverse effects from bodybuilding and sexual enhancements products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another test, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.consumerlab.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consumerLab.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found lead in at least one brand, including black cohosh, zinc, and ginkgo products. Accumulation of lead can cause severe health problems. The testing company recommends a national limit of 0.5 micrograms per day – a level that requires a warning on the product label in California. Similarly, a test showed that four out of seven supplements contain less ginkgo than their label claimed. In addition, ayurvedic – a notorious herbal ingredient used in traditional medicine from India – often contains hazardous metals, a study reported in medical journals. This type of industry fraud is shocking for what is supposed to be suitable for users.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, some dietary supplements are safe and beneficial because they contain active ingredients that cause physiological changes. Unfortunately, these active ingredients can also create adverse effects such as racing irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, digestive symptoms, dizziness, or headache. Staying healthy requires multiple approaches to self-care. Awareness and informed knowledge about any supplement, including the content – whether advertised as herbal, natural, or non-drug – is part of that care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you do take herbal products, vitamins, or supplements, make sure you read any safety labels on the bottle at all times. Consult a clinician to review everything you take to avoid adverse effects, either you are taking the supplement alone or together with over-the-counter drugs. Call your doctor if you notice any strange symptoms after taking dietary supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-negative-space-48604.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/how-lifestyle-medicine-effects-modern-healthcare/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>29844</ID> <title>Regenerative Medicine and Nutrition: An Interview with Dr. Benjamin Arthur</title> <publishDate>2024-02-01 16:33:15</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_487 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_571"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_597 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_624 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INFORMNITY, LLC. is a company that creates novel technologies and identifies new applications for already existing technologies, integrating them in multi- and cross-disciplinary systems. The company seeks to co-opt and support nature's engineering and crafting of processes. They also provide an intellectual framework and financial partnerships ranging from cell therapy (stem cell products such as tissue allografts, suspensions, and wound healing patches) to regenerative medicine, which supports and encourages the body to heal naturally and has no significant side effects. The mission of INFORMNITY is to “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;offer the highest quality of safe and scientifically-based products and services that support the best health outcomes at lower financial cost with no adverse health side effects,” according to their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goaltherapeutics.com/about-us/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Benjamin Arthur, the founder and chairman of INFORMNITY, LLC., has become a prominent figure in regenerative medicine. He is also the founder of The Right Shake, LLC., which is a company focused on using meal replacements customized to each person's needs based on genetic profiles. Among his other companies, Dr. Arthur is a co-founder and partner of PolyRegen Biosciences, Provitx, and Renover.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I've always been interested in trying to help people through our knowledge and development of new technologies and cutting-edge scientific discoveries from a multi- and cross-disciplinary perspective. So, I was initially involved with a lot of studies specializing in the area of Molecular Genetics and Behavioral Neuroscience and formulating bioscience models by application of mathematics to medical systems,” Dr. Arthur shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29849 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/doctorarthur1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He was a senior research scientist at the University of Zurich, where he helped train graduate students on manipulating genes in the brain to study instinctive behavior and more. Dr. Arthur has received his experience and training from some distinguished institutions such as the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, for practical training in basic medical and clinical research, the California Institute of Technology, University of Zurich, and Swiss Federal University, Zurich, ETHZ for molecular genetics and neuroinformatics, the Courant Institute, NYU for Applied Mathematics, and the Wharton School of Business an UPenn Engineering for Technology Management. He spent years of his time in Regenerative Medicine while receiving his degrees and doctorates in medically related fields on scholarships and fellowships he earned. Dr. Arthur returned to Zurich, Switzerland, after an NIH postdoctoral Fellowship in the USA to conduct research and train students in neurogenetics and behavioral ecology. It was during this time that he discovered and named a new “organ,” Prolatus, in one of the animal models in his efforts to unravel the mechanism of the enigmatic female cryptic choice phenomena in sexual selection. After spending his time training and teaching others, he wanted to enter the commercial space to help real people with his research and studies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I wanted to enter the commercial space because I wanted to be able to use some of the capabilities I had learned to address problems that people face today within the medical area,” he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When he first decided to enter the commercial space, Dr. Arthur went to UPenn to study business and engineering at the master's level. He co-founded a technology consulting company called Ventis, which helped companies take technology and translate it from the laboratory to a minimal viable product. Ventis helped these mostly startup companies establish their technology businesses, raise funds, and develop optimal exit strategies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“I help people choose the kind of lifestyle that will optimize their life because, in the medical field, it is as important to know what kind of patient you have as what kind of health issue they are presenting, paraphrasing from Sir William Osler’s quote of Parry of Bath. So, it pays to know your patient’s genetics! Also, prevention is key. The sooner you understand your unique situation and start taking measures to deal with any eventualities, the better. A stitch in time saves nine! ” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Individualization in the medical field is vital since every single body is different, and personalized precision healthcare can help with this. Through his multi-disciplinary research integrating discoveries and technologies from various disciplines, including molecular genetics, applied mathematics and regenerative medicine, Dr. Arthur is able to bridge the gap between an individual's specific needs and what the medical field has to offer as solutions to many issues that require personalization in order to be addressed suitably. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29850 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/drarthur2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Genetics and Nutrition: The Right Shake LLC&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food” - Hippocrates 400 BC. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-biotherapeutics/about/about-regenerative-medicine#:~:text=Regenerative%20medicine%20is%20focused%20on,heal%20itself%20in%20many%20ways."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is “focused on developing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and applying new treatments to heal tissues and organs and restore function lost due to aging, disease, damage, or defects,” according to the Mayo Clinic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The idea behind regenerative medicine is to offer a holistic approach to medicine and aid the body in repairing itself. Certain diseases are challenging to resolve on their own, but regenerative medicine focuses beyond disease management to find options to support the body in its well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our products range from aesthetic applications, supporting sustainable wrinkle removal, hair regrowth and thickening, scar removal, and medical applications supporting Osteoarthritis, Neuropathy, sexual health, diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, and chronic wound healing, without any significant side effects. Some of our products have shown great promise in managing the internal and external aging process, also referred to as the anti-aging process.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative Medicine outcomes are greatly enhanced when the body has been optimally prepared via nutrigenetics. That is essentially personalizing nutrition according to each individual’s unique genetic profile.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Right Shake, LLC., produces total meal replacement shakes based on each individual’s unique genetic profile. The ingredients are from natural sources, free of any artificial agents. Every individual has a unique “Goldilocks zone.” If each individual kept within the confines of their personal zone, the expectation is that they would maximize the benefits and minimize of the potential adverse effects of epigenetic factors, etc. Dr. Arthur founded this company in search of helping others based on what their genetic makeup already presented.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One-size-does-not-fit-all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Out of a study of about 17,000 people, the research showed the subjects fell into clearly distinct groups in their relative efficiencies in how many calories they could burn or differentially store as body fat depending on which macronutrient was the source of the calories consumed. Some groups burned more calories from endurance exercise, while others burned more from speed exercises comparatively. The results from the studies support the general observation that everyone is different in terms of burning calories depending on the macronutrient source or exercise type. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle, epigenetics, and genetics factors feature prominently in the relationship between genetics and nutrition. Although most of the nutrition we consume may be potentially beneficial, it may also have potentially detrimental consequences, short-term or long-term. To aid people in nutrition optimization, Dr. Arthur and his team have formulated products to facilitate a personalized, healthy nutritional balance based on their lifestyles and unique genetic profiles.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“We obtain the ingredients from natural sources since those tend to include all the necessary complementary components designed to work in concert as in nature. Moreover, the packaging, storage, and ease of consumption undergo continual improvements to make it as convenient as possible,” he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although these shakes are offered as whole meal replacements, the company recommends that natural food be included in the entire day’s meal plan to cover any important bases their current technology may have missed. They are simply to aid busy people in their journey to optimize health and wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“So now, for the first time in human history, we have the tools to pretty much be able to figure out a lot of things about a person’s genetic profile. And so we're approaching the capability to write an individualized manual on how each person could optimally run their daily lives based on their very own unique genetic profile. We can include what foods to eat and when to eat, when to sleep, what exercises to do, and in general how to navigate this whole minefield of life,” Dr. Arthur shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nutrition is foundational in a person’s life. It affects an individual's health constantly and alters people's direction in life with their health journeys. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Genetics will give a person the baseline of where you are and the ‘chassis’ on which you are operating from to interact with external conditions, and that may provide some insight in personalizing interactions and corresponding outcomes,” he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Technological advancements have created an emerging path that specialists can use to optimize the lives of people around the world. Human health can be improved through the use of technology that can give a baseline for approaches in further development. A person’s life can be fixed so long as they set their mind to allowing technology to help create a unique plan for their development. Technology is not perfect, though. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“As long as our technologies are not up to perfection, we need to try to mimic nature as much as possible. We must learn from nature and exploit its well-evolved processes and systems as much as possible. The inadequacy of our current technologies is manifest in many areas of our industries. For example, how well are we able to identify all the necessary factors on a ‘ligand’ occurring in nature and reproduce it accurately enough for the receptor in nature to perceive it and interact with it as the naturally occurring ‘ligand’ with which it has co-evolved for several millennia? Several of the adverse side effects of laboratory-synthesized medications are consequences of being blind to subtle nuances of the natural systems due to our current technological limitations. Choosing to do things naturally is better because we don't even have the technology yet to replicate the whole ensemble, meaning all the relevant components and their specialized interactions,” Dr. Arthur said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29851 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/drarthur3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Personalized Regenerative Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It is most ideal for the body to repair, regenerate, and rejuvenate naturally. The body knows itself the best in terms of what it needs, such as the right factors and dosing. Regenerative medicine is a discipline that promotes this repair and regeneration in patients. By providing essential cellular and biological support over a foundation prepared by personalized nutrition, this brand of regenerative medicine can change the course of someone’s life and what they can expect for their future. Dr. Arthur’s approach to regenerative medicine starts with each individual’s unique genetic blueprint as the foundation that guides finding a new path based on the patient’s current information to create a new course of action toward a healthier future. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“If you are able to give the body what it needs, it is generally able to repair and regenerate itself. You will be healthier. Our products are designed to provide a personalized ‘Goldilocks zone’ type of support that could optimize their health and wellness. That is what people need,” he shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;AI, coupled with quantum computing, presents incalculable potential for regenerative medicine. Dr. Arthur believes that mathematics is the key anchor that could be used to optimize the capabilities. Mathematics is essentially the most precise “language” we know. Simplistically, algebra could help with better characterization of complex structures, and analysis could help with the characterization of the relationships among these complex structures. The challenge is that we need to develop more mathematics that is better suited to modeling biological phenomena. It has to minimize reductionism and be able to handle the dynamics of an ensemble made up of heterogenous parts and their nonlinear interactions and individual variations in the time dimension.    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“In my opinion, it is time for us to progress from our current reductionist approach to complex systems, which is too limiting to a more holistic approach. In most natural systems, the components work together like an ensemble. So, we must not only develop our way of thinking beyond the current binary ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but also be able to conceptualize and formulate models that are able to capture the complexities in real life and nature faithfully. In real life, some situations are not only partially a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ but also anything in between, depending on the situation. We should develop the capability to deal with gray areas. Models are, after all, a summary of our comprehension of the object under discussion”. Dr. Arthur concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Benjamin Arthur has been in the field of regenerative health and technology for years. Through his research and innovation, he has aided 15 other companies in healthcare technology and helped many others, even in declining markets. His development of biologics for regenerative medicine and genetic test panels in pharmacogenomics and nutrigenomics for personalized healthcare are all in support of the emerging movement to shift the pervasive paradigm in medicine from the current “diagnose and treat” approach to the futuristic “predict and prevent” approach. To see a variety of products and care offered by INFORMNITY and affiliates, visit their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://goaltherapeutics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;informnity.com. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dr.arthurcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/regenerative-medicine/regenerative-medicine-and-nutrition-an-interview-with-dr-benjamin-arthur/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16343</ID> <title>Exploring the Ethics of Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Rathna Nuti</title> <publishDate>2022-03-19 15:41:32</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_488 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_572"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_598 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_350 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1050 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1051 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1052 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_625 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is a rapidly growing, innovative practice that applies regenerative medical techniques to treat or cure diseases. Most regenerative treatments are still under development, but regenerative medicine has already begun to change how we approach health care. Regenerative treatments can be utilized in nearly every field of medicine and for any medical condition. Because these treatments represent cutting-edge research, they require ethical considerations for both researchers and patients alike.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At its core, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nature.com/subjects/regenerative-medicine#:~:text=Regenerative%20medicine%20is%20the%20branch,the%20production%20of%20artificial%20organs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; seeks to understand health on a cellular level and bring newly regenerated cells into the body to help maintain healthy cell growth.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are many ethical considerations surrounding regenerative medicine, but it is a promising solution for conditions once considered untreatable or fatal. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rathna-nuti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rathna Nuti&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is here to let us in on her latest practice on regenerative medicine, with its underlying ethics, procedures and treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative Medicine: From Sports to Aesthetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Nuti is a member of several sports medicine organizations, including the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amssm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and the NHL Team Physician Society (NHLTPS). She uses both family medicine and psychology to complement her approach to sports medicine. She also specializes in the aesthetics portion of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/theres-always-a-team-to-support-you-a-sports-medicine-overview-with-dr-rathna-nuti/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aesthetic regenerative medicine is a growing field that uses regenerative techniques to improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. While regenerative therapies have been used for many years to treat sports injuries and joint pain, regenerative therapies for aesthetic purposes are a relatively new development.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many different regenerative therapies can be used for aesthetic purposes, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_prp-injections.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and stem cell therapy. Dr. Nuti has started helping patients to use these techniques.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Treating fine lines, wrinkles, or the 'turkey' neck nowadays does not only just involve BOTOX or fillers; there are chemical peels to help in skin rejuvenation and other treatments such as PRP for both facial rejuvenation and hair growth and microneedling for the improvement of the texture of the skin that I offer as well to help people achieve their aesthetic goals," Dr. Nuti said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She said she is exploring more into the body aspect of contouring, where tightening skin, trimming fat, and toning muscle can sculpt the body. Things are constantly evolving in the practice as doctors like Dr. Nuti try to help with whatever the patient's needs are.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; ​&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_573"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_599 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_234"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/botox4.jpg" alt="" title="botox4" class="wp-image-16346" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_626 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Knowing an Ethical vs. an Unethical Practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As with any medical field, ethical considerations are crucial to the well-being of both doctors and patients, and regenerative medicine is no different. For doctors, aside from the importance of abiding by ethics guidelines set forth by regenerative medicine associations such as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.isctglobal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, it is vital that what they offer is science-backed, evidenced-based and is marketed with integrity to avoid "false hopes" for the patients. On the other hand, patients must completely understand regenerative medicine's risks and benefits before signing up for it.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One of the biggest ethical considerations in regenerative medicine is to make sure the patient understands that we're not reversing what happened now to what you were 20 years ago," Dr. Nuti explained. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients mustn't undergo regenerative treatments with unrealistic expectations. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Patients must understand that regenerative treatments are not a quick fix," Dr. Nuti emphasized. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She also debunked the biggest myths in regenerative medicine at this time. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It does not regrow tissue at this point. And it is not 100% guaranteed either. Unethical use of regenerative medicine would be to give that false sense of hope when there's no research that backs it up," Dr. Nuti said. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/fda-to-crack-down-on-stem-cell-clinics-with-unproven-therapies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent crackdown&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on clinics that offer stem cell treatments from amniotic fluids due to unethical use and patient fraud, it has become difficult for the doctors like Dr. Nuti to provide similar treatments as they are removed from the market. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174465/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amniotic products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; got pulled off the market. So companies and other clinics are now looking at how to utilize it appropriately. And of course, it's good that we have the FDA to govern it, but it does put the people who use it ethically like myself and other clinics in a tough position because now we can't offer that type of treatment," Dr. Nuti said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Challenging Part: Awareness and Education&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients must understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/the-art-of-medicine-a-look-into-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-ripu-arora/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and that each patient's treatment plan will be tailored specifically to their needs. However, not many individuals who want to have regenerative treatments realize this, especially if they only learned about it from other people who had gone through the same treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We do have patients coming in asking us, 'Hey, can you please do this? Can you please do that? We want this; we want that.' I've had patients walk into my office, tell me that they want PRP. They don't want to try anything else, so I have to take a step back and tell them that getting this or that treatment is not like a pharmacy or grocery store where you can go and get what you want and walk out. That's not how medicine works," Dr. Nuti explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Regenerative Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The regenerative medicine field is constantly evolving as researchers explore new ways to improve the practice. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/resources/cellular-therapies/facts-about-cellular-therapies/regenerative-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is here to stay. We have new evolving, exciting data to help out and show us of its potential and capabilities," Dr. Nuti enthusiastically shared. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the exciting future possibilities of regenerative medicine is having a long-term effect on treatments compared to the current ones. For example, PRP can have the possibility of longer outcomes in terms of pain control compared to what is offered by steroid injections.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regenerative medicine is definitely an innovative treatment plan that is constantly evolving for the better of the future of medicine. It is here to stay. It's just a matter of getting more information and robust data to help guide us into the future in terms of what treatment plans we can offer for our patients," Dr. Nuti said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is still in its infancy, but regenerative treatments will become more effective with continued research and development. If you are interested in regenerative medicine, it is essential to understand the ethical practices that should be followed. In this article, we have outlined some of these ethics and why they're so crucial for regenerative medicine practitioners like Dr. Nuti.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We thank Dr. Nuti for joining us in this interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. We appreciate her informative insights on the ethics of regenerative medicine. You may reach out to her and check her &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dfwsportsmed.com/rathna-nuti-md-sports-medicine-specialist-mckinney-lewisville-tx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to know more about regenerative medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dr.-Rathna-Nuti.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/exploring-the-ethics-of-regenerative-medicine-with-dr-rathna-nuti/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15987</ID> <title>Engineering Medicine: Building Solutions with Dr. Derek Sakata, MD</title> <publishDate>2022-02-27 18:32:01</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_489 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_574"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_600 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_235"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC09687-2.jpg" alt="" title="DSC09687-2" class="wp-image-15988" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_601 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_627 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have the rare privilege of mastering two disciplines, you are in a unique position to use one field to benefit the other. With a capable, creative team, Dr. Derek J. Sakata, M.D., made use of his dual knowledge bases to develop medical devices that improve patient care.&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/fad/mddetail.php?physicianID=u0221752"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vice-Chair of Ambulatory Surgery and Perioperative Innovation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah Health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is responsible for more than 25 specialties, to include an emergency department and three primary care clinics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; He wasn’t always in the medical field though. "I studied engineering and wanted to build guidance systems. But the Cold War had just ended, and there were no more jobs," he said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_575"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_602 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_351 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1053 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1054 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1055 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_628 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So he switched gears and, with a nagging uncertainty, turned to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I was fascinated by the medical sciences but still wasn't sure I wanted to practice medicine. But I liked the science of anesthesiology," Dr. Sakata shared.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What finally resolved that uncertainty was combining his engineering and medical expertise to find new ways to improve medical practices in anesthesiology. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_576"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_603 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_236"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/QED-100_on_Blue_Background_final_mh.jpg" alt="" title="QED-100_on_Blue_Background_final_mh" class="wp-image-15990" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_629 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vapor-Clean&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Based on the ANEclear, Vapor-Clean is designed to help patients with malignant hyperthermia, a disease which can be triggered by inhaled anesthetics. It affects the body to the point where it starts breaking your cells down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anesthesia machines release anesthetic vapor after vapor is used in them. To make them safe, they have to be flushed with a fresh gas flow for quite a while. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dynasthetics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vapor-Clean&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; performs this function in less than 90 seconds. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We know from the literature that you have to get the anesthetic level to below five parts per million. There has to be nothing in a circuit. So we decided to build filters," Dr.  Sakata said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sales of this device are growing and benefiting patients around the world. Nearly 2,000 facilities in about 20 countries now benefit from this excellent device. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;VitalsBridge&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The VitalsBridge provides simulations of patient issues so that we can train better clinicians and healthcare providers," Dr. Sakata explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.vitalsbridge.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;VitalsBridge's&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; realistically simulated vital signs for manikins and standardized patients are produced and updated on a commercially available patient monitor. Trainees learn to interpret vital signs on the same monitors used in actual practice. It displays nine types of data, including oxygen saturation, blood pressure and carbon dioxide. An app controls the simulation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Usually, you have to go to an expensive simulator center to do these things. It can cost about $80,000. So the team came up with this little box that basically can take anybody and hook them up to any monitor and simulate changes in the monitor, like having a heart attack or other scenarios for health providers to react to. And it's much less expensive," Dr. Sakata said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Next Device&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another device in development is an oxygen delivery device. Dr. Sakata said that he regretted not having it out before COVID-19 hit. It could have made a huge difference in the treatment of COVID patients since the device was better than a standard nasal cannula and monitors patients better than most other devices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This product has exciting implications for the future. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It could change the face of anything from how well we sedate patients to possibly home care in the future. Maybe not all patients have to be in a hospital. As hospital beds become more scarce because of the pandemic, this would have been an exciting device to have," Dr. Sakata explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata has found a productive and beneficial way to alleviate his uncertainties upon entering the medical field. He applies his engineering expertise to build new, better ways to practice medicine. The devices he and his partners create save time and money, bring doctors closer to their patients, and help achieve better outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking toward the future, Dr. Sakata sees improvements and more focus on medical prevention, teamwork among medical staff and patient education. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We need to understand who our audience is and who we are communicating with," Dr. Sakata concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Sakata took a career shift necessitated by a crumbling job market and turned it into a career dedicated to creating new, innovative ways to serve patients better.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr_SAKATA_PORTRAITS_2018-4.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/engineering-medicine-building-solutions-with-dr-derek-sakata-md/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15976</ID> <title>Personalized Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Judi Goldstone</title> <publishDate>2022-02-24 18:11:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_490 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_577"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_604 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_237"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr._Goldstone_1.jpg" alt="" title="Dr._Goldstone_1" class="wp-image-15977" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_630 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the medical world expands and develops, a fresh approach to patient care is becoming increasingly popular. Alternative medicine develops a personalized outlook on each patient and approaches each person as a unique individual.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Judi Goldstone, a hormone replacement therapy doctor, weight loss specialist and alternative medicine physician at the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uses her expertise to aid patients through this method. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She describes this approach as "functional" because it gives a flexible and holistic perspective to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had the honor and pleasure of talking with Dr. Goldstone and looking at her fascinating journey to alternative medicine. She shared her perspective on the effectiveness of this approach and her personal story of how alternative medicine benefited her life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone puts herself in the category of an alternative, functional medicine practitioner. Although she started in conventional medicine, Dr. Goldstone saw the need for a more personalized&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;approach to patient health. This need was especially apparent when dealing with aging and weight loss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started as a general internist, and I did that for several years. And then I went into weight loss because I was always interested in that field," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As she was working in conventional medicine, she noticed that some people, especially the older patients, were becoming increasingly frustrated with not seeing results or not being able to keep the weight off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"But then, I realized that people weren't really maintaining their weight loss, and a lot of them were struggling," Dr. Goldstone added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, she opened &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help her patients with the same symptoms she dealt with herself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On her journey towards better health, she was discouraged by the medical field's approach to aging and its effects as inescapable and irreversible. Through extensive research, training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and experimenting on herself, Dr. Goldstone found that she could live a healthy, productive and happy lifestyle through alternative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative medicine evaluates and treats the body as a whole rather than the conventional disease management approach to medicine. "It's looking at the patient as a whole"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and being able to take care of every person's individualized concerns. The current healthcare system is reactive and manages diseases with very little focus on prevention. Therefore, our current system of healthcare should be called disease care. Another important aspect of alternative medicine is that it attempts to prevent chronic illnesses and diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's preventive medicine. We're trying to catch the disease before it catches you," Dr. Goldstone concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone explains that "as we age, we're susceptible to chronic inflammation and degeneration which can lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, heart disease and worse." At her practice, Dr. Goldstone and her team use the latest medical technology to evaluate, treat patients and perform regular checkups as preventative healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_578"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_605 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_352 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1056 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1057 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1058 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_238"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/goldstone2.jpg" alt="" title="goldstone2" class="wp-image-15979" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_631 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Importance of Paying Attention to Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Replacing and balancing hormones was a game-changer in her journey towards health as well as her patients'. While working in conventional medicine focused on weight loss, she noted that many patients weren't able to keep the weight off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone noticed these people were typically menopausal women and men over 40. This discovery sparked her curiosity, and she began looking into possible links between hormones and health concerns such as maintaining a healthy weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So then I started getting really interested in it [hormone replacement therapy], and I began going to the meetings [of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine] and reading everything I could," Dr. Goldstone explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making this connection was a significant breakthrough for Dr. Goldstone in opening her own business. With the help of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, she found balancing hormones, eating an appropriate diet, proper exercise, supplements and stress control helped with reversing some of the effects of early aging, healing from burnout and getting rid of chronic fatigue in herself and her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to get everybody's body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health," Dr. Goldstone said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These patients have expressed how thankful they are for a doctor who "thinks outside of the box" regarding hormone balancing and considering metabolic influences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personalizing Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After Dr. Goldstone's realization of a more holistic approach to patient care, she began medical training. With this medical training and expertise, she could help patients with more than just her specialization. She committed to continuing education by attending conferences and keeping up-to-date on the latest medical techniques, research and technology. These factors combined allowed Dr. Goldstone to focus on alternative, functional medicine and significantly impact her patients' lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of anti-aging, holistic medicine is to help patients avoid degenerative diseases and extend their healthy life span. While traditional physicians focus on treating disease and managing chronic conditions with pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures, anti-aging doctors like Dr. Goldstone practice preventive health care that is truly multidisciplinary. They blend advanced technologies for detecting degenerative diseases with wellness and prevention therapies, including nutrition, supplementation, mind/body medicine, detoxification and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the critical aspects of alternative medicine is the focus on the whole patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's personalized medicine; it's treating the person as an individual," Dr. Goldstone shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone takes the time to truly listen to her patients and learn what they need and what they're looking for. This attention to the individual enables her to provide personalized and effective care. Her training and expertise as an M.D. also give her the advantage of knowing when patients need to be referred to a specialist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_579"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_606 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_239"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/goldstone3.jpg" alt="" title="goldstone3" class="wp-image-15980" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_632 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances in the Alternative Medicine Field &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are advances in various medical fields every day, including alternative medicine (the fastest-growing field of medicine today). Some of these advances include biomedical engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the use of stem cells, peptides, anti-aging drugs, 3D printing and more, enabling doctors to conduct better testing and treatment with the goal of helping people live healthier, more productive lives as they age. Dr. Goldstone utilizes various modalities that help her provide the best possible care to her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When asked if functional medicine was advancing in technology, Dr. Goldstone responded, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's constantly changing. There's always something new; there are many amazing new ways to evaluate and prevent degeneration of the body.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new technological advances help doctors such as Dr. Goldstone measure patients' cognitive function, cardiac function and mental status, among many other things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field is also becoming more popular among medical professionals as an approach to patients' health. Dr. Goldstone states she believes more and more doctors are moving towards alternative, functional medicine. It has become the fastest-growing field of medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The field is going to expand. It's expanding right now. And it's going to keep expanding. More people are going to jump into it," Dr. Goldstone concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;would like to thank Dr. Goldstone for taking the time to share her story with us. We hope her perspective on the expanding field of alternative medicine has been beneficial and intriguing to our readers. If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine or Dr. Goldstone and her practice, please check out her profile and website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr._Goldstone_1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/psychological-reasons-why-people-are-either-extremely-joyful-or-extremely-hateful-around-the-holidays-2-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15829</ID> <title>A Heart and Passion for Patient Care: An Interview with Dr. Shaghayegh Tavassoli</title> <publishDate>2022-02-14 19:16:21</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_491 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_580"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_607 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_240"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_4937_2.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_4937_2.JPG" class="wp-image-15833" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_608 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_633 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A heart and passion for patient care &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;— these are often repeated, trite words bound to be a part of every doctor's creed. But when backed by a staunch belief in one's mission, they become an endless reservoir of determination, resilience and dedication. Mix all of these ingredients and not just a superhero, but a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;supermom &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;will rise, ready to achieve excellence on all fronts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm one of those people who, if you tell me something's not possible, I'm very motivated to make it possible," shared Dr. Shaghayegh Tavassoli, a Family Medicine Specialist in Los Angeles, California.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_581"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_609 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_634 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And she meant it. Between her current work at the &lt;a href="https://www.ummaclinic.org/"&gt;UMMA Community Clinic&lt;/a&gt; and raising five children, Dr. Tavassoli could make even Hercules and his 12 labors seem small. And, to make it more challenging, she's excited to welcome the New Year by starting her own private practice!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tavassoli works in the patient care field, with an emphasis in family medicine and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Her job has painted a troubling portrait of the relationship between medicine and uninsured or underinsured patients, which emphasizes the irony of how the former are more likely to receive medical care than the latter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An Air Traffic Controller, but in Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Tavassoli turned her passion for medicine into a career path in the blink of an eye. From playing nurse with dolls, she exchanged a lively interest for a journey into family medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I realized that in family medicine, you can do a little bit of everything. You can see pediatrics and geriatrics, you can even deliver babies," she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But the key factor behind Dr. Tavassoli's choice resides in her usage of family medicine as a holistic approach towards patient care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I practice preventative medicine which helps me to keep my patients healthy so that we avoid any long-term diseases for as long as possible. I'm there to coordinate everything and reach out to the specialists to piece together the entire patient’s profile like a puzzle. I am the patient’s medical home," Dr. Tavassoli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for Our Cars More Than Our Bodies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although medical issues take their time creeping up on our bodies, only a handful of people understand the value of preventative care. And it's enough to look at the timing of our visits to the doctor to notice this concerning behavior. More often than not, patients skip annual visits, only to show up at the doctor's office when the damage has already been done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"You take a car in for oil changes to make sure everything's running and working smoothly, but we don't do that for our own bodies," she said. “Instead of taking our bodies to the doctor for an annual tune-up, we allow factors such as stress, poor sleeping habits, and anxiety to wreak havoc and cause medical issues in our bodies without our knowledge. High-stress levels in our early years can turn into chronic health conditions as adults.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, as Dr. Tavassoli remarked, being insured is no longer enough to keep an eye on your health. Often, underinsured or uninsured patients, who don't qualify for specific treatments, steer clear of medical bills, thus hindering preventative care right off the bat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, is there a solution for such patients? Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) utilize outstanding efforts and resources to serve the underserved. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_353 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1059 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1060 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1061 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_582"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_610 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_241"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/patient1.jpg" alt="" title="patient1" class="wp-image-15838" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_635 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Working in a Federally Qualified Health Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/eligibility-and-registration/health-centers/fqhc/index.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Health Resources &amp;amp; Services Administration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; defines FQHCs as "community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas." Such centers allow Dr. Tavassoli and her peers to treat patients from low-income areas (who frequently cannot afford comprehensive insurance plans) and receive equal treatment without discrimination.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Regardless of what their insurance is, or even if they don't have insurance, all patients get the same treatment from me. I give them the same attention and try to give them the same care that I would for any other patient," Dr. Tavassoli said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to an FQHC becomes vital for people who cannot afford insurance. Dr. Tavassoli shared a story of a patient who could not seek treatment for his cardiac issues after having lost his insurance. Entering her office for a physical turned out to be a lifesaver for this patient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I noticed that his heart rate was very low. I asked, 'Have you had any heart issues?' And he answered, 'Yes, I had a cardiopulmonary arrest,'" she explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, Dr. Tavassoli was quick to listen to her instincts and conduct a thorough investigation on his cardiac health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We did an immediate EKG on him; he was in complete heart block. I sent him to the emergency room, and they took him to the OR that same day and put a pacemaker in. This was all within a matter of hours. When he came back, he said, 'You literally saved my life,'" Dr. Tavassoli joyfully recalled.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even as she's busy starting her own practice, Dr. Tavassoli finds enough time to dedicate to her FQHC patients. Such are the bonds between her and these underserved patients, whose honest gratitude is Dr. Tavassoli's only reward, that she cannot let go of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I'm still keeping two half-days at the clinic because I can't walk away from those patients," Dr. Tavassoli confessed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Not in It for the Money"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patient care does not only focus on the present but also tends towards the future. For that reason, Dr. Tavassoli's new practice will serve both as a center for excellence in family medicine and as a starting point for her children who are already showing interest in their supermom's mission.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's getting harder and harder to start your own practice and have someone to guide you along the way. If any of my children want to go into the medical field, I can be there for them with the office up and running," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Such selfless work, both inside and outside the office, expects only a grateful "thank you" in return, which is a testimony to Dr. Tavassoli's compassion and humility.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People randomly show up to my house or call me with medical issues, and I'm okay with that. I encourage my friends to come, and if I can help, then I will do it. I'm definitely not in it for the money," she said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sacrificial stories from doctors of commitment, selflessness and humility are the ones that encourage others the most. Thankfully there are doctors like Dr. Tavassoli, who teach us how everyone deserves the same patient care, regardless of circumstances! For more information about Dr. Tavassoli and her mission, please visit the following &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bevhillsmed.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_4937_2.JPG.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-heart-and-passion-for-patient-care-an-interview-with-dr-shaghayegh-tavassoli/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15890</ID> <title>Getting to Know Atrial Fibrillation with Dr. Saima Karim</title> <publishDate>2022-02-12 21:25:20</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_492 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_583"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_611 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_242"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9506.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_9506" class="wp-image-15891" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_612 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_636 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cleveland native, Dr. Saima Karim, is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist practicing at the Cleveland Metro Health Center. She attended medical school at Ohio University and did her fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. When she’s not listening to irregular beating hearts, she likes listening to harmonious symphonies at local recitals and playing outdoor sports with her son.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_584"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_613 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_637 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's an Electrophysiologist and What Do They Do?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Electrophysiology is a subspecialty of cardiology, which is defined as the internal medical specialty concerned with disorders of the heart. Electrophysiologists primarily focus on testing and treating problems that involve irregular heart rhythms, or what we call arrhythmias.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's [an electrophysiologist] someone who specializes in arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation," Dr. Karim explains. She has been specializing in the atrial fibrillation study and treatment for five years already, as part of her career as an electrophysiologist in Ohio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's Atrial Fibrillation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted that by 2030, around &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Dr. Karim explains atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm that originates from the heart's left or, in some instances, from its right chamber. Atrial fibrillation can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Additionally, the irregular rhythm occurs in brief episodes, or it may be a permanent condition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Who Is at Risk?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There is a broad range of medical conditions that may be comorbid with atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to Dr. Karim, individuals with existing alveolar diseases, thyroid diseases and cardiovascular diseases have a high chance of developing atrial fibrillation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atrial fibrillation is often experienced during acute episodes of respiratory failure, which often need to be managed (Vahdatpour et al., 2020). Dr. Karim explains that acutely or critically ill patients with thyroid problems at the hospital are likely to develop atrial fibrillation. However, so are patients who have recently undergone heart surgery. Fortunately, some studies show that this is preventable when utilizing appropriate prophylactic therapy (Maisel et al., 2001).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other candidates for developing these conditions are patients who suffer from sleep apnea and individuals who have a previous related medical history in their family tree. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Atrial fibrillation may also occur in patients who exercise excessively. One study found that young men and joggers have an increased risk of developing the disease (Aizer et al., 2009). However, Dr. Karim reassures us that while atrial fibrillation may develop among athletes, they are less likely to get strokes compared to other patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_354 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1062 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1063 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1064 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_585"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_614 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_243"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dark-haired-male-doctor-looking-after-upset-serious-gray-headed-man-suffering-from-chest-pain.jpg" alt="" title="dark-haired-male-doctor-looking-after-upset-serious-gray-headed-man-suffering-from-chest-pain" class="wp-image-15893" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_638 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does COVID-19 Affect Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Respiratory illnesses have a high chance of developing arrhythmias. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"A lot of people do develop it acutely when they're in the hospital," Dr. Karim says. "They may even have it at home and not know that they're having symptoms."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you suspect that you may have atrial fibrillation, consider looking for these symptoms:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Irregular heartbeat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or pounding)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lightheadedness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extreme fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Shortness of breath&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chest pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The key is early recognition," Dr. Karim advises. "Making sure that we recognize the symptoms earlier, [and] try to address any risk of stroke that there is. It's very important."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Atrial Fibrillation Management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Karim was excited to share with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the latest innovations in the management of atrial fibrillation. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"What used to happen a lot of times when people had atrial fibrillation, we just used to control their rates and observe them and how they did over time," Dr. Karim said. "But more and more literature is coming out [regarding] treating patients that are symptomatic with atrial fibrillation earlier in life, [which] prevents them from having problems."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;She explains that the latest technology can now eliminate atrial fibrillation, which has been beneficial for patients. Dr. Karim has mentioned atrial fibrillation ablation to be "reasonably good" and "successful, (...) especially in monitoring patients over the long term". The treatment uses minor burns or freezes to cause some scarring on the inside of the heart to help break up the electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, that's just the tip of the iceberg. The future of atrial fibrillation management and prevention has seen promising research and technological advancement. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The technology is evolving and we're developing newer tools," Dr. Karim said excitedly. "Compared to a decade ago, there has been a huge technological change. I predict that ten years from now, it's going to look entirely different again."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Current medical research and development have changed radically in the field of atrial fibrillation. With these new advancements, Dr. Karim is hopeful that the new treatments will address atrial fibrillation head-on. She advises, though, that prevention is still better than cure. Having a healthy balanced diet, quitting tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight and a moderate amount of exercise are the best ways to prevent atrial fibrillation from occurring early in your lifetime. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9506.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/getting-to-know-atrial-fibrillation-with-dr-saima-karim/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15483</ID> <title>The Safest Hands Are Our Own: Importance of Independent Health Professionals</title> <publishDate>2022-01-27 06:20:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_493 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_586"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_615 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_244"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CulpepperPic.webp" alt="" title="CulpepperPic" class="wp-image-15485" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_616 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_639 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;About Dr. Guy L. Culpepper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper is the founder of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.benttreemd.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bent Tree Family Physicians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and shares deep enthusiasm for independent healthcare. He has been recognized as one of the best family physicians in the U.S. His expertise also extends to osteoporosis, cholesterol management, and diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Academically, the good doctor graduated from the University of Texas Medical School. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_587"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_617 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_640 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Throughout his career, Dr. Culpepper has had different types of leadership roles. He has served as a Chief Resident and a President of the Medical and Surgical Staff at St. Paul Medical Center. However, from the start, Dr. Culpepper's focus of interest was primary care. He continues to demonstrate the leadership role at Jefferson Physician Group that houses more than 230 pediatricians, internists and family physicians.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Journey and Motiv&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ation to Serve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper has always been a curious individual and understood the dynamics of different fields. But he also notes that being an overachiever allowed him to focus on things that matter the most to him. "I've always had a servant's heart," &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the end, he &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;realized that he wanted to focus on family medicine. "It's been a long journey for me in primary healthcare, and it is easy to realize and recognize now that independent healthcare offers better value," Dr. Culpepper added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The doctor remembers that hospital prices drove contracting in the old days, and primary care fees became an afterthought. "My idea was to help protect primary care and that set in motion the foundation of Jefferson Physician Group," he continued. Dr. Culpepper feels proud that his first independent venture continues to be non-profit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_355 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1065 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1066 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1067 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_588"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_618 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_245"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/frame-with-stethoscope-copy-space.jpg" alt="" title="frame-with-stethoscope-copy-space" class="wp-image-15484" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_641 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Benefits of Independent Physicians&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper views the independent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; physicians as a great value and applau&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ds the cost-effectiveness of independent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; physicians. He demonstrates through examples that if a patient requires surgery, an independent physician can act like an in&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;r. Independent health professionals have the freedom to refer the patient to any hospital or specialist that is best for the patient. It is the primary reason why the Samaritan doctor finds independent health professionals more practical for patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Employed physicians are tied to a silo that involves a hospital group and an insurance company," Dr. Culpepper said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With this model, the more referrals employed physicians make to their silos, the more bonuses and income they can earn. It also cuts out the need to compare prices and focus on the quality of care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Sometimes the value is not the price – but sometimes it is the freedom to get better healthcare," Dr. Culpepper added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Independent Healthcare Structu&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;re and Insurance Companies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper noted that there is a lack of transparency and value without an independent approach, affirming that patients shouldn't have to shop for basic quality of healthcare endlessly. Unlike the traditional approach, independent healthcare is more sustainable. In the past few years, independent healthcare has started to gain momentum because it comes across as a more reasonable structure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In a conventional structure, there's less empowerment and disproportionate collaboration between healthcare facilities. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Culpepper mentions that insurance companies in the U.S. are at the center of the healthcare sector right now. There are usually one or two insurance companies that dominate every metropolitan city in the U.S. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's a monopolistic approach that makes healthcare more expensive," Dr. Culpepper said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The hospitals &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;in the U.S. have convoluted price transparency that confounds most consumers. The solution is to raise the concern about fees and how they step outside of the system. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The fee structure system doesn't just hurt patients – it hurts employers and independent doctors," Dr. Culpepper added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;OVID-19 and the Future of Independent Healthcare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Amidst the peak COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Culpepper had to manage a practice of over 40,000 patients. The financial challenges were devastating during months with no revenue and the practice almost closed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, he pinpoints that there's always a glimmer of hope, even in dire circumstances. On the bright side, he remembers when patients started a GoFundMe campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Within eight days, more than a thousand patients were willing to donate a hundred thousand dollars to keep the office open," Dr. Culpepper said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the near future, Dr. Culpepper believes that small healthcare facilities will have more affordable, efficient, and reliable healthcare solutions. But he notes that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;direct-to-employer contracting will be essential to make independent health professionals successful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He emphasizes that primary care should be separate from insurance. Dr. Culpepper points out that the future of healthcare should have more transparency. An independent and simplified model that could work in favor of patients and doctors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CulpepperPic.webp</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-safest-hands-are-our-own-importance-of-independent-health-professionals/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15520</ID> <title>Quarterbacking Your Best Chronic Pain Treatment: An Interview with Dr. Praveen Mambalam</title> <publishDate>2022-01-13 07:00:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_494 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_589"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_619 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_246"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mambalam_Magazine_Profile_Pic.JPG.jpg" alt="" title="Mambalam_Magazine_Profile_Pic.JPG" class="wp-image-15521" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_620 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_642 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Battling chronic and sometimes inexplicable pain is something we all want to avoid. In the event of dealing with this challenge, however, we would all prefer to be in the care of a doctor passionate about helping patients navigate and heal from chronic pain. Thankfully, there are many exemplary members of the medical community who are seeking to do just that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic pain management is a specialization that requires dedication, compassion and adaptability to perfect, which explains Dr. Praveen Mambalam best.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_590"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_621 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_643 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pursuing Passion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mambalam grew up in an environment with many physicians and knew from an early age he wanted to help people as a doctor as well. He initially specialized in anesthesiology, which later gave him a better understanding of the effects of opioid use in chronic pain management. Throughout his medical school years&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;, &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;he made several specialization changes before realizing that working in pain management was what he wanted to do. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Ten times over, I would choose the same route to get to the same ending because chronic pain is my passion," Dr. Mambalam said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;His passion for communicating and working with patients to formulate the best care plans led Dr. Mambalam to become fundamental to the shift in pain management towards open communication with patients and holistic health plans. Dr. Mambalam likens his approach to medicine to a quarterback working with his team to develop the best game plan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Quarterback with a Plan &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Approaching a patient's pain history and prior treatments like a jigsaw puzzle has helped Dr. Mambalam creatively determine the best course of action. He says each patient's unique care plan is "like a thousand-piece&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;jigsaw puzzle: it's going to start differently every time putting together fragments, but ends with a big picture." This analogy&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has fed into his view of his job as "quarterback for pain" management. He analyzes each patient's distinctive problem and past treatments and therapies, and develops a game plan to tackle it. Dr. Mambalam notes he typically needs about three to six months to formulate and develop an optimal game plan for his patients to follow. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Part of being the quarterback is requiring and facilitating communication between each member of the patient's care team. This goal&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has revealed the unique need for a multidisciplinary approach to pain management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Multidisciplinary pain management is the name of the game&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;,&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;" according to Dr. Mambalam. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach includes a more holistic view of healing patients and even considers their mental fortitude, as well as their physical health. Dr. Mambalam observed that employing psychiatrists to help patients communicate and cope has been a useful development in the field.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Multidisciplinary Approach &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Discovering new ways to tackle the problem of pain in different patients has led pain management specialists to move away from the need to prescribing opioids with advancements in interventional therapies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's a lot more regulation on opioid prescribing even for pain management physicians in the setting of long term pain management," Dr. Mambalam noted. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The advancements in interventions and increased regulation on opioids has led to a paradigm shift in the field of pain management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_356 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1068 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1069 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1070 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_591"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_622 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_247"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-photo-young-shirtless-afro-american-man-with-shoulder-pain.jpg" alt="" title="cropped-photo-young-shirtless-afro-american-man-with-shoulder-pain" class="wp-image-15526" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_644 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Shift in Pain Management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mambalam said he has been working in chronic pain management while going through this fundamental shift. Developing new ways of examining pain conditions is a big part of the multidisciplinary advancement in the field. He involves himself in this advancement process by constantly participating in ongoing research that involves new procedures and investigating new and safer medications. Staying up-to-date on current therapies and how and why they work is another important part of the multidisciplinary approach. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic pain management is also shifting its methodology on how to measure pain. Traditionally pain is measured by asking the patient to score their experience of pain. However, this can often be subjective and inconsistent.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Pain specialists are now focusing on more functional measures such to study pain and pain treatments," Dr. Mambalam said. "We're restructuring their whole thought process for doctors and patients." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances are focusing less on medications and more on patient-controlled devices that can measure function. Neuromodulation is a developing field within pain management that focuses on therapies that modulate the nervous system's perception of pain. This, alongside multidisciplinary approaches, help patients neurologically restructure how they think, react and function with pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If the patient has the opportunity to control their pain at home in a safe manner, that is actually quite powerful and useful and effective at managing pain," he said.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being autonomous with chronic pain management allows doctors to tackle the problem of chronic pain through a variety of different disciplines. This way, doctors can step away from the conventional pain management route of prescribing opioids and consider alternatives that work for each unique patient; additionally, the continuing shift in the pain management discipline aids doctors by providing flexible options for care. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I Believe You, and I Want to Help"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Relating to and communicating with patients is a big part of Dr. Mambalam's practice. He encourages his peers to be "patient with our patients" because he knows a good rapport with patients goes a long way in formulating and executing the best care plan. Having good relationships with patients gives doctors the ability to understand each unique case better. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This approach requires compassion and communication, which are fundamental and admirable aspects of the medical community that doctors like Dr. Mambalam live out daily. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being understanding and open to communication is a two-way street. It's vital to convince patients to work with their doctors and follow their "quarterback's" game plan. The multidisciplinary approach to pain medication gives specialists new ways to tackle chronic pain and develop new and improved treatments, exercises, and medications. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The shift in chronic pain management&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to being more balanced and considering alternatives to opioid prescriptions is made possible through dedicated and passionate doctors like Dr. Mambalam. He firmly believes the future is bright for patients living with difficult chronic painful conditions! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mambalam_Magazine_Profile_Pic.JPG.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/quarterbacking-your-best-chronic-pain-treatment-an-interview-with-dr-praveen-mambalam/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15180</ID> <title>There is a Treatment for the #1 Reason People Go Blind in the United States: An Interview with Dr. Randal Pham</title> <publishDate>2021-12-28 19:35:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_495 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_592"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_623 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_248"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/thumbnail_Alumni_Pham.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Alumni_Pham.jpeg" class="wp-image-15181" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_624 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_645 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;In April of 1975, a young Dr. Randal Pham was one of the thousands of refugees who boarded a military plane heading for the United States to flee Vietnam. Dr. Pham described the event to be "just like what you see in Afghanistan." However, as terrifying as that event was for Dr. Pham, it also became the defining moment that led him to a career in medicine.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_593"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_625 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_646 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I wanted to alleviate the suffering of humans," Dr. Pham stated.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When he landed in America, Dr. Pham barely spoke any English. Still, he worked relentlessly towards his goal and eventually graduated from UC Berkeley, then moved on to apply for medical school in UCSF Parnassus. Excited about being one step closer to his dream of being a doctor, Dr. Pham wrote a letter to his grandfather, who was also a western-trained physician back in their hometown. He shared his hopes of becoming a surgeon one day, but his grandfather persuaded him to be an ophthalmologist instead. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pham wasn't too keen on the idea of becoming an ophthalmologist, but he agreed to his grandfather's wishes, especially since his grandfather was himself blind due to cataracts. Unfortunately, his granddad passed away before Dr. Pham got accepted into UCSF, but Dr. Pham made a vow from then on to do his best to make sure that his patients could see again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today, Dr. Pham is a pioneer in eye laser treatments and has been honored with countless awards, including the UCSF Innovators Award and the Best Clinical Science Award from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery for his work on curing blindness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_594"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_626 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_357 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1071 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1072 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1073 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_249"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-eye-with-corneal-dystrophy-keratoconus-thinning-cornea.jpg" alt="" title="woman-eye-with-corneal-dystrophy-keratoconus-thinning-cornea" class="wp-image-15382" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_647 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Number One Reason Why People Go Blind in the U.S. and How to Fix It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Pham shared the number one cause of blindness in the United States: macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is when your fovea, located in the center of your retina, no longer functions properly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pham explained, "There are two types of macular degeneration. There's a wet type that can be treated with medications, which are very effective. But some patients have an entity called dry macular degeneration - and there's no treatment for it. These people simply go blind towards the end of their life, which is terrible."&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Or so they thought.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry macular degeneration may have been incurable in the past, but that's no longer the case today, thanks to Dr. Pham's latest discovery. He found that the brain can create a new fovea out of photoreceptors that were left undamaged. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They're not as good as the original one, but they're good enough that they can be improved to a point where you can recognize faces again,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;he added. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This discovery pushed him to work with different companies to create a new intraocular technology that combines the use of lasers for treating eye problems and implantable miniature telescopes. The combined efforts of these two advanced technologies allow Dr. Pham to find the new fovea at the back of the eye and enhance its function so a person can see again. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't Have Your Cataracts Removed Just Yet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that Dr. Pham's life-changing technique has already been successfully performed on four patients (also reported in the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5722141/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Journal of Ophthalmology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;), he urges everyone diagnosed with dry macular degeneration to postpone getting their cataracts removed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People who have dry macular degeneration shouldn't have cataract surgery done. They should wait until they meet the criteria for the implantable miniature telescope," he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although the procedure is quite costly, Dr. Pham believes that gaining your sight back and getting to live a normal life again is worth every penny.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, Dr. Pham excitingly shares that the second generation of laser technology is well on its way, leading to far better results. The new laser technology will allow smaller incisions to be made, reducing complications and speeding up the recovery time for the patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We Can See the Future Clearly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think that we are at the beginning of a new era,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Pham says as he goes on to boast about more exciting advancements in ophthalmology.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's gene therapy now that can cure an entity called Leber's, which is causing teenagers to go blind."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With just one shot of medication injected into the eye, the gene can help photoreceptors survive and preserve your vision for the rest of your life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hearing news like this in the medical community builds Dr. Pham's confidence about what the future holds. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My prediction is that within my lifespan, all blindness will be cured," he says. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;And we at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can't help but agree with him. With all the awe-inspiring work he's done in helping people regain their eyesight, Dr. Pham has now become a glimmer of light at the end of a dark tunnel for many of those who can't see.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/thumbnail_Alumni_Pham.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/there-is-a-treatment-for-the-1-reason-people-go-blind-in-the-united-states-an-interview-with-dr-randal-pham/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15168</ID> <title>Personalized Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Judi Goldstone</title> <publishDate>2021-12-26 18:53:37</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_496 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_595"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_627 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_250"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/168218_gHKqPyPa.jpg" alt="" title="168218_gHKqPyPa" class="wp-image-15158" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_pb_column_628 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_648 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the medical world expands and develops, a fresh approach to patient care is becoming increasingly popular. Alternative medicine develops a personalized outlook on each patient and approaches each person as a unique individual.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Judi Goldstone, a hormone replacement therapy doctor, weight loss specialist and alternative medicine physician at the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging,&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;uses her expertise to aid patients through this method.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_596"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_629 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_649 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; She describes this approach as "functional" because it gives a flexible and holistic perspective to medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; had the honor and pleasure of talking with Dr. Goldstone and looking at her fascinating journey to alternative medicine. She shared her perspective on the effectiveness of this approach and her personal story of how alternative medicine benefited her life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone puts herself in the category of an alternative, functional medicine practitioner. Although she started in conventional medicine, Dr. Goldstone saw the need for a more personalized&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;approach to patient health. This need was especially apparent when dealing with aging and weight loss.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I started as a general internist, and I did that for several years. And then I went into weight loss because I was always interested in that field," she said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As she was working in conventional medicine, she noticed that some people, especially the older patients, were becoming increasingly frustrated with not seeing results or not being able to keep the weight off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"But then, I realized that people weren't really maintaining their weight loss, and a lot of them were struggling," Dr. Goldstone added.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a result, she opened &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;her practice&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help her patients with the same symptoms she dealt with herself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;On her journey towards better health, she was discouraged by the medical field's approach to aging and its effects as inescapable and irreversible. Through extensive research, training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and experimenting on herself, Dr. Goldstone found that she could live a healthy, productive and happy lifestyle through alternative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative medicine evaluates and treats the body as a whole rather than the conventional disease management approach to medicine. "It's looking at the patient as a whole"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;and being able to take care of every person's individualized concerns. The current healthcare system is reactive and manages diseases with very little focus on prevention. Therefore, our current system of healthcare should be called disease care. Another important aspect of alternative medicine is that it attempts to prevent chronic illnesses and diseases. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's preventive medicine. We're trying to catch the disease before it catches you," Dr. Goldstone concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone explains that "as we age, we're susceptible to chronic inflammation and degeneration which can lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, heart disease and worse." At her practice, Dr. Goldstone and her team use the latest medical technology to evaluate, treat patients and perform regular checkups as preventative healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Importance of Paying Attention to Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Paying particular attention to balancing one's body biochemically, including hormones. Replacing and balancing hormones was a game-changer in her journey towards health as well as her patients'. While working in conventional medicine focused on weight loss, she noted that many patients weren't able to keep the weight off. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone noticed these people were typically menopausal women and men over 40. This discovery sparked her curiosity, and she began looking into possible links between hormones and health concerns such as maintaining a healthy weight. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"So then I started getting really interested in it [hormone replacement therapy], and I began going to the meetings [of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine] and reading everything I could," Dr. Goldstone explained.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Making this connection was a significant breakthrough for Dr. Goldstone in opening her own business. With the help of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, she found balancing hormones, eating an appropriate diet, proper exercise, supplements and stress control helped with reversing some of the effects of early aging, healing from burnout and getting rid of chronic fatigue in herself and her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"My job is to get everybody's body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health," Dr. Goldstone said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These patients have expressed how thankful they are for a doctor who "thinks outside of the box" regarding hormone balancing and considering metabolic influences. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_358 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1074 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1075 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1076 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_597"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_630 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_251"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/aging-concept-young-old-comparision-e1639508974151.jpg" alt="" title="aging-concept-young-old-comparision" class="wp-image-15170" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_650 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Personalizing Medicine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After Dr. Goldstone's realization of a more holistic approach to patient care, she began medical training. With this medical training and expertise, she could help patients with more than just her specialization. She committed to continuing education by attending conferences and keeping up-to-date on the latest medical techniques, research and technology. These factors combined allowed Dr. Goldstone to focus on alternative, functional medicine and significantly impact her patients' lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The goal of anti-aging, holistic medicine is to help patients avoid degenerative diseases and extend their healthy life span. While traditional physicians focus on treating disease and managing chronic conditions with pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures, anti-aging doctors like Dr. Goldstone practice preventive health care that is truly multidisciplinary. They blend advanced technologies for detecting degenerative diseases with wellness and prevention therapies, including nutrition, supplementation, mind/body medicine, detoxification and exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the critical aspects of alternative medicine is the focus on the whole patient. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's personalized medicine; it's treating the person as an individual," Dr. Goldstone shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldstone takes the time to truly listen to her patients and learn what they need and what they're looking for. This attention to the individual enables her to provide personalized and effective care. Her training and expertise as an M.D. also give her the advantage of knowing when patients need to be referred to a specialist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Advances in the Alternative Medicine Field &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are advances in various medical fields every day, including alternative medicine (the fastest-growing field of medicine today). Some of these advances include biomedical engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the use of stem cells, peptides, anti-aging drugs, 3D printing and more, enabling doctors to conduct better testing and treatment with the goal of helping people live healthier, more productive lives as they age. Dr. Goldstone utilizes various modalities that help her provide the best possible care to her patients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When asked if functional medicine was advancing in technology, Dr. Goldstone responded, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's constantly changing. There's always something new; there are many amazing new ways to evaluate and prevent degeneration of the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The new technological advances help doctors such as Dr. Goldstone measure patients' cognitive function, cardiac function and mental status, among many other things. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The field is also becoming more popular among medical professionals as an approach to patients' health. Dr. Goldstone states she believes more and more doctors are moving towards alternative, functional medicine. It has become the fastest-growing field of medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The field is going to expand. It's expanding right now. And it's going to keep expanding. More people are going to jump into it," Dr. Goldstone concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;would like to thank Dr. Goldstone for taking the time to share her story with us. We hope her perspective on the expanding field of alternative medicine has been beneficial and intriguing to our readers. If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine or Dr. Goldstone and her practice, please check out her profile and website &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://socalbhrt.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-doctor-torrance-california/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/168218_gHKqPyPa.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/psychological-reasons-why-people-are-either-extremely-joyful-or-extremely-hateful-around-the-holidays-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13972</ID> <title>"There's always a team to support you" - A sports medicine overview with Dr. Rathna Nuti</title> <publishDate>2021-09-20 10:13:33</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_497 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_598"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_631 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_252"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Full_size_-_D_s_Best_Dr_s_2018_-_Dr._Nuti_-_TMI_-_Bret_Redman-9409.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Full_size_-_D_s_Best_Dr_s_2018_-_Dr._Nuti_-_TMI_-_Bret_Redman-9409" class="wp-image-13973" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_651 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;The way we perceive and experience sports in these infelicitous times is changing. From tens of thousands of delighted supporters cheering for their favorite teams, we had to become accustomed to cardboard fans, empty stadiums, and athletes bombarded with COVID-19 tests and constant virus talks. Instead of competition for medals and trophies, athletes compete to stay healthy and avoid contracting the diseases; one only needs to look at the ongoing Olympic Games to understand the prevailing climate of fear that engulfs today's sports.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Despite such discouraging conditions, some physicians carry the sports medicine standard towards a brighter tomorrow, where patients can enjoy treatment versatility and disease prevention in a safe and secure environment. Here at Top Doctor Magazine, we are delighted to have interviewed such a sports medicine hero, one who sees and understands the challenges faced by athletes of all genders, without discrimination -- Dr. Rathna Nuti. A member of numerous sports medicine associations, such as the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM) and the NHL Team Physician Society (NHLTPS), Dr. Nuti calls upon the forces of both family medicine and psychology to enhance her approach to sports medicine and to understand her patients, to care for the athlete and the human simultaneously.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Through Dr. Nuti’s words, we will learn today why athletes are, as she calls them, “unique individuals.” We will approach the challenges of today’s sports medicine, the newest improvements to regenerative medicine, and the hurdles thrown into the athlete’s way, all in a COVID-19 setting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_599"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_632 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_253"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Ful_lsize_V2_-_Dr._Rathna_Nuti_-__D_s_Best_2020_-_09_2020_-_Bret_Redman-5476.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_Ful_lsize_V2_-_Dr._Rathna_Nuti_-__D_s_Best_2020_-_09_2020_-_Bret_Redman-5476" class="wp-image-13979" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_359 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1077 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1078 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1079 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_652 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Struggling between Playing and Not Playing&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Athletes are unique individuals – they need to have a routine, a schedule; it does affect their psyche." Constant training is the holy chalice from which every athlete has to drink consistently. However, some athletes lost that precious consistency between several months of complete lockdown (not to mention countries where lockdown measures were reinstituted) and alternating approval-interdiction patterns on sports similar to ping pong matches. As a result, they became more prone to both outdoor and home-based injuries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Although an injury might not sound like the end of the world, a sine qua non factor for this equation is the fear factor; a contradictory feeling of avoiding physicians due to COVID-19 and willingness to see a physician face-to-face. The result: delayed visits to the doctor and a higher risk of complications. "We were seeing, even in kids, fractures that were delayed for more than two, three, even four weeks because people were so scared to go to the doctor."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;After analyzing these concerns, Dr. Nuti was ready to employ her knowledge of psychology and try to overcome the fear factor crippling her patients. "They (i.e., the patients) don't want to do things like telemedicine. They want to actually see a physician in the office." Understanding the patient's human interaction needs encouraged Dr. Nuti to receive all the patients who cross her practice's doorstep and listen to their struggles. "Sometimes patients have difficulties expressing what they truly feel, and taking that extra minute or step of saying, 'Hey, I understand what's going on' plays a big role."&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoiding Scam Clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The past few years have seen the accelerated emergence of regenerative medicine alternatives, such as amniotic injection therapy, stem cells, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma). As a result, the opportunity to treat injuries in a versatile, more straightforward approach proved tempting for numerous patients. "It's kind of cool to see how you have different options to provide for patients after a proper exam and history and consultation, that you can offer them a different treatment plan."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, as regenerative medicine showed more promising signs, malevolent individuals saw the chance to defraud trusting patients of their hopes and dreams with false promises. "And they get scammed into paying thousands of dollars for these types of treatment plans." Therefore, treatments that fed such frauds, like &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://great-practices.com/fda-requiring-many-amnion-fluid-products-to-be-withdrawn-by-may-31-2021/#:~:text=keep%20your%20patients.-,FDA%20Requiring%20many%20Amnion%20Fluid%20Injectables,Withdrawn%20by%20May%2031%2C%202021.&amp;amp;text=Regulatory%20Background%3A,innovation%20of%20regenerative%20medicine%20therapies."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;amniotic injection therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, were pulled off the market, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/18/separate-scientific-scam-stem-cell/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;scam clinics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; were closed down by the authorities to prevent the encouragement of such practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The prevention of more fraud victims lies in our perception of regenerative medicine. However, instead of looking at regenerative medicine as the Holy Grail of medicine, we must understand its limitations. For Dr. Nuti, regenerative medicine is on the right path but far from the finish line. "I think that, when utilized appropriately and ethically, it could be a potential game-changer, especially in the way patients experience pain. […] Not to say it's going to cure everything, because that's definitely not my intention on saying that."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 in 40,000 to 1 in 80,000 athletes per year fall prey to sudden cardiac death (SCD), and although the past few decades saw &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155532/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a surge in SCD research and awareness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, no single strategy is potent enough &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4969030/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;to prevent this condition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There are no preventative tests for it to be perfect," Dr. Nuti admits, although some signs could act as red flags. "'Hey, I'm exercising, I'm getting shortness of breath, dizziness, and I feel like my heart is racing' or, 'Hey, I felt like I was going to pass out when that happened.' Those are some of the red flags where it will prompt me to think, is there something else going on?"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Once specific red flags are raised, an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4969030/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;electrocardiogram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and/or echocardiography could shed some light on the mystery. From then onwards, sports cardiologists are brought in to "see if a patient needs any further workup based on their consultation and findings." However, regardless of care coordination and preventative care, the SCD danger looms over athletes. "[SCD] is not an easy diagnosis to make."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"There's always a team to support you"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not with standing the dangers lurking in sports, such as SCD, scam clinics, and the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Nuti encourages each athlete to look past their misfortunes, keep working with medical professionals, and always, always stick to their goals. "Definitely know that you have options and keep on with your goals because there's always a team to support you."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team shares Dr. Nuti's optimistic life vision and wishes her nothing but success in her future endeavors. Aside from opening up her practice last May, Dr. Nuti intends to expand into the aesthetic realm of medicine as well. For more information on Dr. Nuti's work, make sure that you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.dfwsportsmed.com/rathna-nuti-md-sports-medicine-specialist-mckinney-lewisville-tx/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;check out her website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_Full_size_-_D_s_Best_Dr_s_2018_-_Dr._Nuti_-_TMI_-_Bret_Redman-9409.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/theres-always-a-team-to-support-you-a-sports-medicine-overview-with-dr-rathna-nuti/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13640</ID> <title>Giving the Power to the Patients: An Interview with Dr. Gregg DeNicola from Caduceus Medical Group</title> <publishDate>2021-08-21 14:32:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_498 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_600"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_633 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_254"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_image0.jpeg-e1630678490917.jpg" alt="" title="thumbnail_image0.jpeg" class="wp-image-13644" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_653 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Interview with Dr. Gregg DeNicola - Co-founder of Caduceus Medical Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When he was merely a high schooler, Dr. Gregg DeNicola discovered his passion for practicing medicine while volunteering at a pediatric ward. "I remember watching kids light up when we visited, and the faces of their parents too." Coming from a proud, hardworking, blue-collar family with a small liquor store business, Dr. DeNicola was determined (and pushed by his parents) to become professional by trade and used his volunteering experience as a sign that he belonged in medicine. In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. DeNicola describes his experience of practicing Family Medicine for over thirty-five years and co-founding Caduceus Medical Group (CMG), an innovative physician-owned multi-specialty group in Orange County.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Medical Training and a Double-edged Corporate Experience&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola has a bright academic record, received a Bachelor of Science Cum Laude, and completed medical school at Creighton University. He completed his internship and residency at Northridge Hospital (UCLA School of Medicine). In the early 80s, Dr. DeNicola started in a small Family Practice Group, allowing him to start an Independent Physicians Association (IPA) managed care group a few years later. This business was a very successful venture and handled things like HMO contracts and managed care. Due to its success, they took the company public in the 90s. By 1997 Dr. DeNicola started to see the problem with the single-minded obsession with corporate profits - "We discovered that a doctors group probably shouldn't be a publicly run company, maybe for hospitals or pharmaceutical companies - that's OK, but not doctors… In the public marketplace, the need to make a profit is so great, but health care really shouldn't be about making a profit."&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Co-founding Caduceus Medical Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fed up with the drag of a constant corporate need for profit, Dr. DeNicola co-founded &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.caduceusmedicalgroup.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caduceus Medical Group&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on January 1, 1999. Under his leadership, Dr. DeNicola and a handful of other close physician co-founders created a new kind of multi-specialty medical group that was less weighed down by shareholders and government interference. The group was also not locked into certain hospital systems and specific pharmaceutical companies. Instead, Caduceus Medical Group's business model puts the doctors and community they serve first by giving their patients an innovative high amount of freedom of choice in specialists, hospitals, medicine, cash price lists, and guaranteed access to care as a cornerstone of operating philosophy. This setup is similar to the local community multi-specialty medical group business model that was commonplace before the corporate takeover of medical groups in the 1970s and 1980s. However, the difference between those early multi-specialty practices and Caduceus Medical Group is that CMG created six locations throughout Orange County without outsourcing any billing, collection, coding, or upper management. "We're definitely run by our doctors, and we're fiercely independent, so we don't allow hospitals to affiliate with us, or any HMO, or health system.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We truly only have one customer, and that's our patients,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola proudly states.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Expanding the Business&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caduceus Medical Group has added several expansions to the group through the years. What started with just a mix of Family Practice, Pediatrics, and OB-GYN specialists has expanded into Physical Therapy, Radiology, Psychology, Urgent Care, and labs. "We did it organically. We didn't really make any acquisitions. Maybe a few tiny ones, but we mostly kept reinvesting profits in ourselves, and that prevented us from going to hospitals on our knees,"&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola shares.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Today, CMG is open to more investment and looking to hire more doctors and specialists to expand the company into Los Angeles and Southern California.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Differences in Business Model from Competitors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"They all have the term 'healthcare system' - which means they control the doctors, the hospital, the health plan, the pharmacy, as much of the pie as they can control is what makes them a 'system.' We're very proud not to be part of a system. We're your doctor." In short, Dr. DeNicola tells us that CMG gives the patient the power to choose their desired hospital or specialist (provided their insurance companies will cooperate), which sets them apart from other healthcare systems.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;COVID-19 and Telemedicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fortunately, Dr. DeNicola tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;that his organization has been using telemedicine for patients since 2014. When the first wave of the pandemic rocked the country's healthcare system, CMG was able to quickly adapt to the pandemic with their existing online/app appointment system and a fully operational telemedicine healthcare protocol in place. Despite this, unfortunately, several of the staff were still affected by the pandemic. Dr. DeNicola himself also suffered from lingering severe effects of coronavirus pneumonia, which has sidelined him from caring for patients in person.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What's Next for The COVID-19 Long-Haulers?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola is currently concerned about treating the next phase of this pandemic, the COVID-19 long-haulers. "&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By long haulers, we mean patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 two months or more after they had the bug. Usually, these symptoms are different from when they were sick. Depression, PTSD, heart attack strokes, these things aren't rare." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. DeNicola is hopeful for national herd immunity to be achieved possibly by Halloween this year, and perhaps then a shift into preventing it from coming back. Still, Dr. DeNicola is noticing a need for vigilance against the virus, "I tell my patients, it's like the coronavirus is a poodle. And COVID-19 didn't mutate into a pitbull…it mutated into a pack of wolves. It's one really, really mean virus." Despite the pandemic, Dr. DeNicola is adamant that new doctors be wary of focusing on profits. They need to go back to putting patients first now more than ever.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/thumbnail_image0.jpeg-e1630678490917.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/business/financial/giving-the-power-to-the-patients-an-interview-with-dr-gregg-denicola-from-caduceus-medical-group/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <articles> <article> <ID>30349</ID> <title>Make the Most of Warm Weather: The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise and Adventure Therapy</title> <publishDate>2024-04-01 15:57:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_499 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_601"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_634 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_654 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are you tired of the same old routine of indoor workouts? Well, it's time to lace up your sneakers, grab your water bottle, and head outside! Outdoor exercise and adventure therapy offer a plethora of benefits for the whole family, from physical health to mental well-being. Let's explore why stepping into nature can be your family's ticket to health and happiness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Health Benefits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Vitamin D Boost&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spending time outdoors isn't just fun—it's also a fantastic way to boost your body's vitamin D levels. Sun exposure stimulates vitamin D production, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system. According to research by Micahel Holick, adequate vitamin D levels have also been linked to a reduced risk of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fresh Air&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take a deep breath! The great outdoors offers an abundance of fresh air, which can work wonders for your lungs and overall well-being. A study from Rucker et al. suggests breathing in clean, oxygen-rich air improves lung function and helps oxygenate your blood, leaving you feeling invigorated and refreshed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natural Terrain Challenges&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Say goodbye to the monotony of indoor workouts! Outdoor trails provide an exciting array of natural terrain challenges that engage different muscle groups and enhance the effectiveness of your exercise routine. Whether it's navigating rocky paths or conquering steep inclines, outdoor workouts offer a dynamic and engaging way to stay fit.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Calorie Burner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Looking to shed some extra pounds? Head outdoors! Activities like hiking, biking, or playing frisbee in the park can torch calories more effectively than indoor exercises, helping you maintain a healthy weight and boost your fitness levels. So, ditch the treadmill and hit the trails for a calorie-burning adventure.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30389 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Benefits-of-Outdoor-Exercise-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;  &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental Well-Being&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress Reduction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life by immersing yourself in nature. The serene beauty of the outdoors has a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. Whether it's listening to birds chirping or feeling the gentle breeze on your skin, nature provides the perfect antidote to stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mood Booster&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Need a mood lift? Step outside! Outdoor exercise triggers the release of endorphins—feel-good hormones that can lift your spirits and enhance your mood. So, lace up your sneakers, hit the trails, and let nature work its magic on your happiness levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Connection with Nature&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reconnect with the natural world and experience a sense of awe and wonder. Spending time outdoors allows you to connect with the beauty of nature, fostering a deeper appreciation for the world around you. Whether it's marveling at a breathtaking sunset or feeling the earth beneath your feet, nature has a way of soothing the soul.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Family Bonding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unplug and reconnect with your loved ones in the great outdoors. Outdoor activities provide the perfect opportunity for quality family time away from screens and distractions. Whether you're hiking through scenic trails or enjoying a picnic in the park, these shared experiences strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30390 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Benefits-of-Outdoor-Exercise-3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Adventure Therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Team Building: Adventure therapy activities such as ropes courses or rock climbing require teamwork and cooperation, helping family members learn to communicate effectively and trust one another.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Problem Solving: Outdoor challenges present opportunities for problem-solving and critical thinking, teaching valuable skills that can be applied in everyday life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Confidence Building: Overcoming obstacles in a natural setting can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, empowering family members to tackle challenges with courage and resilience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;11&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emotional Healing: Nature has a therapeutic effect on the mind and soul, providing a healing environment for individuals dealing with stress, trauma, or mental health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating outdoor exercise and adventure therapy into your family's routine doesn't have to be complicated. Start by scheduling regular outings to local parks, hiking trails, or playgrounds. Encourage everyone to participate in activities they enjoy, whether it's biking, playing sports, or simply taking a leisurely stroll.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and stay hydrated, especially on hot summer days. And remember to use different forms of sun protection during the hotter parts of the day, like a hat, long sleeves, or natural sunscreen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what are you waiting for? Step outside, breathe in the fresh air and embark on an adventure with your family today. Your health and happiness await in the great outdoors!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;References&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Holick, Michael. "Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease." Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec;80(6 Suppl):1678S-88S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Rucker et al. "The role of outdoor physical activity and sedentary behavior in predicting adolescent mental health." Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2010; 15(6): 371–376.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Thompson Coon et al. "Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review." Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Feb 15;45(5):1761-72.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Ainsworth BE et al. "Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities." Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Sep;32(9 Suppl):S498-504.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Gladwell VF, Brown DK, Barton JL, et al. "The effects of views of nature on autonomic control." Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012;112(9):3379-3386.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Reed J, Buck S. "The effect of regular aerobic exercise on positive-activated affect: A meta-analysis." Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2009; 10: 581–594.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Mayer FS, Frantz CM. "The connectedness to nature scale: A measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature." J Environ Psychol. 2004;24:503–515.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Heath GW, Brownson RC, Kruger J, et al. "The effectiveness of urban design and land use and transport policies and practices to increase physical activity: a systematic review." J Phys Act Health. 2006;3(s1):S55-S76.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Gass MA, Gillis HL, Russell KC. "Adventure therapy: theory, research, and practice." Routledge, 2012.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Priess HA, Olson DH. "Outdoor adventure education: Applying transformative learning theory to understanding instrumental learning and personal growth in environmental education." Journal of Environmental Education, 2010; 41: 4–17.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Bandura A. "Self-efficacy: The exercise of control." W H Freeman/Times Books/ Henry Holt &amp;amp; Co, 1997.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Williams F, Carter M. "Healing nature: an ecological concept of healing." Journal of Holistic Nursing, 1997; 15(2): 179–191.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Benefits-of-Outdoor-Exercise-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/fitness/make-the-most-of-warm-weather-the-benefits-of-outdoor-exercise-and-adventure-therapy/</url> </article> <article> <ID>30230</ID> <title>10,000 Steps A Day: A Fad Or An Important Goal? Discover If It’s Right For You</title> <publishDate>2024-04-01 15:10:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_500 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_602"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_635 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_655 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I remember when Fitbits were all the rage. Suddenly, everyone seemed obsessed with reaching a goal of 10,000 steps a day. I thought it was silly. Why 10,000 steps? I figured people could just prioritize exercise, be it lifting or doing cardio. To me, that would be enough. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As Fitbits have faded away, should we also give up the ambition of hitting 10,000 steps a day? Is this cardio goal one we should set out to achieve? Or, was it some fad that we all should forget about?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let’s take a closer look.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30242 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1000-Steps-1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why 10,000 steps?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It turns out that the 10,000 steps goal didn’t originate with the Fitbit. The goal came from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/10000-steps-a-day"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one professor’s theory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; during the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Professor Yoshiro Hatano studied how to fight obesity and theorized that walking 10,000 steps a day—equaling about five miles—would be the right amount to keep people healthy. Hatano developed the “Manpo-kei,” a pedometer-type device that motivated people to get up and move. The device was a huge hit since people were already thinking about health and fitness during the Olympic season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eventually, the U.S. and other countries got in on the excitement. They realized that 10,000 steps a day can allow someone to hit their necessary aerobic exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/benefits-of-aerobic-exercise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aerobic exercise is crucial&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to taking care of cardiovascular health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It's needed for controlling blood pressure and blood sugar. It helps manage weight and improves mental health. It also strengthens the immune system and boosts brain power. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The official recommendation now is to get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week or 75 minutes a week for more intense movement. If you divide 150 minutes into 30 minutes five days a week, you could hit &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/10000-steps-a-day-7569133"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;about 7,000-8,000 steps at a brisk pace&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So, you could argue that all you need is about that much a day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are 10,000 steps necessary, then? Truthfully, you’ll get a different answer from every health expert you ask. Here’s the thing, though. Most of us have become far too sedentary, so it’s good to make yourself move more throughout the day. We all need aerobic exercise daily, regardless of your fitness goals. Depending on your health goals, it’s up to you if you want to hit that many steps, but it is a good number to get the official cardio requirement and then some. It’s also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/walking-number-one-form-cardio-i-recommend-weight-loss-clients"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a recommended step number for weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30240 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1000-Steps-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Power of Walking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that you don’t need to go on a run to get your cardio in. Walking is an excellent form of aerobic exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/walking-number-one-form-cardio-i-recommend-weight-loss-clients"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fitness trainer Gina Florio recommends&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; walking as a weight loss tool for her clients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Florio noted that high-intensity workouts are effective, but they’re not appealing to the everyday person who just wants to be healthier. She goes on to say that for people who are already stressed—which many of us are nowadays—high-intensity training can be counterproductive because it creates more stress. Higher-intensity workouts like running may burn more calories in a shorter time, but &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/how-to-make-your-hot-girl-walk-the-best-part-of-your-day?list=favorites"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;it’s harder on the body and stresses the heart&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even if weight loss isn’t your goal, walking is a simple yet effective way to take care of your health. Whatever your health goals are, it’s time to get walking!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Getting in your 10,000 steps&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At this point, you might be wondering if lifting weights counts for aerobic exercise. The answer is: sorta. Generally speaking, cardio, like walking, swimming, running, biking, etc., counts as aerobic exercise. When you lift weights or sprint, you’re doing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323922"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;anaerobic exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This means you use energy from contracting muscles as opposed to oxygen, like when you’re walking. Yet, lifting weights can count toward cardio &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.crunch.com.au/blog/workouts-exercise/cardio-vs-strength-training-which-is-effective-for-overall-health/#:~:text=The%20short%20answer%20is%20yes,you%20finish%20your%20weight%20session."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;at the right intensity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; For overall health, it’s recommended to have a mix of cardio and lifting.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reaching a goal of 10,000 steps is much simpler than you think. Here are some ways you can mindfully walk more throughout your day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Go on walks&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This one’s a no-brainer, but it is the best way! Take a half hour of your day and go for a walk outside. Grab a buddy or two and make it a social event. Listen to your favorite podcast, catch up on an audiobook, or create a great playlist. Do whatever it is to make it an enjoyable part of your day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Park farther away&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s easy to want to nab the closest parking spot, especially if the weather outside isn’t ideal. But, if you park farther away, you’ll start adding up those steps. Your health will thank you for it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take the stairs instead of the elevator&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We might groan when we hear this, but once you get in the habit of choosing the stairs over the elevator, your body will adapt, and you won’t even think about it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30243 size-full aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1000-steps-3.png" alt="" width="1080" height="1350" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Move when you can&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you’re making phone calls for work, walk around instead of sitting. If you need to study or read something, take it with you to the treadmill. Get up and move around periodically if your job has you sitting down all day at a desk. If you can opt for movement, it’ll be much better for you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take multiple trips&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whenever we unload our car with groceries, it’s easy to want to grab as many bags as possible so that we don’t have to take as many trips. Instead, do the opposite and be less efficient! Take several trips in whatever you do.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Track your steps&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One way to know how many steps you’re taking is to get some sort of step tracker. You could opt for something like an Apple Watch, but there are several free step-tracking apps that you could go for instead if you don’t want to make the purchase. Whatever you choose, you don’t need to hit 10,000 steps on day one. Take your time working up to that. As long as you move mindfully, you’ll be on your way to better health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conclusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While Fitbits may have faded away, it doesn’t mean we have to end our goal of 10,000 steps. Cardio is important to our physical and mental health, and we don’t need to be a marathon runner to do it. It’s all about mindful and intentional movement to get the necessary steps.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1000-Steps-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/fitness/10000-steps-a-day-a-fad-or-an-important-goal-discover-if-its-right-for-you/</url> </article> <article> <ID>30036</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:35:56</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_501 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_603"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_636 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_656 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sam Tejada is a retired firefighter paramedic in Broward County, Florida and a health and wellness expert leading the industry through his company, Liquivida. Sam has multiple wellness centers throughout the nation. The Liquivida franchise is changing the course of healthcare, taking a proactive, preventative approach to health rather than the reactive process we are so used to - waiting until you’re sick and then seeking medical attention. Through his book, “How To Win in Modern Wellness,” Sam is on a mission to inspire, educate, and rewrite the script on health and wellness. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sam, can you share a little about your background and how you came to be considered as a sought-after expert in the modern wellness industry? How did you get started?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I got into this industry as a side hustle on my days off from the fire department. While working for a private company, my eyes were opened to the benefits of alternative types of healthcare, like IV therapy, that, at that time, could only be enjoyed by those who could afford it. I saw this glaring disparity as an opportunity to save far more lives than I could as a firefighter. I had a mentor, attended seminars, conferences, and courses to learn everything I could and started Liquivida to bring the benefits of preventative medicine to the masses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You’ve been doing this for nearly a decade. What are your thoughts on the health and wellness industry? Where do you see things going?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The proactive approach to health and wellness is a change that has been needed for a long time. The industry is expanding and evolving very quickly. Consumers are the ones who are driving this, choosing services and modalities that will maintain and optimize their health rather than taking medications and treatments to manage their sickness. Alternative therapies are reshaping the health and wellness landscape, and medical professionals and entrepreneurs are paying attention to that. I think this rapidly growing industry still has plenty of room for growth and that we’ve barely scratched the surface to help improve people’s lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30044 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-To-Win-1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What does Liquivida do to help improve people’s lives?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We began solely as an IV Vitamin infusion company. Since then, we have grown into a full-service wellness franchise, expanding to include such services as&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regenerative therapies, medical grade weight loss, HRT, SmartGraft Hair Transplants, sexual health, and medical aesthetics. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why did you write the book, “How To Win in Modern Wellness”?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I’m a person who strongly believes in the value of relationships and collaboration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When I entered the modern wellness industry, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I made the conscious decision not to go the cut-throat route when it came to my competition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Over the years, I have developed strong ties and initiatives with many other industry leaders. As I engaged with these trailblazers and visionaries, we began discussing standards and regulations and exploring ways to expand access to preventive treatments and modalities, and I knew what was needed. W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e needed more people to get into this industry. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I deal with medical professionals who are tired of sick care, frustrated with insurance companies, and only able to spend barely 10 minutes with a patient. I also speak to a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs who have a passion for health and wellness. It occurred to me that they all needed two things. Number one - to be motivated. And number two - to have some direction on how they can make things happen on their end. So, this book was created as a sort of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;educational and inspirational &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;guide for them. To make it a true resource, I decided to ask these industry leaders to talk about what they're doing, their successes, failures, insights, and lessons learned. In the end, the book is to help our industry grow - whether through creating more franchises or creating even more competition for ourselves!  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30041 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-win-2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What advice would you share with medical professionals and entrepreneurs who may want to enter the health and wellness space? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Honestly, the first thing I would tell them is to read this book! The people who have contributed to it are some of the sharpest minds and highly regarded people in the industry. They have so much insight, experience, lessons, and strategies to share.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The second thing I would do is strongly encourage them to go the franchising route. This is an incredibly rewarding industry, but there is also an incredible amount of knowledge, regulation, oversight, and compliance involved. Franchises, like Liquivida, have already navigated that. W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e've made it easy for people to implement IV therapy because we’ve laid the groundwork for it for the past decade. Instead of people having to try to figure out how to succeed in this industry, we’ve already done it. We've taken the guesswork out of it. We've done it with IV therapy and expanded into all the other services and modalities we offer. We've done it with our franchise models, and we've done it through the organizations and platforms that we've created to be able to give medical practitioners trying to get into the industry the support they need. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With consumers reading all about things like regenerative medicine, peptides, gene therapy, and all of these other modalities, they are seeking treatment and better health. There’s so much to learn, so how can practitioners who have not been doing these things for years make the transition? What resources are available for people who want to be able to keep up to date? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I would highly recommend that anyone entering this industry join one of the various accredited organizations, such as the A4M (American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine) and AIVA (American IV Association). We all participate in them to make things easier for people trying to get into the health and wellness space. These organizations provide invaluable resources, education, and training. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I was recently named Chairman of the American IV Association’s Leadership Advisory Board, which is playing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; a pivotal role in unifying, shaping, and driving the IV Hydration Therapy industry forward safely, supporting IV hydration therapy providers across the nation by delivering patient safety and best practices. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most important thing we can do in and for this industry is focus on the importance of bringing everybody in this world of functional medicine together. Sharing knowledge, ideas, and resources – having one united, strong voice- is the path to really changing the course of medicine. Of course, being under the umbrella of a franchise, with the oversight, training and support they provide, is the most effective way to access the knowledge you need. But all the leaders in this industry collaborate because we understand that we need to create that one strong voice. We’re getting on different podcasts, interviewing one another, sharing our expertise, and really standing together to grow and fortify this industry.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30042 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-win-3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where can people buy the book?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://samtejada.com/book/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://samtejada.com/book/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFW11P1?ref=myi_title_dp"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFW11P1?ref=myi_title_dp&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get in contact with Sam, and follow along on his socials through the links below:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/samael.tejada"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.facebook.com/samael.tejada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SamaelTejada"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://twitter.com/SamaelTejada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtejada/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtejada&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.liquivida.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.liquivida.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://m.facebook.com/Liquivida"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://m.facebook.com/Liquivida&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.twitter.com/LiquividaLounge"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.twitter.com/LiquividaLounge&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/liquivida/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/company/liquivida/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://samtejada.com/home/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://samtejada.com/home/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhLoeGuARgH5h7N7W-UIdX55RPnLHDDEl"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhLoeGuARgH5h7N7W-UIdX55RPnLHDDEl&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-win-cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/featured/how-to-win-in-modern-wellness-a-q-a-with-modern-wellness-expert-sam-tejada/</url> </article> <article> <ID>30051</ID> <title>What are the Benefits of Grounding?</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:33:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_502 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_604"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_637 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_657 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In our fast-paced, modern world, where technology and urbanization dominate, it's easy to lose touch with the natural world. A growing body of research suggests that reconnecting with the earth through a practice known as grounding, or earthing, can offer an array of health benefits! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding involves direct physical contact with the earth, such as walking barefoot on grass, soil or sand, and has been associated with improved well-being across various aspects of physical and mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Is There Science Behind Grounding?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding is based on the principle that the earth carries a subtle electric charge, and direct contact with its surface can help balance the body's electrical charge. This concept is rooted in the understanding that the earth's surface is abundant in free electrons, which are negatively charged particles. When a person is in direct contact with the earth, these electrons can be transferred to the body, neutralizing positively charged free radicals and reducing inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduction in Inflammation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several studies have suggested that grounding may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research, participants who grounded themselves showed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers, indicating that contact with the Earth may help modulate the body's inflammatory response.1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30057 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Grounding1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding has been linked to better sleep quality and duration. A 2004 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants who slept grounded experienced improvements in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and decreased nighttime awakenings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; The balancing effect on cortisol, the stress hormone, may contribute to these positive sleep outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress Reduction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding appears to have a calming effect on the nervous system, potentially reducing stress and anxiety. A small pilot study published in 2015 found that participants who practiced grounding techniques reported lower levels of stress and improved overall emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved Blood Flow and Cardiovascular Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Preliminary research suggests that grounding may positively impact cardiovascular health. A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health in 2012 found that grounding resulted in improved blood viscosity and flow, potentially contributing to better overall cardiovascular function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pain Management&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding has shown promise as a complementary approach to pain management. A 2017 study found that grounding reduced the intensity of chronic musculoskeletal pain and improved participants' overall quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; While more research is needed, these findings suggest that grounding could be a valuable addition to pain management strategies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30058 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/grounding2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practical Ways to Incorporate Grounding into Your Life:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Barefoot Walking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spend time walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, soil, or sand. This direct contact allows the transfer of electrons from the earth to your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="2"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Gardening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engage in gardening activities where you come into direct contact with the soil. Planting, weeding, or simply sitting on the ground can provide grounding benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="3"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Beach Time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take advantage of the beach environment, where the combination of sand and water provides an excellent grounding experience. Walk barefoot along the shore or sit in the sand to enhance the connection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol start="4"&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Grounding Mats and Sheets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Grounding mats and sheets with conductive properties are designed to connect to the earth's electric charge. Using these products while sleeping or sitting can offer the benefits of grounding indoors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we navigate the challenges of modern living, the simple act of connecting with the earth may hold profound health benefits. Grounding has the potential to reduce inflammation, improve sleep, alleviate stress, enhance cardiovascular health, and aid in pain management. While more research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these effects fully, the existing evidence suggests that incorporating grounding practices into our daily lives could be a valuable component of a holistic approach to well-being. So, kick off your shoes, step onto the grass, and let the earth's natural energy contribute to your overall health and vitality!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chevalier, G., et al. (2015). Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons. Journal of Inflammation Research, 8, 83–96.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ghaly, M., &amp;amp; Teplitz, D. (2004). The Biologic Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep, as Measured by Cortisol Levels and Subjective Reporting of Sleep, Pain, and Stress. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(5), 767–776.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ibid.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., &amp;amp; Brown, R. (2015). The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers' Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Explore, 11(4), 263–272.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sokal, K., &amp;amp; Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 1–8.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sinatra, S. T., et al. (2017). Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine Strategies Should Include Earthing (Grounding): Review of Research Evidence and Clinical Observations. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(5), 347–354.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/groundingcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/holistic-medicine/what-are-the-benefits-of-grounding/</url> </article> <article> <ID>30020</ID> <title>Tongue Scraping: A Practice Rooted in Ancient Wisdom</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:33:23</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_503 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_605"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_638 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_658 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While oral hygiene often revolves around brushing and flossing, a lesser-known but incredibly beneficial practice has gained attention in recent years: tongue scraping. Rooted in ancient Ayurvedic traditions, tongue scraping involves gently cleaning the tongue's surface to remove accumulated bacteria, toxins, and debris. Beyond the immediate benefits for oral health, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that regular tongue scraping can contribute to overall well-being in unexpected ways.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Science Behind Tongue Scraping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The tongue is a prime breeding ground for bacteria, dead cells, and toxins. Overnight, these substances accumulate on the tongue's surface, leading to the notorious phenomenon known as morning breath. However, the benefits of tongue scraping extend far beyond combating bad breath.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved Oral Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A 2005 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that tongue scraping is more effective than tooth brushing alone in reducing the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) – the compounds responsible for bad breath.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; By removing the bacteria that contribute to VSCs, tongue scraping plays a crucial role in enhancing overall oral hygiene.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30028 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/toguescraping1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt; &lt;/h4&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduction of Bacteria and Toxins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has shown that the tongue harbors a significant amount of harmful bacteria that can contribute to various oral and systemic health issues. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that tongue scraping resulted in a significant reduction in the total bacterial count on the tongue's surface, thereby minimizing the potential for oral infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enhanced Taste Perception&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The tongue is responsible for detecting flavors, and a coated tongue can dull taste perception. By regularly scraping the tongue, individuals may experience an improvement in their ability to taste and enjoy food, as suggested by a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry in 2016.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prevention of Systemic Health Issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The oral cavity is a gateway to the rest of the body, and maintaining oral health is integral to overall well-being. Research published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology in 2012 suggests that oral bacteria and inflammation may contribute to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Tongue scraping, by reducing the bacterial load in the mouth, may play a role in preventing these broader health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-30027 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/toguescraping2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tips for Effective Tongue Scraping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choose the Right Tool&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Various tongue-scraping tools are available, including metal and plastic scrapers. Choose one that feels comfortable in your hand and has a gentle, curved edge to prevent irritation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Scrape from Back to Front&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gently scrape your tongue from the back to the front, ensuring that you cover the entire surface. Be mindful not to press too hard, as this can cause discomfort and may damage taste buds.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporate into Daily Routine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make tongue scraping a part of your daily oral hygiene routine, ideally in the morning before brushing your teeth. This helps remove accumulated debris from overnight and sets a fresh foundation for the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintain Consistency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistency is key for reaping the full benefits of tongue scraping. Incorporate it into your daily routine, and over time, you may notice improvements in oral health, breath freshness, and overall well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating the ancient practice of tongue scraping into your daily routine can be a small yet powerful step toward enhancing oral health and overall well-being. Backed by scientific research, this simple practice offers benefits beyond the prevention of bad breath, including the reduction of harmful bacteria, enhanced taste perception, and potential systemic health implications. As we delve into the wisdom of traditional practices, tongue scraping emerges as a valuable addition to modern oral hygiene, reminding us that maintaining health can often be found in the simplicity of time-honored rituals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Pedrazzi, V., et al. (2004). Tongue-cleaning methods: a comparative clinical trial employing a toothbrush and a tongue scraper. Journal of Periodontology, 75(7), 1009–1012.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Tonzetich, J., &amp;amp; Ng, S. K. (1976). Reduction of malodor by oral cleansing procedures. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, 42(2), 172–181.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Shetty, S. S., et al. (2017). Effectiveness of tongue scraping on morning bad breath—A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 11(9), ZC58–ZC61.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Rukmini, N., &amp;amp; Vijayalakshmi, R. (2016). Effect of tongue scraping on oral malodor. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 8(2), e131–e135.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Fine, D. H., et al. (2012). The use of systemic markers to determine the pathobiology of periodontal disease and the development of a new classification system. Journal of Oral Microbiology, 4(1), 1–9.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/tonguescrapingcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/tongue-scraping-a-practice-rooted-in-ancient-wisdom/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29951</ID> <title>Seasonal Allergies: How to Naturally Nip Them in the Bud</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 14:30:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_504 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_606"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_639 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_659 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warmer weather has finally arrived! For many of us, we eagerly anticipate shedding winter coats and opting for short sleeves and floral dresses. As we’ve been cooped up indoors, we can’t wait to spend more time in nature.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But for others, springtime can be a nightmare. It’s tough to enjoy the season’s pleasures when your eyes are itchy and you’re congested. Desperate for relief, you’ve tried every allergy medicine under the sun just so you feel like yourself again. Maybe you’ve found one that’s worked, but you don’t want to rely on allergy medicine for the rest of your life. Or, you’ve wondered if there’s a better way to deal with the seasonal changes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Believe it or not, there are holistic methods for relieving allergies. Let’s examine seasonal allergies and explore natural remedies you might not have considered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29977 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nipallergiesinthebud1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal allergies explained&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergic-reaction-causes"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An allergic reaction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is when the body detects otherwise harmless substances as a threat. The body releases histamines or other chemicals to eliminate the perceived threat and protect itself.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Allergic reactions can vary from person to person, such as how a person reacts to an allergen or what someone is allergic to. For some, it might be cold-like symptoms, or they develop hives. Others have more severe reactions that could develop into anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allergies that develop from seasonal changes are called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/seasonal-allergies"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;allergic rhinitis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; or hay fever. Hay fever earned its name from the hay-cutting season during the summer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Pollen, which comes from trees, grasses, and weeds, is a common culprit for a reaction. Most of the time, seasonal allergies are mild, but they still cause discomfort. However, hay fever could be worse for people with asthma who could have an asthma attack.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now, you might be wondering why you’re affected by seasonal allergies and others aren’t. While that’s not entirely clear, there are likely factors contributing to your allergies, and it’s not just the pollen outside.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal allergies are a newer development&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Allergic reactions are nothing new. In fact, allergies date back to ancient civilizations in Rome, Egypt, and China. However, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/the-real-reason-allergies-are-on-the-rise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hay fever developed after industrialization&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; That begs the question, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;what&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; caused hay fever?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a couple of theories. One is that Western civilization grew up in “too clean” of an environment that stunted our immune systems. As such, our immune systems are all too eager to kill off bad substances, even those that aren’t harmful. That would explain why Western civilization has the most allergies and autoimmune diseases. Also, early antibiotic use has been linked to allergies since even the good bacteria are killed off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/the-real-reason-allergies-are-on-the-rise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another theory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, however, speculates that our cleaning products and environment are toxic.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This means that our cleaning products are actually full of harsh chemicals that do damage to our immune system. While allergies may ebb and flow with the seasons, our bodies are continuously exposed to harsh cleaning products and artificial food additives. The outside substances aggravate our immune systems, which are already working overtime to combat the harmful chemicals. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In many ways, these opposing theories complement each other. Our immune system must be stimulated to work properly, but we’re also surrounded by many toxic ingredients that hurt us. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, we want a solution to stop these allergies. But is allergy medicine the best answer?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29975 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nipallergiesinthebud4-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The effects of allergy medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When fighting an allergen, the body releases histamines. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/antihistamines"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Antihistamines are then used to combat allergic reactions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Yet antihistamines treat only the symptoms of an allergic reaction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some antihistamines, known as first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl, enter the blood-brain barrier and affect the body’s central nervous system. But, this part of the body’s receptors is also responsible for the body’s sleep cycle, so these antihistamines can cause drowsiness. More importantly, side effects could be liver damage, low blood pressure, and dizziness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other second and third-generation antihistamines, like Claritin and Allegra, are not as intense. They are less likely to enter the blood-brain barrier and have fewer effects on the central nervous system. They’re also not sedatives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Still, these antihistamines can cause blurred vision, constipation, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Even second and third-generation antihistamines could cause liver damage. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, if you want to combat seasonal allergies, there are natural remedies that might be less risky and could even provide more relief.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Alternative methods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In general, doctors recommend avoiding allergens. But that’s not really possible for people with seasonal allergies. Even so, there are far too many benefits to being outside that it’s unwise to hide indoors. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some ways you can fight seasonal allergies.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gut health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking care of our gut microbiome is instrumental to a healthy immune system. In fact, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/natural-remedies-for-seasonal-allergies"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;70 percent of our immune system resides in our gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So, if we want to be able to fight off disease and allergies, we need to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/listen-to-your-gut-why-you-need-to-prioritize-gut-health-this-new-year/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;prioritize gut health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Probiotics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics are great for gut health, and they’re seen to help with allergies. These are found in yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bromelain&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bromelain is found in pineapple and papaya, and it assists breathing by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-allergies"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reducing swelling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Local honey&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bcbhoneyfarm.com/blogs/education/benefits-of-raw-unpasteurized-local-honey-for-seasonal-allergies"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consuming honey that’s from your area&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; can help build seasonal allergy immunity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Plus, it tastes great!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vitamin C and quercetin&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These two things can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-allergies"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;stabilize histamine levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; They’re found in broccoli, cauliflower, green tea, and citrus fruits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Butterbur&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This herb &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://draxe.com/nutrition/butterbur/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;has been shown to relieve seasonal allergies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;11&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It can also be used to aid asthma symptoms, reduce inflammation, relieve migraines, and promote heart and brain health. It can be easily taken as a tea or in a capsule.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Spirulina&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This blue-green algae was shown in a study to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.thehealthy.com/nutrition/spirulina-benefits/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;protect against allergies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;12&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Additionally, spirulina can boost iron levels, improve heart health, manage diabetes, and improve oral hygiene. It can be ground to a powder, which can be mixed in a smoothie or taken in a capsule.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The right essential oils&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and frankincense can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-allergies"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help alleviate allergies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;13&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Acupuncture&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people have found relief from their allergies in acupuncture. It’s also great for stress relief!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;An air filter or dehumidifier&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might also consider an air filter or dehumidifier to filter out pollen and limit mildew and mold, which are common allergens.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get “cleaner” cleaning products.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start implementing cleaning products with fewer harsh chemicals. Some of the cleaning products might be &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/the-real-reason-allergies-are-on-the-rise"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aggravating your immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;14&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29978 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nipallergiesinthebud3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conclusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal allergies are a newer development, so it’s not that crazy to think it would be possible to alleviate your affliction naturally. By making slow adjustments with a holistic approach, you could be on your way to no longer dreading seasonal changes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nipallergiesinthebudcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/seasonal-allergies-how-to-naturally-nip-them-in-the-bud/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29935</ID> <title>SLEEP ESSENTIALS! Why Quality Sleep is Needed to Achieve High Levels of Physical Fitness</title> <publishDate>2024-03-01 09:01:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_505 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_607"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_640 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_660 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is (unfortunately) a rarely considered piece of the health, wellness, and physique transformation puzzle, but in reality, it is one of THE most important aspects involved in being your absolute physical best! Even if you are diligent about working out, eating a proper diet, and taking nutritional supplements, you more than likely will never reach your goal if you do not pay just as much attention to getting in enough quality sack time. With that in mind, let’s take a deeper look into the very important subject of SLEEP!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep and General Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is just as important as a proper diet and sound exercise routine when it comes to building and maintaining your overall health. A good night’s sleep is also necessary for optimal functioning during everyday tasks like driving, working, studying, and even social interaction. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here is a list of the ways that a chronic lack of sleep can affect you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can lead to obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep negatively affects the immune system, creating longer and more frequent illnesses and infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep will increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep increases insulin production, leading to greater fat storage and risk of type 2 diabetes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep has been linked to mental health issues such as depression and even increased risk of death by suicide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can increase markers of inflammation and lead to cell damage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can increase the risk of respiratory diseases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep has been shown to often play a significant role in tragic accidents.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29965 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sleepessentials1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Furthermore, for athletes and serious fitness buffs, lack of quality sleep can seriously hinder progress, whether one’s goal is muscle gain, fat loss, or increased skill and performance. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the most important reasons why this is so:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can lead to decreased HGH and testosterone production (these are the two main muscle-building/fat-reducing hormones in the body).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can increase cortisol output, leading to increases in body fat and losses in lean muscle tissue.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can negatively affect speed, agility, accuracy, alertness, and reaction times. Not a good situation for athletes that engage in sports.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep can lead to a lack of motivation, drive, focus, and concentration. How can you train without these things?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of sleep negatively affects one’s ability to recover from intense exercise, which can reduce future performance, shut down the anabolic (muscle-building) processes, and increase the likelihood of injuries during training.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are You Sleep-Deprived?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exactly how much sleep you need is an individual matter, although for most, 7-8 hours per night is usually sufficient. Depending on genetics, quality of rest (time spent in “delta” sleep), overall activity levels, and age, some may need more or less sleep to function and perform optimally. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A few signs that you may be sleep-deprived include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Fatigue/lethargy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Lack of motivation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Aggressive behavior/irritability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Mood swings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Decreased libido&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Increased desire for food, especially carbohydrates&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Constant yawning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Memory loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Slowed or slurred speech patterns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Difficulty learning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Impaired motor skills/clumsiness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Inability to focus on a task&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Increased anxiety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29962 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sleepessentials2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ways to Improve Sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;There are a plethora of reasons why one’s ability to sleep may be impaired, but many can be addressed rather easily, leading to more efficient and restorative sleeping patterns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Utilize relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, muscle tensing and un-tensing, and guided imagery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Avoid alcohol and stimulants too close to bedtime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Do not perform intense exercise too close to bedtime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Avoid afternoon naps if you are having trouble sleeping at night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Try to stick to a schedule regarding when you retire in the evening and when you get up in the morning, even on weekends.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Keep your room cool (between 60 and 67 degrees) and free of light. Use blackout blinds if necessary and cover up any devices that emit light. Some do well by wearing something over their eyes while sleeping. Fans or noise machines may help calm your mind while you attempt to doze off.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-If having trouble falling asleep, try reading, preferably from a book and not a tablet or cell phone.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-If you find your mind racing, quickly jot down what is troubling you and revisit in the morning rather when you need to be sleeping.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Turn off or silence any electronic devices that may produce disruptive noises before going to bed – or place them in another room.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Make sure that your mattress and pillows are comfortable and supportive. At a certain point, old pillows and mattresses can hinder sleep if they do not properly support your back, head, and neck.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise program daily. Drink plenty of fluids, but reduce intake when nearing bedtime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;-Utilize a natural, effective, and proven sleep supplement that supports your ability to fall asleep more easily, spend more time in deep sleep, sleep throughout the night, and wake up rested and restored.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you can see just how profoundly vital sleep is to general well-being and health, as well as successful athletic endeavors and positive physical transformation, I hope you will take all measures necessary to make sure you get the 7-9 hours of rest all of us need each and every night. If you are dedicated to training hard, eating right, and taking the highest quality supplements, then please do not leave out the final piece of this 4-pronged fitness puzzle: SLEEP!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29963 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sleepessentials3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;ABOUT COACH ERIC BROSER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eric Broser has been involved in the health and fitness industry as a trainer, strength/contest prep coach, model, author, magazine columnist, consultant to nutritional supplement companies, and gym owner for over thirty years. He is a former&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Natural Professional Bodybuilder, contest judge, and now NPC Masters Competitor. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eric has penned over 1000 articles (for web and print) on training, supplements, mindset, and nutrition, which have appeared in such major publications as Flex, Iron Man, Planet Muscle, Natural Muscle, Muscular Development, Muscle Mag International, Human Muscle and Performance, UCW, and Muscular Health and Performance Illustrated. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He has authored &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;four books&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on the subject of rapid and substantial physique transformation, including one in partnership with the late Author L Rea and another with world-renowned fitness industry attorney Rick Collins. Eric is the pioneer/developer of the world-renown &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;POWER-REP RANGE-SHOCK™, SPEC™, O-BEY-6™, FTX2™, ESPX2™ and FIBER DAMAGE/FIBER SATURATION™ training&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; methods, which are currently utilized by tens of thousands of bodybuilders and athletes across the globe. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eric has also become one of the most sought-after personal trainers/performance nutrition consultants and contest/event preparation coaches in the field by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;athletes, bodybuilders, high-powered executives, and entertainment industry members&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. He currently works with clients all over the globe. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eric’s exclusive online training show, “B Built by Broser” has appeared on such online platforms as Muscular Development, Muscle Insider, Evolution of Bodybuilding, Flex, Digital Muscle Media, Jay Cutler TV, and currently on Muscle and Fitness+ and FULL TIME BODYBUILDING TV.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;SOCIAL MEDIA/WEBSITE/LINKS:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Instagram: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;@COACHERICBROSER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Facebook:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/eric.broser"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.facebook.com/eric.broser&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tik Tok: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;@COACHERICBROSER&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Broser Built (website): &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.broserbuilt.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;www.broserbuilt.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SpellBound Nutrition: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.spellbound-nutrition.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;www.spellbound-nutrition.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Broser Built (YouTube):&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwgMC0n89Nh3wp1aJGkpKvA"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwgMC0n89Nh3wp1aJGkpKvA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FULLTIME BODYBUILDING TV:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/@fulltimebodybuildingtv2667"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.youtube.com/@fulltimebodybuildingtv2667&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; TO APPLY FOR WORLDWIDE ONLINE COACHING: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://go.broserbuilt.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://go.broserbuilt.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;For contact regarding media appearances, seminars, Skype/Zoom consults, and events, please email &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;bodyfx2@aol.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt; or text 516-680-9392&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sleepessentialscover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/sleep-essentials-why-quality-sleep-is-needed-to-achieve-high-levels-of-physical-fitness/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29865</ID> <title>Common Endocrine Disruptors You Should be Avoiding</title> <publishDate>2024-02-02 17:52:17</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_506 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_608"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_641 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_661 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Endocrine disruptors are all around us, in what we eat, wear, and clean with, but what are they, what danger do they pose, and how can we avoid them? Even if there are only small traces of these substances in what we consume or put on our bodies, it adds up over time, creating a poor environment for healthy endocrine function. No matter where you are in your health and wellness journey, these disruptors can be essential to identify to keep your endocrine system functioning properly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Endocrine System, Its Functions, and Disruption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Our endocrine system is fundamental to normal bodily functions because it makes and sends out the hormones that are in charge of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;reproduction, growth, attention span, and even metabolism,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; according to research supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; That means that when this system is not functioning properly due to disruption, it can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;have negative effects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on sex hormones, like testosterone and progesterone, causing issues with fertility, growth in babies during and after pregnancy, the development of attention-related problems like ADD and ADHD, and more as reported by the NIEHS.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But how does disruption to these vital functions happen?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Endocrine Society, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) inhibit proper &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are#:~:text=EDCs%20can%20interfere%20with%20the,hormonal%20processes%20from%20taking%20place."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hormone signaling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by either presenting to the body as hormones or blocking the hormone receptors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Either of these disruptions occurring in your body can cause significant problems to your endocrine system and, in turn, your body as a whole.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In regard to researching the full potential of harmful effects EDCs present, there lies the problem of not being able to completely understand the full consequences of their presence in the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; As per their paper &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/72654"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products and Risk of Endometriosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;by Peinado, Iribarne-Durán, Ocón-Hernández, Olea, and Artacho-Cordón (2020), “There is no safe dose of EDCs. They act at low concentrations and in combination with endogenous hormones, making it difficult to establish a threshold level of no effect.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29873 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/endocrine1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;What are Some Common Endocrine Disruptors?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, we can find these endocrine disruptors in a lot of commonly used products. Still, they are identifiable and, in some instances, avoidable if you take the time to choose healthier, endocrine-safe alternatives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The NIEHS lists some of the most notable and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;frequently used endocrine disruptors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, such as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA), Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and Triclosan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; This is just scraping the surface, as the Endocrine Society has recorded that there are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are#:~:text=EDCs%20can%20interfere%20with%20the,hormonal%20processes%20from%20taking%20place."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;over 1000 man-made &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;chemicals that have been tested and have EDCs present… of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are#:~:text=EDCs%20can%20interfere%20with%20the,hormonal%20processes%20from%20taking%20place."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;more than 85,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of these chemicals, and a large majority of them have remained untested.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Manufacturers list these chemicals on most products, so they’re easy to spot if you know what to look for. They are also typically found in common household, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/72654"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;cosmetic, and personal care products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, according to Peinado et al. (2020).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Some of these &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/72654"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;products include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; deodorants, lotions, feminine hygiene products, shampoos, and sunscreen, to name a few.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; These EDCs can also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;be in our foods directly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, like in soy, or from these chemicals seeping into our food and drinks through food packaging, non-stick pots and pans, can linings, plastic storage containers, or spraying herbicides and pesticides on the ground.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29875 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/endocrine2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Limit Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The good news is that you can limit future exposure to some of these everyday endocrine disruptors and start to heal your body from exposure. There are some fairly easy substitutes for many of these products, and you can take time to make informed purchases and replace them with healthier alternatives as you run out of certain products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One of the easiest ways to begin is to replace plastic food containers with glass containers that have a glass or natural wood lid, like bamboo. While glass products can be more expensive, replacing your plastic containers slowly and taking good care of them can make them last for years. As you run out of personal care products like shampoos, body washes, and deodorants, research healthy alternatives that don’t have the ingredients listed above. There are a lot of great products that are clean for you and the environment and won’t break the bank. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A little research can go a long way in limiting EDC exposure. It could be as easy as scanning a barcode. Cellphone applications like Yuka and EWG Healthy Living are two notable resources. Both of these apps allow you to scan the barcode of a product and get a comprehensive list of the ingredients, their effects on the body, and a rating of how clean and chemical-free the products are. The EWG will glist and rate multiple products, including personal care, food, sunscreen, and household cleaners. Yuka provides you with a look into cosmetic and personal care products and will also give suggestions for cleaner products if the one you scanned has a low rating. A quick internet search can also pull up various research and studies for other products if what you’re looking for isn’t on either of those apps. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As people start buying and consuming healthier products, the power of the dollar can help enact change throughout the companies producing Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Continuing research can also help bring to light the far-reaching effects of these chemicals and could help lead to cleaner products being produced in the future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29874 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/endocrine3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conclusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Being well-informed on the chemicals that could have negative effects on our health and wellness is the first step in limiting our exposure to them and choosing cleaner alternatives for a healthier future. It’s easier than ever to identify endocrine disruptors through the development of technology by utilizing the internet and cellphone applications, which help raise awareness of EDCs and can, in turn, help us enact change simply by purchasing higher-quality foods and products, impacting the future of health for the better. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/endocrinecover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/common-endocrine-disruptors-you-should-be-avoiding/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29813</ID> <title>The Crucial Keys To Outstanding Sexual Performance And Long-Lasting Heart Health</title> <publishDate>2024-02-01 18:11:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_507 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_609"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_642 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_662 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want a more exhilarating, powerful, and long-lasting sex life combined with stellar heart health, then you’re exactly where you need to be. Men's sexual health is a topic that does not receive enough attention. The foundation of your sexual health starts with your daily sleep habits, nutrition, and a few supplements to ensure your body has everything it needs to thrive. I’m going to teach you how to maximize your sexual health and keep your heart health on the good side of Father Time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every man is looking for the fountain of youth. Whether in the way he looks with his shirt off or the way he performs under the sheets. To maintain optimal sexual function, you should be spending at least seven to nine hours per night under the sheets…getting quality sleep. Sleep is a magic bullet for health and longevity because it helps your body manage cortisol production. Cortisol is a necessary hormone produced by our adrenal glands, which, in normal amounts, helps regulate blood pressure, immune function, and the body’s own anti-inflammatory processes. On the flip side, when chronically high, it can significantly lower your testosterone production, which will have a negative effect on your libido and result in erectile dysfunction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronically high cortisol can also lower your insulin sensitivity, increase your risk of developing digestive problems and food sensitivities, and decrease your immune function, which puts you at greater risk of developing colds, contagious illnesses, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. So, do your best to maintain sound sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time consistently and aiming for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29820 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/crucialkeys1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s my mission to help you improve your health and sexual performance, so here is your first tip. To improve your sleep, follow the 3,2,1 method. Three hours prior to bed, your last meal should be complete. This will allow for proper digestion, prevent acid reflux and any other disturbance in sleep quality due to your digestive tract still being very active. Two hours prior to bed, your last serving of any fluid should be complete. This will prevent you from getting up to pee in the middle of the night. One hour prior to bed should be your last exposure to any blue light from your phone, laptop, T.V. screen, or any electronic device screen. This will allow your brain to relax and your body to release melatonin in preparation for sleep.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As a men’s health specialist and nutritionist, I believe nutrition is a cornerstone in every aspect of your health. You’ve likely heard lots of different information on how to lose weight and “detoxify” your body. First and foremost, you need to eat a sufficient amount of protein if you want to ensure great health. Maintaining as much muscle as possible through the years is extremely beneficial for your health. Muscle keeps you strong so you can enjoy doing the activities you love, like playing with your kids or catching a round of golf with your buddies.  Muscle helps regulate blood sugar by utilizing the carbs you eat, which helps prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides being the symbol of love, your heart is responsible for pumping that wonderful red elixir called blood around your body. In order to do so as efficiently as possible and for as many years as possible, you need to provide your heart with everything it needs. First, you need to make sure your arteries stay clear of plaque. Plaque builds up most easily when there is excess inflammation in your body. There are a few things you can do to limit inflammation and support long-lasting heart health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First and foremost is avoiding inflammatory foods. Half the battle is preventing the problem in the first place. Foods and food-like products such as processed carbs from candy, cookies, cake, low-quality bread, low-quality dairy, sugary cereals, fast food, and seed oils should be avoided. These products are found in a lot of the foods we come across on a daily basis, so you’ll need to read your labels to make sure you steer clear. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Second, I recommend consuming plenty of omega-3 fats. These help maintain great heart and arterial health by preventing plaque build-up, fighting excess inflammation, reducing triglycerides, and raising HDL (good cholesterol). It’s recommended that you take 1,600 mg- 3,000 mg of omega-3 fats from high-quality fish oil brands such as Nordic Naturals or Thorne.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29818 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/crucialkeys2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Next, in order to ensure your sexual health is outstanding, you must protect and optimize your nitric oxide production, which is a linchpin for proper blood flow. Nitric oxide is a magical substance produced in our blood vessels, responsible for vasodilation, preventing arterial plaque buildup, aiding in brain function, improving wound healing, managing proper blood pressure, and your erections depend on it.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Several products that we’ve traditionally used on a daily basis, which you should avoid, have a detrimental effect on our nitric oxide production. Here are two that you are likely using daily right now. First is mouthwash, which contains chlorhexidine, which destroys the nitric oxide-producing bacteria inside your mouth. The second is to avoid any toothpaste which contains triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial substance that kills the good bacteria in your mouth and has a detrimental effect on nitric oxide production. The sooner you get rid of these, the sooner you’ll be on track for ideal NO2 Production. As a tip, you can substitute your toothpaste for Dr. Bronner’s toothpaste, which I personally use and recommend. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For thriving erectile health, you need to nurture your mental health through stress management. I’ve had a lot of male clients who had erectile dysfunction when they began working with me, and much of it was due to unmanaged stress and anxiety. Some of them would use Cialis, Viagra, arginine, and various other products to try and deal with erectile dysfunction. The products would help manage some of the symptoms in the short term but never solve the problem. We had to get to the bottom of what was causing the stress and anxiety. Some of the causes were poor self-image, career stress, relationship stress, family issues, feeling like they did not have a mission in life, or a schedule demand that was hyper-stressful and unsustainable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29821 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/crucialkeys3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We worked on different forms of stress management. I would have some of my clients get involved in activities such as boxing, jiu-jitsu, meditation, hiking, running, sauna, or lifting weights. Other clients had to have crucial and difficult conversations with people to get closure on personal issues or issues in the workplace. Once we got to the bottom of the issues and came up with a method to deal with them, their sexual dysfunction improved soon after. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The last piece of the puzzle is exercise. Men, it’s imperative that you include intense resistance training and cardiovascular exercise if you want to thrive. Resistance training helps you build muscle, promotes testosterone production, builds strength, and forges your character. The journey of building muscle and strength allows you to learn what your body is capable of. That journey to creating the body you desire is an investment in your mental health, which ultimately affects your sexual health and heart health. The more confident you become and the healthier you are, the better your sexual health will be, which has a direct effect on the quality of your intimate relationships. Also, intense resistance training creates an elevation in testosterone and the release of endorphins, which helps you improve your hormonal health and ultimately your healthspan. The most fun part of building muscle is that it helps to shape the body you’ve always wanted, which your partner won’t be able to keep their hands off of.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men, your sexual health and heart health are both areas you have significant control over. By applying what I’ve taught, you can create unshakable confidence, be a beast in the sheets, and live a long, strong, healthy life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29822 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/crucialkeys4-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Christian Palmer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Men’s Health Specialist&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PN2 Nutritionist&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Writer For Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Owner Of Relentless Fitness And Nutrition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You can contact me at:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://relentlessfitnessandnutrition.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://relentlessfitnessandnutrition.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:christianfpalmer@gmail.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;christianfpalmer@gmail.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Follow me at:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IG: @christianfpalmer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FB: Christian Palmer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Twitter: @chrisfpalmer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can view more content on my Muscle&amp;amp;Fitness + channel: Relentless Fitness And Nutrition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you are interested in the nitric oxide supplement I mentioned, you can find it at: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://n1o1.com/product/n1o1-nitric-oxide-lozenges/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://n1o1.com/product/n1o1-nitric-oxide-lozenges/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use my code for 10% off:&lt;strong&gt; CPALMER10&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For special appearances, speaking events, seminars, special events, and podcast appearances, contact Christian at &lt;strong&gt;christianfpalmer@gmail.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/crucialkeyscover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/the-crucial-keys-to-outstanding-sexual-performance-and-long-lasting-heart-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29827</ID> <title>PNOĒ: Breathing New Life into Your Well-being</title> <publishDate>2024-02-01 16:39:08</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_508 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_610"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_643 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_663 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the ever-evolving landscape of wellness, the need for precision and personalized plans has become imperative. PNOĒ (pronounced pen-oh-wee) is a groundbreaking science-based system that has been independently validated, with clinical-grade accuracy, surpassing generic traditional health assessments and transforming wellness strategies into a personalized experience. In 10 minutes, PNOĒ unveils 23 biomarkers, exploring facets like metabolism, cellular function, brain health, posture, and biological age without any invasive labwork. Just by simply sitting and breathing!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No longer confined to generic prescriptions, PNOĒ stands as the vanguard of personalized health, seamlessly blending technology with a profound understanding of each individual's health needs. It offers a unique exploration into the intricacies of one's biology simply through breathing. As we delve into the details of PNOĒ breath analysis, let's unravel how this non-invasive test is shaping the wellness narrative for both practitioners and clients.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;img class="wp-image-29835 alignnone size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pnoe1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;PNOĒ's Comprehensive Solution for Health and Wellness Businesses&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the expansive realm of wellness, where opportunities abound, nutrition stands as a significant yet often overlooked aspect. It's recognized as the biggest missed opportunity for many health and wellness businesses. The endeavor to integrate nutrition planning often proves challenging for health practices, marked by attempts that falter due to the complexities involved. Hiring dietitians, investing in new software, and maintaining client engagement pose formidable obstacles in which businesses or practices aren’t successful. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pnoe.com/metabolic-health/?utm_term=pnoe&amp;amp;utm_campaign=BT+-+Branded&amp;amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;amp;hsa_acc=1734573078&amp;amp;hsa_cam=20682130269&amp;amp;hsa_grp=151653340941&amp;amp;hsa_ad=677834445241&amp;amp;hsa_src=g&amp;amp;hsa_tgt=aud-1462052143332:kwd-448918612259&amp;amp;hsa_kw=pnoe&amp;amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;amp;gad_source=1&amp;amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYhFOMgvrDlrqcThI5HVD4Kvv1q62Ckqm5g17Ezp63sf4J0gWcTtZwxoCfIIQAvD_BwE"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Nine out of ten diets a person tries will fail.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; It’s not a matter of willpower; it is because there were never meant to work for the person’s metabolism.” - From the PNOĒ Team&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recognizing this gap, PNOĒ steps in as a transformative solution, not just addressing but resolving these challenges practitioners and physicians face with clientele. We understand that nutrition planning has the potential to be the most lucrative aspect of any practice. Unlike previous attempts, PNOĒ offers a comprehensive package that eliminates the hurdles of hiring, software acquisition, and client engagement. By seamlessly integrating registered dietitians, clinical-grade metabolic testing, and cutting-edge diet planning software, PNOĒ elevates nutrition to the forefront of your practice. In doing so, it not only fills the missed opportunity but also positions nutrition planning as an integral and lucrative component of your wellness endeavors.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;img class="wp-image-29832 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pnoe2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;How it Works: Test, Consult, Treat, and Implement the Program&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the core of PNOĒ lies a streamlined process integrating advanced technology with personalized care—transforming data into actionable insights.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;ul&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Test:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; PNOĒ redefines health assessments, offering a swift and comprehensive analysis in under 10 minutes. With lab-grade accuracy and a non-invasive approach, it delves into the essence of metabolism, measuring vital parameters like VO2 max, metabolic rate, and biological age.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Consult: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PNOĒ's clinical precision identifies potential health risks within your metabolic profile, going beyond data points to provide intricate understanding.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Treat:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Armed with metabolic insights, PNOĒ crafts personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs—a journey towards optimal health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Implement the Program:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; PNOĒ seamlessly integrates findings into actionable programs through the Precision app, synchronizing with your practice's services.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#13; &lt;/ul&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;PNOĒ's commitment extends beyond the individual breath test; it's a holistic ecosystem designed to elevate and complement a healthcare business's wellness practices. Your metabolism becomes a roadmap toward a healthier, more vibrant life. The synergy between technology and personalized care is apparent. It's not merely a test; it's a narrative of well-being, where every breath holds the promise of a healthier future.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;img class="wp-image-29836 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pnoe3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Applications in Wellness:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the realm of wellness, PNOĒ breath analysis emerges as a transformative force, reshaping personalized health interventions. It infuses precision into every facet, tailoring nutrition plans and exercise routines to individual metabolic nuances. PNOĒ is a powerful ally for fitness professionals and healthcare practitioners. It guides strategies for improving heart and lung fitness, optimizing metabolic rates, and enhancing overall well-being. PNOĒ penetrates the core of individual health, directing wellness journeys toward precision and efficacy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the peak of individual wellness, PNOĒ's benefits are profound, empowering individuals with a deep understanding of their own individual biology. Each breath becomes a conscious step toward understanding how to obtain optimal health beyond vague goals you may make for yourself, which may not actually apply to your health how you think they will. PNOĒ extends beyond testing, offering a support system with dietitians and metabolic testing. There is absolutely no guesswork!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Beyond immediate advantages, PNOĒ's true value lies in the longevity and quality of life it catalyzes—an investment in a healthier, more resilient future. PNOĒ places well-being in individuals' hands, embracing a proactive approach to one’s healthcare. As PNOĒ redefines the wellness dictionary, each breath becomes a testament to empowerment in one's journey toward everlasting wellness.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Embark on a journey to optimal health through the power of your breath with PNOĒ. Connect with a PNOĒ analysis practitioner to unlock the secrets of non-invasive health optimization. Your breath holds the key to longevity, and PNOĒ is your guide to achieving vitality through personalized insights. Elevate your well-being, embrace longevity, and start your transformative breathing experience today, clinically proven with PNOĒ.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;img class="wp-image-29837 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pnoe4-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For further information on strength training, health optimization, or inquiries about speaking engagements, connect with Ashleigh on IG @up_lift_gym. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your journey to a healthier, stronger you begins here.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For inquiries about PNOE, reach out to Dimitrios Charalambidis, Head of Operations, at dimitrios.charalambidis@pnoe.com. Please mention this article and use Promo Code &lt;strong&gt;PNOEASHLEIGHT&lt;/strong&gt; to enjoy an exclusive 15% discount.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pnoecover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/pnoe-breathing-new-life-into-your-well-being/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29770</ID> <title>The Importance of Sleep for Physical and Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2024-01-26 18:31:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_509 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_611"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_644 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_664 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ah, sleep. Thinking about it now makes me want to curl up in bed. Lie on comfy sheets and become enveloped under a soft, weighted blanket with a fluffy pillow supporting your head. It’s enough to make any of our eyelids heavy…and could show that we’re missing out on this key element of our health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The truth is, when we miss out on sleep, we’re not depriving ourselves of a luxury. We’re robbing ourselves of a necessity that has more detrimental effects than grogginess.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let’s take a look at the impacts of poor sleep and some practical steps for improving your sleep routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Bad Effects&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;First things first: let’s start with the bad things before you decide your mediocre sleep schedule is just fine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, it’s easy to prioritize anything else but sleep. Even if we’re working to improve our health, sleep might be on the backburner. However, there are &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;serious consequences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for not getting enough sleep—some of them lifelong. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Without enough sleep, you put your body at risk of:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A weakened immune system&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lower libido&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29775 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importanceofsleep1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is also instrumental to our mental health and cognitive function. If we miss it, we’re prone to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Memory problems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Trouble focusing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mood swings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anxiety or depression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If we want to work on our health, sleep ought to be the top priority.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Much Sleep Do You Need?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, the real question is, how much is enough sleep, then? Most adults need at least &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;seven hours of sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. But if you struggle to stay awake when sitting still for some time, be it driving or watching a movie, you’re likely not getting enough sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Improve Your Sleep Routine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get More Sleep&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Well, duh. But &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;you can’t&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, you say. Realistically, it might be tough for you to get an hour or two more sleep than you do now. If that’s the case, start slow, as you would with any habit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You could start with just five minutes earlier tonight. That’s it. While that doesn’t sound like much, if you start making it five minutes earlier over some time, that starts to add up. Even if you increase it weekly, you’ll make it to about a half hour of more sleep in a month.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That said, quality matters as much as quantity in sleep. As such, you’ll want the most comfortable environment for sleep. Maybe it’s time to invest in a better pillow or sheets. If you’d do better in a darker room, get thicker curtains. Or, if every little creak in your house wakes you up, you might need a sound machine. Whatever it is, you deserve a good night’s rest!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29777 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importance-of-sleep3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Create a Better Evening Routine&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While you want a good environment to sleep in, you also need to prepare yourself for sleep. Do you find yourself working late into the night? Or having intense discussions with someone? Maybe the last thing you do is scroll on your phone in bed before going to sleep. Any of these things can make it difficult to fall asleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what can you do? Have a clear-cut time when you begin prepping for bed. I’d suggest a couple of hours before your bedtime (and if you don’t have a bedtime, I’d establish one, too). During this time, start slowing your mind down for the evening. Perhaps you don’t do any work or answer emails past this point. Or, you don’t get on your phone after this point. Instead, read a book, soak in a bath, or whatever else you do to wind down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Again, this might feel impossible to begin right away. So, set a very achievable goal tonight and slowly work toward a better evening routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29778 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importanceofsleep2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This new year, as we’re thinking about how to improve our health, make sure your sleep schedule is at the top of your list! After all, you know you want more of it, so why don’t you do yourself a favor and enjoy the sleep you’re meant to have?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;References: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/importanceofsleepcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/the-importance-of-sleep-for-physical-and-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29611</ID> <title>How To Approach Holistic Living Without Being Overwhelmed</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 20:38:55</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_510 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_612"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_645 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_665 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As information on health and wellness has become more accessible and our society embraces a multitude of health trends, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of advice and data. Excessive new material can be a significant roadblock to some as they search for ways to live a healthier, more fulfilling life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holistic living is one of those health trends. This recent trend goes back to the roots of how our ancestors used to live and takes into account not just eating habits but also moving your body, taking care of your mental health, using clean products, and creating a natural approach to your whole lifestyle. Holistic living also doesn’t merely cut out modern medicine. It uses it sparingly as needed and in combination with other traditional living practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Holistic living doesn’t have to be a difficult task, and there are several ways to make it easier to digest all the new information and habits you can build. Let’s look at some practical ways to start sustainably incorporating holistic practices into your everyday routine without upending your current lifestyle all at once.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29623 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/holistictraditional-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lists are Your Friends&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The easiest way to begin is by listing the topics you want to know more about. Stick to what comes to the top of your mind without doing any initial research and start with those topics. As you dive in, you will find other topics worth exploring, and you can add those to your list. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you can’t think of anything you’d like to start with, here is a list of several topics that are an excellent place to begin: recipes that use whole, fresh foods, the best ways to exercise for your body type and gender, natural alternatives to pain killers, household products with clean ingredients, and eating according to your cycle are a few good topics to get your holistic health journey on that right track.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with many of these topics are going to be products, foods, and habits you will want to take away and replace with holistic alternatives eventually. It is also beneficial to keep a running list of those things. It can be expensive to replace household cleaning products, makeup, and toiletries all at once, so it is best practice to replace things as you run out. Keeping a list of these products can help you keep track of them until you are ready to replace them with a healthier substitute.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29624 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/holisticmanstudying-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Explore Different Research Avenues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Take some time to explore different research avenues like health journals, holistic medical blogs, and other health and wellness content creators that you can trust. Make sure these are ways of living you would like to emulate eventually, then stick to just a few of these research methods as you get started on the journey. As you learn more about holistic living and feel more confident in your decisions, expand your study resources and dig deeper.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make a Commitment and Have a Reward System&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make a commitment to learn about a few of the topics on your list a month or whatever works best with your life. Some people may only have time for one subject a month, while others may be able to knock out a couple. Move at a pace that feels comfortable to you, and don’t pressure yourself to know it all, all at once. This is a lifelong process of unlearning and relearning in order to pass healthy lifestyles down to future generations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A reward system can also accelerate the learning process and motivate you to keep progressing toward your commitment to holistic living. When you learn about a new topic or stick with a new habit, set a reward to keep your motivation going. And even when you don’t feel motivated, lean into disciplining your body and mind, and you’ll eventually reap the rewards of feeling well-rested, having more energy throughout the day, having a clear headspace to work and socialize, and so much more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29622 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/holisticrewardsetting-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Be Gracious with Yourself in the Learning Process&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don’t beat yourself up when you feel like you have slipped off track with the goals you have set for yourself. Sometimes, it’s easier to just pick up the foods and cleaning supplies we know instead of researching. Sometimes, it’s easier to eat out. Count these as growing moments. You will make it there if you are still moving toward your goal in the long run! It could even be beneficial to reevaluate your goals and set smaller or bigger steps, depending on how you are motivated and work toward your goals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The main takeaway is to get started. The well-known motivational speaker &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://youtu.be/heQ18p8zu74?si=yYnigZLgI4mchQLi"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Marcus Taylor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; once said, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It’s hard not to have daily discipline. It’s hard to practice &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;perseverance. It’s hard to practice compassion and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;forgiveness. It’s hard to set personal goals. It’s hard to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;take care of yourself. There’s a reward on the other side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;of one pain, and there is regret on the other side of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;other pain. The pain of regret will hurt you, so choose &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;your hard.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29621 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/holistichealthyaging-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You will either reap rewards of immediate gratification and reap the long-term consequences of health problems, including physical and mental illness, or you will meet immediate resistance and grow stronger, eventually aging well, leading a full life when you’re older, and not facing the negative consequences of living an unhealthy lifestyle. The choice is yours, but as always, we want to encourage everyone to well-being mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Knowledge empowers healthy living. We hope this article encourages you to take the next steps toward holistic living, resulting in a healthier you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/holistichealthcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/how-to-approach-holistic-living-without-being-overwhelmed/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29586</ID> <title>Three Delicious Drinks to Help You Meet Your Protein Goal</title> <publishDate>2024-01-02 20:36:16</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_511 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_613"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_646 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_666 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have seen the ebbs and flows of health and wellness trends over the past couple of decades, but now our society seems to have reached a point where research-backed health trends have stood the test of time. Many are seeing the light that losing weight quickly is not the best way to a healthy body. Quick tricks and gimmicks on how to lose weight have fallen to the side, and now people are gravitating towards sustainable ways to lose weight, gain muscle and ultimately focus on their well-being as a whole, not just the number on the scale. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One new reigning trend is eating a high-protein diet. However, this time, the trend is backed by years of research. Some studies currently recommend that women consume an average of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290496/this-is-how-much-protein-you-need-to-eat-every-day/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;105 grams of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and men consume an average of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290496/this-is-how-much-protein-you-need-to-eat-every-day/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;125 grams &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;daily. Your daily protein amount is, of course, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290496/this-is-how-much-protein-you-need-to-eat-every-day/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;dependent on weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and physical activity during the day. The more calories you burn, the more you need to increase your protein intake. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Women particularly seem to have a more difficult time getting enough protein, while in general, many people do not consume protein in an efficient manner. Multiple studies have shown that there needs to be an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290496/this-is-how-much-protein-you-need-to-eat-every-day/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;even distribution of protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; throughout the day, so &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://us.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/protein-timing-distribution/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;don’t skip your morning protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;That leads us to three drink recipes that are an easy way to not only meet your protein goal but also get a head start to reaching it with your morning routine. So, let’s jump in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29708 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Bone-Broth-Coffee-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;High-Protein Coffee&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you can’t live without your morning coffee kick, adding bone broth or a protein supplement to it is an easy way to get in your morning protein quota. We all have a preferred way of drinking our coffee, so make it how you like, then add a cup of bone broth, which could get you almost 10 extra grams of protein. If you already drink coffee with cream or whole milk, that’s another couple of grams to add to your daily intake. You can make hitting your morning protein goal even more effortless by adding a protein powder or even a collagen supplement to your regular coffee.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A quick search on any number of social media platforms will give you some great recipes for high-protein coffee that you can tweak to your liking. We have included one easy recipe below that will have you on your way to making your protein goal a reality. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INGREDIENTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ½ tsp. Instant Coffee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup Chicken Bone Broth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅛ cup Whole Milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cane Sugar or Honey to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INSTRUCTIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour bone broth in small saucepan and put heat to medium-high&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring bone broth to a boil and pour into mug&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir in instant coffee until smooth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use whole milk for extra protein, or go dairy-free with coconut or almond milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add sweetener to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let cool for several minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoy your 10-12-gram protein coffee&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29706 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;High-Protein Hot Chocolate&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During the colder months, it is easy to crave a warm drink to start your day or even as a little pick-me-up in the afternoon or evening. There’s no better way to get in some extra protein than adding bone broth or a protein supplement to your hot chocolate. This is another drink that has taken social media platforms by storm. You can find a quick and delicious high-protein hot chocolate below.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INGREDIENTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3 tbsp. Unsweetened Cacao Powder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 cup Bone Broth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2/3 cup Whole Milk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cane Sugar or Honey to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Optional scoop of chocolate protein powder or collagen supplement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INSTRUCTIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour bone broth and milk in small saucepan and put heat to medium-high&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring bone broth and milk to a boil and pour into mug&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir in cacao powder until smooth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stir in chocolate protein powder or collagen for extra protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add in cane sugar or honey to taste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let cool for several minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoy your 10-25-gram protein hot chocolate on a cold winter day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29707 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;High-Protein Savory Bone Broth Drink&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going straight to the source can sometimes be the best way to get in your early morning protein needs. A simple and savory bone broth drink could do the trick. Not only does one cup of bone broth typically have an average of 9-10 grams of protein, but it is also easy on the gut and can even &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://bluebirdprovisions.co/blogs/news/bone-broth-for-gut-health#:~:text=Bone%20broth%20is%20full%20of,gastric%20juices%20in%20your%20gut."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;help improve your gut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; microbiome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INGREDIENTS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1 ½ cups Chicken or Beef Bone Broth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;⅛ tsp. Garlic Seasoning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Two Fresh Basil Leaves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1-2 Lemon Slices&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;INSTRUCTIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour bone broth in small saucepan and put heat to medium-high&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bring bone broth to a boil&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Add garlic, basil and lemon and let simmer for 5 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pour into mug and let cool for several minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enjoy this 15-gram savory protein drink with your breakfast&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best thing about these recipes is it is easy to find healthier substitutes, less expensive substitutes or dairy-free substitutes for most of the ingredients. Add or subtract from these recipes to make it your own and start heading toward your daily protein goal first thing in the morning!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/High-Protein-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/diet/three-delicious-drinks-to-help-you-meet-your-protein-goal/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29435</ID> <title>Gifts for Well-Being: A Health and Wellness Gift Guide</title> <publishDate>2023-12-07 16:44:05</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_512 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_614"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_647 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_667 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Welcome to our Christmas gift guide, specially curated by our editorial team. As we approach the holiday season, what better way to show your love and care for your friends and family than by giving the gift of well-being? From promoting restful sleep to enhancing oral hygiene and supporting a healthy lifestyle, we've curated a diverse selection of gift ideas for a happier and healthier you. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful skincare basket, eco-friendly glass containers, or even a membership to an ingredient-savvy app, our guide has something for everyone. So, this Christmas season, let's prioritize health and wellness and share the gift of self-care and vitality with ourselves and our loved ones.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29571 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hatchgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hatch: Restore 2&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$199&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A full night's rest is essential for muscle recovery and can even help digestion. The Hatch: Restore 2 is a great gift for anyone needing more restful sleep or would like to wake up peacefully rather than to a blaring alarm every morning. Add it to your Christmas list this year, or get one for someone you know is needing a better night’s sleep. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hatch.co&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29564 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/castoroilgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack Kit &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$85.94&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Castor oil packs are an easy gift for anyone in your life who likes taking a more natural approach to health and wellness. Using castor oil packs can be beneficial for improving circulation, reducing inflammation and relieving pain in specific areas of the body, making them a popular natural remedy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;aliveandwell.health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29574 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/skincarebasketgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Skincare Basket&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A skincare basket can be a thoughtful gift for someone who has an extensive skincare routine or can be nice to give someone trying to figure out what their skincare routine looks like. Here are some ideas if you’re thinking about putting a skincare basket together for someone this Christmas: a face cleanser, their favorite moisturizer, a gua sha tool, face masks, a facial steamer, a gift card to get facial or reusable eye patches. This kind of gift is very customizable to any individual and budget.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter wp-image-29569 size-large" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/glasscontainersgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;20-Piece Round Glass Containers with Bamboo Lids Set&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$59.95&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Glass storage containers are a wonderful gift for the person in your life who is trying to avoid using plastic for any number of reasons, and will be a welcomed gift this Christmas. Glassware is a reusable and sustainable way to store food and takes away the worry of the harm of microplastics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Crateandbarrel.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29572 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/medspagiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gift Card to Medspa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Who doesn’t love a trip to the spa? A gift card to a health spa could be the perfect gift to give someone close to you this Christmas. Many health and wellness spas offer a number of different services from hydrafacials, to cryotherapy to aesthetics. If you want to treat someone else or yourself this holiday season, a trip to your local medspa could be a great option!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29565 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/coconutoiltgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Unrefined Coconut Oil&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$7.97&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you know someone who is serious about their oral health, unrefined coconut oil is an easy gift for them. Some believe oil pulling can help reduce harmful bacteria, prevent bad breath and promote healthier gums and teeth. While it doesn’t replace regular oral hygiene like brushing and flossing, it can be used as a fantastic addition to their oral hygiene routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;publix.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29575 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/waterpickgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rechargeable Cordless Water Flosser&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$70&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Speaking of oral health, a water flosser could be a great addition to your (or anyone you're giving gifts to this Christmas) oral hygiene regimen. Add this to your Christmas wishlist, or get it for anyone who’s been wanting to step up their oral health routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;getquip.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29566 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/donategiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Charity Donation to a Health and Wellness Initiative&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A charity donation is the perfect gift for the person who loves to give. If one of your friends or family members has a charity they enjoy supporting, donate in their name this year. It’s a thoughtful way to show you are attentive to their interests and give back to support the health and well-being of others in the community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29573 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/potsgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;LIMA CERAMIC NONSTICK 12-PIECE COOKWARE SET&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$214.99&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;An all-natural cookware set is a must for anyone who’s tired of every product in their house being harmful to their bodies. If you’ve been wanting to make the switch to non-toxic cookware, put this set on your wishlist this year or check it out for a friend or family member. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;greenpan.us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29576 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yukagiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;YUKA Membership&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$13.99/year&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This app is a brilliant way to see what ingredients are in the food, cleaning, and skin care products you’re using and get suggestions for more natural or healthier options. The membership allows you to search for any product without having to scan its barcode code, and it is a great last-minute gift if you waited a little too late to buy gifts this season!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;yuka.io/en/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29568 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/gardengiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Véritable® SMART Garden System&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;$249&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the space for a garden, but as personal gardens have been making a comeback in recent years, a compact garden system could be an excellent gift for someone who has been wanting to start their own. This is an easy way to get started and allows them to grow fresh food for any delicious dishes they want to make throughout the year.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;williams-sonoma.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29570 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/gympassgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gym Membership or Class Pass&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get moving in the new year! The gift of a gym membership or class pass is a practical gift for anyone in your life who loves being active. If someone you know frequents the gym or loves taking classes, this is a great way to show them your support for their lifestyle and hobbies. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29567 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/farmbasketgiftguide-1024x1024.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Local Produce Box&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A local produce box can be an easy gift to support not only your friend or family member’s healthy lifestyle but also local farmers this Christmas. Most towns have produce box programs you can easily join, and you could always pair it with a locally made apron or cooking utensils for anyone who loves to cook or even add it to your Christmas wishlist!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Follow us on Instagram to be the first to know about new issue releases and articles!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_4"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0htyi8v9nM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"&gt;&lt;div style="padding:16px;"&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0htyi8v9nM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; 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&lt;div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"&gt;View this post on Instagram&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-left: 8px;"&gt; &lt;div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; 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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0htyi8v9nM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;A post shared by TopDoctor Magazine (@topdoctormagazine)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/giftguidecover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/gifts-for-well-being-a-health-and-wellness-gift-guide/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29545</ID> <title>The Benefits of Zinc Before and During Cold and Flu Season</title> <publishDate>2023-12-04 22:22:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_513 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_615"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_648 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_668 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As we see flu season on the horizon, the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system becomes increasingly apparent. Among the various minerals and nutrients essential for immune health, zinc stands out as a crucial element that can bolster our body's defenses against seasonal illnesses like the flu! Its role in supporting immune function has been well-documented, making it a valuable addition to our health regimen both before and during flu season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Zinc as a Preventative Measure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Before the onset of flu season, providing your body with zinc can be an effective preventive measure. This essential mineral plays a pivotal role in numerous bodily functions, including immune response, cell division and wound healing. It acts as a catalyst for over 300 enzymes, contributing to the proper functioning of many &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;biochemical&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; processes in the body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc is particularly renowned for its ability to enhance the activity of immune cells. It helps regulate the production and function of various immune cells, such as neutrophils and natural killer cells, which are essential for combating infections. Additionally, zinc assists in the production of antibodies, which are crucial for the body's defense mechanism against pathogens like influenza viruses.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Studies have indicated that maintaining adequate zinc levels can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold, which shares symptoms with influenza. While not a direct cure for the flu, incorporating zinc into your diet or as a supplement before flu season may provide an added layer of defense against viral infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29550 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/zinccoldandflu-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Alleviating Cold and Flu Symptoms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;During flu season, the benefits of zinc become even more pronounced. As the virus spreads more readily, reinforcing your immune system becomes crucial in warding off illness. Zinc supplementation during this period can help shorten the duration of flu symptoms and potentially reduce the likelihood of developing severe complications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research suggests that zinc cough drops or syrup taken within 24 hours of the onset of flu symptoms may decrease the duration of the illness by interfering with the virus's ability to multiply and spread in the body. It's important to note that the effectiveness of zinc supplementation may vary depending on the formulation, dosage and individual factors, so consulting a healthcare professional should be a first step.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Zinc's anti-inflammatory properties can assist in alleviating symptoms commonly associated with the flu, such as sore throat and cough. By reducing inflammation and supporting the body's immune response, zinc can contribute to a speedier recovery from flu-related discomfort.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29552 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zinc2-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dietary and Supplemental Sources of Zinc&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You might be asking a necessary question: What is a good source of zinc? There are various ways you can have a higher intake of this mineral during this year’s cold and flu season. One of the easiest ways to get zinc is through seafood like oysters and crab or through red meat. These have the highest presence of zinc out of all the foods you could eat for a natural source of zinc. If you are not partial to seafood or are trying to avoid red meat, there are other foods that have a great source of zinc! Brown rice, legumes such as kidney beans, blueberries and even cheddar cheese are fantastic natural sources where zinc can be found. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you feel you are not getting enough zinc through your diet, there are also supplements you can take. This can be an easy way to ensure you are getting enough of this cold-fighting supplement during cold and flu season to help your immune system ward off any cold-related symptoms.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Striking a Balance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, it's crucial to strike a balance with zinc intake, as excessive amounts can have adverse effects on health. Overconsumption of zinc may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and interfere with the absorption of other essential minerals like copper and iron. Therefore, moderation and adherence to recommended daily allowances are essential. Consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating zinc into your daily routine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating zinc into your health regimen before and during flu season can offer significant benefits for immune health. Whether through dietary sources like nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains or as a supplement, maintaining optimal zinc levels can bolster the body's defenses against seasonal illnesses like the flu. As always, it's best to seek guidance from a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and form of zinc supplementation tailored to your individual needs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-natural-products-for-the-flu-and-colds-what-does-the-science-say#:~:text=There%20is%20currently%20no%20strong,effects%20and%20interact%20with%20medicines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20richest%20food%20sources%20of,also%20contain%20zinc%20%5B3%5D."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20richest%20food%20sources%20of,also%20contain%20zinc%20%5B3%5D.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zinc.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/holistic-medicine/the-benefits-of-zinc-before-and-during-cold-and-flu-season/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29527</ID> <title>Embarking on the Path to Longevity and Vitality: Bio-Optimized Living</title> <publishDate>2023-12-04 18:48:10</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_514 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_616"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_649 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_669 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every great journey commences with a single, deliberate step—the decision to begin. Biohacking is the art of optimizing human performance and well-being through strategic interventions. It is a multifaceted approach to enhancing longevity and vitality. As an expert in the field, I live this Bio-Op Life successfully and advocate for a comprehensive strategy that includes not only individual practices but also the cultivation of a supportive community. Below are top biohacking tips, each integral to the quest for a longer, healthier life, and the added dimension of community as a vital component of this journey.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mindfulness for Self Mastery&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everything starts in the mind. Mindfulness and stress reduction are vital practices in the biohacking toolkit, as they help mitigate the detrimental effects of chronic stress on the body, enhance mental clarity, and promote a balanced emotional state, all of which are foundational for long-term health and vitality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dedicate time to mindfulness or meditation, reducing stress's impact on aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Utilize breathing techniques to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cultivate positivity through gratitude practices.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Use visualization and affirmations to maintain focus on your health objectives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stimulate your mind with brain training, new skills and complex tasks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29533 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yelibio2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Understanding your Personalized Metrics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In the pursuit of longevity, biohacking isn't merely about adopting a set of best practices; it's about understanding and tracking the unique biological markers that define our individual health. By comparing our biomarkers to those of the healthiest individuals, we achieve a marker of peak performance. Through diagnostic testing, you can have a personalized plan to reach your Optimized Performance Levels.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Blood Panels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DNA Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Food Inflammation Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Gut Microbiome Analysis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hormone Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Sleep Tracking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Telomere Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Art of Rest and Recovery:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Rest and recovery are not just intermissions in our bustling lives; they are essential chapters in the story of our health. Taking cues from the regimens of top athletes, incorporating a rest protocol that transforms downtime into a strategic component of health optimization is essential.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aim for 7-9 hours of restorative sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consistency is key; maintain a regular sleep schedule to regulate your circadian rhythm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Create a sanctuary for sleep: ensure your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce blue light exposure in the evening to signal to your body that it's time to wind down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29535 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/restandrecovery-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Food As Fuel:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nutrition is the premium fuel for the intricate machinery of your mind and body, powering every function and facilitating optimal health, while the practice of fasting acts as a reset button, enhancing cellular repair and metabolic efficiency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Choose a diet abundant in whole foods, fostering cellular health and longevity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Experiment with intermittent fasting to promote autophagy and metabolic balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce intake of sugars and processed foods to decrease inflammation and slow aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Support a healthy microbiome with a fiber-rich diet and fermented foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Adding the Missing Building Blocks of Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Supplementation has become an essential tool for filling nutritional gaps and ensuring our bodies receive the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals required for optimal health. The efficacy of supplements hinges not only on their intrinsic nutritional value but also on the integrity of their sourcing, the reputation of the manufacturing company, the transparency of user testimonials, and, critically, their bioavailability—ensuring that the body can readily absorb and utilize them to the fullest extent. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Test for nutrient and mineral deficiencies and supplement for personalized optimization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Movement for Life&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular physical activity not only plays a pivotal role in stimulating the lymphatic system, essential for immune function and bodily detoxification, but it also triggers the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that elevate mood and contribute to mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engage in a balanced mix of aerobic and resistance training for overall fitness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporate HIIT for enhanced metabolic health and endurance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice flexibility and balance exercises to preserve mobility and prevent injuries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29534 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yelibio3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using Technologies to Unlock Peak Performance&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;My bio-optimized living protocols, crafted with precision, incorporate a suite of advanced modalities. Each of these modalities has been selected for its evidence-based capacity to profoundly influence health, forming the pillars of a protocol that stands at the forefront of anti-aging and restorative medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Near-Infrared Red Light:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Penetrates deep into tissues, stimulating cellular repair and regeneration.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Far-Infrared:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Enhances circulation and promotes detoxification at the cellular level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cold Therapy:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Boosts metabolism and inflammation control, fortifying the body's resilience.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy):&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Encourages cellular recovery and balances the body's electromagnetic fields.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Saturates cells with oxygen, vastly improving healing and function.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Environmental Optimization&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Addressing environmental stressors is imperative as they can insidiously undermine our health, contributing to chronic disease and diminishing our body's innate capacity to heal and thrive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce toxin exposure by choosing natural products for cleaning and personal care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Invest in air and water purification to minimize environmental pollutants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practice grounding to connect with nature and reduce inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29531 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Bio-optimized-Community-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Power of Community&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The embrace of a supportive community is a cornerstone for longevity, providing social connection, shared knowledge and the collective encouragement that are essential in nurturing and sustaining a long, vibrant life. I personally attend conferences worldwide to gain more knowledge in my field and create relationships with those elevating the regenerative medical and self-development space. I also personally have been a part of a health and wellness community through Jennifer Nicole Lee for years, and it ensured a support system connected with like-minded women all looking to live their best, fittest and healthiest lives. Seek out communities living the examples you want to live.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Immerse yourself in a health-conscious community for support and shared knowledge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Participate in group activities that encourage physical and social engagement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Share your journey with peers to build accountability and collective wisdom.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As you weave these biohacking strategies into the fabric of your life, remember that the journey is deeply personal. Approach each practice with curiosity and adaptability, and always consult healthcare professionals who are living these practices successfully. The path to longevity is a marathon, not a sprint, and each step forward is made richer through the support and camaraderie of a like-minded community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yeli-Cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/regenerative-medicine/embarking-on-the-path-to-longevity-and-vitality-bio-optimized-living/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29511</ID> <title>Meet Dr. William J. Cole Jr.: A Board Certified Regenerative Medicine Expert Transforming Lives and Assisting in Healing Without Drugs or Surgery</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 22:38:19</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_515 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_617"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_650 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_670 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;By Contributing Author William J. Cole Jr., DO, FAASCP, Regenerative Medicine Expert with RegenaMed.US® and Interventionist with OrthoMed® Pain &amp;amp; Sports Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get to know Regenerative Medicine Expert Dr. William J. Cole Jr., who serves patients throughout the State of Florida and the entire US to "Have the Body Heal the Body®"   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                           &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole is a renowned regenerative medicine expert who has dedicated his medical career to decreasing pain and increasing function without unnecessary drugs or surgeries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He is the president, founder, and CEO of RegenaMed.US®, OrthoMed® Pain &amp;amp; Sports Medicine, the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kNOwPAIN Institute &amp;amp; Foundation®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and proud father of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mary Jane® - Medical-Grade CBD,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; which has replaced up to 50% of the narcotics formerly prescribed by his two certified pain clinics in Southwest Florida.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole completed training at NYU Rusk Institute in 2004, just after a life-threatening motor vehicle accident deprived him of the use of his hands. As a result, he changed his career path from orthopedic surgeon to physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. He underwent the first of seven surgeries in 2003 and concluded with a cervical decompression in 2013, resulting in a spinal cord injury that nearly made him a quadriplegic. As Dr. Cole had already changed so many lives through regenerative medicine, he then underwent extensive regenerative treatments resulting in a tremendous reduction in pain and an increase in functional abilities, in lieu of the typical four-level cervical fusion with a 10% success rate, as recommended by traditional neurosurgeons that would have ended Dr. Cole's successful career in&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; regenerative, conservative and interventional pain management.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For nearly 20 years, he built a very successful, outpatient-based, multi-location regenerative and orthopedic medicine group serving thousands of local, regional, national and international clients with customized traditional and regenerative treatments of the highest quality care, resulting in exceptional outcomes and lives that have been positively changed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dual board certified in regenerative medicine and interventional PM&amp;amp;R,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Dr. Cole is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR). He is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;one of five in the world&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; with this rare &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;double-board certification&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While working with some of the most prominent orthopedic surgeons in the United States, Dr. Cole has devoted his career to mastering and perfecting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;minimally invasive interventional procedures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to maximize benefits and minimize pain while working toward a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;better quality of life&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;He specializes in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advanced regenerative therapies &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for all joints, muscles, tendons, spine and nerves with Ultra PRP and "SMART" Cell Nano Particle Treatments via fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided interventions, with over 60,000 total procedures performed throughout his 20-year career. He has also achieved major medical innovations such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Sciatica Solution&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; via the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kNOw PAIN®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; approach to diagnose and treat over 10,000 patients with difficult and elusive disorders with outstanding results and very happy patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole has pioneered multiple adjunct therapies that are safe and effective non-surgical alternatives to surgery or narcotics, such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Mary Jane&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medical-grade CBD&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that has the potential to reduce not only muscle and joint pain but also nerve pain, spasms, anxiety, insomnia and other disorders as it resets the body into our tranquil “rest and digest” sense of well-being, but without the unwanted effects of THC products. He even developed a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;100% natural 16-component IV essential vitamin and mineral therapy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that he generated from 66 &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Institute of Health &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Coronavirus Studies to hyperboost immunity, turbocharge antioxidants, assist in preventing respiratory disorders and stop viruses from replicating, and is a wonderful adjunct treatment to help prevent vulnerable patients from getting sick.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For the last 16 years, Dr. Cole has served as an&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; assistant clinical professor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; at LECOM in Bradenton, teaching all aspects of conservative and interventional pain management, in addition to regenerative medicine, to build strong community and medical ties to future physicians, as he believes in giving back to the medical and local community.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Among his professional affiliations, Dr. Cole is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Director of Orthopedic Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for the American Association of Stem Cell Physicians and an esteemed member of the American Osteopathic Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the North American Spine Society and the Sarasota County Medical Society, and will be the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;founder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; of the AARP (American Association of Regenerative Physicians).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29517 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/dr.cole2_-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Having come to the realization that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients deserve a better quality of life, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Cole's motto is to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"FIND IT, and FIX IT"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to get patients &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;back to their lives faster, fitter and more functional&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; than our failed traditional medicine, for the exceptional health of all patients today, tomorrow and in the future. And as Dr. Cole always says: “The future of medicine is to have the body heal the body… naturally, and I LOVE WHAT I DO!"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While PM&amp;amp;R aims to treat those with physical impairments or disabilities, such as disorders of the brain, spinal cord, spine, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons, Dr. Cole’s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; advanced regenerative treatments&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; utilize &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cutting-Edge Nano-Technology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to stimulate your body to rapidly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; rebuild, restore, repair, renew, rejuvenate, replenish and revitalize&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; those same tissues of the body to enhance and restore the natural functional ability and quality of life, but without pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Happily married for 23 years (and counting), Dr. Cole and his lovely wife, Dr. Liliana Cole, are bilingual in English and Spanish and raise their two children by example by serving our Florida community through the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;kNOwPAIN Institute &amp;amp; Foundation®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by assisting patients in the diagnosis and treatment of severe or chronic illnesses for those who deserve but can't afford quality healthcare.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Learn More about Dr. William J. Cole Jr. through his findatopdoc profile:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                       &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/149407-William-Cole-physiatrist-physical-medicine-Saraso ta-FL-34232 or through OrthoMed Pain &amp;amp; Sports Medicine, https://www.knowpain.com/provider/william-j-cole-jr-do, and at https://www.regenamed.us/meet-dr-cole/, or “DrMaryJane.US”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;                                                                                                           &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About FindaTopDoc.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;FindaTopDoc is a digital health information company that helps connect patients with local physicians and specialists who accept your insurance. Our goal is to help guide you on your journey toward optimal health by providing you with the know-how to make informed decisions for you and your family. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dr.-Cole-Article-cover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/regenerative-medicine/meet-dr-william-j-cole-jr-a-board-certified-regenerative-medicine-expert-transforming-lives-and-assisting-in-healing-without-drugs-or-surgery/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29395</ID> <title>A4M and Regenerative Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Robert Goldman</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:29:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_516 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_618"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_651 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_671 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The inspiring story of Dr. Robert Goldman helped send him on a path that has now led to hundreds of thousands of people being better educated in regenerative medicine and expanding the world of anti-aging to provide exceptional training to health professionals worldwide. In our interview with Dr. Goldman, we explore regenerative medicine and A4M’s founding, Dr. Goldman’s achievements and inspiration, training health professionals, and tips that anyone can take away for living and aging healthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Regenerative Medicine and the Founding of A4M&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine is becoming more and more influential and paramount in the lives of many around the world. The &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com/about-a4m-mmi.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, or A4M, was founded in 1992 by Dr. Robert Goldman and Dr. Ronald Klatz and has become the global leader in medical education continuation in total body care. They provide medical education opportunities to those around the world in training of all sorts, including university-level certifications, workshops, CME events and more. A4M seeks to provide care and training beyond the traditional standard of healthcare to improve the longevity and lifespan of people worldwide. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We want to continue to educate the physician community as we have done for three decades," Dr. Robert Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29409 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dr._Goldman_Cover.jpeg-791x1024.jpg" alt="" width="791" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman helped found A4M in acknowledgment that standard medical education could be better in staying up to date on the newest variables and enormous volumes of information out in the world. There are millions of journals to read and articles to educate, and being able to stay well-informed on everything would take a lot of work. The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine wanted to become a platform where medical societies could become educated on many topics rather than just one specialty. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We're very inclusive. We have many forms and specialties. In other words, we will have a plastic surgeon next to an internal medicine guy next to a cardiologist. And this way, we can take the best knowledge base from every specialty and combine that all together to help all of these specialists to enhance their knowledge in areas that they may not have been familiar with when they attended medical school," Dr. Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A4M had to create a field that previously did not exist, especially when it came to regenerative medicine. Traditional medicine often treats symptoms and the issue itself rather than finding the origin of the problem and treating it. The organization wanted to train medical professionals on the entirety of the body so they could treat the origin of the issue rather than just the problem. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Doctors would end up trying to fix one thing. Then they end up creating four other bad things for the patient, and so we were able to literally turn this whole thing around," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29408 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/robandfriends.jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="742" height="836" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Where Dr. Goldman's Interests Began&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;So, what started Dr. Goldman on the path to helping co-found some of the world's most well-known anti-aging and professional health education programs?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; When Dr. Robert Goldman was working in gyms and health clubs in the 80s, there were no titles like 'Certified Personal Trainer' or an 'Educated Personal Fitness Trainer.' He noticed the need for basic first aid training and the lack of any form of health training for the people at the facilities. Wanting to create a profession that did not currently exist, Goldman worked toward founding the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and helped create a whole personal fitness trainer certification program through NASM, where about 1.6 million have now been certified. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Goldman also founded the term CPT or 'Certified Personal Trainer,' which is now in use worldwide. As he grew older, he realized that older people needed aid as well. To tackle this, Goldman and A4M co-founder Robert Klatz flew 12 doctors to Chicago, where they tried to strategize a new form of medicine. There, they addressed the health and longevity issues of those as they aged in a new approach. From this knowledge and research, A4M was born. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now, thousands of doctors join their training programs, modules and master's degree programs with memberships from 120 countries. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"The reason that I felt it was important to do this was for our own personal health and for that of our patients," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29413 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/stathamarnoldrob.jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="774" height="451" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Further Achievements and a Message from Rob Fletcher of Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman is no stranger to high achievements, holding over 20 world strength records, a 6th-degree Black Belt in Karate, winning the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Physical Fitness Award three times and receiving many other championship awards throughout his life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with these awards and recognitions, Dr. Golman holds two Physician and Surgeon Medical Degrees and two Ph.D. Doctorates. He has also served as a Senior Fellow at the Lincoln Filene Center, Tufts University, as well as an Affiliate at the Philosophy of Education Research Center, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overseeing and founding multiple cooperative research agreement development programs and receiving his aforementioned degrees have qualified Dr. Goldman to serve as the chairman of many other committees and boards, such as the International Medical Commission, the AAU/USA Sports Medicine Council, the President's Council on Physical Fitness &amp;amp; Sports and many more.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29410 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/robandrob-1-1024x981.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="981" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Dr. Robert Goldman has made countless selfless contributions by supporting, promoting and helping others, especially in the world of sports, bodybuilding, health, fitness, anti-aging and martial arts. He's been the head of organizing and hosting multiple events and certification programs that improve our society physically, mentally, educationally and spiritually. With countless awards, accomplishments, and accolades, Dr. Robert Goldman has chosen not to base his legacy on these things but rather on making a positive impact and a difference in the world. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dr. Goldman has shown a relentless drive to consistently better people's lives worldwide through anti-aging, health and fitness. His efforts remain unmatched to make the world better, healthier, happier and stronger. His selfless contributions to inspire and motivate others have been proven through the Founding of the International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF), a non-profit that recognizes inductees not only for their accomplishments on the field, in a ring or on stage but for those who contribute to society by giving back — especially among our youth. Goldman himself donates 80% of his time to these charitable pursuits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman has a lifetime mission to support and promote events that align with his values, beliefs and efforts. He has recently partnered his global brand &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FWorldhealth.net%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0IahgGTNXD3T8xBtN4f7RpyNPmFYggWrrnl2JkwY5BOFZ2rsBSC0YdU-U&amp;amp;h=AT1ZvHqbxXfI9IP0zLdogQqFMA3c0nab8CgPnwwFwf9QOOkQw9RntHYXDuqZR7apcH41Dr3ScAl2RtgI5KJJnVLJfqm4Gx6BTrBDhDdBqGWAUhLRSL3Wth48_Q6C4OZLTF_tW10&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c&amp;#091;0&amp;#093;=AT1Xdve35RMiDnnVN9lOp8YQPV7-DbuQNtVl29x9L7MEz5PZfg7mXiGUR3OIsCxeMQdiEajv18RiHoVSftQI-fgZu2Bzg-34A3bjfCZiPzU97BA4hexjVa7dABeCFPaVQ2pd156LNd4XPgqSX6FVlxwmHQ1MlcUYsT2o9qLioAedswkEOHPaCQ"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Worldhealth.net&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with the global brand Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness, Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness Hers, FLEX Magazine, and the OLYMPIA Weekend in a combined effort at the international event, the A4M Anti-Aging Conference, to be held at the Venetian Resort &amp;amp; Casino in Las Vegas, December 14-16. A4M is a gathering of leaders and experts in anti-aging with speakers, workshops, forums and exhibitors featuring new advancements in technology, innovation, products and services. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Oz, who will be joined by a long list of highly recognized worldwide leaders. They will be sharing their knowledge at the A4M conference to improve the lives of others for optimal health and performance.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;- Rob Fletcher, Business Development Director Muscle &amp;amp; Fitness+ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29411 size-full aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/robfitness.jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="749" height="936" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Training Medical Professionals Through A4M&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A4M invests significant resources in its sophisticated training, which encompasses various regenerative medicine techniques such as stem cell therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Even business aspects for medical professionals are covered and taught in the training through A4M. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everything under the sun, we have developed specific fellowship training programs to enhance the doctor's knowledge. So they are the best on the planet, and we are reaching out to the physician community to help them to be the most proficient and best trained out there. That's why after a patient goes to one of our doctors, they never want to go back to a conventionally trained doctor again. Because a conventionally trained doctor is not trained in nutrition," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A4M trains its professionals to spend time with the patient and figure out the root cause of their issues and where they may be stemming from, which is an alternative to traditional medicine. A4M's organization played a pivotal role in the development of medispas, as well as in the global expansion of concierge and precision medicine around the world.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We are one of the very few organizations that have held world congresses all over the globe, everywhere from South Africa, China, Singapore and Thailand. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many organizations would have one big show every one to every four years. We have two major ones every year in America, with dozens of workshops every year in America. And we have held multiple conferences even in the same years as we have a congress in China, Singapore, Germany, France- we've had these all over the world. This really made us a very unique organization, and that was because of the experience I had in how to run global," Dr. Goldman shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The training is world-renowned and helpful to anyone in the medical field. For more information on upcoming events, visit their website at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.a4m.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.a4m.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29405 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/a4m5-949x1024.jpg" alt="" width="949" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tips for the Best Aging&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While aging is inevitable, it is possible to be proactive and engaged in that process. Dr. Goldman gave us three suggestions for the best ways to age well and live a longer, healthier life. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip #1: Exercise &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise may seem like an over-exaggerated part of a healthy life, but Dr. Goldman has expressed that in his years of research and practice, exercise is one of the most basic yet important things to remember as you age. Weight lifting and moving the body are two of the most critical parts of healthy aging. Years ago, doctors did not promote weight lifting but now would suggest it as one simple, healthy way to exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I think that exercise and weight training is critical and very, very important. This is something that was resisted by a number of areas in the sporting community because if you were a football player, they would say, 'Just play football;' if you were a baseball player, 'Just play baseball,' and they were almost anti-weight room, and now there isn't a sports team in the world that doesn't have a fully-fledged training facility," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip #2: Diet &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diet is another simple yet vital piece of healthy aging and living. Eating healthy and making health-conscious food decisions can tremendously prolong your life through your health journey. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Diet is critical, especially since so much of the food has been manipulated. You want to try and get as much organically-based healthy natural foods as possible. Now, with all the artificial components put in food, you have to be very careful what you eat," Dr. Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just because something has the 'organic' label does not mean those items have not been manipulated or have GMOs in them. Oftentimes, pollution is also present in our water sources. Because of this, Dr. Goldman suggests vitamin supplementation in daily eating habits while still watching what foods you consume. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip #3: Watch Your Stress Levels &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Hard work won't kill you, but stress will," Dr. Goldman said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress harms the longevity of your life because there are physical effects of stress that come out during the time of stress. There are even long-lasting effects of stress that those wanting to increase their lifespan should avoid. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Goldman suggests different breathing exercises done in the East and meditation techniques that are done all over the world. These are simply coping mechanisms for stress that can aid your lifespan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"These are things that are also very helpful because you can try to calm and nurse the body, but if you don't take good care of the mind, the stress will kill you because it causes micro and macro inflammation. We are living in a toxic environment, and if you don't try to counteract, there will be issues," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29402 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/a4m2-1024x615.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="615" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regenerative medicine can be as simple as choosing the right foods and exercises while maintaining low stress levels. Visiting a regenerative medicine doctor and receiving treatments is an excellent way to boost your health and age better, but simple daily choices help the most in terms of longevity and healthy living. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"People now value their health as number one. There's no excuse if you can find at least 30 minutes a day to do an exercise program. If you can't spend a little bit of time and self-control on your diet, and you're not willing to spend a little bit of money for nutritional supplementation, then you're missing the boat because people don't care about things until they're taken away," Dr. Goldman concluded. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Explore more ways on how to be proactive with your health and age well. Visit a4m.com to learn more about Dr. Goldman, the mission of A4M and regenerative medicine and find inspiration to face aging head-on.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/drgoldmancoverphoto.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/fitness/a4m-and-regenerative-medicine-an-interview-with-dr-robert-goldman/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29340</ID> <title>Winter Wellness: Strategies to Combat Cold Weather's Impact on Your Body</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 21:23:53</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_517 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_619"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_652 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_672 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Along with the cozy feelings of the holidays come earlier sunsets and colder winter weather. As the air gets cooler, you might find your body and mental health are also going through some seasonal changes. These are things you can easily prepare for, prevent and address as winter sets in. In this article, we will explore a few ways winter weather might affect your body, how to combat these effects and ways to stay active mentally and physically during these chillier days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Winter Weather Effects on the Body&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Muscle Stiffness and Joint Pain: Cold weather can contribute to muscle stiffness and joint pain, making movement more challenging and uncomfortable. While cold temperatures can have an impact on people with normal muscle and joint use, it could have a greater effect on those with pre-existing conditions like arthritis or Lyme disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dry Skin: The cold, dry air of winter can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and even cracking. Those with skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis or cystic acne will most likely notice an increase in sensitivity during the winter months.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): There could be an explanation for why you feel a bit down during the holidays and following cooler months, even if you feel like there isn't a reason. With the winter months come shorter days. Reduced sunlight during winter can affect mood and lead to symptoms of SAD, including feelings of lethargy and sadness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29345 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness3-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How to Address Winter Weather Effects&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Warm-Up Exercises: Easily combat regular muscle stiffness and joint pain with some simple stretches and warm-ups. Prior to outdoor activities, engage in thorough warm-up exercises to increase blood flow, loosen muscles, and reduce the risk of injuries in cold weather. If you have any pre-existing conditions, ensure that any stretches or warm-ups you do are gentle on your muscles and joints and properly address any pain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Moisturizing: The best way to combat dry skin is prevention! Regularly moisturizing the skin helps prevent dryness and maintains its natural barrier against harsh winter conditions. If irritation and extreme dryness persist, research a holistic care doctor or dermatologist in your area and see if they have any suggestions to combat abnormal dryness.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Light Therapy: Exposure to bright light, especially in the morning, can help alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and regulate mood. An easy way to do this is to get 15 minutes of morning light and 15 minutes of evening light. Bundle up and go for a walk, or simply open your blinds and sit by the window for a while. Some people find that sun lamps are also effective in combating SAD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29347 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness1-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Activities to Stay Physically and Mentally Active During Winter:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Winter Sports: Just because it is cold out doesn't mean you can't stay active outside. Embrace the season by engaging in activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or even just going for a walk during the warmer parts of the day. As suggested above, make sure to stretch or do some warm-up exercises inside in order to maintain good muscle and joint health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indoor Workouts: If winters get too bitingly cold where you live, there are other options to stay physically active that can also improve your mental health during winter. Join a gym, take fitness classes, take up indoor rock climbing or follow online workout routines to stay active indoors. Research to see if there is an indoor pool near you and join for a low-impact way to exercise. Keeping active is also proven to improve mental health. So, continuing to exercise during the winter months could not only help your physical well-being but also your mental and emotional well-being. A lot of these indoor exercises can also help you socialize more this winter. Grab a group of friends and join a Pilates class, or see if you could join an indoor running group. The possibilities are endless!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Puzzles and Books: Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise, especially if you are looking for ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder or regulate your mood with less light during the daytime. Nothing is better than curling up by a warm fire and reading a book or putting a puzzle together. Both of these activities are great ways to engage your mind and tune out any racing thoughts for any amount of time. You could pick up a book while waiting for something to bake or work on a puzzle when you have some downtime and need to be doing something. These don't have to be activities done alone, either! Joining a monthly book club can help you meet new people, or having friends over for dinner and a night of puzzles and games can help you enjoy social interactions with people you have established relationships with already.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29346 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Winter-Wellness-Cover-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You don't have to endure the winter months with persisting pain, skin irritation and feelings of sadness without knowing how to combat them. While everyday muscle and joint pain can worsen with cold weather, stretching and warming up before going outside or participating in outdoor activities can help ease any stiffness. Along with stretching before being outside in the cold, be sure to put on your favorite moisturizer to prevent any dryness or skin irritation. It's good to put this into practice, even when you're inside, as house heaters can also dry out the air, causing skin irritation. If you do choose to take a walk outside, remember that the sunlight can also help regulate your moods and aid in combating Seasonal Affective Disorder. Don't be afraid to pick up a new hobby or join a club to meet new people and boost your mood! Combating the effects of cold weather starts with taking these easy and practical steps toward a winter full of physical and mental well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/winterwellness2.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/winter-wellness-strategies-to-combat-cold-weathers-impact-on-your-body/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29459</ID> <title>Salt Therapy and its World-Wide Impact on the Health Industry: An Interview with Leo Tonkin</title> <publishDate>2023-12-01 20:38:22</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_518 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_620"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_653 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_673 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Twelve years ago, Leo Tonkin learned about salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, for the first time. Like many, he had never heard of this kind of therapy before and had spent many years in business strategy, organizational behavior and development, and the idea of salt therapy was completely foreign to him and his team. After researching the business model and industry, Leo was shocked to learn there were just a few facilities throughout North America providing dry salt therapy, while in some countries in Europe, it was considered a medical treatment for respiratory and skin care. Leo wanted to bring salt therapy into America and market it to the spa and wellness industries. His idea began with creating salt rooms where clients could relax and breathe in dry salt particles that benefited their respiratory system and skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29466 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fourladiessaltchamber-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After conducting extensive research on the benefits of salt therapy, Leo and his team began to realize all the benefits the therapy could offer and were looking forward to sharing these unique experiences with the hospitality community. The team started educating and engaging others to share the benefits they could discover. They focused on raising awareness and began speaking with spas where many already had relaxation rooms or underutilized treatment rooms. There, they began designing salt rooms to create a new kind of treatment for the spas- salt therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From this, his company, SALT Chamber, was born.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It's about bringing this wellness modality to so many people. When you look at how many people have allergies, asthma and COPD, and how many other respiratory conditions there are, people need holistic treatment. It's really about having people feel better, and if we can bring in a natural remedy that works, then we will bring it to the masses. That's what we're all about," Tonkin said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29472 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/maninsaltchamber-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people think that Himalayan salt and the salt decor on the walls have health benefits, such as purifying the air and releasing negative ions. This is entirely false. While SALT Chamber pioneered the use of Himalayan salt as an architectural and decor element in their room designs, all of the health benefits come from a halogenerator device to create these salt rooms. This equipment takes pure-grade sodium chloride, grinds it up and disperses a dry aerosol so small that people can breathe it in at healthy levels. Salt room experiences can include yoga, respiratory and breathwork guided meditation, IV hydration and sound therapy while the client also breathes in the healthy salt. SALT Chamber has created many spa salt rooms and even personal ones for individuals at home. A salt therapy session can take from 10-45 minutes, depending on the size of the space. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Not only do we have the products, but we do the design and information on how to install and build in our marketing and training. So, we provide full turnkey services for businesses to get into salt therapy. We use it as a revenue center, making additional revenue without any additional labor; you don't need a special licensed person or certificates to offer this," Leo said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29468 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/leosaltchamber-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Other treatments can easily layer with salt therapy. Not to mention, it is also great for the skin, which is why many medical spas have begun adding salt booths and rooms to their centers. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A QS/ISO-certified medical device company manufactures the equipment offered by SALT Chamber, which produces the smallest micron-sized salt particles to get deep into the respiratory system and the first layer of the skin. It is the only company with a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;showroom, research lab&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;and a technical team&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as well as salt therapy and wellness consultants. The expertise and experience held within this company sets them apart in creating turnkey solutions and keeps them thriving. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29467 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/halosalt-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the last 12 years, SALT Chamber has completed around 3,000 projects for luxury resorts and spas, medspas, fitness clubs, senior living facilities and others. Their client list includes Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Auberge, Waldorf Astoria, Canyon Ranch and some of the most successful medical and day spas, such as Woodhouse and Well-Infused. Some of their residential projects include Tony Robbins, NFL football players and others so they can experience better sleep, performance and recovery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"We've been partnering with all types of people in the hospitality, spa, wellness and medical spa industry and attending various trade shows throughout the year. A lot of what we do is education- I speak at a lot of the events, and we continue to talk to people and bring more education awareness to the industry. When people find out about it, it's amazing that part of the reaction is, 'I never heard about this before.' But really, what's great is the people that do it are customers that have salt rooms or salt booths, and they're in them on a regular basis," Leo shared. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29469 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/neonladyinsaltchamber-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone benefits in some way from salt therapy. Seniors on oxygen tanks can breathe better, children and adults with respiratory issues can get aid in breathing and salt therapy can be an excellent solution to help skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"One of the big issues is the quality of the air that we breathe in every day–indoor air pollution can be up to 5 times worse than outdoor air. So, when you think about the invisible particles ranging from dust, dander, and allergens to bacteria and viruses, there's really no other natural way to clean out your lungs. Salt therapy and halotherapy act like a toothbrush and can help," Leo said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"In the last few years, there's been more attention for people to take on more self-care. Overall wellness, longevity and quality of life are on top of mind, and people are taking more responsibility for their own health and wellness. That's why you see people doing more things like sauna, red light therapy, IV hydration, cold therapy and salt therapy," he said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29470 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/saltchamberneon-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the last 12 years, SALT Chamber has expanded from the U.S. and Canada and has begun projects in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Spain and South Korea. They are also focusing a lot of research on universities and student-athletes. Their expansion has only just begun as they seek to educate others around the world on the benefits of salt therapy. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"If we can help people breathe better, sleep better and have a better quality of life, then that's what we're going to do," Leo said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Salt therapy has aided many and will continue to help more around the world. To learn more about Leo Tonkin and SALT Chamber and their initiatives, visit their website at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.saltchamberinc.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;saltchamberinc.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LEOcover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/salt-therapy-and-its-world-wide-impact-on-the-health-industry-an-interview-with-leo-tonkin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29163</ID> <title>Sleep and Aging: Exploring the Impact on Health and Strategies for Quality Sleep</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 15:39:42</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_519 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_621"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_654 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_674 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Introduction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep is an essential component of overall health and well-being at any age. However, as individuals age, changes in sleep patterns and an increased prevalence of sleep disturbances can significantly impact their quality of life. This article delves into the impact of sleep on the aging process and overall health. We will examine common sleep disturbances experienced by older adults, explore their causes and discuss potential interventions to improve sleep quality and promote healthy aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Impact of Sleep on Aging and Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Function:&lt;/strong&gt; Adequate sleep plays a vital role in maintaining cognitive function. It supports memory consolidation, information processing and problem-solving abilities. Older adults who experience insufficient or disrupted sleep show a link to decreased attention span, impaired memory and reduced cognitive performance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physical Health:&lt;/strong&gt; Quality sleep is crucial for optimal physical health. It supports immune function, helps regulate hormones and facilitates the body's healing and repair processes. Chronic sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality in older adults can be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and weakened immune systems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emotional Well-being:&lt;/strong&gt; Sleep disturbances can contribute to emotional and mental health issues. Older adults experiencing poor sleep are more susceptible to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation can intensify feelings of irritability, fatigue and stress, impairing overall emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29172 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingchess-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Common Sleep Disturbances in Older Adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insomnia:&lt;/strong&gt; Insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, is a prevalent sleep disturbance among older adults. Contributing factors may include underlying health conditions, medications, lifestyle changes or increased sensitivity to environmental factors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sleep Apnea:&lt;/strong&gt; Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing stops repeatedly and starts again during sleep. It can lead to fragmented sleep and oxygen deprivation. Older adults are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to age-related changes in throat muscles and the increased prevalence of obesity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS):&lt;/strong&gt; RLS causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. Symptoms often worsen during rest or in the evening, leading to sleep disruption and daytime fatigue. RLS can be idiopathic or related to certain medical conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29169 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingclock-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Potential Interventions to Improve Sleep Quality&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sleep Hygiene Practices:&lt;/strong&gt; Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime and reducing exposure to electronics can improve sleep hygiene. These practices help signal the body to wind down and promote better sleep quality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I):&lt;/strong&gt; CBT-I is a proven therapeutic approach for managing insomnia. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors related to sleep. CBT-I can help older adults develop healthy sleep habits, manage anxiety around sleep and promote relaxation techniques.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):&lt;/strong&gt; CPAP therapy is a common recommendation for individuals with sleep apnea. It involves wearing a mask during sleep that delivers continuous airflow, ensuring open airways and reducing apnea episodes. CPAP can improve sleep quality and alleviate associated health risks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Medications and Alternative Therapies:&lt;/strong&gt; In some cases, healthcare professionals may prescribe sleep medications for short-term relief from sleep disturbances. However, these should be used judiciously due to potential side effects and dependency. Alternative therapies like relaxation exercises, aromatherapy or soothing music can also aid in promoting better sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29171 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingmedicine-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Conclusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep disturbances can significantly impact the health and well-being of older adults. Recognizing the importance of quality sleep for healthy aging and addressing and managing common sleep disturbances is crucial. By implementing sleep hygiene practices, considering therapeutic interventions such as CBT-I or CPAP and exploring alternative therapies, older adults can improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive function, support physical health and foster overall well-being. Prioritizing sleep is vital in promoting healthy aging and enjoying a fulfilling and rejuvenating life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/sleepandagingcover-1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/sleep-and-aging-exploring-the-impact-on-health-and-strategies-for-quality-sleep/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29130</ID> <title>A Guide to Healthy Aging for Women: Promoting Vitality and Well-being</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 15:35:45</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_520 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_622"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_655 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_675 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Aging is a natural process that every woman experiences. While we cannot halt the passage of time, adopting a proactive approach to healthy aging can significantly enhance the quality of life and overall well-being. Women can age gracefully by making informed lifestyle choices and prioritizing self-care while maintaining physical, mental and emotional vitality. In this article, we will explore essential factors contributing to healthy aging for women.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Nourishing the Body: Proper nutrition plays a vital role in healthy aging. Women should focus on consuming a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Adequate hydration is also essential for maintaining optimal bodily functions. Women should limit processed foods, sugary beverages and excessive salt intake, as they can contribute to various health issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Staying Active: Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining strength, flexibility and overall fitness. Engaging in exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or pilates can help improve cardiovascular health, manage weight and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Women should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and strength training exercises to maintain muscle mass and bone density.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29137 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/healthyagingwomen2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing Bone Health: Osteoporosis is a common concern for women as they age. It is essential to focus on calcium and vitamin D intake to promote healthy bones and reduce the risk of fractures. Incorporating calcium-rich foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified alternatives into the diet can help. Exposure to sunlight or vitamin D supplements can ensure sufficient vitamin D levels. Additionally, weight-bearing exercises and resistance training can help improve bone density.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mental and Cognitive Health: Maintaining mental and cognitive well-being is crucial for healthy aging. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills or playing musical instruments can help keep the brain sharp. Social interaction and staying connected with friends, family and community can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and promote emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Managing Stress and Emotional Health: Chronic stress can have a negative impact on overall health. Women should develop effective stress management techniques, such as regular exercise, mindfulness journaling, deep breathing exercises or engaging in hobbies that bring joy. Seeking support from loved ones, joining support groups or talking to a therapist can also help manage emotional health and promote healthy aging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29138 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/healthyagingwomen3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regular Health Check-ups: Regular health check-ups are vital for early detection and prevention of age-related health conditions. Women should schedule routine visits with their healthcare provider, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, bone density tests, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks and other age-appropriate screenings. Following prescribed medications and immunizations and discussing any concerns with the healthcare provider is essential for maintaining optimal health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Healthy aging for women encompasses various physical, mental and emotional well-being aspects. By adopting a holistic approach focusing on nutrition, exercise, bone health, mental stimulation, stress management and regular health check-ups, women can enhance their vitality, maintain independence and enjoy a fulfilling life as they age. Embracing these lifestyle choices will empower women to age gracefully while prioritizing their overall health and well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/healthyagingwomencover.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/a-guide-to-healthy-aging-for-women-promoting-vitality-and-well-being/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29053</ID> <title>Breathwork is Medicine</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 15:31:02</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_521 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_623"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_656 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_676 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Life begins and ends with an inhale and an exhale. I often begin my Activation Breathwork journeys with a verbal walk-in as I talk about the first breath starting our Earth Heart. Surrendering your attachment to your mother's heartbeat and trusting you are strong enough to breathe on your own might possibly be the most courageous thing we will ever do. As the umbilical cord is cut, we must Surrender, Accept, Let Go and Trust the call within to live on our own.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As I watched my dad exhale his final breath, I could feel his spirit leave this existence. It was bittersweet as one part of me was saddened we never had the "Leave It to Beaver" father and son relationship and yet peaceful knowing his suffering on Earth was over. Nothing is guaranteed during our lifetime, and nothing will last. A breath in and an exhale out is the simplest form of living and dying, and we practice this thousands of times a day. When one learns to still oneself and be grateful for every single breath the Creator gives us, we can begin to live with a pure attitude of gratitude, and there is no way to be hateful when we live grateful!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29059 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Head-Shot-Hi-Res-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="742" height="1112" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In order to access the physical healing properties of our own breath, we must breathe properly. I guide people in a circular breath drawn in through the nose and exhaled through the mouth. There is no stop at the top and no stop at the bottom as you completely fill and extend your lungs and belly. Too many miss the correct way to fill the belly fully and expel the belly and lungs fully without stopping in between. It is vital that one master this form to be able to generate the chemicals the body needs to heal. I witness many who short breathe, fire breathe, do breath locks, etc. The ego wants to bring forth what we 'think' we already know. This process is about leaving the mind at the door when you enter the space. I witnessed them not doing it correctly and offered loving guidance throughout the session to get them activated and back on proper breathwork technique.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One health benefit of nose and mouth breathing is that it regulates our body's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. We maintain a balance of O2 and CO2 by inhaling oxygen, absorbing the oxygen through the lungs, and then exhaling CO2. When we mouth breathe, we are actually expelling too much CO2. The lungs do not have time to absorb as much oxygen, so the breathing rate needs to increase further. Over-breathing throws off our O2-CO2 balance, leading to many adverse effects, including &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperventilation"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;hyperventilation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, lightheadedness and less efficient body function. However, by nose breathing, we maintain homeostasis in our O2-CO2 exchange by breathing at a more relaxed rate. In sports, we are taught to breathe in through the nose. When we get over-exerted, or a boxer gets hit in the ribs, they begin grasping for air through their mouth, which is harmful to our system.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class=" aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/krP2NRkLqnKEg/giphy.gif" alt="" width="766" height="831" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Secondly, nose breathing uniquely creates nitric oxide, which is highly beneficial as Nitric Oxide is a vasodilator. This means that it helps expand blood vessels to improve blood circulation. Among other things, this lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, improves exercise performance, increases brain function, fights erectile dysfunction and many other health-related issues associated with blood flow. During my sessions and 3-5 day breathwork retreats, I've witnessed and tracked people throwing away their high blood pressure medications, having 25 years of chronic foot pain healed, 40 years of chronic body pain removed, sudden loss of weight upon returning home and recently had a woman with a collapsed lung and pulmonary aneurism have the pulmonary aneurism disappear after a five-day retreat. Her doctors at the Mayo Clinic were dumbfounded as they had never seen a pulmonary aneurism just disappear. They will not have to remove her collapsed right lung now.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thirdly, this type of breathing is highly beneficial and complementary to the lymphatic system, a network of organs, vessels and tissues whose job is to move lymph fluid (colorless, watery fluid) back into the circulatory system (the bloodstream). The lymphatic system is a vital part of the immune system, protecting from infections while destroying old and abnormal cells the body does not need. It's much like the condor or vulture that clean off the dead from Earth. This system also assists in maintaining normal fluid levels and absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins to help them enter the bloodstream. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_5"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsxIGjhA1yP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"&gt;&lt;div style="padding:16px;"&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsxIGjhA1yP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; 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&lt;div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"&gt;View this post on Instagram&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-left: 8px;"&gt; &lt;div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt; 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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsxIGjhA1yP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;A post shared by Ocean Eagle / Activation Breathwork (@iam.oceaneagle)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_677 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fourthly, when we breathe properly and long enough, we boost our serotonin and dopamine levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that assists in the communication between the brain and nervous system cells. So, it is no wonder when breathwork is performed properly, it aligns our body's thoughts, emotions and feelings. Balanced levels of serotonin help one access a sense of happiness and well-being and can also help the gut and improve sleep cycles. Many report to me how well they have been sleeping after sessions. Dopamine is also a neurotransmitter created during breathwork and plays a similar role while also acting as a hormone. Known as the "feel good" or "pleasure" chemical, it heightens our states of euphoria. By connecting and reinforcing pleasure to certain behaviors it can expand our feelings and emotions.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fifthly, the human body has the biosynthetic enzymes necessary to create DMT. The starting molecule in the biosynthetic pathway is Tryptophan, a dietary amino acid (protein). Tryptophan is processed by the enzyme Aromatic Acid Decarboxylase (AADC) into Tryptamine. Then, the enzyme Indole-N-Methyltransferase (INMT) adds two methyl groups onto Tryptamine in a stepwise pattern, which results in N-methyltryptamine (NMT) and then N-Dimethyltryptamine, DMT.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;DMT can produce a change in perception, causing a person's visual experiences to be more robust. It can also alter the mind state of a person, leading to increased creativity or a dream-like state. DMT was chemically extracted from a plant in 1956 by a scientist as a naturally occurring chemical. DMT is the major ingredient of ayahuasca, a tea that is brewed for spiritual and religious applications, and some believe it is the cause of schizophrenia and psychosis within the indigenous tribes. The stories of shamans using ayahuasca (DMT from the plant and a root mixed and cooked for 25 hrs) have been told and manipulated in my perception. The shaman was the only one who took the ayahuasca in order to gain wisdom from the spirit world and their guides regarding how to heal their people.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29061 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_4196-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="736" height="1103" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;One common issue that happens during Activation Breathwork journeys is tetany in the body, hands and feet. My perception of tetany is that it is stuck, stored and trapped energy the body does not want to let go of yet. Unhealed and unreleased trauma, abuse, neglect and abandonment get locked up in our energetic (inner-genetic) body on a cellular level, and people have an attachment to them they are unaware. Subconsciously, the body does not want to let them go as they are the familiar that has kept them safe. I've witnessed many release this response throughout five-day retreats. The trauma in the body begins to lessen as they continue to surrender and let go. I've witnessed people with deep trauma as well as veterans with PTSD, release the demons within that have ruthlessly attacked them over and over.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sound activates and vibrates your cells. It realigns them so the Inner-Chi can move freely. The yelling, screaming, singing and sobbing that can occur is your heart calling in your guides to heal you. It is the Eagle's Cry to Surrender! Coupled with the music playlist I create that is channeled to activate the Chakra System and the physical energy movement performed, people can release the conglomerate cellular masses trapped within the body's energetic system. On a cellular, physiological, DNA level, we know who we are. When we begin to strip away the pain, shame and fear created by trauma, we can begin to open the pathway from above that whispers our truth to us and gain the courage to walk the healing path. This reveals who we were truly born to be and what gift we were given to serve humanity.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I believe we were all born self-healers, and once we learn how to balance our 4D (mental, emotional, spiritual and physical) bodies, we can regulate our own system in stillness. We are so busy that we do not realize we are not really breathing throughout our days. In the middle of the day, people often have a knee-jerk reaction to draw in a deep breath through the nose and hold it to calm down. This is the body's natural way of showing you what it needs...more air and blood flow!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Constriction Becomes an Addiction!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ocean is available for motivational speaking engagements, private and corporate breathwork workshops, and offers transformational retreats globally. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Connect with Ocean:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.oceaneagle.org"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;www.oceaneagle.org &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/iam.oceaneagle/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Instagram - @iam.oceaneagle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/oceaneagle1?mibextid=LQQJ4d"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Facebook - @oceaneagle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Email - OceanEagle018@gmail.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_4149-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/holistic-medicine/breathwork-is-medicine/</url> </article> <article> <ID>29180</ID> <title>Prostate Health: Screening and Prevention for Men</title> <publishDate>2023-11-01 13:27:36</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_522 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_624"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_657 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_678 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Maintaining optimal prostate health is crucial for men's overall well-being. The prostate gland plays a vital role in reproductive function but is also susceptible to various conditions, including prostate cancer. Regular screening and adopting preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk and promote early detection of prostate-related issues. In this article, we will explore the importance of prostate health, discuss screening methods, provide essential prevention tips and delve deeper into lifestyle modifications that support prostate health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Understanding the Prostate: The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate's primary function is to produce and store seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Screening for Prostate Conditions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Digital Rectal Exam (DRE):&lt;/strong&gt; A healthcare professional assesses the prostate gland through the rectum during this examination. The DRE allows the doctor to check for abnormalities like lumps or hard spots. Although the DRE is not a definitive test, it can provide valuable information and complement other screening methods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test:&lt;/strong&gt; This blood test measures the levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels may indicate the presence of prostate conditions, including infection, inflammation, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer. However, it is essential to note that a high PSA level does not necessarily mean cancer is present. Additional tests, such as imaging studies or a prostate biopsy, may be required to confirm a diagnosis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29185 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/prostatehealth2-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Prevention Strategies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy Diet:&lt;/strong&gt; Adopting a balanced and nutritious diet can significantly improve prostate health. Include foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables (particularly cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower) and berries. These foods help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, which some believe contribute to prostate issues. Additionally, include sources of healthy fats like nuts, seeds and fatty fish (such as salmon) that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown potential protective effects against prostate cancer. Reduce the consumption of red meat and processed foods, as they may increase the risk of prostate issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Regular Exercise:&lt;/strong&gt; Regularly engaging in physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Additionally, incorporate strength training exercises and stretching to enhance overall fitness. Exercise has been associated with a lower risk of developing advanced prostate cancer and can also help manage other prostate-related conditions like BPH.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintain a Healthy Weight:&lt;/strong&gt; Excess body fat and obesity can increase the risk of prostate cancer and other prostate-related problems. Focus on maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Even modest weight loss can positively impact prostate health if you are overweight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Limit Alcohol Consumption:&lt;/strong&gt; Excessive alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of prostate issues. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate levels (up to two drinks per day for men) or avoid it altogether. If you drink alcohol, use red wine in moderation, as it contains antioxidants that may benefit prostate health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Quit Smoking:&lt;/strong&gt; Some have linked smoking to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer. If you smoke, seek assistance and quit smoking to improve your prostate health and overall well-being. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of prostate cancer and lowers the risk of numerous other health conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stay Hydrated:&lt;/strong&gt; Maintaining proper hydration is essential for prostate health. Drink adequate water daily to support urinary function and help flush out toxins from the body. Dehydration can lead to concentrated urine, potentially irritating the prostate and increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Consider Prostate-Healthy Supplements:&lt;/strong&gt; Some natural supplements have demonstrated promise in promoting prostate health. Saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol and pygeum africanum are commonly employed to alleviate symptoms of BPH. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements, as they may interact with medications or have adverse effects in specific individuals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-29186 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/prostatehealth3-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing prostate health through regular screenings and adopting preventive measures is crucial for every man. Routine screenings, including the DRE and PSA tests, can aid in the early detection and treatment of prostate issues. Moreover, incorporating healthy lifestyle choices, such as a nutritious diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, staying hydrated and considering prostate-healthy supplements, can significantly reduce the risk of prostate conditions. Regular discussions with healthcare professionals and timely screenings are essential for maintaining optimal prostate health. By taking proactive steps, men can safeguard their prostate health and lead fulfilling lives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/prostatehealth1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/prostate-health-screening-and-prevention-for-men/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28706</ID> <title>Mastering Your Diet: The Key to Health and Performance</title> <publishDate>2023-09-18 08:49:46</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_523 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_625"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_658 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_360 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1080 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1081 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1082 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_679 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The diet you are following will either make or break you!   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy body and reflect positively on your daily performance.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Good nutrition is an important aspect of leading a healthy lifestyle. Your diet, combined with physical activity, can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases and promote your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you are an athlete, a regular gym goer, or a person who just likes to maintain a healthy body, having a well-rounded diet that fits your needs is a major player towards your goal.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28930 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mastering-your-diet-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many people find it hard to eat healthy and try to maintain a balance in their lives, especially with the fast-paced life we live. The best advice I can give you is to start with small steps. Small changes lead to bigger ones that will have a positive impact on your diet and your own life.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start by writing down everything you eat and drink on a daily basis. Such a step is very important. Why? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After the day ends, you will take 5 minutes to sit and scan your food journal. Look at what you ate today and hold yourself accountable if you ate some high-calorie or fried fast food. You will highlight it in your journal and remember it to avoid making such a mistake again, as your goal is to get healthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Another essential step that many must remember is reading food labels well. What do I mean by that? Do not only read the kcal and skip the rest of the label. Make sure you check the ingredients well. Oftentimes, there are many preservatives you do not want to put in your body. Check the amount of sugar, sodium content and types of fat in the product. Pick the healthier food for you and your goal.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Think of your goals before you eat. Will that food help me get closer to my goal? Is that food needed in my diet? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Do not find an excuse or look for justification for a cheat meal. Stick to your diet plan and stay in your lane. Often, people ask their nutritionist or dietitian for a cheat meal before they get close to their goal. That is the wrong way of thinking, and if you see a diet that involves deprivation, then know that any person won't be able to stay on such a diet long-term, and such a diet is not a healthy choice. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;I am not a fan of the term `cheat meal` because a balanced diet will always provide you with what your body needs, and you won't crave unneeded types of food that can negatively affect your body and delay you from reaching your goal or even performing well at your training.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28926 aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alexjamal2-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="732" height="1097" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fix the bad habits and replace them with good ones. Human beings live by habits. Look at your lifestyle and what led you to where you are. Try to identify unhealthy habits, like sleeping late or eating processed food, and change those habits to good ones that will get you to live a healthy lifestyle.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Always aim for high protein. You may be able to live without carbohydrates, but you can't live without protein. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A common piece of misinformation is that people think protein is only for muscles and that a lot of protein can negatively affect your health. That is not correct at all. In fact, any person who is highly active on a daily basis will need more protein and amino acids to help his body recover and perform well.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Right now, the recommended dietary allowance for protein is low and does not help a normal person stay healthy and strong. Not eating adequate amounts of protein on a daily basis often results in eating other macronutrients, thus affecting our body composition. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As for athletes, you will definitely need to be on higher protein than the average person. The diet that you are following has a huge impact on your performance. Let us take an example of a boxer and a long-distance runner. Those two athletes are high-performers on a daily basis until the contest day comes. Most of the time, the boxer needs to make weight on the scale, so his nutritionist or registered dietician puts him on low carbs a few days before and keeps the protein moderate. The long-distance runner will be loading carbohydrates for a few days before. It's very important for all types of athletes to eat according to a plan and take any necessary supplements, go to sleep early to get good rest and stay hydrated all the time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that you know how important it is to follow a healthy diet, start today and do not wait for a signal to save your health and save yourself from paying high medical bills from an unhealthy lifestyle.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Eating clean and healthy today is less expensive than paying for medicine and hospital bills in the near future.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You can find more from Alex at:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.Fitnessresultscoach.com"&gt;www.Fitnessresultscoach.com &lt;/a&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;IG: &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/thetraineralex/"&gt;thetraineralex&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alexjamal1.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/mastering-your-diet-the-key-to-health-and-performance/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28648</ID> <title>The Gut-Skin Connection: How a Healthy Gut Leads to Radiant Skin</title> <publishDate>2023-09-04 18:39:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_524 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_626"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_659 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_361 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1083 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1084 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1085 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_680 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The quest for radiant and healthy skin has been a timeless pursuit. We invest in skincare products, follow rigorous beauty routines and seek the advice of dermatologists. However, what if I told you that the secret to achieving glowing skin may lie not just in what you put on your skin but in what you put in your body? The emerging field of gut-skin health has shed light on the profound connections between a healthy gut and healthy skin. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating relationship between the two and explore how nurturing your gut can lead to a radiant complexion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Understanding the Gut Microbiome&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The gut microbiome is a bustling ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms residing in your gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes. This complex community plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One of its many functions is aiding digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food we consume. However, its influence extends beyond the gut.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28900 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/171-Website-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;1. Inflammation and Skin Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Chronic inflammation is a common underlying factor in many skin conditions, such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Interestingly, the gut is a significant player in regulating inflammation throughout the body. Disrupting the balance of gut bacteria can lead to a condition known as "leaky gut syndrome." In this state, the intestinal barrier becomes more permeable, allowing harmful substances, such as bacteria and toxins, to escape into the bloodstream.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These foreign invaders trigger an immune response, leading to systemic inflammation. This inflammation can manifest in the skin, exacerbating skin conditions or even contributing to the development of new ones. Therefore, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is crucial in preventing and managing skin inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;2. Nutrient Absorption and Skin Health&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your gut is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals crucial for skin health. For example, vitamin A is essential for skin cell production and repair, while vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress. When your gut is not functioning optimally, it can hinder the absorption of these vital nutrients, potentially leading to dull, dry or unhealthy-looking skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;3. Gut-Brain-Skin Axis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The gut-brain axis intricately links the gut to the brain, and recent research has revealed that this connection also extends to the skin. Stress and other emotional factors can trigger skin conditions or exacerbate existing ones. These emotional triggers are closely related to the gut-brain-skin axis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you're stressed or anxious, your gut can react by disrupting the balance of its microbial inhabitants, leading to inflammation and skin issues. Conversely, imbalances in the gut can send signals to the brain that contribute to stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that negatively impacts both gut and skin health. Therefore, managing stress and nurturing your gut can profoundly impact your skin's well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_code et_pb_code_6"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_code_inner"&gt;&lt;blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyEUIdEOx-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"&gt;&lt;div style="padding:16px;"&gt; &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyEUIdEOx-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt; &lt;div style=" display: flex; 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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyEUIdEOx-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;A post shared by TopDoctor Magazine (@topdoctormagazine)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_681 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Probiotics and Prebiotics: Your Skin's Best Friends&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Now that we understand the connection between the gut and skin, let's explore how to promote a healthy gut microbiome and, in turn, improve skin health. Probiotics and prebiotics are two essential components in this quest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 22px;"&gt;1. Probiotics: The Gut's Superheroes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer various health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They are often referred to as "good" or "friendly" bacteria because they help maintain a balanced gut microbiome. Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and some supplements contain probiotics.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you consume probiotics, they populate your gut, crowding out harmful bacteria and helping to restore balance. This can aid in reducing inflammation, improving nutrient absorption, and supporting overall gut health, all of which contribute to healthier skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Prebiotics: Food for Your Gut Microbes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers found in certain foods that nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut. They serve as food for probiotics and help them thrive. Prebiotics-rich foods include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus and bananas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating prebiotic-rich foods into your diet can create a favorable environment for probiotics to flourish. This synergy between prebiotics and probiotics promotes a harmonious gut microbiome, positively impacting your skin's appearance and health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;img class="wp-image-28899 size-large aligncenter" src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Issue-171-Insta-1-819x1024.png" alt="" width="819" height="1024" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Diet and Lifestyle for a Radiant Complexion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In addition to probiotics and prebiotics, your overall diet and lifestyle play a pivotal role in nurturing both your gut and skin health. Here are some tips to achieve a radiant complexion:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. This provides essential nutrients for your skin and supports a diverse gut microbiome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for maintaining skin moisture and elasticity. Aim to drink enough water throughout the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Reduce Sugar and Processed Foods: High sugar intake and processed foods can disrupt the gut microbiome and promote inflammation. Limit these in your diet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Manage Stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga or mindfulness to keep the gut-brain-skin axis in balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for skin regeneration and overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Excessive alcohol and caffeine intake can dehydrate the skin and disrupt sleep patterns. Use them in moderation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;img class="aligncenter" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/7PK51oAq6EcUnrQYmW/giphy-downsized-large.gif" alt="" width="737" height="737" /&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The connection between a healthy gut and healthy skin is undeniable. Your gut microbiome influences inflammation, nutrient absorption and the gut-brain-skin axis, all of which are crucial for skin health. By incorporating probiotics and prebiotics and adopting a balanced diet and lifestyle, you can nurture your gut and achieve a radiant complexion from within. So, the next time you invest in skincare products, remember to invest in your gut's well-being for truly glowing and healthy skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/171-Website-1024x536.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/issues/the-gut-skin-connection-how-a-healthy-gut-leads-to-radiant-skin/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28441</ID> <title>The Art of Self-Care: Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul</title> <publishDate>2023-08-04 15:43:47</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_525 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_627"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_660 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_362 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1086 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1087 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1088 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_682 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Self-care has become a buzzword in recent years, but it's more than just a passing trend. It's a crucial practice that empowers individuals to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. In our fast-paced and demanding world, self-care acts as a lifeline, allowing us to recharge, rejuvenate, and maintain a healthy balance in our lives. This article explores the concept of self-care, its benefits, and practical strategies you can implement to nurture your mind, body, and soul.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;1. Understanding Self-Care &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Self-care is the deliberate and conscious effort to care for oneself, addressing the needs of our mind, body, and soul. It's an ongoing practice involving choices that promote well-being and support a balanced lifestyle. Self-care encompasses various aspects, such as physical health, emotional well-being, mental clarity, and spiritual fulfillment. It is not selfish but a vital foundation for leading a healthy and fulfilling life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;2. The Benefits of Self-Care &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Prioritizing self-care has numerous benefits that impact all areas of our lives. Physically, self-care practices, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep, enhance our overall well-being. Emotionally, self-care helps us manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve our ability to handle challenges effectively. Mentally, self-care activities like mindfulness and relaxation techniques enhance focus, creativity, and cognitive abilities. Spiritually, self-care provides an opportunity for self-reflection, connection with our values, and finding meaning in life. Investing in self-care builds resilience, improves relationships, and boosts our happiness and fulfillment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;3. Practical Self-Care Strategies &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;a) Physical Self-Care:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Regular exercise, eating nourishing foods, and getting enough rest are essential for physical well-being. Establish a fitness routine that suits your preferences, whether jogging, yoga, or lifting weights. Prioritize nutritious meals that provide the necessary fuel for your body. Ensure you get enough sleep by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a calming bedtime routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;b) Emotional Self-Care:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Identify activities that bring you joy and relaxation. It could be reading a book, taking long baths, or practicing hobbies. Nurture your relationships by spending quality time with loved ones, expressing your emotions, and seeking support when needed. Journaling can be a valuable tool to process your feelings and reflect on your experiences.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;c) Mental Self-Care: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Engage in activities stimulating your mind and promoting mental well-being. Practice mindfulness and meditation to cultivate present-moment awareness and reduce stress. Set realistic goals and manage your time effectively to minimize overwhelm. Limit exposure to negative news and create a positive environment that fosters personal growth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;d) Spiritual Self-Care: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Connect with your spiritual side through meditation, prayer, or spending time in nature. Engage in activities that align with your values and provide a sense of purpose. Engaging in acts of kindness and giving back to the community can also nurture your spiritual well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;4. Overcoming Barriers to Self-Care &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Incorporating self-care into our lives can be challenging due to various barriers. One common barrier is the need for more time. However, even small acts of self-care, such as taking short breaks during the day or setting aside dedicated "me time" on weekends, can make a significant difference. Another obstacle is guilt or feeling selfish for prioritizing oneself. Remember that self-care is essential for your well-being, enabling you to better care for others.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Practicing self-care is a necessity in today's fast-paced world. By nurturing our mind, body, and soul, we strengthen our overall well-being, enhance our resilience, and lead a more fulfilling life. Incorporate practical self-care strategies into your daily routine, and remember that self-care is a personal journey unique to each individual. As you prioritize yourself and embrace self-compassion, watch as the transformative power of self-care unfolds in your life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Art-of-Self-Care.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/the-art-of-self-care-nurturing-your-mind-body-and-soul/</url> </article> <article> <ID>28429</ID> <title>The Power of Exercise for Self-Care: Nurturing Your Mind and Body</title> <publishDate>2023-08-02 15:31:41</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_526 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_628"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_661 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_363 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1089 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1090 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1091 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_683 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In today's fast-paced world, where stress and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent, incorporating regular exercise into our self-care routines is vital for maintaining optimal physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise can help prevent muscle deterioration, aid in heart health, boost energy levels, and offer numerous benefits for our mental health and overall quality of life. This article explores the importance of exercise as a form of self-care and highlights its positive impact on physical and mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physical Benefits of Exercise&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Weight Management: Regular physical activity helps burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. In the absence of any pre-existing health conditions, physical exercise enhances our metabolic rate, fosters fat reduction, and fosters muscle mass growth, thereby enhancing overall body composition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Heart Health: Cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, strengthens the heart and improves blood circulation. Regular aerobic exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, reduces blood pressure, and increases good cholesterol levels (HDL).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bone and Muscle Strength: Weight-bearing exercises like resistance training and weightlifting promote bone density and muscle strength. These activities help prevent conditions like osteoporosis and sarcopenia, which are common among aging individuals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Enhanced Energy Levels: Exercise boosts energy levels by improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to the body's tissues. Regular physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins, which are natural mood-enhancing hormones that reduce fatigue and increase overall vitality.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mental Health Benefits of Exercise&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress Relief: Exercise is a powerful stress reliever. Physical activity increases the production of neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which improve mood and promote relaxation. Engaging in exercise can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem, and enhance overall emotional well-being.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improved Cognitive Function: Regular exercise enhances cognitive function and memory by increasing blood flow to the brain. Physical activity stimulates the growth of new neurons and improves neural connections, leading to better focus, attention, and overall mental clarity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sleep Quality: Exercise is vital in improving sleep quality and duration. Physical activity during the day promotes a better night's sleep, helping individuals feel refreshed and rejuvenated. However, avoiding intense exercise too close to bedtime is essential, as it could interfere with sleep patterns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Increased Resilience: Exercise builds resilience and improves our ability to cope with life's challenges. Regular physical activity helps to regulate stress hormones, enhances self-confidence, and fosters a sense of accomplishment. This, in turn, improves overall mental resilience and our ability to navigate difficult situations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Incorporating Exercise into Self-Care Routine&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ol&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Set Realistic Goals: Start by setting realistic exercise goals that align with your fitness level and lifestyle. Gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts to avoid burnout or injuries. Remember, consistency is key.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find Activities You Enjoy: Experiment with different exercise forms to discover activities you genuinely enjoy. Whether it's jogging, dancing, swimming, yoga or team sports, engaging in activities that bring you pleasure makes it easier to stick to your exercise routine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make it a Priority: Prioritize exercise as an essential part of your self-care routine. Schedule regular workout sessions and treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. Just as you make time for work and other commitments, allocate time for exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Make it Social: Exercising with others can boost motivation and make the experience more enjoyable. Consider joining a fitness class, participating in group activities, or finding an exercise buddy. Social support can help maintain accountability and foster a sense of camaraderie.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals and adjust your exercise routine accordingly. If you experience pain or discomfort, modify your activities or seek guidance from a healthcare professional or certified fitness instructor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is integral to self-care, offering many physical and mental health benefits. Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and weight management, boosts mood, reduces stress and enhances overall well-being. We can cultivate a healthier physical and mental lifestyle by incorporating exercise into our self-care routines. Remember, the journey towards self-care starts with a single step - let that step be a commitment to regular exercise.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Power-of-Exercise-for-Self-Care.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/fitness/the-power-of-exercise-for-self-care-nurturing-your-mind-and-body/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16882</ID> <title>Women, Here Are the Best Exercises for Losing Weight!</title> <publishDate>2022-05-07 08:44:58</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_527 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_629"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_662 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_255"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hiit2-1.jpg" alt="" title="hiit2" class="wp-image-16890" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_684 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The market is flooded with exercises that claim to be the best exercises for losing weight. But which ones actually work? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Best Exercises for Losing Weight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Strength Training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strength training is a form of physical exercise that uses resistance to work the muscles. It can be performed with free weights, weight machines, bodyweight exercises and even elastic bands. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The benefits of strength training for women are well documented in research. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/86/3/566/4754063" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that strength training helps with preventing gains in percentage body fat and intra abdominal fat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Strength training increases muscle mass, bone density and lean body mass while decreasing fat mass and body fat percentage. Strength training will not only help you lose weight but also provide you with the ability to perform more physically demanding activities such as running or climbing stairs easily. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIIT is a form of exercise that alternates between short bursts of intense anaerobic exercise and low-intensity exercise or rest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;HIIT is more effective than traditional cardio for weight loss in women. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991639/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has shown HIIT to be far more effective than steady-state exercise, especially with overweight individuals. HIIT burns more calories during and after the workout, thus burning more fat and delivering better results in the long run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cycling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Indoor or outdoor cycling is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss for women that helps with muscle building and toning while burning fat. Cycling doesn't put excessive strain on the joints and can be done at any age or fitness level.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cycling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; has been found to provide many health benefits. It can not only help you lose weight but also improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and tone, and bone density. Plus, cycling doesn't strain the joints as much as running does.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1174469.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; on indoor cycling classes has shown how cycling positively alters women's body composition. A stationary bike is also a cost-effective way to exercise at home, as you can use it in your living room or basement instead of having to go out and buy expensive equipment or join a gym.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It's also great for people with injuries or joint pain who can't do other types of exercises since it doesn't put any strain on your joints.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hiking&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6993091/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hiking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a low-cost way to reap health benefits. One such benefit is that hiking can help you burn more calories than walking or jogging. When you hike, your body needs to use more energy and move in different ways. Dealing with different terrains creates variety and prevents boredom with the exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A second benefit of hiking for weight loss is that it helps strengthen muscles and joints while providing an enjoyable form of exercise that's often easier on the joints than running or other high-impact sports.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;Swimming&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that can help in weight loss because of the intense and constant movement of the body. Swimming helps burn more calories than walking, jogging, cycling or any other aerobic exercises. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(10)00054-5/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; published in the Metabolism journal has shown swimming to be more effective in weight loss than walking. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best exercises for losing weight can be performed with the least amount of equipment. It is essential for women to find a workout that they enjoy and can stick with in order to see long-term success. Women should try different workout types until they find one that works for them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/womenweight1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/women-here-are-the-best-exercises-for-losing-weight/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16713</ID> <title>Pets Can Improve Your Mental Health</title> <publishDate>2022-04-30 06:38:51</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_528 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_630"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_663 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_256"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/petsaltcover.jpg" alt="" title="petsaltcover" class="wp-image-16714" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_685 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets are an integral part of our lives. The joy they bring to everyday activities is infectious. With &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;almost 40% of U.S. households having dogs and just over 25% owning cats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, this feeling of joy is experienced by about 70 million households across the country. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But if you had to put your finger on how exactly pets improve our lives, what would you say? &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Building Healthy Routines&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for our pets adds structure to each day. Whether it's as simple as setting out food and cleaning out the litter box or as involved as taking the dog on a long walk, the structure that pet needs build into your day is beneficial for maintaining mental health. For many people struggling with mental illness, such &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.rwapsych.com.au/blog/structure-routine-tips-for-managing-anxiety-and-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;regular routines are indispensable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Caring for our pets also provides the opportunity to exercise! This is especially true for dog owners who find themselves running to keep up with their pets' energy levels, but any pet that gets you outdoors and moving can provide this benefit. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercise is not a cure-all for mental health struggles, but studies have shown that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;exercise helps manage mental illness symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Not only is it engaging enough to take your mind off of some worries, it naturally releases feel-good chemicals in your brain. These endorphins provide &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#:~:text=When%20you%20exercise%2C%20your%20body,similar%20to%20that%20of%20morphine." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a positive sensation in the body similar to morphine but without the risk of addiction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Providing Responsibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets help our mental health by providing companionship. Feelings of loneliness are often a tough aspect of mental health struggles, and anything that alleviates these feelings can go a long way! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm#:~:text=Pets%2C%20especially%20dogs%20and%20cats,valuable%20companionship%20for%20older%20adults." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many pet owners are in the habit of thinking out loud to their pet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, as a sort of willing audience to hear out their troubles. Enjoying this built-in audience, not to mention coming home to a wagging tail, can make a big difference!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets contribute a sense of responsibility to our daily lives. Our pets depend entirely on us for what they need. Although some people feel that they don't have anything to offer the world, this experience of being personally responsible for a pet can alleviate such feelings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reduce Stress Hormones, Anticipate Panic Attacks and Meet New People&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pets can improve your mental health because they affect your hormones positively! The stress hormone cortisol has &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;been shown to decrease simply by petting a dog&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Casual interactions with our furry friends also increase oxytocin, a hormone that significantly lifts one's mood. Aside from mood boosts, the lower cortisol and higher oxytocin levels help &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;keep blood pressure at healthy levels&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The next element of mental health care is trained assistance with anxiety issues, which makes a huge difference to the individuals who benefit from these animals' training. Service animals can be trained to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322784#benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;notice signs of an anxiety attack before it happens, retrieve someone to help their owner or distract their owner during a lack of immediate care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This training takes a lot of discipline but is critical for those who struggle with anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The final significant way pets can improve our mental health is by encouraging us to meet new people! Taking pets on walks to community areas is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pets-can-help-their-humans-create-friendships-find-social-support-201505067981" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;a great way to make friends with your neighbors in a stress-free environment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Unlike other social situations, community parks provide a low-pressure opportunity to bond over the animals you're taking care of and the area you live in. Taking your pet out for some exercise is the first step to making that connection happen.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether you're taking your dog on a walk or cleaning up after the cat, the routines and structures that pets add to our lives can be a big boost to our mental well-being. All pet owners know the work they have to put in to take care of their pets, but we should also appreciate everything that pets do for us! New social interactions, frequent exercise habits and a daily sense of companionship are great ways to maintain mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/petsaltcover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/mental-health/pets-can-improve-your-mental-health-2/</url> </article> <article> <ID>16706</ID> <title/> <publishDate>2022-04-30 06:21:18</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_529 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_631"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_664 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_257"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Exercise_cover.jpg" alt="" title="Exercise_cover" class="wp-image-16707" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_686 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For anyone who has suffered from depression or anxiety, you know just how difficult it is to get up and move on most days. However, on those days that you're able to pull yourself out of bed, put on your workout clothes and go for a nice run or sweat session, you'll notice that there's a clear shift in your mood, and you might think to yourself, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;today's not so bad after all&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising is not just for keeping yourself physically fit. It can keep you mentally healthy as well. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Research has proven&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that exercises such as running, cycling, walking, swimming, dancing and even gardening (yes, digging holes and carrying bags of dirt is a workout, too) reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Can Exercise Make Us Feel Better Mentally?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Anyone who exercises regularly knows just how good you feel after completing an intense workout. But the mental benefits of exercising extend to far more than just a boost in serotonin levels, especially if you do it regularly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Here are some of the ways regular exercise can improve your mental health:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising releases feel-good hormones in your brain, such as serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising regularly can help you sleep better, which, in turn, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Mood-and-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;allows you to manage your mood better&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you're in the zone of your workout, you forget your worries, and negative thoughts dissipate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Accomplishing exercise goals or challenges, even tiny ones, can increase your self-esteem. Plus, getting in shape can make you feel more confident in your skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Exercising offers an opportunity to socialize and meet different people – whether it be exchanging a friendly smile or hello as you take a stroll around your neighborhood or getting coffee with your new gym buddy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical activity is an excellent outlet for your frustrations. Tough day at work? Had a fight with your loved one? Argued with someone? Try exercising to relieve the negative emotions inside of you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For individuals dealing with anxiety and depression, being more physically active is also a healthy coping strategy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not only does working out benefit your mental health, but it's also better for your cardiovascular health and overall well-being. This is critical because individuals with mental health issues are more likely to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;develop chronic physical conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and asthma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Often Should I Exercise for My Mental Health?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If exercising isn't already a part of your daily habit, you might be curious as to how much physical activity is needed to improve your mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The great news is working out doesn't have to be so challenging or take a long time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/more-evidence-that-exercise-can-boost-mood#:~:text=Ideally%2C%20to%20prevent%20depression%20you,such%20as%20walking%20or%20housework." target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Evidence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that low to moderate-intensity exercise is enough to ignite a positive effect on your mood and concentration. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spending 30 minutes or more of your day exercising three to five times a week can significantly improve anxiety and depression symptoms. Going for a stroll, tending to your garden, practicing yoga, dancing or even doing housework can already give you a mild workout and boost your mental state.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;High-intensity exercises like running, cycling and HIIT workouts can improve your mood in less time. It only takes as little as 10 to 15 minutes of your day, and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;voilà&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, your mood has lifted to higher vibrations!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Do I Start Exercising and How Do I Stay Motivated?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We all know how challenging it can be to start exercising and even harder to stay motivated to do it regularly. So below are a few tips to help you get moving.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find a Physical Activity That You Enjoy Doing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You're more likely to follow through and stick to an exercise routine if you have fun while doing it. For example, if you don't like running, there's no point in trying to torture yourself to do that as an exercise. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Perhaps you would prefer to learn a new sport such as boxing or tennis. Or maybe you would like to enroll in a dance studio or spin class. Whatever it may be, make sure it sparks joy so you don't see exercise as a chore but rather as a sweaty therapy session that will leave you feeling so much better afterward!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Start with Small Goals and Work Your Way Up&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Don't overwhelm yourself by setting unrealistic goals like working out five times a week for an hour each day. You're trying to lessen your anxiety, not add to it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Assess your body's capabilities first and begin with small goals that you know you can achieve. For example, you can start with 15-minute light workouts three times a week and gradually work your way up from there. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Get Support from Someone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Whether it be your therapist, gym coach or friend, make sure you have someone who will support you and push you to get your body moving, especially on the days when you don't feel like it. Words of encouragement can go a long way and help you stay on track.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Believe in Yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sometimes, setbacks happen. You skip a day of exercise, and suddenly it becomes two, three, a whole week of no exercise! Don't be too hard on yourself! Acknowledge all the progress you've made and see just how far you've come. Believe in your ability to get back into the groove because you absolutely can!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A Parting Reminder&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you're looking for a sign to start exercising, this is it! In the words of Olivia Newton-John, "Let's get physical!" and the mind will follow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;2016 study&lt;/a&gt; demonstrated that participants who attended even just a three-day relaxation regimen with meditation components displayed increased brain connectivity as opposed to participants who attended a relaxation program without meditation components. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/?sh=53a76c461465" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research inquiry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, data showed that those who trained memory and concentration through meditation for a couple of weeks scored 16% higher in the GRE (a standardized test for graduate and business schools).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt; &lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Exercise_cover.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/research/news/exercise-mental-health/</url> </article> <article> <ID>15508</ID> <title>Restoring the Art of the Human Body: An Interview with Dr. David Hartman</title> <publishDate>2022-01-12 06:22:38</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_530 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_632"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_665 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_258"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hartman1.png" alt="" title="hartman1" class="wp-image-15571" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_687 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To paraphrase a well-known Greek myth, finding one’s calling is akin to finding one’s way out of the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Some use Daedalus’ ingenuity to spread their wings and reach for the skies. Others are blessed with Ariadne’s thread and find their way out in a heartbeat.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;But few of us, such as Dr. David Hartman, from the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://fineartsskinandlaser.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Fine Arts Skin and Laser&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; practice in Dover, Ohio, traveled through every corner of the labyrinth to understand life in all its shapes and sizes and to study the one constant that never left Dr. Hartman’s side: his love and appreciation for art.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This hero traveled far and wide, across seas and continents, through scorching heat and dismal cold, to learn what type of art Apollo had destined him to cultivate.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman has practiced numerous types of art, oil painting in college to a professional TV actor in New York City and Los Angeles, designing and building faux antique furniture collections for elite actors and producers in the Hollywood Hills to restoring antique oil paintings.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, after all his journeys, Dr. Hartman realized that his talents encompassed art in its purest form, without discrimination, and that his calling in life could help thousands of people self-actualize themselves and regain their self-confidence. Now, he has the privilege of using his artistic mastery to bring the best aesthetic version of his patients to life in the form of natural-looking facelifts and beautiful mommy make-overs with living fat transfers for natural breast augmentations and revolumization of aging faces.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For Dr. Hartman, each patient is a “canvas” that, with the right restoration techniques can regain the splendor and beauty of more youthful years.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From Woodworking to Art Restoration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman’s journey began at a young age, when his life was already gravitating toward the arts, primarily painting and woodworking. Seeing the potential to nurture his artistic propensity in medicine, he set the course for med school. However, life had plotted a long, twisted detour for Dr. Hartman, which began with year-long trip through South America at the age of 22.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After a year of immersing himself in the South American cultures, young Dr. Hartman was struck by serendipity and landed a series of TV commercials in Mexico City. This auspicious event reconnected Dr. Hartman with his artistic ego and, akin to Hermes’ command to Odysseus to return to Ithaca, convinced him to follow in his artistic calling for the next 13 years.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From then on, Dr. Hartman pursued art in every shape and form, from finish carpentry and condo renovations to moderately significant acting roles. But the most propitious type of art for his future career in plastic surgery had an alternative expression in fine art restoration.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman finds such pleasure in rekindling life into old paintings that he restored numerous pieces of art, which every patient can admire in his office. Needless to say, that’s where the “Fine Arts Skin and Laser” name comes from.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“When I was in residency, I started restoring paintings, and I’ve been doing that ever since. I have restored 100 of the paintings here at the office. I look for art that is distressed, either a canvas that’s torn or the frame is broken, etc. But underneath, the damaged painting is an awesome piece of art, created by someone who was a talented painter who made something great,” Dr. Hartman said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_364 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1092 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1093 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1094 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_259"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hartman2.png" alt="" title="hartman2" class="wp-image-15573" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_688 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Becoming a Restorer of Human Beauty&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hartman’s desire to bring beauty back to life transcended the shapes and colors of his paintings. At Fine Arts Skin and Laser, Dr. Hartman counts on liposculpting and living fat transfer, his most trusted beauty restoration tools, to address aesthetic issues and help patients achieve masterpiece looks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Liposculpting and living fat transfer are some of our most cherished procedures here at Fine Arts Skin and Laser. Probably two-thirds of our cases have something to do with it. We think it’s a fantastic procedure in that it accomplishes two distinct goals: one is sculpting unwanted fullness or fat from problematic areas, and then putting living fat back in places where our clients desire youthful volume,” Dr. Hartman explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Every single detail of Dr. Hartman’s practice and work ethic promotes solid results. At Fine Arts Skin and Laser, patients are treated with natural-looking cosmetic surgical results. Dr. Hartman uses versatility and his comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy to leave as few signs of restoration work as possible on his patients’ bodies, by performing tiny incisions in areas covered in natural skin creases and hairlines for facelifts or by swimwear for body and ultimately helping incision scars vanish through laser treatments.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;This minimally invasive approach also presents the benefit of minimal downtime. The recovery process is swifter and more thorough so that patients can resume their everyday lives sooner and notice Dr. Hartman’s artistic prowess in the mirror within a couple of days!&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“This procedure removes the speed bump that prevents them from self-actualizing so fully that they always want to protect their investment by eating better and working out more to enhance what they have,” Dr. Hartman said.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Everybody Can Benefit from More Self-Confidence"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Handling life’s vicissitudes is a never-ending work in progress, for which we require all the self-confidence we can muster. For some, a good ol’ pep talk or a motivational speech are enough to help them fight another day, but others need more than a kind word to rediscover their inner strength and overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenges presented by life.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Patients who visit Dr. Hartman for a cosmetic procedure expect to see only aesthetic benefits when they leave his office. However, patients don’t realize that the moment they leave Dr. Hartman’s clinic, they leave with better looks, better health and, most importantly, renewed&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;self-confidence. These three gifts will not only encourage patients to cherish their newfound beauty but also step into the world, standing up straight with their shoulders high.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“People are going to see improvement in their quality of life, in their relationships and their self-confidence, and possibly even in life expectancy. These procedures are emotionally rewarding for our team and the client because everybody can benefit from more self-confidence. More self-confidence helps us self-actualize ourselves to be more effective in the world, to be better partners and better parents and better friends, and go out into the world more confidently,” Dr. Hartman explained.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After dedicating decades towards cultivating his true passion, Dr. Hartman can testify that a life in the service of art is a life worth living. Even now, as a successful plastic surgeon, Dr. Hartman exercises the many trades he’s had in the past to keep in touch with his artistic self on all fronts.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“It feeds the soul; it’s a great way to relax and be in your zone and have some quiet time with myself, to reflect on what’s happening in my life and my relationships and my career in a peaceful way,” Dr. Hartman concluded.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. David Hartman didn’t look for the closest way out of the labyrinth. He traveled it from one corner to another and emerged a better plastic surgeon, a better artist and a better person.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hartman1.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/medicine/restoring-the-art-of-the-human-body-an-interview-with-dr-david-hartman/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13632</ID> <title>TopDocLabs Article</title> <publishDate>2021-09-03 13:42:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_531 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_633"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_666 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_260"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1.jpeg.jpg" alt="" title="1.jpeg" class="wp-image-13633" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_689 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The difficulties of taking a COVID-19 test are not a news flash for any of us. Ever since the global pandemic took hold, supply shortages, lack of human resources, and restless patients have caused staggering delays in crucial test results, up to several days. Furthermore, with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2021/8/9/22616619/covid-spike-where-delta-hits-next"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;today’s surge in the COVID-19 Delta variant&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/Is-it-hard-to-find-a-COVID-19-test-right-now-in-16381041.php"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;tests and appointments will only become harder to come by&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Instead of coming to an end, the pandemic stays put, which leaves us thinking: “When will we deliver the virus its final blow?”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The vaccine rollout was not enough to keep the virus in check and rekindle the general population’s trust. On the contrary, the rise of new COVID-19 variants left many of us thinking about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2021/07/27/how-good-are-covid-19-vaccines-at-protecting-against-the-delta-variant/?sh=a3f6dac1a6fa"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;how effective the vaccines will prove against these “enhanced enemies.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Therefore, the answer did not entirely lie in a one-size-fits-all solution; a more comprehensive solution was waiting to be discovered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Are Vaccines Enough to Eradicate the COVID-19 Virus?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;All this time, a simpler, already tried-and-true answer was demanding attention, as Renee Pruzansky, CEO, explained to our &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;team: “I think that with the variants and with people who are resisting immunization, I think that testing, unfortunately, is going to be the only consistent weapon we have in our arsenal to fully eradicate COVID-19.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As such, instead of leaving COVID-19 testing unattended, Brian Waymire and John Highland spearheaded the rise of a new competitor on the market, one that could successfully challenge the giant laboratory networks in the U.S. and provide results, as Brian proudly presents them, “a lot faster, more efficient, and with ease of use.” So say hello to the best and most reliable laboratory care service in the country – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoclabs.com/home"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Where Do the Giant Laboratory Networks Fail the Patients?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/monopoly-affect-business-consumers-70033.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Customer service has to suffer wherever a small number of competitors hold the monopoly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For example, both &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.labcorp.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;LabCorp&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.questdiagnostics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Quest Diagnostics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, the most prominent players on the laboratory network market, assumed more testing (both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related) than their laboratories could handle, with troubling results. As Brian better puts it, “The problem always was the Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp always took a really long time. It was cumbersome.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, working with these two companies has been nothing short of a deal with the devil for both patients and physicians &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;for several decades now&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Due to the absence of superior alternatives, physicians were stuck with unending waits for test results and strained relationships with laboratory networks. “If you ask any doctor, nobody likes to work with those (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics). They (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the doctors) just think that they have no choice.”         &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs – Revitalizing the Lab Industry&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The whole industry was left prey to two giant corporations with incredibly impersonal approaches. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Therefore, Brian Waymire and John Highland sought to propose a solid competitor to the lab industry’s big names, one whose philosophy is to provide physicians with a more rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing solution. As Brian puts it into words, “We want to give the doctors that choice. And when we give them that choice, we want to really show them that we’re better.” Therefore, instead of allowing it to continue without hope of improvement in sight, TopDocLabs decided to revolutionize and revitalize the field in three primary areas:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;#1: Faster turnaround time - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs achieved an extraordinary feat right off the bat – to cut the turnaround time for COVID-19 tests to a minimum &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;with state-of-the-art technology, high-end transportation services, and multiple lab locations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Previously, the shortest patients could expect results from the big laboratory networks was about 56 hours; obviously, not a solution when human lives are at stake. However, TopDocLabs brought the waiting time closer to less-stressing levels – under 24 hours – and pushed towards even faster turnaround times. Today, with the novel Coronavirus-19 Environmental Test™ (harnessing the state-of-the-art RT-qPCR technology), &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoclabs.com/home"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;patients can receive the results and regain their peace of mind after just 90 minutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;#2: Reliable customer service and proactive communication with the physician - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the TopDocLabs team makes the process as easy as possible on the physician, from onboarding all the way to billing. Our Top Doctor Representatives will create the physician’s client profile, work out the test supply pickup schedule, send the results to the physician through the Patient Lab Results Reporting form, and bill the patient’s insurance with no headache to the physician! All the while, our Support team will constantly contact the physician and provide updates or clarifications when needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;#3: Ease of use - &lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs’ streamlined process only asks for little participation from physicians themselves. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Say goodbye to confusing forms and overcomplicated designs; with just a couple of clicks, TopDocLabs will be on their way with the requested test. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For COVID-19 tests, as an example, doing the swab is as far as the physician’s implication goes! The less they have to worry about the testing process, the more physicians can focus on helping additional patients!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Regardless of the system’s ease of use, an entire team of people will be ready to assist you personally or with helpful materials (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;e.g., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;videos and instructions) day and night to keep the flow going.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To sum it up, the difference between TopDocLabs and its competitors lies in its professionalism, enhanced customer care, and unshakeable dedication. Therefore, the physicians will finally be able to choose and not replace one evil with another but create “perfect synergy” with our testing facilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Harnessing the Gold Standard of Testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;TopDocLabs keeps a clear purpose in mind at all times – to provide physicians and patients with the most accurate and reliable results for a wide variety of tests. Therefore, those who work with TopDocLabs will have access to the types of tests that the big laboratory networks provide, but with faster turnaround times. “We're going to provide CBCs (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;complete blood count), we're going to provide urinalysis; everything that we possibly can, we're going to provide. And we have the ability to do that and do it tomorrow,” Brian joyfully shares with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; So instead of waiting for up to two weeks, patients who are anxious to cure their UTIs or other urinary diseases will receive their results in no more than 48 hours!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, how does TopDocLabs deliver such fast results? The secret lies in its technological approach. TopDocLabs utilizes the same RT- qPCR (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;i.e., &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reverse Transcriptase Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) method that is currently equivalent to the golden standard in COVID-19 testing. By widening the reach of this approach to various other tests, TopDocLabs is ready to present the most accurate and reliable results to patients while cutting down on result waiting times to an all-time minimum!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How Does TopDocLabs Benefit Physicians?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We have seen how TopDocLabs provides patients with a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing solution. But what about you, the physician? Why should you outsource to TopDocLabs? The reason is straightforward – we understand and acknowledge your role in the community. After all, physicians always keep their fingers on the community’s pulse and understand its medical needs better than anyone. What they need is the power to care for the community in a quick and simple manner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;With TopDocLabs’ assistance, you, the physician, will be prepared to keep your patients safe from COVID-19 and other diseases with the least amount of effort. As Renee perfectly articulates it, “We really leave nothing to the doctor other than doing an actual swab.” Nothing more than a minute’s work in exchange for less anxiety and happier patients! And what do less work and shorter waiting times translate into? More revenue, business growth, and, most important, a deeper personal relationship with your patients! That is what TopDocLabs allows physicians to do, to perform their jobs better and grow their businesses in exchange.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The time has come for physicians to put big laboratory networks behind them and outsource to a company that favors professionalism and patient care over profit gain. Once they join TopDocLabs, both physicians and patients can rest assured that their tests are in safe hands and that results will be delivered in the blink of an eye! That is why Renee Pruzansky, CEO, and Brian Waymire, co-owner of TopDocLabs, invite you to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoclabs.com/contact-us"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;contact us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and learn more about our services.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1.jpeg.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=13632</url> </article> <article> <ID>12886</ID> <title>Revenge Bedtime Procrastination</title> <publishDate>2021-08-30 14:30:14</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_532 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_634"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_667 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_261"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/3664931.jpg" alt="" title="3664931" class="wp-image-12887" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_690 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Revenge Bedtime Procrastination&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The current business climate created a new trend that has drawn attention from the public and the press. People in high-stress jobs sacrifice a bulk of their day for efficiency and try to make up for the loss of entertainment in a rather detrimental way. Between work, cooking, running errands, walking the dogs, raising children, and other essential daily life activities, many people have little time to do things for fun and pleasure. Consequently, they tend to procrastinate during bedtime to do the things they love.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The refusal to go to bed when you should is a psychological phenomenon known as “revenge bedtime procrastination,” which describes the decision to sacrifice sleep for more pleasurable activities such as bingeing and scrolling through social media. Bedtime procrastination is a relatively new concept that came up in a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00611/full"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study paper&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; by Dr. Floor Kroese and colleagues from the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, published in 2014.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Kroese and her colleagues describe this procrastination as “going to bed later than intended while no external circumstances are accountable for doing so,” meaning that a person who chooses to delay bedtime without genuine reason engages in bedtime procrastination. The word “revenge” was added to the phrase, and it started appearing in China in late 2016. It was further introduced to English speakers by Daphne K. Lee. Revenge Bedtime Procrastination is a deliberate decision to stay awake past bedtime to create a “me time.” People naturally revenge on sleep almost as an act of rebellion to take back some precious time they lost to recoup on the ever-increasing demands at work and home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though it is evident that sleep deprivation takes a toll on mental health, people who engage in this infamous practice want to get enough rest, but they fail to do so. This behavioral pattern is known as the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29739503/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;intention-behavior gap&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. With that in mind, experts warned that insufficient sleep is a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6473877/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;global public health epidemic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2019/20190307-in-recognition-of-world-sleep-day-philips-presents-its-annual-global-sleep-survey-results.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;global sleep survey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; across 12 countries with over 11,000 responses revealed that 62% of adults feel they get fewer hours of sleep than needed, averaging 6.8 hours than the 8 hours recommended by sleep experts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People procrastinate on sleep for so many reasons, but some factors will be considered for sleep deprivation to be deemed bedtime procrastination:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Delaying going to sleep and reducing total sleep time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Staying awake later than necessary for no serious reasons.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Knowing that the delay will have a negative consequence on mental health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Even though a study in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7460337/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;the international journal of environmental research and public health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed that adolescents are the most apparent bedtime procrastinators, another &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31619947/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; also showed that women and students are more likely to engage in bedtime procrastination. However, research on the sleep phenomenon is still in the early stages, and further research will reveal those most affected by it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Reducing sleep hours as a form of revenge and retaliation is dangerous to health, and it can lead to a plethora of harmful mental and physical health issues that can affect the quality of life. Getting eight or more sleep hours refreshes the mind, and lack of it negatively affects reasoning, alertness, reaction times, and working memory. Another effect of sleep deprivation includes diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hormone-related problems, and a weaker immune system. When you deprive yourself of adequate sleep for a long time, your odds of dying early from any cause increase.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Overcoming bedtime procrastination requires healthy sleep hygiene, which involves creating a conducive sleeping environment and good sleep habits. Creating a set nighttime routine to facilitate sleep can help reduce the impulse to stay awake longer than necessary. Listed below are some examples of sleep habits you can incorporate into your daily schedule:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Find your proper sleep and wake-up time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Keep electronic devices away from your reach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Shut down your social media and other notifications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Avoid taking caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol in the afternoon and evening.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Do some yoga or meditation to help ease you into sleep.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Skip big night meals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sticking to these healthy sleep habits can improve your life significantly and also improve your quality of life. Thankfully, the awareness of the inherent danger associated with bedtime procrastination is an excellent step in the right direction. If your negative sleep patterns persist, talk with a doctor who can provide a professional evaluation of your health and determine if you have a sleep disorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/3664931.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/revenge-bedtime-procrastination/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12873</ID> <title>Taking the Proactive Approach to Healthcare with Tim Spooner</title> <publishDate>2021-08-27 15:10:09</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_533 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_635"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_668 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_262"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tim-spooner-portrait-400x461-1.jpg" alt="" title="tim-spooner-portrait-400x461" class="wp-image-12875" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_691 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Taking the Proactive Approach to Healthcare with Tim Spooner&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After over 35 years of experience as a physical therapist, Tim Spooner was happy just to continue helping his patients. On any given day, he could treat a tennis champion, a 71-year-old downhill skier, or a grandmother looking for help to play with her grandchildren.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Recently he could not ignore an alarming trend: his patients (and their employers) were seeing skyrocketing healthcare costs.  The leading cost in a health plan is Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Health care premiums for his patients have steadily increased while payouts from healthcare insurance companies have simultaneously decreased. This discrepancy results in wasteful overspending by employers and many aspects of insurance plans effectively  limit  people from promptly receiving care for their pain. Almost as bad, it was significantly reducing the financial health of millions of Americans. In his interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tim Spooner discusses his solutions to this problem and how he is disrupting the current healthcare model with his company, Proactive MSD.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Employees are Your Number One Asset&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner starts by saying&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, “I have never met a single CEO that didn’t tell me, ‘Our people are our greatest asset.’” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Despite this, every year, thousands of employers in the United States are losing employees and money to the number one cause of disability, Musculoskeletal Disorders. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Everyone twists their back, strains a muscle, or tweaks a joint during work or recreational activities.” &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Spooner says that 85% of these pain issues can be solved with conservative care, but because of insurance barriers, these patients are either not seeking care or not receiving the correct intervention.  Taking it even further, he says that left untreated, these problems will worsen and individuals may choose to seek self-medication with an extremely high risk of opioid addiction.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Only One Out of Ten Patients Gets Referred for MSDs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Tim Spooner describes the current healthcare model as “dangerously wasteful.” The overspending affects both his patients’ health and their employers’ bottom line. Health insurance companies have steadily increased their deductibles and  patients may spend several visits to a primary care doctor or a specialist before they even get to the physical therapist’s office. This delay in receiving care means the patient suffers longer and also tends to lead to more costly interventions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s a Biomechanical Problem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner’s company, Proactive MSD (a joint venture with Solveglobal), takes a disruptive approach to the current system.  By offering a complete population health strategy for MSD’s at a fixed cost, they help employers decrease wasteful overspending on healthcare. This pricing model targets self insured employers looking for a transparent price and reduced run-around time due to multiple appointments from medical doctors. “&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Most MSD’s start as a biomechanical problem, not a medical one.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;   Proactive MSD’s goal:  Right Care, Right Time, Right Provider, Right Value.  When employers fix their healthcare costs and eliminate barriers to services, their employees are more likely to receive prompt medical attention.  This proactive approach decreases expensive interventions which drive up health insurance premiums.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;No One Industry Is Good at Everything&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The late Clayton Christensen studied hospitals and found that only 1 out of every 10 dollars in a large system actually goes towards patient care.  Hospitals are trying to be good at everything, and end up being a large driver of waste and inefficiency. Proactive MSD focuses its efforts on creating a Data-Centric, Risk and Opportunity Analysis for company leadership to determine the specific health risks a business faces, and to reduce wasteful costs found in expensive testing, limited accessibility, rigid appointments, and other traditional “reactive” approaches. Proactive MSD also uses confidential,  monthly workforce engagement surveys, and the data reveals the opportunities for MSD intervention.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Not All Therapies are Created Equal&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After over three decades of patient care, Tim Spooner has noticed many individuals and large organizations assume that all physical therapists deliver equal results . It is not unusual for patients to stop attending physical therapy after only two or three visits. He attributes this to several reasons.  As healthcare providers, there is a need to connect with patients and their goals.  There is a need to educate patients on the recovery process and the timetables involved.  As therapists, there is a need to be flexible to changing symptoms and adjust the movement prescription to obtain the desired results.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Spooner got into physical therapy through a  background in sports, experience with exercise, and a love of teaching. Although the work can be demanding both physically and mentally, seeing patients achieve their goals is very satisfying.  Today’s disruptive healthcare environment will create many new and financially rewarding opportunities for those entering the physical therapy profession. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Physical Therapy of the Future&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Many innovations are moving the industry forward. Telehealth has allowed Spooner to treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic safely. “Telehealth has been very useful in reaching patients who could not access facilities and those that travel for work.  I expect this trend to continue as patients expect greater convenience and value from their healthcare providers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Proactive MSD’s disruptive business model is enticing business owners to recalibrate their healthcare spend.  “We reallocate what employers are currently spending and help their employees move and feel better.”   In return, the employer saves on wasteful overspending and can deliver higher wages and additional benefits to employees.  These direct contracts between healthcare providers, such as Proactive MSD, and employers are helping to reshape how healthcare is both delivered and received.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h1&gt; &lt;/h1&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tim-spooner-portrait-400x461-1.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/taking-the-proactive-approach-to-healthcare-with-tim-spooner/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12817</ID> <title>Dr. David Hernandez - The Miami Love Doctor</title> <publishDate>2021-08-26 12:23:03</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_534 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_636"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_669 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_263"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-1-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" title="download (1)" class="wp-image-12822" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_692 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. David Hernandez is steadily growing in popularity as Miami's Love Doctor. He educates patients and physicians alike on sexual health and regenerative options to improve people's sex lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hernandez has overcome many hurdles before becoming a sexual health specialist and educator. As a child, he wanted to become a paramedic firefighter. With the inspiration of his hardworking parents, Dr. Hernandez became a paramedic for the American Medical Response. He then worked in the ER at Jackson Memorial Hospital as an emergency room technician. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It wasn't until a doctor saw his skill and challenged him to study medicine that Dr. Hernandez realized a medical degree was in the books for him. He studied in the Dominican Republic at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Santo Domingo and was touched by the humble appreciation of his patients. His hands-on experience prepared him for his move into sexual health and regenerative medicine. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-3.jpg"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-3-683x1024.jpg" width="293" height="440" alt="" class="wp-image-12825 alignnone size-large" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Improving People's Sexual Health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The pandemic increased the proximity of most couples and, subsequently, Hernandez's number of patients. Spreading the word on such a sensitive topic as sexual health is not easy, even as Dr. Hernandez's patients have had success in restoring their sex lives. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hernandez offers IV nutrition, shockwave therapy, vampire facelifts, and O and P shots. His work entails helping patients improve their sex lives by educating them on how decreasing stress balances patients' sympathetic nervous system and thus improves their sex lives. Dr. Hernandez has been helping patients rediscover the joys of sex and helps them feel more comfortable in their skin. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"I make intimacy more enjoyable for both males and females," Dr. Hernandez said. "And the most rewarding part that I've seen is when you know the patient comes back and says, 'Thank you, you saved my marriage' or 'I don't know what I was going to do with my life; thank you!'"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-4.jpg"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-4.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="" class="wp-image-12824 alignnone size-full" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pornography and Sex&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some aspects of sexual health are not as easy to navigate for patients. Dr. Hernandez has noticed young people having sexual health problems that are much more common in much older patients -- all due to pornography addictions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"It creates this altered reality," Dr. Hernandez said. "Since our brain is instinctively designed to take the easy way out, it's a lot easier to sit in front of a computer screen watching porn and masturbate than it is to seduce somebody."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Hernandez doesn't think that porn is wrong, but he does think the addiction is harmful to a sexually healthy life. He tells his patients that if they can get aroused without any pornography stimulus and hold until climax, they do not have a pornography addiction. It's when porn becomes the only way to attain climax that an addiction is present.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-2-683x1024.jpg" width="272" height="407" alt="" class="wp-image-12826 alignnone size-large" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smart Moves&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;"Sexual health is part of your overall health. It has a lot of ties to not only your physical but also to your mental health," Dr. Hernandez said. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As the pandemic helped people reflect on their values and what truly matters, Dr. David Hernandez hopes that people will continue seeking education and action to improve their sexual health. He hopes to expand his reach, which is why he has been promoting sex education and well-being on his social media platforms. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To learn more about Dr. Hernandez and his work, you can visit him over at his Instagram and Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/download-3-683x1024.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/?p=12817</url> </article> <article> <ID>12052</ID> <title>8 Healthy Eating Habits to Start Today</title> <publishDate>2021-08-24 03:28:26</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_535 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_637"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_670 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_264"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed.jpg" alt="" title="unnamed" class="wp-image-12053" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_693 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modifying your eating habits, including eating at the right time, can help you turn your life around. It takes a certain degree of dedication and commitment to introduce new habits into your daily routine. In time, you will be surprised how it can help your body become stronger and healthier.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drink More Water&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you have to drink more than a few glasses of water a day. One case &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23803882"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; after &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19661958"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;another&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; proves the short-term and long-term benefits of drinking a lot of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17519319"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Drinking more water leads to weight loss and burns more calories each day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat Greek Yogurt&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thick and creamy Greek yogurt is another healthy food for your daily routine. Greek yogurt is an ideal source of protein that provides a long-lasting feeling of fullness. It will allow you to manage your appetite and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23107521"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consume&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; fewer &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18448177"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;calories&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; over time. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get the Whole-Grain Bread&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You may like the taste, but white bread is not your friend. Whole-grain bread, on the other hand, is a healthier choice. Besides, refined grains come with a lot of health issues. Eat whole-grain bread to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23608304"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;decrease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; potential type-2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24478050"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;risk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Have a Proper Breakfast&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You should also introduce eggs into your breakfast. Eggs can be pretty healthy so long as you consume them during your morning breakfast. Eggs contain high-level protein and create a feeling of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20226994"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;fullness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; in the morning. A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22948783"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; shows that people consume less food after an egg-based breakfast in the morning.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Set a Normal Eating Pace&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Just because you skipped lunch doesn’t mean you can devour the dinner in an instant. Ideally, you should take your &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21802566"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and make sure to chew while eating. Consequently, slow-paced eating will reduce the chance of obesity and signal your brain that you’re full.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Try to Cook More at Home&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you want to adopt a healthier eating lifestyle, start cooking more at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5561571/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Of course, It’s no harm to eat out every now and then at your favorite restaurants. However, try to learn to cook more dishes at home. Besides, there is an ocean of recipes and available material online. It would help if you took your time to perfect your home cooking skills. In time, you will feel and look healthier. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eat More Protein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When it comes to nutrients, protein is king. Think of protein as a supercharged nutrient that can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16469977"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;affect&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; your daily hunger. One &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16002798"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;research&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; demonstrates that a high protein intake propels individuals to consume less food over a long period.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li aria-level="1"&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;More Baking Less Frying&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Your method to prepare food matters, and frying food comes with serious health consequences. You may love your meat or fish deep-fried, but it also &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26878284"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;leads&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to heart diseases and cancer. So, if you don’t want to intake toxic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26776018"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;compounds&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; because of frying and grilling methods, focus on baking more.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sum Up&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Remember not to confuse healthy eating with dieting. Healthy eating is more than about losing weight – it’s about feeling mentally and physically sound. Think of healthy eating as a balanced approach for your body to get necessary nutrients and ensure optimal bodily functions. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;From vegetables to fruits to fats to starches to proteins, healthy eating also makes you more mindful about what you drink and eat. The more you lean towards healthy eating habits, the faster you can cut out processed or fried foods from your life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;REFERENCES:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Brennan, F. (2021). 17 healthy eating habits to start today, according to our medical experts. Retrieved 2021, from https://www.eatthis.com/news-healthy-eating-habits-etnt-medical-experts/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to make healthy eating a habit. (n.d.). Retrieved 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-healthy-eating-habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Migala, J., Macht, H., Migala, J., Lawler, M., Palinski-Wade, E., Revelant, J., . . . Rapaport, L. (n.d.). Why are healthy eating habits important?: Everyday health. Retrieved 2021, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/importance-healthy-eating-habits/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Murad, A. (2020). 5 key habits of healthy eaters. Retrieved 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/5-key-habits-of-healthy-eaters/art-20270182&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Murad, A. (2020). 5 key habits of healthy eaters. Retrieved 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/5-key-habits-of-healthy-eaters/art-20270182&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The top 10 benefits of eating healthy. (n.d.). Retrieved 2021, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322268&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/unnamed.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/8-healthy-eating-habits-to-start-today/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12796</ID> <title>Psoriasis: 8 Things You Should Know About This Chronic Skin Disease</title> <publishDate>2021-08-19 14:45:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_536 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_638"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_671 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_265"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/untitled-design-2019-09-20t115434196-1.jpg" alt="" title="untitled-design-2019-09-20t115434196" class="wp-image-12802" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_694 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you’re suffering from having red, scaly, inflamed, and itchy patches around your skin that sometimes cause burning sensations or even bleeding, there’s a big chance that you could have Psoriasis. But don’t worry - you are not alone. In fact, 7.5 million people in the United States are affected with psoriasis, and not even celebrities like Kim Kardashian or Cara Delevigne are spared from this disease. Although psoriasis is a common ailment, there are still many things about it that the public misunderstands, which is why we’re here to help clear things out.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;1. Psoriasis is not just a rash. It is an autoimmune disease.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;We tend to mistake psoriasis with just another rash, but many experts believe it is an autoimmune disease, meaning that specific triggers can cause the immune system to malfunction by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psoriasis-immune-system#relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;launching an inflammatory response to attack healthy cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;These triggers result in having a build-up of red, scaly, and inflamed skin plaques.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;2. Psoriasis is not contagious.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When you see someone with flushed, scaly patches of skin, don’t be afraid to shake their hands or hug them. Psoriasis is not contagious; therefore, you shouldn’t treat the person struggling with them differently. However, studies have shown that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285384/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;psoriasis can come from genetics&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, and if both of your parents have them, there is a 50% chance you will get them as well.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;3. Psoriasis is not curable, but it is manageable.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To date, there is still no cure for psoriasis - but that doesn’t mean you should give up hope. This chronic skin disorder is easily manageable if you go and see a dermatologist who can recommend the right treatment plan, whether using skincare products, applying topical medication, or changing your lifestyle. If you’re seeking a dermatologist who can help you with this skin condition, you may visit the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Patient Navigation Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; for assistance. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;4. There are different kinds of psoriasis.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psoriasis can manifest itself in more than one way. The most common type we see is plaque psoriasis, which translates into having red scaly patches on the skin. However, 30% of people suffer from &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316757" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;psoriatic arthritis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which happens when there is joint inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;5. Psoriasis can appear all over your body.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The most common parts of your body that psoriasis takes over are your scalp, elbows, knees, hands, and feet. Patches on the scalp can even lead to hair loss, and when psoriasis occurs around your nail beds, sometimes the nails can become brittle and not grow back.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;6. An unhealthy lifestyle makes psoriasis worse.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;While half of the psoriasis cases are genetic, environmental factors cause the other half. Stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of sunlight, viral infections, and certain medications usually trigger flare-ups in adults. If you want to keep your psoriasis dormant, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper exercise and diet. Studies even show that a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6143029/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Mediterranean diet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a key to slow down psoriasis progression.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;7. Psoriasis can cause other diseases. &lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If not treated, psoriasis can lead to other more severe diseases such as heart disease, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and even depression. Since psoriasis causes inflammation in and around your body, it is highly plausible for inflammation to affect your blood vessels and interfere with the transfer of blood and oxygen needed to function correctly.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;8. Most people have mild cases.&lt;/b&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Luckily, the majority of people living with psoriasis only experience mild cases. Only 20% have moderate to severe cases, wherein severe cases cover more than &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5389757/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5 percent of the body’s surface area. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you suspect that you are exhibiting symptoms of psoriasis or know someone who is, be sure to contact your doctor or visit the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;NPF website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to ask for the necessary help.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/untitled-design-2019-09-20t115434196.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/psoriasis-8-things-you-should-know-about-this-chronic-skin-disease/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12359</ID> <title>10 Triggers of Psoriasis and How to Avoid Them</title> <publishDate>2021-08-17 07:38:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_537 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_639"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_672 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_266"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/10-Triggers-of-Psoriasis-and-How-to-Avoid-Them.jpg" alt="" title="Man hand scratching an itch on red mark sensitive skin as food o" class="wp-image-12400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_695 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People living with psoriasis know that skin flares come and go. Some days, they’re mild, with only a few red patches here and there. Other days, they’re unbearable and take over the whole body. What triggers psoriasis flares may differ for each person, but we’ve listed all of them below to help you become more cautious about possible triggers and how to avoid them.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;1. Stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stress can be a trigger for many types of diseases, including psoriasis. Unfortunately, these two often go hand in hand -- psoriasis causes stress for many people, and the stress can make outbreaks worse. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Finding ways to reduce stress can help avoid worsening the condition. For example, try practicing yoga and meditation or soaking in a tub with a scented candle. Calling a friend to vent or joining a support group is also another great way to minimize stress.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2. Infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some common infections like strep throat, bronchitis, tonsillitis, respiratory or ear infections may cause a flare-up &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/scaly-skin/psoriasis/tips-for-managing-psoriasis/are-triggers-causing-your-psoriasis-flare-ups"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2 to 6 weeks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;after the infection. Since infections attack the immune system, which is also responsible for psoriasis, a disturbance will likely trigger flares. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;To avoid getting any infection, keep the immune system up by taking vitamin C, eating healthy food, and exercising regularly. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;3. Medication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/causes"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; may also cause psoriasis flares after a couple of weeks from using them. For example, doctors have linked antimalarial drugs (Plaquenil or chloroquine), beta-blockers (Inderal for high blood pressure), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Indomethacin for arthritis), and lithium for psychiatric disorders to flare-ups. Even steroids, which are essentially given as medication to deal with flares, may end up triggering an outbreak after withdrawal from long-term use of the drug.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, these drugs are also necessary to treat other ailments, and they may impact a person’s health if they stop using them. If flare-ups occur, make sure to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to figure out what medication is causing the flares and find a way to treat it. Some physicians may even offer alternative medication that won’t trigger flares.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;4. Skin Injury&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cuts, scratches, bruises, bug bites, extreme sunburn, or broken skin signs can also trigger a psoriasis outbreak. Flares are more likely to appear around the injured skin area.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;It’s quite easy to get minor injuries from daily activities like cooking, cleaning, gardening, or exercising -- to avoid that, try to be more careful. And when injured, quickly treat the lesion, so it heals before flares start to show.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;5. Alcohol Consumption&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Drinking alcohol can make symptoms worse for someone with psoriasis in many ways. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05100.x"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2011 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, alcohol consumption can trigger the production of inflammatory proteins and increase a person’s risk of infection, which both contribute to psoriasis symptoms. Moreover, alcohol also interferes with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/scaly-skin/psoriasis/tips-for-managing-psoriasis/are-triggers-causing-your-psoriasis-flare-ups"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;methotrexate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which is a medication that treats psoriatic arthritis. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;As enticing as a nice cold beer or a refreshing margarita sounds, it’s best to stay away from drinking alcohol (or at least limit your consumption) to prevent psoriasis flare-ups.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;6. Smoking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Smoking is not only harmful to a person’s overall health, but it can also set off a psoriasis flare. Based on a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(05)02299-1/fulltext"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;2006 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, smoking and tobacco use may also increase your risk of developing palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, a rare psoriasis type that affects the hands and feet. Additionally, smoking can also reduce the effectiveness of psoriatic arthritis medication. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Avoid smoking and secondhand smoking at all costs if you want to keep psoriasis flares at bay.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;7. Food&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A person’s diet may influence psoriasis symptoms. For example, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-017-0183-4"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;studies suggest&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that people who eliminate gluten, red meat, dairy products, nightshade vegetables (like eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes), and fatty, sugary foods from their diet have fewer psoriasis outbreaks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The study also found that taking vitamin D and following a strict vegetarian, vegan, or Mediterranean diet could help alleviate psoriasis symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;8. Weight Gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to a recent study by the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/diet-psoriasis-research"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Psoriasis Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, overweight people with psoriasis are more likely to develop severe symptoms and are at greater risk for heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. In addition, since psoriasis causes inflammation in the cells, the inflammation may block blood flow and make it harder for cells to absorb sugar.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;People who are overweight should reduce their calorie intake, exercise more often, drink lots of water, and eat less junk. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;9. Hormones&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Changes in hormone levels in females can cause psoriasis flare-ups, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3888685/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;based on a 2013 study&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Flares tend to occur when women have low estrogen levels, which explains why women experience psoriasis outbreaks during puberty, menopause, or after giving birth. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;However, when estrogen levels are higher, symptoms tend to improve - that’s why psoriasis flares are less common during pregnancy.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;10. Weather&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Some people may find their psoriasis symptoms worsen when temperatures drop, and others may experience an outbreak after too much sun exposure. Therefore, it is essential to set balanced conditions at home to prevent outbreaks.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If it is too cold or dry, using a humidifier at home may help reduce flares. Getting sun and the vitamin D that comes with it is also an excellent way to manage flares, but remember to only go for 5 to 10 minutes to avoid sunburn, which also causes psoriasis flares.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Although there is no found cure for psoriasis yet, understanding triggers and finding ways to prevent them can help you manage your symptoms. Don’t forget to &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;seek support and find a doctor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; you trust to help you overcome a life-long battle with this skin disease.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/10-Triggers-of-Psoriasis-and-How-to-Avoid-Them.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/10-triggers-of-psoriasis-and-how-to-avoid-them/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12304</ID> <title>Types of Psoriasis</title> <publishDate>2021-08-16 07:21:48</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_538 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_640"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_673 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_267"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Psoriasis.png" alt="" title="Psoriasis" class="wp-image-12325" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_696 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Written by: Yuko Tabasa&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;affects over 8 million adults in America today&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. This autoimmune condition occurs when an overactive immune system speeds up the skin cell growth three times faster than normal, and the body hasn’t had the time to shed old skin cells yet. The phenomenon results in a build-up of skin that manifests as red plaques and scaly patches all over the body. There are different types of psoriasis, and knowing what they look like can help people get a more accurate diagnosis that will help them treat the skin disease accordingly.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plaque Psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plaque psoriasis is the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/what/overview"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;most common type of psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, with up to 80 to 90 percent of people with psoriasis developing plaques. Usually, the skin takes &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.papaa.org/learn-about-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis/common-questions/psoriasis-a-simple-explanation/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;21 to 28 days&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to regenerate new skin cells, but in psoriasis, the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, so new ones develop every 4 to 7 days. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Plaque psoriasis will leave skin with red, irritated patches, and the damage causes the skin to have itchy grayish-white scales. These plaques usually show up in the scalp, elbow, knees, face, hands, and feet. Some people with more severe plaque psoriasis cases can develop psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Guttate Psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/guttate/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Psoriasis Foundation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, about 8% of people with psoriasis have guttate psoriasis, which is the second most common psoriasis type. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Guttate &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is the Latin word for “drop,” which perfectly characterizes the little red raindrop-shaped patches on the skin. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Compared to the large red and silvery lesions in plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis has much smaller and thinner patches. Several hundred of these tiny drop-shaped patches may appear on the arms, legs, torso, scalp, face, and ears. Most people affected by guttate psoriasis usually start to see symptoms during childhood or young adulthood, and a common trigger for this in children is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155412"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strep throat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pustular Psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683122/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pustular Psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is a rare and severe form of psoriasis characterized by pustules, painful white pus-filled bumps with possible surrounding inflamed skin. Light skin will appear red in the affected areas, and dark skin will appear darker in color. And although the pustules may look worrisome, the pus in the pustules is not contagious as it consists of white blood cells. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pustular psoriasis is also categorized into three types:&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;General pustular psoriasis (GPP) or von Zumbusch psoriasis&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affects large body areas and can develop quite rapidly. The onset of symptoms often comes with fever, chills, severe itching, heart rate change, and fatigue.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Localized pustular psoriasis or palmoplantar pustular psoriasis (PPPP)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affects the palms of the hands and/or the foot soles. &lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;b&gt;Acropustulosis&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; affects the tips of the fingers and/or toes. This type rarely appears, usually after a skin injury or infection.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Pregnant women may also experience pustular psoriasis as hormonal changes can affect the immune system. This condition is called &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3875976/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;impetigo herpetiformis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; and typically occurs during the third trimester.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Treatment for Psoriasis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Psoriasis is a life-long condition that many have to carry. Although there is no cure yet, a simple lifestyle change such as avoiding alcohol and nicotine, exercising regularly, and eating nutritious food is enough to reduce flare-ups. A trip to the doctor is also recommended for a suitable treatment plan tailored to each type of psoriasis. Check out the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/health-care-provider-directory/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;National Psoriasis Foundation Health Care Provider Directory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; to help find the right doctor for you or your loved one.&lt;/span&gt;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Psoriasis.png</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/types-of-psoriasis/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12291</ID> <title>What to Watch for in The Growing Skincare Industry</title> <publishDate>2021-08-14 07:02:29</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_539 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_641"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_674 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_268"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash" class="wp-image-12293" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_697 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;More organic product awareness as compared to their synthetic counterparts is driving an increase in production demand. Organic products come from natural resources and are free from damaging toxins and chemicals. Their benefits compel manufacturers to launch new products and conduct more research on new developments. As more people turn to these products, the trend will likely continue in the future. Consequently, the market for organic skincare products is also expanding.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Why are Organic Skincare Products Becoming Popular?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The growing popularity is not the only factor that is driving demand for organic skincare products. A steady increase in distribution channels is allowing consumers to choose the best products. E-commerce platforms allow consumers to enjoy access to products they can’t buy from their local malls and stores. Such advancements pave the path for numerous emerging skincare brands.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Products indicate the evolving preferences of consumers for better health, beauty, and hygiene in modern times. Thus, R&amp;amp;D efforts and new technologies will result in the development of oral care and other hygiene products from various brands.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The modern consumer is willing to pay a high price for such products, first, because consumers now trust organic products more, especially from countries like Japan, U.S., China, and India; second, because organic products claim more benefits than synthetic products. Consumers are keen to purchase these products because natural ingredients ensure fewer to no side effects.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Effect on Popular Beauty Brands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Successful brands are already working to capture the target audience that is slowly shifting towards organic products. Big brands are now setting up internal incubators that are quick to launch groundbreaking skincare products. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;For instance, Unilever, the brand behind world-famous products such as Suave and Dove, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;acquired new skincare-focused brands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Another famous brand, Procter &amp;amp; Gamble, added another skincare brand to their portfolio when they bought &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Kiwi&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. That’s because the company&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; from New Zealand was making headlines because of their natural products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Additionally, the skincare industry is observing a shift from an older consumer base to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.mintel.com/blog/beauty-market-news/beauty-trends-for-younger-consumers"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;younger consumer base&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; Thanks to the global impact of fashion influencers on the internet, teens are now beginning to capture the market more than women do. Hence, skincare brands are now targeting the younger generation and making efforts to retain their older consumer base.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The U.S. skincare industry is now focusing on using natural ingredients for manufacturing safe and organic products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. According to a survey, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;35% of women&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; showed interest in using all-natural and organic skin products in 2016.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Hence, brands continue to develop innovative skincare products that are great for us and the environment. The concept of using locally sourced ingredients and adapting &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/organic-cosmetics-market"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;eco-friendly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; production methods is also gaining more popularity.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Anti-Aging Organic Products&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Emerging and successful brands are producing a variety of organic anti-aging creams, lotions, and serums. Today’s consumers are more wellness-conscious than before. Groundbreaking trends like CBD, Ayurvedic herbs, and personal rituals are changing the way consumers use skincare products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Modern consumers look forward to developing a deeper relationship with their wellness. That’s the reason many brands focus on creating an “experience” rather than a “product.” Another factor to consider is that many of our current interest-driving skin concerns were less relevant in the past. Work-related stress during the pandemic, sun protection, and pollution influence brands to develop new and improved skincare products. UV exposure, daily exposure to pollution, and premature aging are common problems of today’s consumers; consequently, brands are switching to natural and local ingredients to develop relevant and effective products.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Consumers believe that natural products will reverse or slow down the progression of these problems. Organic skincare products do not have parabens or synthetic ingredients, which guarantee effective results.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Bottom Line&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Cell communicating ingredients can improve the appearance of our skin. Brands are partnering with researchers and scientists to identify the most valuable elements and ingredients for improving the health of our skin. Skincare brands continue to place a high emphasis on manufacturing products out of natural and local ingredients, an approach that will help them drive revenues and expand their services in emerging markets such as Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Sources&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&#13; &lt;a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-care-trends/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-care-trends/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://crstoday.com/articles/2015-aug/a-consumers-perspective-on-skin-care/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://crstoday.com/articles/2015-aug/a-consumers-perspective-on-skin-care/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-personal-care-market"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-personal-care-market&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-35-of-women-plan-to-increase-purchases-of-all-natural-beauty-products-in-next-two-years-300334992.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2015/unilever-to-acquire-dermalogica-skincare.html&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&#13; &#13; &lt;a href="https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;https://retailleader.com/pg-acquires-kiwi-skin-care-brand#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20acquired%20New,also%20includes%20SKII%20and%20Olay&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&#13; &#13; &amp;nbsp;&#13;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amanda-dalbjorn-fvInY-Gh7sc-unsplash.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/lifestyle/what-to-watch-for-in-the-growing-skincare-industry/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12864</ID> <title>Tara Rajendran: Could An Ancient Instrument in Combination with Modern Medicine Hold the Secrets to Healing?</title> <publishDate>2021-08-13 12:44:43</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_540 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_642"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_675 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_269"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_8123-scaled.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_8123" class="wp-image-12869" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_698 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Could An Ancient Instrument in Combination with Modern Medicine Hold the Secrets to Healing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;At the age of four, it was undeniable to young Tara Rajendran that her 60-year-old grandmother’s battle with lymphoblastic leukemia was tragically ending. Although too young to fully understand, she could sense the impending separation and dread during the moment. Tara could see and empathically feel that her beloved maternal grandmother’s body was ravaged with anxiety and pain from cancer. At this time, the only comfort to her grandmother was the beautiful, soothing Indian classical music compositions that played bedside through a simple red tape recorder. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;When her grandmother passed away in 1998, Tara never forgot the healing power of music as medicine and has since devoted her life to reshaping India’s healthcare infrastructure to include India’s rich musical heritage as a science-based therapy. In her interview with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, Dr. Tara Rajendran discusses her fascinating journey as both an accomplished musician and doctor and her international lecture-concert series, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Musical Child Prodigy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;After her grandmother’s death, Dr. Rajendran’s connection to the power of music immediately intensified. At the age of 7, she was already making a name for herself in the Indian classical music world with her solo vocal recitals, which were lauded by erudite classical music audiences and critics. But her incendiary talent in the 7-stringed Saraswati Veena, India’s national instrument, catapulted her to generational talent status at the age of 11. She would go on to have legendary performances of Indian classical music virtuosity on the notoriously difficult Saraswati Veena, including a national broadcast on All India Radio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg"&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg" width="487" height="730" alt="" class="wp-image-12868 alignnone size-full" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Intersection of Music and Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran displayed academic brilliance even while pursuing a demanding dual academic schedule of Medicine and Music. However, when her medical training began, she decided to pause music and devote complete focus on medicine -- not an easy choice for any talented med student but especially difficult for Dr. Rajendran, an acclaimed performer of Indian classical music. On her 9-month clinical hands-on clerkships in Oncology from Ivy League institutions like Weill Cornell, Harvard Medical School, and Stanford Medicine, she met her mentor, Dr. Anthony D’Amico, the advisory dean of Harvard Medical School. Dr. D’Amico is a radiation oncologist who pushed Dr. Rajendran towards reconnecting to her Indian classical music roots and exploring the intersection of music and medicine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In 2019, Dr. Rajendran started an ongoing international lecture-concert series, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. The series aims to reshape the international healthcare infrastructure to include instrumental music therapy, like the music she performs on her Saraswati Veena. The unique stringed instrument itself is a member of the lute family but has several unique acoustic tonal properties. The playing technique on the instrument requires the most gifted and trained musical hands to perform Indian classical music, which has origins dating back to at least 1700 B.C. The twenty-four frets of the seven-stringed instrument represent the 24 pre-sacral vertebrae of the human spine and have long been associated with religious and mythical connections. The unique curvatures in the construction of the Veena allow for a high degree of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;glissando&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, something that in the hands of the right performer can evoke gorgeous, transcendent emotional phrases and melodies. The Veena can produce music with ethereal qualities like the sounds of the inimitable Chitti Babu, the masterful performer whose healing music played on the Panasonic tape recorder next to Dr. Rajendran’s ailing grandmother in 1998.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Repeatability and Reproducibility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; is also meant to educate the international medical community on the scientifically studied randomized control tests of music therapy for specific diseases. “For example, Mozart’s K448 [Sonata for Two Pianos] has been studied for over two decades and has been shown to help pediatric patients with epilepsy.” Music therapy began after World War II, but Aristotle and Plato mentioned music as therapy thousands of years ago. Today, one problem is that music therapy studies are often culturally based. For India, it may be true that Indian classical music on the Veena could be more impactful in many cases. One of the goals of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;is to get international medical students, researchers, and cancer centers to start several randomized control studies so that more advances can happen in medically defined music therapy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Future of Palliative Oncology Infrastructure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; that her ambitious international project, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Oncology and Strings, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;advocates for more than just the patients and the doctors. She intends to push India to have NMC accredited music therapy academic training programs for creating health care professional pathways for India’s near future. She also lends free musical clips to play classical Indian music passively in hospitals, palliative care centers, waiting rooms, and operating rooms. She reminds us that suicide rates in physicians were at a critical level before the COVID-19 pandemic, and in lower-middle-income countries like India, physician burnout leading to suicide or severe depression is an underserved epidemic on its own.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Dr. Rajendran thinks that medical students should think twice before totally abandoning their artistic gifts and that reimagining the need for music in the international healthcare infrastructure is a movement that is gaining traction by the day. She tells &lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Top Doctor Magazine, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;“Maybe somebody like me, as a young medical student, a young Tara, reads this and says… I want to be like her.”  Watch for more from this compassionate trailblazer’s blossoming career: she is also an accomplished and published writer for a New York-based international human rights organization. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. with a dissertation focusing on the “Evolution of the use of Indian classical music in medicine.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2-IMG_8205-scaled.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/frontline-heroes/doctor/tara-rajendran-could-an-ancient-instrument-in-combination-with-modern-medicine-hold-the-secrets-to-healing/</url> </article> <article> <ID>12255</ID> <title>How Lifestyle Medicine Effects Modern Healthcare</title> <publishDate>2021-08-11 06:25:11</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_541 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_643"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_676 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_270"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-negative-space-48604.jpg" alt="" title="pexels-negative-space-48604" class="wp-image-12256" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_699 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Written by: Oyalola M. Lateef&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle medicine is an evolving healthcare approach using evidence-based therapeutic intervention and natural treatment for holistic care. As an evolving branch of medicine, it deals with research, prevention, treatment, and reversal of lifestyle-related diseases. In addition, lifestyle medicine encourages the adoption and practice of healthy behaviors by motivating patients to embrace a plant-predominant diet, restorative sleep, regular physical exercise, stress management, and healthy social relations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the years, humans generally retrogressed into harmful and unhealthy lifestyles, creating a burden of non-communicable diseases that account for about &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.acpm.org/getmedia/f297c5aa-5ebc-4d96-9987-e511167a908d/kushner_lifestyle-medicine.pdf.aspx"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;63% of global deaths&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;. Recognizing that the status quo – a pill for every ill – is unsustainable, given that American's health hasn't grown appreciably in recent decades, health care professionals are focusing on creating a movement around lifestyle medicine to eradicate the root cause of disease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/pdf/guidelines/environmental-guidelines-P.pdf"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; the quality of medical care affects a patient by 10%, genetics by 18%, environment by 19% but lifestyle has over 50% effect on an individual's quality of life. In conjunction with the World Health Organization, the CDC also reported that 70% of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and hypertension result from major lifestyle-related risk factors, including lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and long-term stress.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Contrary to opinion, lifestyle medicine doesn't replace conventional modern medicine but complements it with its potential to mitigate and even reverse chronic disease. As a viable first approach to health care, lifestyle medicine is gradually gaining traction both in the United States and worldwide, creating a trend of daily habits and actions with a profound positive effect on long-term health and quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Lifestyle medicine created a multi-million dollar industry as mineral and vitamins supplements to prevent the occurrence or progression of chronic diseases. Vitamins and minerals are organic compounds every human needs in small quantities. The human body produces a small quantity of some vitamins while the rest come from food. For example, humans get vitamin C from their diet while dogs produce all the vitamin C they need. By comparison, only a tiny quantity of vitamin D is available in human food, while the human body synthesizes the vitamin when exposed to sunlight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The human body needs all the vitamins in the correct quantity to function optimally and maintain good health. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.eheintl.com/the_13_essential_vitamins/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Thirteen essential vitamins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; are crucial for human metabolic processes. Unfortunately, with all the inherent benefits of supplements, a dangerous trend is creeping into the spotlight: supplements receive much less scrutiny by the FDA before hitting the market. Even though the FDA ruled that supplements must meet specific quality standards, the rules don't guarantee that the supplements are safe for anyone. The FDA also reserves the right to remove dangerous products from the market, yet thousands of companies make false, unsupported claims to sell their products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ignoring the overly exaggerated claim by supplements makers, are their products safe? Does the label carry honest information about the contents in the bottle? Private labs and researchers waded into the matter and uncovered a shocking reality – one-quarter of the tested supplements have different problems that make them pretty unsafe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Over the last decade, an independent company tested hundreds of supplements, and one-quarter have had issues. Some supplements contained contaminants, while others had ingredients that exceeded the safe limit. Others had contents that didn't match label claims, and in some, real drugs were added as natural supplements. Although supplement makers intensify publicity about the potential benefits, using these products can land users in the emergency department.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1504267"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; revealed that adverse effects of supplements led to an average of about 23,000 medical visits per year. The 10-year study looked at data from 63 hospital emergency departments and reported that weight-loss products make up one-quarter of all single-product emergency department visits and affect primarily women while men experience adverse effects from bodybuilding and sexual enhancements products.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;In another test, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.consumerlab.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;consumerLab.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; found lead in at least one brand, including black cohosh, zinc, and ginkgo products. Accumulation of lead can cause severe health problems. The testing company recommends a national limit of 0.5 micrograms per day – a level that requires a warning on the product label in California. Similarly, a test showed that four out of seven supplements contain less ginkgo than their label claimed. In addition, ayurvedic – a notorious herbal ingredient used in traditional medicine from India – often contains hazardous metals, a study reported in medical journals. This type of industry fraud is shocking for what is supposed to be suitable for users.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Ultimately, some dietary supplements are safe and beneficial because they contain active ingredients that cause physiological changes. Unfortunately, these active ingredients can also create adverse effects such as racing irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, digestive symptoms, dizziness, or headache. Staying healthy requires multiple approaches to self-care. Awareness and informed knowledge about any supplement, including the content – whether advertised as herbal, natural, or non-drug – is part of that care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;If you do take herbal products, vitamins, or supplements, make sure you read any safety labels on the bottle at all times. Consult a clinician to review everything you take to avoid adverse effects, either you are taking the supplement alone or together with over-the-counter drugs. Call your doctor if you notice any strange symptoms after taking dietary supplements.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-negative-space-48604.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/how-lifestyle-medicine-effects-modern-healthcare/</url> </article> <article> <ID>13657</ID> <title>How To Begin Exercising According to Health Professionals</title> <publishDate>2021-08-10 15:25:40</publishDate> <description>&lt;div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_542 et_section_regular" &gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_644"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_677 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_271"&gt; &lt;span class="et_pb_image_wrap "&gt;&lt;img src="https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/young-man-sportswear-exercise-class-gym.jpg" alt="" title="young-man-sportswear-exercise-class-gym" class="wp-image-13658" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul class="et_pb_module et_pb_social_media_follow et_pb_social_media_follow_365 clearfix et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1095 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-facebook'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/topdoctormagazine/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Facebook' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1096 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-youtube'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgxWTuq7ki1y7bw22kYlwg' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Youtube' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_1097 et_pb_social_icon et_pb_social_network_link et-social-instagram'&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/topdoctormag/' class='icon et_pb_with_border' title='Follow on Instagram' target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span class='et_pb_social_media_follow_network_name' aria-hidden='true' &gt;Follow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_700 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"&gt; &lt;div class="et_pb_text_inner"&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How To Begin Exercising According to Health Professionals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Let's face it, exercising can get boring and monotonous, and unless you have some intrinsic motivation or determination, you may fall off your fitness goal even before you hit the gym. Nevertheless, medical doctors highlight the benefits of adopting a gym-patterned lifestyle, which is undoubtedly for your good. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The Center for Disease Control&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; reports that every 40 seconds, a person in the U.S. will suffer a heart attack. One of the leading causes of death in the US is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/statistics_maps.htm#:~:text=Stroke%20Statistics%20and%20Maps&amp;amp;text=Stroke%20is%20a%20leading%20cause,than%20147%2C000%20Americans%20in%202018."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;strokes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, which killed 147,000 Americans in 2018. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/statistics-about-diabetes#:~:text=Diabetes%20was%20the%20seventh%20leading,as%20a%20cause%20of%20death."&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt; killed 83,000 Americans in 2018 making it the seventh leading cause of death in the US. Statistics show that 12% of people who suffer a heart attack will most likely die from it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Metabolic syndrome, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are other serious aftermaths of living a sedentary and unhealthy life for a long period of time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;How to Live an Exercise-Patterned Life and Remain Committed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Besides just building some impressive biceps, going to the gym can boost your immunity and protect you from aging-related diseases such as sarcopenia (muscle loss) and osteoporosis. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Unfortunately, the odds that you will stay consistent in the gym once you begin the gym lifestyle are against you. But all hope isn't lost. Let's take a look at factors that will enhance the gym lifestyle and make it more enjoyable for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find the Intrinsic Motivation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;You must have a natural affinity or tendency towards getting fit and in good shape, and this affinity can only be enhanced by intrinsic motivation (for the long term). For example, if you go to the gym because of a wedding reception you want to attend in a few months, what happens after the wedding? What do you do when you no longer have a reason to go to the gym?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Extrinsic motivation is an external stimulus that pushes you to do the things you would not naturally entertain; however, the extrinsic is often momentarily, and once it's gone, you may not foster the strength to go back to the gym. Intrinsic motivation includes a determined understanding of the benefits of physical exercise to your body.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Find a Sport&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Going to the gym or even doing 200 pushups in your sitting room every night can become a chore. Find a sport you like and join a local team. With sports, you get to meet people, have fun, compete, and move your body rather than just lifting weights and doing exercises you hate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Stay Around People Who Motivate the Gym Lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;The best motivation comes from having people who have a disciplined attitude towards going to the gym. Instead of working out alone, surround yourself with people who will go with you to the gym. Exercising with friends and family members, especially when sports form part of the routine, can be a lot of fun.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;Work with a Personal Trainer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: 400;"&gt;A personal trainer keeps you motivated and pushes you to keep going after fatigue accumulates. If your gym has a professional instructor or trainer, reach out to see if that would be a good fit for you. Your instructor can look into your health history, help you reach your goals, and observe how your body reacts to different techniques in order to select the best workout for you. don't attempt to lose all your excess fat at once. Pushing your body beyond the limit, especially when you are just starting will discourage you and could cause moderate to life-threatening diseases. If you have a history of heart attack, diabetes, or stroke, or you suffer a nagging pain in any part of your body after a gym session, see a doctor immediately. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</description> <images>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/young-man-sportswear-exercise-class-gym.jpg</images> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/how-to-begin-exercising-according-to-health-professionals/</url> </article> </articles> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <categories> <category> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/business.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/celebrity.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/chiropractic.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/cosmetic-procedures.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/featured.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/frontline-heroes.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/guest-blogs.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/holiday-special.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/issue-172.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/issue-173.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/issue-174.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/issues.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/medical-specialists.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/medicine.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/oral-health.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/recipes.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/research.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/special-issue-iv-biz-bash.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/technology.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/top-doctors.xml</url> <url>https://topdoctormagazine.com/category/wellness.xml</url> </category> </categories>